Search

WO-2026093972-A1 - TURBINE ENGINE SYSTEM

WO2026093972A1WO 2026093972 A1WO2026093972 A1WO 2026093972A1WO-2026093972-A1

Abstract

Disclosed is a turbine engine including a housing defining an interior cavity. A shaft extends axially through the housing and a turbine rotor coupled to the shaft. The turbine rotor includes a hub configured to couple to the shaft. A plurality of spokes extend radially outward from the hub. A plurality of blades is included, and each blade is disposed at a distal end of a corresponding spoke of the plurality of spokes and shaped as a hollow spherical shell having an opening. The opening is oriented to receive a working fluid and direct the working fluid tangentially to impart rotational motion to the turbine rotor. An inlet is coupled to the housing and configured to direct the working fluid into the interior cavity. An exhaust pipe is coupled to the housing and configured to discharge residual gases from the housing.

Inventors

  • JENG, JACK ING

Assignees

  • HELENG INC.

Dates

Publication Date
20260507
Application Date
20251030
Priority Date
20241102

Claims (20)

  1. 1. A turbine engine comprising: a housing defining an interior cavity; a shaft extending axially through the housing; a turbine rotor coupled to the shaft, the turbine rotor comprising: a hub configured to couple to the shaft; a plurality of spokes extending radially outward from the hub; a plurality of blades, each blade disposed at a distal end of a corresponding spoke of the plurality of spokes and shaped as a hollow spherical shell having an opening, the opening oriented to receive a working fluid and direct the working fluid tangentially to impart rotational motion to the turbine rotor; an inlet coupled to the housing and configured to direct the working fluid into the interior cavity; and an exhaust pipe coupled to the housing and configured to discharge residual gases from the housing.
  2. 2. The turbine engine of claim 1, wherein the opening of each blade comprises a sector-shaped cutout in a portion of the spherical shell, the opening extending circumferentially around the blade and spanning an angular range, the opening defining a concave recess that conforms to a curvature of the spherical shell.
  3. 3. The turbine engine of claim 2, wherein the angular range is approximately 120°.
  4. 4. The turbine engine of claim 1, wherein the opening of each blade comprises a tapered cutout on the spherical shell, the cutout having a first end width that differs from a second end width such that the cutout transitions in size along its length.
  5. 5. The turbine engine of claim 4, wherein the first end width corresponds to a diameter of the inlet, and the second end width corresponds to a diameter of the exhaust pipe.
  6. 6. The turbine engine of claim 1, wherein each blade further comprises a baffle positioned within the hollow spherical shell and adjacent to the opening. Docket HELEP006WO
  7. 7. The turbine engine of claim 6, wherein the baffle includes a hole configured to vent or equalize pressure within the blade.
  8. 8. The turbine engine of claim 1, wherein the interior cavity of the housing comprises an annular passage having a toroidal shape, the annular passage dimensioned to accommodate the turbine rotor and the plurality of blades within the annular passage.
  9. 9. The turbine engine of claim 1, wherein the shaft is oriented along a vertical axis or a horizontal axis.
  10. 10. The turbine engine of claim 1, wherein the working fluid comprises steam supplied from an external source, and the turbine engine operates without a combustion chamber.
  11. 11. The turbine engine of claim 1, wherein the working fluid comprises combustion gases generated within a combustion chamber coupled to the housing, the combustion chamber configured to receive a fuel and oxidizer mixture and expel the combustion gases through an outlet aligned with the inlet of the housing.
  12. 12. The turbine engine of claim 1, wherein the turbine engine includes an equal number of inlets and exhaust pipes arranged in corresponding positions around the housing.
  13. 13. The turbine engine of claim 1, wherein the turbine rotor comprises a first turbine rotor half and a second turbine rotor half, each turbine rotor half comprising: a hub segment configured to couple to a shaft about an axis of rotation; a plurality of spokes extending radially outward from the hub segment; and a plurality of blade half-shells at a distal end of a corresponding spoke, each blade half-shell being positioned to mate with a corresponding blade half-shell of the other turbine rotor half.
  14. 14. The turbine engine of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a first enclosure and a second enclosure, and is integrally formed with the inlet and the exhaust pipe. Docket HELEP006WO
  15. 15. The turbine engine of claim 1, further comprising a thrust ball bearing, the thrust ball bearing positioned between the housing and the turbine rotor.
  16. 16. The turbine engine of claim 1, wherein the shaft is coupled to a motor, generator, transmission, wheel assembly, propeller, power conversion or propulsion system.
  17. 17. A turbine rotor comprising: a hub configured to couple to a shaft; a plurality of spokes extending radially outward from the hub; and a plurality of blades, each blade disposed at a distal end of a corresponding spoke and shaped as a hollow spherical shell having an opening, the opening oriented to receive a working fluid and direct the working fluid tangentially to impart rotational motion to the turbine rotor.
  18. 18. The turbine rotor of claim 17, wherein the opening of each blade comprises a sector-shaped cutout in a portion of the spherical shell, the opening extending circumferentially around the blade and spanning an angular range, the opening defining a concave recess that conforms to a curvature of the spherical shell.
  19. 19. The turbine rotor of claim 18, wherein the angular range is approximately 120°.
  20. 20. The turbine rotor of claim 17, wherein the opening of each blade comprises a tapered cutout on the spherical shell, the cutout having a first end width that differs from a second end width such that the cutout transitions in size along its length.

