Patent Publication Number: US-2013251556-A1

Title: Power system arrangement

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to a power system, and more particularly, to a power system having a substantially linear arrangement of components. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electrically-driven power systems include a number of components including, for example, an electric motor, a power load drivingly connected to the electric motor, a lubrication system, and a control system. The components of such power systems are arranged in a variety of configurations. For example, the electric motor, the power load, and the lubrication system may be physically proximate one another. In other arrangements, each component of the power system may be physically separated from one or more of the other components (e.g., the electric motor and the power load may be positioned in a different location of a worksite, room, or vehicle relative to the lubrication system and the control system). 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,802,795 to Nyeste et al. (the “&#39;795 patent”) discloses an assembly including an in-line centrifugal compressor, a driving means, and a multi-cooler housing for supporting the compressor and the driving means. The &#39;795 patent does not disclose, among other things, a lubrication system linearly arranged relative to a power source and a power load. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure may be directed to a power system arrangement. The power system arrangement may include a power source configured to delivery energy, a power load configured to receive energy from the power source, a lubrication system configured to deliver lubrication fluid to the power system, wherein the lubrication system may include a tank for storing lubrication fluid, and a support structure configured to support the power source, the power load, and the tank. The power source, the power load, and the tank may be coupled to the support structure substantially in series along a longitudinal axis. 
     Further embodiments of the present disclosure may be directed to an arrangement for a power system coupled to a support structure. The arrangement may include a first module including a power source configured to deliver energy and coupled to the support structure, a second module including a power load configured to receive energy from the power source and coupled to the support structure, and a third module including a tank for storing lubrication fluid and coupled to the support structure. The first, second, and third modules may be substantially linearly arranged relative to each other. 
     Still further embodiments of the present disclosure may be directed to a power system arrangement. The power system arrangement may include a power source configured to deliver energy, a power load configured to receive energy from the power source, a lubrication system configured to deliver lubrication fluid to the power system, wherein the lubrication system may include a tank for storing lubrication fluid, a control system configured to control operation of the power system, wherein the control system may include a control cabinet, and a substantially rectangular support structure configured to support the power source, the power load, the tank, and the control cabinet. The power source, the power load, the tank, and the control cabinet may be coupled to the support structure substantially adjacent to each other along a longitudinal axis, and the power load may be positioned between the power source and the tank. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates a perspective view of a power system arrangement, according to an exemplary disclosed embodiment; 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates an opposite side perspective view of the power system arrangement of  FIG. 1A , according to an exemplary disclosed embodiment; 
         FIG. 1C  illustrates a top view of the power system arrangement of  FIGS. 1A-1B , according to an exemplary disclosed embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of a support structure of the power system arrangement of  FIGS. 1A-1C , according to an exemplary disclosed embodiment; 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates a perspective view of the power system arrangement of  FIGS. 1A-1C , without certain power system components, according to an exemplary disclosed embodiment; and 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates another perspective view of the power system arrangement of  FIGS. 1A-1C , without certain power system components, according to an exemplary disclosed embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1A-1C  illustrate an exemplary power system arrangement  1  for an exemplary power system  2 . Power system  2  may include a power source  3 , a power load  4 , a lubrication system  5 , and a control system  6 . 
     Power source  3  may include any suitable electric motor configured to convert electrical energy to mechanical energy, such as, for example, an induction motor. It should be appreciated, however, that in certain other embodiments, power source  3  may be any other power source component configured to deliver energy, such as, for example, a gas turbine engine. 
     Power load  4  may include any suitable component configured to receive the mechanical energy from power source  3  and perform one or more tasks with that energy. In the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 1A-1C , for example, power load  4  may be a gas compressor. It should be appreciated, however, that in other embodiments, power load  4  may be any other type of work component including, for example, a liquid pump or a generator. As illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1C , power system  2  may be a direct-drive system. In other words, power source  3  may directly transmit energy to power load  4  via a shaft  7 . Power source  3  may rotate shaft  7 , and the rotational energy may be received by power load  4  to, for example, drive the gas compressor. Power system  2  may also include a power load support system  8  associated with power load  4 . In certain embodiments, power load support system  8  may include a seal gas system configured to deliver any suitable seal gas, such as, for example, nitrogen or oxygen, from a source (not shown) to one or more dry gas seal arrangements of the gas compressor. The seal gas system may include a plurality of conduits configured to deliver the seal gas into the one or more dry gas seals of the gas compressor. The seal gas may then be configured to provide a working fluid for the moving parts of the dry gas seals. 
