Extra heat in a closed cycle power generation system, such as a reversible closed Brayton cycle system, may be dissipated between discharge and charge cycles. An extra cooling heat exchanger may be added on the discharge cycle and disposed between a cold side heat exchanger and a compressor inlet. Additionally or alternatively, a cold thermal storage medium passing through the cold side heat exchanger may be allowed to heat up to a higher temperature during the discharge cycle than is needed on input to the charge cycle and the excess heat then dissipated to the atmosphere.

Extra heat in a closed cycle power generation system, such as a reversible closed Brayton cycle system, may be dissipated between discharge and charge cycles. An extra cooling heat exchanger may be added on the discharge cycle and disposed between a cold side heat exchanger and a compressor inlet. Additionally or alternatively, a cold thermal storage medium passing through the cold side heat exchanger may be allowed to heat up to a higher temperature during the discharge cycle than is needed on input to the charge cycle and the excess heat then dissipated to the atmosphere.

A mechanical energy generation system with an energy recovery, includes at least one heating volume, wherein a liquid fluid stored in the at least one heating volume, at least one heat exchanger element or a heating fluid allows a heat to be changed to the liquid fluid inside the at least one heating volume, at least one outlet line allows the liquid fluid and/or a gas fluid to exit in a pressurized state when the liquid fluid and/or the gas fluid is compressed inside the at least one heating volume when the liquid fluid transitions partially into a gas phase and the at least one outlet line allows resulting a mechanical energy and at least one feed line allows the liquid fluid to be fed into the at least one heating volume, and an embodiment of the mechanical energy generation system comprising at least a second closed volume.

A mechanical energy generation system with an energy recovery, includes at least one heating volume, wherein a liquid fluid stored in the at least one heating volume, at least one heat exchanger element or a heating fluid allows a heat to be changed to the liquid fluid inside the at least one heating volume, at least one outlet line allows the liquid fluid and/or a gas fluid to exit in a pressurized state when the liquid fluid and/or the gas fluid is compressed inside the at least one heating volume when the liquid fluid transitions partially into a gas phase and the at least one outlet line allows resulting a mechanical energy and at least one feed line allows the liquid fluid to be fed into the at least one heating volume, and an embodiment of the mechanical energy generation system comprising at least a second closed volume.

A tesla-type turbine for converting the enthalpy of a gas volume flow into mechanical energy, a method for operating the Tesla-type turbine, and an apparatus for converting thermal energy into mechanical energy, a method for converting thermal energy into mechanical energy, and a method for converting thermal energy into electrical energy. The Tesla-type turbine has at least one disc which is positioned on an axis of rotation and is set into rotation by a gas volume flow flowing substantially tangentially, so that mechanical energy can be collected at a shaft coupled to the disc. A disc body that forms the disc has at least one cavity in which, for the purpose of cooling the disc body, a cooling medium, in particular a cooling liquid, is received or can be received.

A tesla-type turbine for converting the enthalpy of a gas volume flow into mechanical energy, a method for operating the Tesla-type turbine, and an apparatus for converting thermal energy into mechanical energy, a method for converting thermal energy into mechanical energy, and a method for converting thermal energy into electrical energy. The Tesla-type turbine has at least one disc which is positioned on an axis of rotation and is set into rotation by a gas volume flow flowing substantially tangentially, so that mechanical energy can be collected at a shaft coupled to the disc. A disc body that forms the disc has at least one cavity in which, for the purpose of cooling the disc body, a cooling medium, in particular a cooling liquid, is received or can be received.

This invention relates generally to hydro-turbine drive methods and systems and, more particularly, to hydro-turbine drive methods and systems such as for application for various rotary machineries including producing a high pressure fluid with at least one fluid pump by utilizing a fluid heater to create a fluid and vapor mixture for producing mechanical shaft power.

This invention relates generally to hydro-turbine drive methods and systems and, more particularly, to hydro-turbine drive methods and systems such as for application for various rotary machineries including producing a high pressure fluid with at least one fluid pump by utilizing a fluid heater to create a fluid and vapor mixture for producing mechanical shaft power.

A method for generating material test samples for conducting material tests of a legacy steam turbine rotor having an inter-blade region rotor surface, and an inlet region rotor surface adjoining the inter-blade region rotor surface. The method includes forming an annular ring of rotor material in the sample area and forming a material test sample from a portion of the annular ring. Also described is a legacy steam turbine rotor including an inter-blade region rotor surface, and an inlet region rotor surface adjoining the inter-blade region rotor surface. The steam turbine rotor having a groove formed therein, and wherein the groove is machined to enable removal of material from the steam turbine rotor to form samples configured to enable at least one of conducting material property tests and operating the improved legacy steam turbine rotor at an expanded thermal stress compared to the legacy steam turbine rotor.

A method for generating material test samples for conducting material tests of a legacy steam turbine rotor having an inter-blade region rotor surface, and an inlet region rotor surface adjoining the inter-blade region rotor surface. The method includes forming an annular ring of rotor material in the sample area and forming a material test sample from a portion of the annular ring. Also described is a legacy steam turbine rotor including an inter-blade region rotor surface, and an inlet region rotor surface adjoining the inter-blade region rotor surface. The steam turbine rotor having a groove formed therein, and wherein the groove is machined to enable removal of material from the steam turbine rotor to form samples configured to enable at least one of conducting material property tests and operating the improved legacy steam turbine rotor at an expanded thermal stress compared to the legacy steam turbine rotor.