Gear driven turbomachinery system with at least three impellers having non-parallel axes of rotation

Abstract

An integrated gear-driven turbomachinery system (200) includes a wheel gear (90) configured to rotate about a rotation axis (R) and at least one pair of pinion shafts (10, 20) mechanically coupled to the wheel gear (90). A first pinion shaft (10) is configured to be mechanically coupled to the wheel gear (90) and to rotate about a first axis (X) parallel to the rotation axis (R) at a first rotational speed, and a second pinion shaft (20) is configured to be mechanically coupled to the first pinion shaft (10) and to rotate about a second axis (Y) at a second rotational speed; the first axis (X) and the second axis (Y) are non-parallel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to an integrated gear-driven turbomachinery system with at least three impellers whose axes of rotation are not parallel. Background Technology

[0002] A known integrated geared turbomachinery system consists of a central low-speed gear (referred to as the "large gear") and multiple pinions external to it that drive multiple high-speed shafts (specifically, pinion shafts). Typically, a standard integrated geared turbomachinery system has multiple pinion shafts, each driving one or two cantilevered impellers (i.e., two impellers located at opposite ends of the shaft). Notably, the axis of rotation of each pinion shaft is parallel to the axis of rotation of the large gear.

[0003] Currently, increasing the number of impellers in a system (which increases the number of high-speed shafts) leads to an increase in the system's vertical footprint. In fact, not only do impellers have a specific spatial footprint, but each impeller may also require one or more of the following: a volute, an inlet guide vane unit, and a bladed or bladeless diffuser. Therefore, to ensure adequate space for each impeller, the pinion shaft is connected to the low-speed impeller at different angular positions, thus increasing the machine's vertical footprint. For example, if a four-axis system is provided and the 0° reference point for the low-speed impeller is set at the upper point of the intersection of the vertical plane and the impeller, then the first high-speed shaft is typically connected to the low-speed impeller at a 90° angle, the second high-speed shaft at a -90° angle, the third high-speed shaft at a 30° angle, and the fourth high-speed shaft at a -30° angle.

[0004] However, from a transportability perspective, the vertical dimensions of the system are the most critical. In fact, the system is typically transported by wheels and is influenced by road dimensions and infrastructure dimensions (specifically, bridge heights).

[0005] Therefore, a multi-axis integrated gear-driven turbomachinery system with a smaller vertical footprint is desired. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to one aspect, the subject matter disclosed herein relates to an integrated geared turbomachinery system comprising a gear and a pair of pinion shafts, the gear being configured to rotate about an axis of rotation, the pair of pinion shafts being mechanically connected to the gear. A first pinion shaft is configured to be mechanically connected to the gear and rotate at a first rotational speed about a first axis parallel to the axis of rotation, while a second pinion shaft is configured to be mechanically connected to the first pinion shaft and rotate at a second rotational speed about a second axis, the first and second axes being non-parallel. Attached Figure Description

[0007] When considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the embodiments disclosed in this invention and their many accompanying advantages will become better understood by referring to the following detailed description, thereby readily providing a more comprehensive understanding of them, wherein:

[0008] Figure 1 A longitudinal view of a (partial) schematic diagram of a prior art integrated gear-driven turbomachinery system is shown.

[0009] Figure 2 An axial view of a prior art integrated gear-driven turbomachinery system enclosed in a housing is shown.

[0010] Figure 3 A longitudinal view of a partial schematic diagram of an embodiment of an innovative integrated geared turbomachinery system is shown, and

[0011] Figure 4 An axial view of a schematic diagram of an innovative, integrated geared turbomachinery system enclosed in a housing is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0012] According to one aspect, the subject matter disclosed herein relates to an integrated geared turbomachinery system comprising a gear and at least one pair of pinion shafts configured to rotate about an axis of rotation, the at least one pair of pinion shafts being mechanically connected to the gear. A first pinion shaft is configured to be mechanically connected (specifically, directly connected) to the gear and rotate at a first rotational speed about a first axis parallel to the axis of rotation, while a second pinion shaft is configured to be mechanically connected to the first pinion shaft and rotate at a second rotational speed about a second axis, the first and second axes being non-parallel.

