Patent ID: 8739538

Claim:
An apparatus comprising: an electric generator having a stator and a rotor; a first turbine having a first turbine wheel coupled to a first end of the rotor to rotate at the same speed as the rotor and configured to receive working fluid into an inlet side of the first turbine wheel and output working fluid from an outlet side of the first turbine wheel and rotate in response to expansion of working fluid flowing from the inlet side to the outlet side of the first turbine wheel, wherein the first turbine is in fluid communication with the electric generator to direct working fluid from the outlet side of the first turbine wheel in direct contact with the electric generator to cool the electric generator; and a second turbine having a second turbine wheel coupled to a second end of the rotor, opposite the first end of the rotor, to rotate at the same speed as the rotor and configured to receive working fluid into an inlet side of the second turbine wheel and output working fluid from an outlet side of the second turbine wheel and rotate in response to expansion of working fluid flowing from the inlet side to the outlet side of the second turbine wheel, wherein the electric generator is arranged proximate the outlet side of the second turbine wheel.