Flowserve Corporation

Gregory Morrison

Andreas Dreiss

Scott C Judge

Neil Havrilla

Mark O'Sullivan

Bonnie M Brezinsky

A 'hydraulic rotating machinery' (“HRM”) system provides optimal energy efficiency over a very wide conditions of service (“COS”) range by configuring a plurality of variable speed HRMs in a “cluster.” The HRMs are interconnected by one or more valves that can be actuated by a controller to configure and vary a flow path through which a process fluid flows from an inlet to an outlet. By actively selecting which of the HRMs are included in the flow path, the interconnections therebetween, and the operating speeds thereof, the controller ensures that the HRM cluster continues to operate at optimal efficiency as the COS fluctuates over a very wide range. The HRMs can be identical to each other, or can vary in design. The HRM system can be implemented for storage and retrieval of green energy. The controller can also monitor the health of the cluster and/or of the associated process.

Variable speed reconfigurable pump/turbine clusters

A multi-stage hydraulic rotating machine (MSHRM) maintains near-optimal efficiency over widely varying conditions of service (COS) when controlling a fluid having a gas volume fraction (GVF) greater than 50% and large changes in volumetric flow rate (VFR) between stages. The MSHRM includes separately controlled stages having at least two different designs with different VFR ranges. Stage impellor differences can include impellor diameter, blade pitch, blade width, blade number, inlet diameter, and outlet diameter. Diffusers can differ in similar ways between stages. VFR ranges can be progressively higher or lower in successive stages. The stages can share a common VFR range within which incompressible liquids can be controlled. The MSHRM can function as a pump or turbine, and can be applicable to energy storage and recovery in 'green' energy systems.

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Nazareth, PA, United States of America

Gregory Morrison