     Lubrication system  5  may include a fluid tank  9 , a fluid transferring mechanism (not shown), a delivery conduit  10  ( FIG. 1B ), a power system manifold  11 , and a return conduit  14 . Fluid tank  9  may include one or more reservoirs  12  for storing any suitable lubrication fluid, such as oil. The lubrication fluid may be delivered from fluid tank  9  to power load  4  for lubrication purposes. For example, the lubrication fluid may be delivered to one or more moving parts of the gas compressor, such as gears and rotors, to provide lubrication. It should also be appreciated that lubrication system  5  may be configured to deliver lubrication fluid to one or more additional components of power system  2 , such as, for example, power source  3 . The fluid transferring mechanism may be in fluid communication with fluid tank  9  and may be configured to transfer the lubrication fluid from fluid tank  9 . In certain embodiments, the fluid transferring mechanism may include any appropriate fluidic pump, such as, for example, a centrifugal pump, a piston pump, a diaphragm pump, an axial pump, and the like. Upon actuation of the fluid transferring mechanism, the lubrication fluid may be delivered through delivery conduit  10  and to power system manifold  11 . Power system manifold  11  may include one or more distinct conduits (not shown) for selectively delivering the lubrication fluid to one or more components of power load  4  and/or power source  3 . The power system manifold conduits may also direct the lubrication fluid to one or more components of power source  3 . In addition, power system manifold  11  may be removably coupled to delivery conduit  10  by any suitable mechanism, such as, for example, bolts, fasteners, and the like. Return conduit  14  may be appropriately coupled to the lubricated components of power load  4  and/or power source  3  and may be configured to deliver spent and/or excess lubrication fluid back to fluid tank  9 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1A-1C , reservoirs  12  may be distinct chambers each containing a volume of lubrication fluid. In such a configuration, a tank manifold (not shown) may fluidly couple reservoirs  12  to delivery conduit  10 . The tank manifold may include a plurality of conduits in communication with reservoirs  12 , and lubrication fluid from one or more of reservoirs  12  may be selectively delivered through the conduits of the tank manifold to delivery conduit  10 . In certain embodiments, one or more valves and/or pumps may be associated with the conduits of the tank manifold and may be selectively activated to deliver the lubrication fluid from one or more reservoirs  12  to delivery conduit  10 . In certain other embodiments, however, fluid tank  9  may include a single reservoir for storing the lubrication fluid. In such a configuration, the tank manifold may not be necessary, and the lubrication fluid may be directly delivered from fluid tank  9  to delivery conduit  10  by, for example, actuation of the fluid transferring mechanism. In other embodiments, reservoirs  12  may be in communication with a single source of lubrication fluid in fluid tank  9 . Each reservoir  12  may be coupled to its own fluid transferring mechanism to thereby selectively deliver lubrication fluid from reservoirs  12 . 
     Control system  6  may be configured to control various operations of power system  2 . More specifically, control system  6  may be operably coupled to power source  3 , power load  4 , power load support system  8 , and lubrication system  5 , and may be configured to receive signals from power source  3 , power load  4 , power load support system  8 , and lubrication system  5 , and deliver control signals in response thereto. As illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1C , control system  6  may include a control cabinet  15 . Control cabinet  15  may house various components of control system  6 , such as, for example, a communications power source, a computer, communication lines, and the like. 
     In some embodiments, control system  6  may be configured to receive a variety of signals, such as, for example, a power output signal and a load signal, from any suitable sensor associated with power source  3  and/or power load  4 , and responsively deliver a number of control signals to power system  2  to, for example, increase or decrease the amount of energy delivered to power load  4 . Control system  6  may further be configured to receive a number of signals from power load  4  and, in response, deliver a number of control signals to control operation of power load  4 . For instance, control system  6  may signal the gas compressor to control the amount of gas flowing therethrough by adjusting one or more of its components, including, as examples, the opening of a gas inlet line and the angle of one or more compressor vanes. In some embodiments, controlling the amount of gas flowing through the gas compressor may be responsive to, for example, gas temperatures within the gas compressor determined by any suitable sensor associated with the gas compressor. 
