Heshmat, H. and Walton II, J.F. “On the Development of an Oil-Free, High-Speed and High-Temperature Turboalternator” GT2010-22852, Proceedings of ASME Turbo Expo 2010: Power for Land, Sea and Air, June 14-18, 2010, Glasgow, UK, Volume 5, pp. 425-432.
In the paper the authors will present the design and preliminary test results for a distributed electric generating system that uses renewable energy sources for economical load-following and peak-shaving capability in an oil-free, high-speed micro-turboalternator system using compliant foil bearings and a permanent magnet alternator. The high operating temperatures and speeds required to make the Renewable Energy Turbo-Alternator (RETA) an efficient and cost effect system require that oil-free compliant foil bearings be used and that the alternator section be isolated from the turbine. Preliminary simulator testing compares well with design predictions and shows a stable rotordynamic and thermal environment.