Description

Docket HELEP006WO TURBINE ENGINE SYSTEM CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/715,559 filed on November 2, 2024, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/818,823 filed on June 6, 2025, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in full. BACKGROUND [0002] Turbine engines convert the energy of a pressurized working fluid into mechanical work by directing the fluid through stationary and rotating components that extract momentum and produce shaft power. Gas turbines typically operate on a Brayton cycle using combustion gases, while steam turbines operate on a Rankine cycle using externally generated vapor. Gas turbines offer high specific power and favorable power to weight ratio but face challenges such as thermal management, blade durability, emissions control, and efficiency at part load. Steam turbines provide high efficiency in steady operation but require large auxiliary systems, have slower dynamic response, and involve significant footprint and complexity. SUMMARY [0003] Disclosed is a turbine engine including a housing defining an interior cavity. A shaft extends axially through the housing and a turbine rotor coupled to the shaft. The turbine rotor includes a hub configured to couple to the shaft. A plurality of spokes extend radially outward from the hub. A plurality of blades is included, and each blade is disposed at a distal end of a corresponding spoke of the plurality of spokes and shaped as a hollow spherical shell having an opening. The opening is oriented to receive a working fluid and direct the working fluid tangentially to impart rotational motion to the turbine rotor. An inlet is coupled to the housing and configured to direct the working fluid into the interior cavity. An exhaust pipe is coupled to the housing and configured to discharge residual gases from the housing. [0004] Disclosed is a turbine rotor including a hub configured to couple to a shaft. A plurality of spokes extend radially outward from the hub. A plurality of blades are included and each blade is disposed at a distal end of a corresponding spoke and shaped as a hollow Docket HELEP006WO spherical shell having an opening. The opening is oriented to receive the working fluid and direct the working fluid tangentially to impart rotational motion to the turbine rotor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0005] FIG. 1 A is a perspective view of a turbine engine, in accordance with some aspects. [0006] FIG. IB is a front view of a turbine engine, in accordance with some aspects. [0007] FIG. 1C is a side view of a turbine engine, in accordance with some aspects. [0008] FIG. ID is an exploded view of a turbine engine shown in FIGS. 1 A-1C, in accordance with some aspects. [0009] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a turbine rotor, in accordance with some aspects. [0010] FIG. 2B is an exploded view of a turbine rotor of FIG. 2A, in accordance with some aspects. [0011] FIG. 3 A is a perspective view of a turbine engine with a portion of the enclosure removed, in accordance with some aspects. [0012] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a blade, in accordance with some aspects. [0013] FIG. 3C is a front view of a blade, in accordance with some aspects. [0014] FIG. 3D is a side view of a blade, in accordance with some aspects. [0015] FIG. 4A is a side view of a turbine rotor, in accordance with some aspects. [0016] FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a portion of the turbine rotor in the interior cavity, in accordance with some aspects. [0017] FIG. 4C is a front view of a portion of the turbine rotor in the interior cavity, in accordance with some aspects. [0018] FIG. 4D is a perspective view of a blade, in accordance with some aspects. [0019] FIG. 4E is a front view of a blade, in accordance with some aspects. [0020] FIG. 4F is a perspective view of a blade, in accordance with some aspects [0021] FIG. 5A is a side view of a turbine rotor, in accordance with some aspects. [0022] FIG. 5B is a perspective view of a blade including a baffle, in accordance with some aspects. [0023] FIG. 5C is a perspective view of the baffle itself, in accordance with some aspects. Docket HELEP006WO [0024] FIG. 5D shows a perspective view of a blade including a baffle, in accordance with some aspects. [0025] FIG. 5E is a side view of a blade including a baffle, in accordance with some aspects. [0026] FIG. 5F depicts a perspective view of the baffle itself, in accordance with some aspects. [0027] FIG. 5G is a perspective view of a blade including a baffle, in accordance with some aspects. [0028] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a turbine engine with a portion of the enclosure removed, in accordance with some aspects. [0029] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a combustion assembly, in accordance with some aspects. [0030] FIG. 7B is a front view of a turbine engine with a portion of a housing removed, in accordance with some aspects. [0031] FIGS. 8A-8E depict blades