[0013] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of this disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Examples and drawings are provided in a manner that explains this disclosure, and these examples and drawings should not be construed as limiting the disclosure. Indeed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to this disclosure without departing from its scope or substance. In the following description, similar reference numerals are used to illustrate the embodiments in the drawings to indicate elements performing the same or similar functions. Furthermore, for clarity, some references may not be repeated in all the drawings.

[0014] Now refer to the attached diagram, Figure 1 This is a longitudinal partial view (specifically a partial top view) of a known integrated gear-driven turbomachinery system 100, and Figure 2 It is an axial view of a known integrated geared turbomachinery system enclosed in a housing; Figure 3 This is a longitudinal partial view (specifically a partial top view) of a schematic diagram of an implementation scheme of an innovative integrated gear-driven turbomachinery system, and Figure 4 This is an axial view of a schematic diagram of one embodiment of an innovative, integrated gear-driven turbomachinery system enclosed in a housing. For clarity, it should be noted that... Figure 1 and Figure 3 Only a partial schematic diagram of the system is shown: In reality, Figure 1 and Figure 3 These are partial longitudinal views (i.e., longitudinal views of half of the system), in which only the rotated portion of the system is shown.

[0015] The innovative integrated geared turbomachinery system disclosed herein differs from existing integrated geared turbomachinery systems 100 (for example, see...). Figure 1 and Figure 3 The essential difference lies in that this system has at least one pinion shaft mechanically coupled to the gear and rotating about an axis whose direction differs from the gear's axis of rotation (i.e., the pinion shaft rotates about an axis that is not parallel to the gear's axis of rotation). According to the innovative integrated gear-driven turbomachinery system disclosed herein, the vertical unfolding of the system can be smaller compared to known solutions, and therefore it can be enclosed in a smaller housing. Furthermore, it should be noted that the housing is typically vertically divided along dividing lines located at each axis of the pinion shaft (i.e., each dividing line of the housing is defined by a horizontal plane containing the axis of at least one pinion shaft). Therefore, the solution disclosed in this invention allows for a further reduction in the number of dividing lines of the housing, as more pinion shaft axes can advantageously lie on the same horizontal plane (e.g., see...). Figure 2 and Figure 4 ).

[0016] exist Figure 3 In the illustration, for example but not limited to, one embodiment of an innovative integrated gear-driven turbomachinery system generally indicated by reference numeral 200 is shown. System 200 includes a gear 90 and a pair of pinion shafts 10 and 20 configured to rotate about a rotation axis R, the pair of pinion shafts being mechanically coupled to the gear 90. As will be apparent hereinafter, the pinion shafts 10 and 20 may be directly and / or indirectly coupled to the gear 90; specifically, the first pinion shaft 10 is directly coupled to the gear 90, while the second pinion shaft 20 is indirectly coupled to the gear 90.

[0017] Non-restrictive reference Figure 3The gear 90 can be driven by a drive shaft 80 that rotates about a rotation axis R, or the gear 90 can drive the drive shaft 80 to rotate about the rotation axis R. As already mentioned, the first pinion shaft 10 is configured to be mechanically coupled (specifically directly coupled) to the gear 90 and rotate at a first rotational speed about a first axis X (i.e., the rotation axis X of the first pinion shaft). It should be noted that the first axis X is parallel to the rotation axis R of the gear 90. Specifically, the first pinion shaft 10 has a pinion portion 11 configured to mate with the gear 901, more specifically, the pinion portion 11 engages the peripheral teeth of the gear 90; in other words, the gear 90 transmits motion to the first pinion shaft 10.