     Control system  6  may also be configured to send a number of control signals to lubrication system  5  for controlling the delivery of lubrication fluid to power load  4  and/or power source  3 . For example, control system  6  may deliver a control signal to the fluid transferring mechanism for controlling the amount of lubrication fluid delivered to power load  4  and/or power source  3 . In addition, control system  6  may also transmit control signals to the various pumps and/or valves of the tank manifold to control the selective delivery of lubrication fluid from reservoirs  12 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1C , the components of power system  2  may be supported by a support structure  16 . That is, power source  3 , power load  4 , lubrication system  5 , control system  6 , and power load support system  8  may be mounted on support structure  16 . In some embodiments, support structure  16  may be a single structure onto which power source  3 , power load  4 , lubrication system  5 , control system  6 , and power load support system  8  may be mounted. In other embodiments, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-3B , support structure  16  may include a first support portion  30  removably coupled to a second support portion  40  at a connection point  50 . First support portion  30  and second support portion  40  may be configured to readily connect and disconnect from each other via, for example, removable fasteners, clamps, linkages, and the like, at connection point  50 . In such a configuration, power source  3  may be mounted on first support portion  30 , and power load  4 , lubrication system  5 , control system  6 , and power load support system  8  may be mounted on second support portion  40 . Support structure  16  may in turn be supported by any number of entities, including, as examples, the ground, one or more structures supported by the ground (not shown), one or more structures of a vehicle (not shown), and/or one or more structures of a marine vessel (not shown). 
       FIG. 2  illustrates support structure  16  without certain components of power system  2  coupled thereto. Support structure  16  may be, for example, one or more suitable frames or skids, and may include a box-like structure enclosing a volume  17 . Support structure  16  may also be substantially rectangular in shape. A first mounting structure  18  and a second mounting structure  19  may be positioned within volume  17  of support structure  16  and adjacent one another. Each of first mounting structure  18  and second mounting structure  19  may include one or more beams  20  and one or more support platforms  21 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , certain components of power system  2  may be positioned within volume  17  and mounted to support structure  16 . For example, fluid tank  9  of lubrication system  5  may be contained within volume  17  and removably coupled to support structure  16  via any suitable mechanism, including, as examples, bolts, fasteners, clamps, and the like. When installing fluid tank  9  to support structure  16 , fluid tank  9  may be lowered into volume  17  of support structure  16  and coupled thereto, and when disassembling fluid tank  9  from support structure  16 , fluid tank  9  may be decoupled from support structure  16  and raised out of volume  17 .  FIGS. 3A-3B  illustrate lubrication system  5  disassembled and removed from support structure  16 , with certain other components of power system  2  (e.g., power source  3 , power load  4 , control cabinet  15 , and power load support system  8 ) coupled to support structure  16 . 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 1A-1C , power source  3  may be mounted to and supported by first mounting structure  18 , and power load  4  may be mounted to and supported by second mounting structure  19 . More particularly, power source  3  may be removably coupled to one or more support platforms  21  of first mounting structure  18 , and power load  4  may be removably coupled to one or more support platforms  21  of second mounting structure  19 , by any suitable mechanism, including, as examples, bolts, fasteners, clamps, and the like. Additionally, first mounting structure  18  and second mounting structure  19  may raise power source  3  and power load  4  above volume  17  of support structure  16 . In certain embodiments, power source  3  and power load  4  may each be substantially fixed from movement relative to support structure  16  by being mounted on first mounting structure  18  and second mounting structure  19 , respectively. It should be appreciated, however, that in other embodiments, one or both of first mounting structure  18  and second mounting structure  19  may include a suitable structure configured to move power source  3  and/or power load  4  relative to support structure  16 . For example, one or more support platforms  21  may include suitable rollers (not shown) received in and movably engaged with suitable guide tracks (not shown) on one or more beams  20  of first mounting structure  18  and second mounting structure  19 . 
     Control cabinet  15  of control system  6  and power load support system  8  may also be mounted on support structure  16 , and more particularly, on second support portion  40 . For example, control cabinet  15  may be affixed to a frame  22 . Frame  22  may be mounted on one or more appropriate structures, such as one or more cantilevers, extending from an upper lip of second support portion  40  and may be configured raise control cabinet  15  above volume  17  of support structure  16 . Similarly, power load support system  8  may be mounted to one or more appropriate structures, such as cantilevers, extending from the upper lip of second support portion  40 . In certain embodiments, one or more components of power load support system  8  may extend within and/or travel through volume  17  of support structure  16 . For example, conduits of the seal gas system may travel through volume  17  and may be coupled to the gas compressor. 
     Lubrication system  5  may also be supported by support structure  16 , and more particularly, on second support portion  40 . As alluded to above, fluid tank  9  may be positioned within volume  17  of support structure  16  and may be removably coupled to support structure  16 . In addition, the tank manifold, delivery conduit  10 , and power system manifold  11  of lubrication system  5  may be positioned within volume  17  between control cabinet  15  and power load support system  8 , and may extend from fluid tank  9  to power load  4  and/or power source  3 . Although not illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1C , it should be appreciated that appropriate support structures, such as, for example, beams, racks, frames, and the like, may be disposed within volume  17  of support structure  16  and may be coupled to one or more of the tank manifold, delivery conduit  10 , and power system manifold  11  to provide appropriate support within volume  17 . 
