Inventors:
Gail Roberts - Arvada CO
Philip Keene - Littleton CO
David Lowe - Lakewood CO
James Hunt - Lakewood CO
Joseph F. Pinkerton - Austin TX
David B. Clifton - Leander TX
Assignee:
Active Power, Inc. - Austin TX
International Classification:
H02K 718
US Classification:
290 52, 290 30 R, 290 40 C, 322 10
Abstract:
A continuous power system assembly is provided that includes an integrated shaft-driven unit. The unit contains a turbine, an alternator, a flywheel and a feed pump, all of which are coupled to the shaft. During various modes of operation, any of the turbine, alternator or flywheel may provide the torque used to drive the shaft. When the alternator is not providing the necessary torque to drive the shaft, it is operated as a generator that provides back-up power to a load. The present invention also includes a unique nozzle design that improves the ease with the nozzles may be manufactured in comparison to known designs. The nozzle is manufactured as two halves which are mated as part of the manufacturing process. The individual nozzles may, because only half of the nozzle segments exist on either half of the nozzle block, be easily manufactured using conventional machining.