Northern Research & Engineering Corp.

Brayton Energy, LLC

Ward H Robinson

James B Kesseli

Antoine Corbeil

Harold P Sorensen

An apparatus and method are provided for permitting free rotation of turbine nozzle vanes, while minimizing or eliminating leakage on the vane side-walls. The device incorporates a plurality of nozzle vanes arranged around the circumference of a radial or mixed inflow turbine. Each of the nozzles is individually attached to a rod positioned perpendicular to the flow direction. The nozzle rods in the circumferential array protrude through a movable annular back-wall, and are rotated by a linkage or gear. Between discrete movements of the vane mechanism, a bellows device is used to provide pressure-actuated force in the movable back-wall, thereby clamping the nozzle between the two surfaces. Prior to rotating the nozzles, pressure within the bellows interior is decreased via venting to cause a retraction of the back wall.

Variable position turbine nozzle

A two stage free piston pneumatically operated air compressor having an integral and coaxial power piston, first stage piston and second stage piston. The discharge of the compressor first stage is the inlet for the compressor second stage. A piston-type throttling valve is used to control the speed of the reciprocating piston. The piston-type throttling valve is responsive to the pressure drop across a fixed orifice.

Growing community of inventors

Newton, NH, United States of America

Ward H Robinson