Patent ID: 6601392
Filing Date: 2003-08-05
Classification: F01D,F01K,F02C,F05B,F05D,F16M

Abstract:
A microturbine comprising:a frame; a recuperator having heat exchange cells and exhaust gas flow regions between said heat exchange cells; an air compressor in fluid communication with said heat exchange cells for the delivery of compressed air thereto; a combustor in fluid communication with said heat exchange cells for the delivery of the compressed air from said cells to said combustor, said combustor burning fuel with the compressed air to create products of combustion; a turbine in fluid communication with said combustor to receive the products of combustion therefrom, said turbine operating in response to the flow of products of combustion, said turbine including an exhaust gas outlet through which used products of combustion flow out of said turbine as exhaust gas; and a plurality of springs coupled to said frame and coupled to said recuperator, said recuperator being at least partially supported by said springs and coupled to the turbine; wherein said turbine expands in a thermal expansion direction in response to said flow of products of combustion therethrough, wherein said turbine lifts said recuperator as said turbine expands in said thermal expansion direction, and wherein the weight carried by said turbine during such thermal expansion is less than the weight of said recuperator due to said recuperator being at least partially supported by said springs.