Electrical generators having one or more conformal support and cooling devices for use in supporting and cooling rotating elements of the generator are disclosed herein. An electrical generator includes a housing, a shaft disposed axially through the housing, a rotor assembly including a plurality of poles that are disposed within the housing and mounted on the shaft, a support wedge disposed between two of the plurality of poles. The conformal support and cooling device includes an internal cooling channel in a helical configuration or a V-shape configuration that extends from a first length-wise end of the support and cooling device to a second length-wise end of the support and cooling device. Additive manufacturing processes are employed to fabricate the conformal support and cooling device.

Electrical generators having one or more conformal support and cooling devices for use in supporting and cooling rotating elements of the generator are disclosed herein. An electrical generator includes a housing, a shaft disposed axially through the housing, a rotor assembly including a plurality of poles that are disposed within the housing and mounted on the shaft, a support wedge disposed between two of the plurality of poles. The conformal support and cooling device includes an internal cooling channel in a helical configuration or a V-shape configuration that extends from a first length-wise end of the support and cooling device to a second length-wise end of the support and cooling device. Additive manufacturing processes are employed to fabricate the conformal support and cooling device.

A volumetric expander comprising a casing having a general inlet and outlet, a piston operating inside the casing and adapted to define an expansion chamber with variable volume, a main shaft connected to the piston, and a valve for selectively opening and closing an inlet and an outlet of the expansion chamber allowing: a condition of introduction of the working fluid in the expansion chamber, a condition of expansion of the working fluid in the expansion chamber, and a condition of discharge of the working fluid from said expansion chamber. The casing defines a discharge chamber in direct communication with the general outlet and configured for being put in direct fluid communication with the outlet of the expansion chamber during the condition of discharging the working fluid from the expansion chamber itself. The casing comprises an auxiliary inlet which is in communication with the discharge chamber of the casing and with the general outlet; the auxiliary inlet is configured for enabling the working fluid to directly enter the casing.

A volumetric expander comprising a casing having a general inlet and outlet, a piston operating inside the casing and adapted to define an expansion chamber with variable volume, a main shaft connected to the piston, and a valve for selectively opening and closing an inlet and an outlet of the expansion chamber allowing: a condition of introduction of the working fluid in the expansion chamber, a condition of expansion of the working fluid in the expansion chamber, and a condition of discharge of the working fluid from said expansion chamber. The casing defines a discharge chamber in direct communication with the general outlet and configured for being put in direct fluid communication with the outlet of the expansion chamber during the condition of discharging the working fluid from the expansion chamber itself. The casing comprises an auxiliary inlet which is in communication with the discharge chamber of the casing and with the general outlet; the auxiliary inlet is configured for enabling the working fluid to directly enter the casing.

A combined circulating system of a micro gas turbine, a transportation means, and a charging system are provided. The circulating system includes the micro gas turbine, a heat exchange unit, a circulating water tank, a piston engine, and a power generating apparatus, wherein the micro gas turbine is provided with a regenerator; an exhaust port of the regenerator is connected with an air inlet of the heat exchange unit to provide a heat source to the heat exchange unit; the exhaust port of the heat exchange unit is led to atmosphere, a water inlet of the heat exchange unit is connected with a water outlet of the circulating water tank, and a steam outlet of the heat exchange unit is connected with the piston engine to enable high pressure steam to enter the piston engine to push the piston engine to produce work.

A combined circulating system of a micro gas turbine, a transportation means, and a charging system are provided. The circulating system includes the micro gas turbine, a heat exchange unit, a circulating water tank, a piston engine, and a power generating apparatus, wherein the micro gas turbine is provided with a regenerator; an exhaust port of the regenerator is connected with an air inlet of the heat exchange unit to provide a heat source to the heat exchange unit; the exhaust port of the heat exchange unit is led to atmosphere, a water inlet of the heat exchange unit is connected with a water outlet of the circulating water tank, and a steam outlet of the heat exchange unit is connected with the piston engine to enable high pressure steam to enter the piston engine to push the piston engine to produce work.

A generator is described comprising in particular a vertical supply column that can be filled with a certain quantity of liquid, an intake valve disposed at a base of the vertical supply column, and a leaktight tank communicating with the vertical supply column via the intake valve, which leaktight tank can be filled with liquid. The generator also comprises an exhaust valve disposed on the leaktight tank and capable of releasing pressure generated in the leaktight tank, and a piston-forming device disposed inside the leaktight tank so as to be immersed in the liquid contained in the leaktight tank. This piston-forming device is capable of being set in reciprocating movement between an upper position and a lower position, the piston-forming device comprising a first, float-forming portion capable of bringing the piston-forming device into the upper position and a second portion forming an output shaft. The generator further comprises a converter device coupled to the output shaft, which converter device is capable of converting the reciprocating movement of the piston-forming device into mechanical or electrical energy. The generator is configured in such a way that, in operation, the leaktight tank is filled with liquid, and in such a way as to repeat a sequence of operating phases in order to induce the reciprocating movement of the piston-forming device.

A generator is described comprising in particular a vertical supply column that can be filled with a certain quantity of liquid, an intake valve disposed at a base of the vertical supply column, and a leaktight tank communicating with the vertical supply column via the intake valve, which leaktight tank can be filled with liquid. The generator also comprises an exhaust valve disposed on the leaktight tank and capable of releasing pressure generated in the leaktight tank, and a piston-forming device disposed inside the leaktight tank so as to be immersed in the liquid contained in the leaktight tank. This piston-forming device is capable of being set in reciprocating movement between an upper position and a lower position, the piston-forming device comprising a first, float-forming portion capable of bringing the piston-forming device into the upper position and a second portion forming an output shaft. The generator further comprises a converter device coupled to the output shaft, which converter device is capable of converting the reciprocating movement of the piston-forming device into mechanical or electrical energy. The generator is configured in such a way that, in operation, the leaktight tank is filled with liquid, and in such a way as to repeat a sequence of operating phases in order to induce the reciprocating movement of the piston-forming device.

A linear piston engine includes a housing having a combustion chamber located between opposing first and second piston chambers. A first piston assembly is located within the first piston chamber, and a second piston assembly is located within the second piston chamber. Each piston assembly includes a piston for reciprocating within the piston chamber. The piston is located adjacent to the combustion chamber. Each piston assembly also includes a crankshaft coupled to the piston for guiding the piston through a power stroke and a return stroke, and a linear output member coupled to the piston for providing a linear output motion based on reciprocating motion of the piston.

A linear piston engine includes a housing having a combustion chamber located between opposing first and second piston chambers. A first piston assembly is located within the first piston chamber, and a second piston assembly is located within the second piston chamber. Each piston assembly includes a piston for reciprocating within the piston chamber. The piston is located adjacent to the combustion chamber. Each piston assembly also includes a crankshaft coupled to the piston for guiding the piston through a power stroke and a return stroke, and a linear output member coupled to the piston for providing a linear output motion based on reciprocating motion of the piston.