     Power system arrangement  1  of power system  2  may include a substantially linear arrangement of power system  2  components. In particular, power system arrangement  1  may include a plurality of modules each positioned substantially linearly adjacent to another. Each module may include one or more components of power system  2  supported and/or housed by support structure  16 . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1A-1C , for example, power system arrangement  1  may include a substantially linear arrangement of a first module  100 , a second module  200 , a third module  300 , and a fourth module  400 . 
     First module  100  may include power source  3  coupled to and supported by first mounting structure  18  of support structure  16 , and second module  200  may include power load  4  coupled to and supported by second mounting structure  19  of support structure  16 . Third module  300  may include control cabinet  15  and power load support system  8 , each mounted on support structure  16 , and may also include the tank manifold, delivery conduit  10 , and power system manifold  11  of lubrication system  5 . Fourth module  400  may include fluid tank  9  of lubrication system  5  coupled to support structure  16  and positioned within volume  17 . More specifically, first module  100  may include power source  3  mounted on first support portion  30  of support structure  16 , second module  200  may include power load  4  mounted on second support portion  40  of support structure  16 , third module  300  may include control cabinet  15  and power load support system  8  mounted on the upper lip of second support portion  40  of support structure  16 , and fourth module  400  may include fluid tank  9  mounted on second support portion  40  of support structure  16 . 
     Each of first, second, third, and fourth modules  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400  may be positioned adjacent another and along a longitudinal axis  23 . That is, first, second, third, and fourth modules  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400  may be arranged substantially in series along longitudinal axis  23 . Moreover, first module  100  (including power source  3 ) and fourth module  400  (including fluid tank  9 ) may be positioned on opposite ends of power system arrangement  1 . In other words, power source  3  may be coupled to support structure  16  proximate a first end  24  of support structure  16 , and fluid tank  9  may be coupled to support structure  16  proximate a second end  25  of support structure  16  and opposite first end  24 . Second module  200  (including power load  4 ) and third module (including control cabinet  15 , power load support system  8 , the tank manifold, delivery conduit  10 , and power system manifold  11 ) may be positioned between first module  100  and fourth module  400 . More particularly, second module  200  may be positioned proximate first module  100 , and third module  300  may be positioned proximate fourth module  400 . That is, power source  3  may be adjacent a first side of power load  4  substantially along longitudinal axis  23 , and control cabinet  15  and power load support system  8  may be adjacent a second side of power load  4  substantially along longitudinal axis  23  and opposite the first side. The tank manifold, delivery conduit  10 , and power system manifold  11  may also be adjacent the second side of power load  4  substantially along longitudinal axis  23 . Moreover, fluid tank  9  may be adjacent to control cabinet  15  and power load support system  8  substantially along longitudinal axis  23  and on an opposite side as that of power load  4 . 
     As discussed, certain components of lubrication system  5  may be positioned between control cabinet  15  and power load support system  8 . That is, control cabinet  15  and power load support system  8  may be positioned on opposite sides of one or more of the tank manifold, delivery conduit  10 , and power system manifold  11  relative to longitudinal axis  23 . Furthermore, control cabinet  15  and power load support system  8  may be positioned on opposites sides of longitudinal axis  23  and separated from each other at a suitable distance, such that sufficient space may be provided in third module  300  for an operator to reach the tank manifold, delivery conduit  10 , and power system manifold  11  for, as examples, maintenance, assembly, and disassembly purposes, without interference from control cabinet  15  and power load support system  8 . Control cabinet  15  and power load support system  8  may also be separated a suitable distance along longitudinal axis  23  from power load  4  such that the operator may, for example, install, disassemble, and service, power load  4  without interference from control cabinet  15  and power load support system  8 . Moreover, the separation and spacing provided between second module  200  and third module  300  may support the installation and operation of multiple power loads  4 . For example, two or more power loads  4  may be coupled in parallel, mounted to support system  16 , and receive energy from power source  3 . In such a configuration, power system manifold  11  may include additional conduits to deliver lubrication oil to the additional power loads  4 , and power load support system  8  may include additional conduits to deliver seal gas to the additional power loads  4 . 
     In certain embodiments, a length of power system arrangement  1  may be at least three times larger than a width of power system arrangement  1 . More simply, support structure  16  may be at least three times longer (i.e., along longitudinal axis  23 ) than it is wide (i.e., perpendicular to longitudinal axis  23 ). Additionally, support structure  16  may include, without limitation, a width ranging between 100 inches and 120 inches. Support structure  16 , however, may include any other suitable dimensions. 