[0018] As will be better described below, the second pinion shaft 20 is configured to be mechanically coupled (specifically, directly coupled) to the first pinion shaft 10 and to rotate about the second axis Y at a second rotational speed. In other words, the mechanical coupling between the first pinion shaft 10 and the second pinion shaft 20 allows motion to be transmitted from the first pinion shaft 10 to the second pinion shaft 20. Specifically, the second pinion shaft 20 is indirectly mechanically coupled to the gear 90. It should be noted that the first rotational speed of the first pinion shaft 10 and the second rotational speed of the second pinion shaft may be the same or different, depending specifically on the means used to perform the mechanical coupling.

[0019] According to the solution disclosed herein, the first axis X of the first pinion shaft 10 and the second axis Y of the second pinion shaft 20 are not parallel. Specifically, non-limiting references are made to... Figure 3 The first axis X and the second axis Y may be perpendicular (i.e., the first axis X and the second axis Y define an angle of 90°); however, according to other embodiments not shown in the figure, the first axis X and the second axis Y may define an angle of less than 90° or greater than 90° (but less than 180°).

[0020] Non-restrictive reference Figure 3 The system 200 also includes a first bevel gear 51 mechanically coupled to a first pinion shaft and a second bevel gear 52 mechanically coupled to a second pinion shaft 20. Advantageously, the first bevel gear 51 and the second bevel gear 52 are mechanically coupled to each other, such that the first bevel gear 51 is configured to transmit motion to the second bevel gear 52, and more specifically to the second pinion shaft 20.

[0021] Advantageously, the first pinion shaft 10 includes a first impeller 31 and a second impeller 32, which are mechanically connected to a first end and a second end of the first pinion shaft 10, respectively. It should be noted that the first impeller 31 and the second impeller 32 can be a compressor configured to compress a fluid flow and / or an expander configured to expand a fluid flow. Advantageously, the first impeller 31 and the second impeller 32 are configured to rotate about a first axis X of the first pinion shaft 10 at a first rotational speed; even more advantageously, the first rotational speed is the optimal rotational speed of the first impeller 31 and / or the second impeller 32 (i.e., the rotational speed suitable for maximizing the efficiency of the first impeller and / or the second impeller).

[0022] Advantageously, the second pinion shaft 20 includes a third impeller 33 mechanically coupled to a first end of the second pinion shaft 20, specifically to the opposite end relative to the second bevel gear 52. It should be noted that the third impeller 33 can be a compressor configured to compress the fluid flow or an expander configured to expand the fluid flow, as will be better described below. Advantageously, the third impeller 33 is configured to rotate about a second axis Y of the second pinion shaft 20 at a second rotational speed; even more advantageously, the second rotational speed is the optimal rotational speed of the third impeller 33 (i.e., the rotational speed suitable for maximizing the efficiency of the third impeller).

[0023] As already mentioned, the first impeller 31, the second impeller 32, and the third impeller 33 are configured to process the fluid flow, specifically compressing and / or expanding the fluid flow; it should be noted that the fluid flow processed by the first impeller 31, the fluid flow processed by the second impeller 32, and the fluid flow processed by the third impeller 33 can be the same fluid flow and / or different fluid flows. It should also be noted that, for the purposes of this disclosure, "different fluid flows" refers to fluids that can have different compositions and / or different mass flows, for example, due to fluid extraction or fluid injection.

[0024] According to, but not limited to Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the first impeller 31 and the second impeller 32 are equidistant from the third impeller 33. In other words, the second pinion shaft 20, specifically the second axis Y of the second pinion shaft 20, may be located in the middle of the first pinion shaft 10.

[0025] Non-restrictive reference Figure 3 The system 200 also includes at least one bearing 41, 42, and 43 for each pinion shaft 10 and 20, wherein the at least one bearing is specifically mechanically coupled to and configured to mechanically support the pinion shafts 10 and 20. Specifically, Figure 3Two bearings 41 and 42 are shown mechanically connected to the first pinion shaft 10 and one bearing 43 is mechanically connected to the second pinion shaft 20; however, the number of bearings on each pinion shaft may be different.

