Dresser-rand Company

Mark Joseph Kuzdzal

David James Peer

James M Sorokes

Zheji Liu

Kirk Ryan Lupkes

Harry Francis Miller

Paul Morrison Brown

Glenn Grosso

Richard J Wiederien

Kevin Pickrell

Brian David Massey

Martin D Maier

Pascal Lardy

David Carl Seib

Scott David Wisler

David Andrew Taylor

Stephen G Clute

Dan Benjamin

A balance piston seal assembly for a balance piston of a compressor is provided. The balance piston seal assembly may include a balance piston seal configured to be disposed about the balance piston such that an inner radial surface of the balance piston seal and an outer radial surface of the balance piston define a radial clearance therebetween. The balance piston seal assembly may also include a plurality of heaters in thermal communication with the balance piston seal and configured to heat and thermally expand the balance piston seal and thereby increase a radial length of the radial clearance.

Electrically heated balance piston seal

A supersonic compressor provided may include an axial inlet and a centrifugal impeller fluidly coupled to the axial inlet. The centrifugal impeller may have a periphery and may be configured to impart energy to process fluid received via the axial inlet and discharge the process fluid from the periphery in at least a partially radial direction. The supersonic compressor may further include a static diffuser circumferentially disposed about the periphery of the centrifugal impeller and configured to receive the process fluid from the centrifugal impeller and convert the energy imparted. The static diffuser may include a plurality of diffuser vanes defining diffuser passageways therebetween. A supersonic ramp may be formed at an end of the at least one diffuser vane proximate the periphery of the centrifugal impeller. The supersonic ramp may be configured to generate a shock wave from the process fluid.

Supersonic compressor with structural arrangement to increase pressure energy in a discharge process fluid received from a centrifugal impeller

A compressor may include a casing defining a discharge cavity and a seal cavity. A rotary shaft may be disposed in the casing, and a shaft seal assembly may be disposed in the seal cavity and about the rotary shaft. An impeller may be coupled with and configured to be driven by the rotary shaft. A balance piston may be integral with the impeller and may define the discharge cavity and the seal cavity. A balance piston seal may be disposed about the balance piston such that the balance piston seal and the balance piston define a radial clearance therebetween. The radial clearance may be configured to provide fluid communication from the impeller to the discharge cavity. A heat shield may be disposed in the discharge cavity, and may be configured to prevent the conduction of heat from the discharge cavity to the seal cavity via the casing.

Heat shield for pressure casing

A balance piston seal assembly for a balance piston of a compressor is provided. The balance piston seal assembly may include a balance piston seal, a stationary support, and a gripping assembly disposed between the balance piston seal and the stationary support. The balance piston seal may be configured to be disposed about the balance piston such that an inner radial surface of the balance piston seal and an outer radial surface of the balance piston define a radial clearance therebetween. The stationary support may be configured to be coupled or integral with a casing of the compressor. The gripping assembly may be configured to secure the balance piston seal with the stationary support and to maintain concentricity between the balance piston seal and the balance piston during thermal radial expansion of the balance piston seal relative to the balance piston.

Balance piston seal centering

Balance piston assembly, apparatus, and methods are provided. The assembly includes a balance piston coupled to a rotatable shaft and configured to rotate therewith, the balance piston including a first shelf and a second shelf, the first and second shelves being axially-overlapping and radially-offset. The assembly also includes a seal including a first sealing surface configured to seal with the first shelf and a second sealing surface configured to seal with the second shelf.

Reduced leakage balance piston seal

A seal assembly for use in a turbomachine is provided. The seal assembly has an annular division wall with outside and inside surfaces, a carrier ring disposed adjacent the inside surface of the annular division wall, and a sealing substrate metallurgically-bonded to an inner-most surface of the carrier ring. The sealing substrate is machined to form a seal surface that can be disposed proximate a rotor and maintained substantially parallel thereto during operation of the turbomachine.

Low deflection bi-metal rotor seals

A method of making a turbomachine part, wherein the method can include machining a blank into a base having blades extending therefrom, the blades defining a channel therebetween. The method can also include forming a bridge constructed from refractory material in the channel between the blades, and forming a cover on the tops of the blades and over the channel, such that the base, the blades, and the cover form a single substantially homogenous turbomachine part once the bridge is removed.

One-piece manufacturing process

A method of making a turbomachine part, wherein the can include machining a blank into a base having blades extending therefrom, the blades defining a channel therebetween. The method can also include forming a bridge in the channel between the blades, and forming a cover on the tops of the blades and over the channel, such that the base, the blades, and the cover form a single substantially homogenous turbomachine part once the bridge is removed.

A sealing assembly configured to seal a rotating shaft of a turbo machine having a high pressure process gas, comprising a housing defining a bore configured to receive the rotating shaft and sealing assembly, wherein the housing is mounted to a casing of the turbo machine; a first sealing stage comprising a single dry gas seal and configured to blow down the high pressure process gas to a lower pressure; a labyrinth seal mounted longitudinally outward from the first sealing stage; and a second sealing stage mounted longitudinally outward from the labyrinth seal, wherein the second sealing stage comprises a tandem dry gas seal having a primary dry gas seal and a secondary dry gas seal axially spaced with an intermediate labyrinth seal.

Dry gas blow down seal

A device or system through which fluid is adapted to flow, such as, for example, a fluid-carrying conduit, flow control valve, or fluid expansion device including, for example, a steam turbine or fluid expander, according to which acoustic energy is generated by, or present within, the device or system and the acoustic energy is attenuated.

Fluid expansion device and method with noise attenuation

Fluid-carrying conduit and method with noise attenuation

A system and method for lubricating fluid flow apparatus utilizing a hydrate-reducing chemical.

Hydrate reducing and lubrication system and method for a fluid flow system

A damper film bearing assembly for supporting a rotatable shaft of a turbomachine includes a housing having a central bore sized to receive the bearing member, and an annular cavity formed within the housing around the central bore. The annular cavity includes an outer wall that is concentric with the central bore. A bearing member having an annular outer surface and an inner bearing surface is mounted within the cavity and engages the shaft to support the shaft within the housing. A fluid film damper mechanism acts between the annular outer surface and the outer wall of the cavity for damping radial movement of the bearing member within the cavity. A resiliently adjustable dead weight hanging spring support system acts between the housing and the bearing member to support the dead weight of the shaft within a vertically centered position within the central bore so that the fluid film damper means functions to maintain the shaft centered within the bore when vibrations occur during rotation of the shaft.

Growing community of inventors

Allegany, NY, United States of America

Mark Joseph Kuzdzal