A fluid power conversion apparatus serving fluid pumping and/or power-generation functions, comprising: an impeller having an impeller hub and a periphery; a housing around the impeller; a diffusor having (a) an outer wall attached to the housing, (b) a diffusor hub rotatably supporting the impeller, and (c) at least one stator vane securing the diffusor hub to the outer wall; and a rotating electrical machine having (a) an armature attached to the housing and (b) a rotor attached to the impeller periphery and positioned to form a rotor-armature gap, whereby the impeller and the rotor form an integrated unit with fluid flow through the rotor.
RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/606,447, filed Sep. 1, 2004 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/619,646, filed Oct. 18, 2004, the contents of which are incorporated herein.
