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A compressor starting torque converter method and apparatus for high power rotating equipment strings includes a compressor starting torque converter (CSTC) (16) and gearing to make the input and output speed conform to the speed and power requirements of the at least one compressor (4) at the end o

A compressor starting torque converter method and apparatus for high power rotating equipment strings includes a compressor starting torque converter (CSTC) (16) and gearing to make the input and output speed conform to the speed and power requirements of the at least one compressor (4) at the end of the string. The string also includes a prime mover (10), either a motor or gas turbine with a starter motor. The CSTC is driven by a prime mover that has been geared down (via 18) to an appropriate speed for efficient power transfer, followed by a gear increasing unit (20) to allow the output of the CSTC to be increased to conform to the necessary requirements of a high speed compressor. The gearing can be two separate units with their own housings, or incorporated in a single housing with the CSTC. The CSTC may be a CSTC used in pressurized starts high compressor load strings for LNG refrigeration service.

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1. A dual end gear compressor starting torque converter (CSTC) for use in a string of rotating machines, said dual end gear CSTC comprising: a compressor starting torque converter (CSTC);an input end and an output end;a lock-up mechanism for mechanically connecting the CSTC input end to the CSTC out

1. A dual end gear compressor starting torque converter (CSTC) for use in a string of rotating machines, said dual end gear CSTC comprising: a compressor starting torque converter (CSTC);an input end and an output end;a lock-up mechanism for mechanically connecting the CSTC input end to the CSTC output end at synchronous speed between the input end and the output end;a speed reducing gear train at the input end comprises: a housing surrounding and enclosing said speed reducing gear train,a speed reducing gear train input shaft connected to a high speed gear, said high speed gear connected to a low speed gear carried by a speed reducing gear train output shaft, said speed reducing gear train output shaft drives said CSTCa speed increasing gear train at the output end,whereinsaid speed reducing gear train comprising an output shaft integral with and common to an input shaft of said CSTC,said speed increasing gear train comprises an input shaft integral with and common to an output shaft of said CSTC, andsaid speed reducing gear train output shaft and said speed increasing gear train input shaft are each supported by a pair of radial bearings and a single thrust bearing. 2. The dual end gear CSTC according to claim 1, further including high speed pinion gears on said speed reducing gear train input shaft and said speed increasing gear train output shaft, and low speed gears on said speed reducing gear train output shaft and said speed increasing input shaft. 3. The dual end gear CSTC according to claim 2, wherein said gears are of single helix construction. 4. The dual end gear CSTC according to claim 2, wherein said gears are of double helix construction. 5. The dual end gear CSTC according to claim 1, wherein, said input shaft of said CSTC is a constant speed input shaft to a hydraulic pump, said pump supplies hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic turbine through adjustable guide vanes, and said hydraulic turbine is connected to said CSTC output shaft, wherein the speed of the CSTC output shaft varies from zero to full speed by adjusting said guide vanes. 6. The dual end gear CSTC according to claim 5, further including a housing enclosing said CSTC. 7. The dual end gear CSTC according to claim 6, wherein said housing includes fluid bearings radially supporting said CSTC input and output shafts, and thrust bearings axially supporting said CSTC input and output shafts. 8. The dual end gear CSTC according to claim 1, wherein said dual end gear CSTC has an output of about 80 megawatts (MW) to about 150 MW at about 2,500 revolutions per minute (rpm) to about 4,000 rpm. 9. The dual end gear CSTC according to claim 1, wherein said dual end gear CSTC has an output of about 120 megawatts at about 3,000 revolutions per minute. 10. The dual end gear CSTC according to claim 1, wherein said high speed gear and said low speed gear are of single helix construction. 11. The dual end gear CSTC according to claim 1, wherein said high speed and said low speed gears are of double helix construction. 12. The dual end gear CSTC according to claim 1, wherein said speed increasing gear train comprising: said speed increasing gear train input shaft;a low speed gear connected to said speed increasing gear train input shaft, and a high speed pinion gear driven by said low speed gear; andwherein said high speed pinion gear is connected to a speed increasing gear train output shaft. 13. The dual end gear CSTC according to claim 12, wherein said high speed gear and said low speed gear are of single helix construction. 14. The dual end gear CSTC according to claim 12, wherein said high speed gear and said low speed gear are of double helix construction. 15. The dual end gear CSTC according to claim 12, further including a housing surrounding said speed increasing gear train. 16. The dual end gear CSTC according to claim 15, wherein said speed increasing input and output shafts are supported in said housing by radial fluid bearings. 17. The dual end gear CSTC according to claim 1, further comprising a housing surrounding and enclosing said speed reducing gear train, said CSTC, and said speed increasing gear train as a unit. 18. A method of starting at least one compressor in a string of rotating power equipment, comprising the steps of: providing a string of rotating power equipment including a prime mover;connecting a speed reducing gear train to said prime mover;connecting a compressor starting torque converter (CSTC) to said speed reducing gear train:connecting a speed increasing gear train to said CSTC;connecting at least one compressor to said speed increasing gear train;starting said prime mover to produce power at a first output speed;reducing said first speed to a second speed lower than said first speed by said speed reducing gear train;transmitting power increasingly through said CSTC at output speeds from zero to said second lower than said first speed;increasing said second speed to a third speed higher than said second speed by said speed increasing gear train; anddriving said compressor at said third speedwherein said compressor is operated under a pressurized start and the pressurized start comprises:operating said at least one compressor at a minimum power at start up; andtransitioning the minimum power to a full power once the output speed of said speed increasing gear train is at said third speed. 19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the method is used to manufacture liquefied natural gas (LNG). 20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising a means to compress refrigerant, wherein said refrigerant is used to cool natural gas to a liquefied form. 21. The method according to claim 18, wherein said prime mover is a single shaft turbine. 22. The method according to claim 18, wherein said prime mover is a motor. 23. The method according to claim 18, further including a starter motor connected through a hydraulic clutch to said prime mover.