Gregory C Rouse

US Patent:

6425732, Jul 30, 2002

Filed:

Aug 22, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/643625

Inventors:

Gregory C. Rouse - Westlake Village CA
Mike Swinton - Fallbrook CA
Dadjar Modjahedpour - Glendale CA

Assignee:

Capstone Turbine Corporation - Chatsworth CA

International Classification:

F01D 112

US Classification:

415 551, 2988921, 29447, 2940705

Abstract:

A method of combining an impeller and a shroud includes selecting a rotatable impeller having impeller blades with radially extending distal ends defining a predetermined outer impeller diameter. A shroud element is then selected having an inner diameter less than the outer impeller diameter. The shroud element is then attached to at least some of the radially extending distal ends of the impeller blades by forming an interference fit between the inner shroud diameter and the outer impeller diameter.

US Patent:

6539720, Apr 1, 2003

Filed:

Nov 6, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/985789

Inventors:

Gregory C. Rouse - Westlake Village CA
Bill Treece - La Mesa CA
Jeff Willis - Los Angeles CA
David Calta - Newbury Park CA

Assignee:

Capstone Turbine Corporation - Chatsworth CA

International Classification:

F01K 2508

US Classification:

60651, 60671, 60 39182

Abstract:

A closed loop Rankine bottoming cycle including a heat exchanger coupled to an exhaust port of a first turbogenerator for heating a pressurized refrigerant into a gaseous phase, and a second turbogenerator (e. g. , a turbo expander) coupled to the heat exchanger for expanding the gaseous phase so as to create power. Also included is a cooling mechanism coupled to an exhaust of the second turbogenerator for cooling the gaseous phase exhausted by the second turbogenerator into a liquid phase, and a pumping mechanism for pressurizing the liquid phase into the pressurized refrigerant heated by the heat exchanger. A computer program product and method for operating and synchronizing the generator included in the closed loop, so as to optimize the overall system efficiency is also included.

US Patent:

6634176, Oct 21, 2003

Filed:

Oct 15, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/977445

Inventors:

Gregory C. Rouse - Westlake Village CA
Octavio Solis - Los Angeles CA
David Calta - Newbury Park CA

Assignee:

Capstone Turbine Corporation - Chatsworth CA

International Classification:

F02C 314

US Classification:

60804, 60 39511, 60670

Abstract:

In a turbine engine with an annular recuperator surrounding the turbine, exhaust gas is directed from the turbine to the recuperator by a generally curved exhaust dome. A vortex disrupter structure extends from the exhaust dome to a point distal of the turbine to evenly distribute the exhaust gas entering the recuperator and sustain diffusion of the exhaust gas to increase the expansion ratio across the turbine.

US Patent:

6748742, Jun 15, 2004

Filed:

Nov 7, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/008047

Inventors:

Gregory C. Rouse - Westlake Village CA
William Treece - La Mesa CA
Jeff Willis - Los Angeles CA

Assignee:

Capstone Turbine Corporation - Chatsworth CA

International Classification:

F02B 3344

US Classification:

60611, 606051

Abstract:

According to the present disclosure, a turbogenerator system may be combined with other heat/energy sources. A simple cycle or recuperated cycle turbogenerator have a variety of fuel options and grid connect or stand alone capability that can be combined with one or more external heat sources such as a Solar Collector/Receiver Heat Energy System, a Bio-mass Gasifier/Combustor Heat Energy System, a Fuel Cell Heat/Energy System, a Nuclear Heat/Energy System, a Waste Heat/Energy System, or some other suitable Heat/Energy System. The above external heat systems can be used to provide all of part of the heat/energy input to operate the turbogenerator and achieve electrical output, as well as a turbogenerator hot exhaust flow that has potential for other uses. Using an integral turbogenerator low emission combustor and fuel control as part of these combined systems has additional advantages. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.

US Patent:

20020096393, Jul 25, 2002

Filed:

Nov 2, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/985435

Inventors:

Gregory Rouse - Westlake Village CA, US

Assignee:

CAPSTONE TURBINE CORPORATION - Chatsworth CA

International Classification:

F01N007/00

US Classification:

181/239000, 181/268000

Abstract:

An exhaust silencing device and method for silencing a turbogenerator includes a housing, an intake manifold, at least two exhaust outlet ports and flow channels which extend in a bifurcated path from the intake manifold to the exhaust outlet ports and which provide a length to height (or diameter) ratio permitting a compact fluid flow profile.

US Patent:

20020158517, Oct 31, 2002

Filed:

Nov 14, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/002985

Inventors:

Gregory Rouse - Westlake Village CA, US
Mark Gilbreth - Simi Valley CA, US
Daniel DeMore - Tarzana CA, US
William Treece - La Mesa CA, US

International Classification:

H02M001/00

US Classification:

307/151000

Abstract:

A turbogenerator system including a compressor rotationally coupled to a turbine and a bleed valve connected to the compressor discharge to vent a portion of the compressed air when the turbogenerator speed is within a preselected range to prevent the compressor from stalling. The turbogenerator speed is controlled to provide a required amount of power, and the turbine exit temperature is controlled in accordance with different functions of turbogenerator speed and ambient conditions to maintain an air flow that will prevent compressor from stalling, the function selected in accordance with whether the bleed valve is open of closed.

US Patent:

20030110773, Jun 19, 2003

Filed:

Feb 4, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/358060

Inventors:

Gregory Rouse - Westlake Village CA, US
Bill Treece - La Mesa CA, US
Jeff Willis - Los Angeles CA, US
David Calta - Newbury Park CA, US

Assignee:

Capstone Turbine Corporation

International Classification:

F01K001/00
F01K013/00

US Classification:

060/670000, 060/676000

Abstract:

A closed loop Rankine bottoming cycle including a heat exchanger coupled to an exhaust port of a first turbogenerator for heating a pressurized refrigerant into a gaseous phase, and a second turbogenerator (e.g., a turbo expander) coupled to the heat exchanger for expanding the gaseous phase so as to create power. Also included is a cooling mechanism coupled to an exhaust of the second turbogenerator for cooling the gaseous phase exhausted by the second turbogenerator into a liquid phase, and a pumping mechanism for pressurizing the liquid phase into the pressurized refrigerant heated by the heat exchanger. A computer program product and method for operating and synchronizing the generator included in the closed loop, so as to optimize the overall system efficiency is also included.

US Patent:

20040148942, Aug 5, 2004

Filed:

Jan 31, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/355145

Inventors:

Guillermo Pont - Los Angeles CA, US
Douglas Hamrin - Studio City CA, US
Gregory Rouse - Westlake Village CA, US

Assignee:

Capstone Turbine Corporation

International Classification:

F23R003/40

US Classification:

060/777000, 060/723000

Abstract:

The present invention provides a method for sustained catalytic combustion of low BTU fuels in a gas-turbine engine, and applications thereof. The method comprises ingesting fuel and combustion air into a catalytic reactor to produce thermal energy and converting the thermal energy to mechanical energy with a turbine. The fuel and the combustion air are mixed to form a fuel-air mixture. The ingested combustion air is used to oxidize the ingested fuel. Fuels having a higher heating value in a range of between 1000 and 5 BTU/scf are mixed with the combustion air and oxidized using the catalytic reactor.