     It should also be appreciated that power system arrangement  1  is not limited to the configuration illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1C . For example, support structure  16  may be a collection of separate support structures supported by the ground, rather than a frame or skid. Moreover, first module  100 , second module  200 , third module  300 , and fourth module  400  may be fully independent of one another and configured to separate from each other via, for example, removable fasteners, clamps, linkages, and the like. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     Power system arrangement  1  and power system  2  may have application wherever power is required for performing one or more tasks. Power source  3  may be operated to drive power load  4  to, for example, pump fluid, generate electricity, or do other work. While power source  3  is driving power load  4 , support structure  16  may be configured to hold the various components of power system  2  in a substantially linear arrangement. While power source  3  is not being operated to drive power load  4 , support structure  16  may be used to support various components of power system  2  in a substantially linear arrangement, while one or more of the components are being moved and/or accessed for various purposes, such as maintenance and repair. 
     Conventional power system arrangements may experience certain problems. In service and installation operations, for example, removing components from a highly-integrated power system arrangement, such as an arrangement having power system components physically proximate one another, may be difficult and time consuming since the power system components may be tightly stacked on top of each other. Moreover, in an arrangement with one or more power system components positioned in different locations, repair and service of the power system may also be time consuming and cumbersome because the physical separation of the components may restrict access to multiple components by a single operator. 
     The presently disclosed power system arrangement  1  may provide numerous features. For example, the substantially linear arrangement of first, second, third, and fourth modules  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400  may provide access to various components of power system  2 . More particularly, the substantially linear arrangement of first, second, third, and fourth modules  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400  may longitudinally separate at least power source  3 , power load  4 , control cabinet  15 , power load support system  8 , and lubrication system  5  from each other. Therefore, longitudinal overlap between at least these power system  2  components may be eliminated, such that one or more of the components may be removed from support structure  16  independently of the other components. Independently removing specific components of power system  2  without the need to disassemble other components may reduce time, labor efforts, and costs associated with, for example, maintenance and service purposes. Furthermore, power system arrangement  1  may allow a single operator to access and service multiple components of power system  2  since the components may be arranged in a substantially linear configuration on a common support structure  16 . 
     In addition, the ability to independently remove components of power system  2  away from longitudinal axis  23  may also allow the components to be more quickly and easily replaced for customization purposes. For example, in embodiments where power load  4  may be a gas compressor, the gas compressor may be unfastened from second mounting structure  19 , power source  3 , control system  6 , power load support system  8 , and lubrication system  5 , and may then be removed from support structure  16 . Alternatively, the gas compressor may be slid off of support structure  16  via a movable/sliding arrangement of second mounting structure  19 . A different type of gas compressor, such as, for example, a larger or smaller volume gas compressor, or a higher or lower speed rated gas compressor, may be mounted on second mounting structure  19  and operably reconnected to power source  3 , control system  6 , power load support system  8 , and lubrication system  5 . Similarly, power source  3  may also be readily disassembled from first mounting structure  18  and replaced with one or more different types of power sources. In other embodiments, first support portion  30  with power source  3  mounted thereto may be disconnected from second support portion  40  and removed from power system arrangement  1 . Accordingly, power system arrangement  1  may provide eased customization of power system  2  in response to, for example, a desired energy input/output, the availability of certain power system  2  components, and component compatibility. It should also be appreciated that power source  3  may be supported by any number of other entities, including, as examples, the ground, one or more structures supported by the ground, one or more structures of a vehicle, and/or one or more structures of a marine vessel instead of support structure  16 . As such, power load  4 , lubrication system  5 , control system  6 , and power load support system  8  mounted on second support portion  40  may be operably coupled to power load  3  mounted on a suitable structure. 
     The arrangement of second module  200  and third module  300  may also provide certain features. For example, because control cabinet  15  and power load support system  8  may be positioned linearly adjacent to power load  4 , power load  4  may be readily removed, replaced, and/or serviced without control cabinet  15  and power load support system  8  blocking or interfering with power load  4  access. Such an arrangement may improve the ease and speed in which power load  4  may be serviced and/or replaced. In addition, control cabinet  15 , certain components of lubrication system  5  (e.g., the tank manifold, delivery conduit  10 , and power system manifold  11 ), and power load support system  8  may be coupled to support structure  16  along a width of third module  300  (i.e., substantially perpendicular to longitudinal axis  23 ). As such, the length of third module  300 , and thus, the overall footprint of power system arrangement  1 , may be reduced, while also providing sufficient space to access the components disposed in third module  300 . 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed power system arrangement and methods. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosed embodiments. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope being indicated by the following claims and their equivalent.