Patent ID: 7235894
Filing Date: 2007-06-26
Classification: B63H,F03B,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A fluid power conversion apparatus serving fluid pumping and/or power-generation functions, comprising: an impeller having an impeller hub and a periphery; a housing around the impeller; a diffusor having (a) an outer wall attached to the housing, (b) a diffusor hub rotatably supporting the impeller, and (c) at least one stator vane securing the diffusor hub to the outer wall; and a rotating electrical machine having (a) an armature attached to the housing and (b) a rotor attached to the impeller periphery by a magnetic coupling having inner and outer coupling elements and a sealed barrier therebetween to isolate the electrical machine from fluid being pumped, the rotor being positioned to form a gap between the rotor and the armature, whereby the impeller and the rotor form an integrated unit with fluid flow through the rotor.