[0026] Advantageously, it allows for non-restrictive reference. Figure 4 The system 200 also includes a housing 210 configured to enclose the gear 90 and pinion shafts 10 and 20, more advantageously enclosing multiple pinion shafts 10 and 20. The housing 210 is also configured to allow fluid to flow into and out of the first impeller 31, the second impeller 32, and the third impeller 33.

[0027] As already mentioned, system 100 may include a plurality of pinion shafts 10 and 20, each first pinion shaft 10 having its first axis X at a different angular position relative to the gear 90. For example, Figure 4 A schematic side sectional view of a system 200 enclosed in a housing 210 is shown, the housing having a pair of pinion shafts 10 located at -90° and +90° respectively. It should be noted that the system 200 may include a different number of first pinion shafts 10, for example, four pinion shafts 10; advantageously, the angular positions of the first shafts 10 relative to the axis of rotation R are located in the upper section of the system 200. According to one possibility, the angular positions of the first shafts 10 are equidistantly spaced.

Claims

1. An integrated gear-driven turbomachinery system (200), the integrated gear-driven turbomachinery system comprising a gear (90) and at least one pair of pinion shafts (10, 20), the gear being configured to rotate about a rotation axis (R), the at least one pair of pinion shafts being mechanically connected to the gear (90). in, The first pinion shaft (10) is configured to be mechanically connected to the gear (90) and rotate at a first rotational speed about a first axis (X) parallel to the axis of rotation (R). The second pinion shaft (20) is configured to be mechanically connected to the first pinion shaft (10) and rotate about the second axis (Y) at a second rotational speed. The first axis (X) and the second axis (Y) are not parallel.

2. The integrated gear-driven turbine mechanical system (200) according to claim 1, further comprising a first bevel gear (51) mechanically connected to the first pinion shaft (10) and a second bevel gear (52) mechanically connected to the second pinion shaft (20), wherein, The first bevel gear (51) is configured to transmit motion to the second bevel gear (52).

3. The integrated gear-driven turbomachinery system (200) according to claim 1, wherein the integrated gear-driven turbomachinery system further comprises at least a first impeller (31), a second impeller (32) and a third impeller (33). in, The first impeller (31) is located at the first end of the first pinion shaft (10) and rotates about the first axis (X). The second impeller (32) is located at the second end of the first pinion shaft (10) and rotates about the first axis (X). The third impeller (33) is located at the first end of the second pinion shaft (20) and rotates about the second axis (Y).

4. The integrated gear-driven turbine mechanical system (200) according to claim 1, wherein, The first axis (X) and the second axis (Y) are located on the same horizontal plane.

5. The integrated gear-driven turbine mechanical system (200) according to claim 1, wherein, The first rotational speed and the second rotational speed are different.

6. The integrated gear-driven turbomachinery system (200) according to claim 1, the integrated gear-driven turbomachinery system further comprising at least one bearing (41, 42, 43) for each pinion shaft (10, 20), the bearing (41, 42, 43) being mechanically coupled to the pinion shaft (10, 20) and configured to axially support the pinion shaft (10, 20).

7. The integrated gear-driven turbomachinery system (200) according to claim 3, wherein, The first impeller (31) and the second impeller (32) are equidistant from the third impeller (33).

8. The integrated gear-driven turbomachinery system (200) according to claim 1, wherein the integrated gear-driven turbomachinery system comprises a plurality of pinion shafts (10, 20), wherein, The first axis (X) of the first pinion shaft (10) of each pair of pinion shafts (10, 20) is at a different angular position relative to the gear (90).

9. The integrated gear-driven turbomachinery system (200) according to claim 8, wherein, The different angular positions are equidistant.

10. The integrated gear-driven turbomachinery system (200) according to claim 3, the integrated gear-driven turbomachinery system further comprising a housing (210) configured to enclose the gear (90) and the pinion shaft (10, 20) and configured to allow fluid flow into and out of the first impeller (31), the second impeller (32) and the third impeller (33).

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