Abstract: An improved friction brake system for a transit vehicle is disclosed. The conventional friction brake system for a transit vehicle utilizes an integral service brake and emergency-parking brake actuator. The service brake portion is air powered while the emergency-parking brake portion is spring powered. It has been conventional to apply full service air brake and emergency spring brake during emergency stops. An accelerometer switch is typically connected in circuit with the service brake portion to prevent the service brake from turning on if their is sufficient deceleration. The accelerometer switch often does not react quickly enough to prevent the onset of the service brakes. The present invention utilizes a time delay switch to delay the onset of service brakes until after the spring-activated emergency brakes react.

Abstract: A passenger vehicle is provided for movement along a track having an input speed command including ONE and ZERO information components to control the vehicle speed. A first control apparatus including at least a first microprocessor is responsive to the ONE and ZERO information components for providing first and second speed error signals. A second control apparatus including at least a second microprocessor is responsive to the ONE and ZERO information components for providing third and fourth speed error signals the first control apparatus compares the first, second, third and fourth speed error signals for controlling the vehicle and the second control apparatus compares the first, second, third and fourth speed error signals for controlling the vehicle.

Abstract: An integral series parallel changeover and power dynamic brake controller apparatus for a transit vehicle disclosed. The controller utilizes a single cam shaft to operate switches for the series parallel function and the power brake function. The apparatus includes a cam shaft return spring which is latched out during normal operation. Upon a power failure the spring is released. An escapement mechanism is provided to slow the rotation of the cam shaft upon the spring being released to provide for desirable sequential operation of the power circuit.

Abstract: The invention comprises a retrofit turbine blade cooling apparatus for replacing non-cooled turbine blades in presently existing combustion turbines. The cooling apparatus comprises a turbine blade structured for fluid cooling and a sealing apparatus structured to cooperate with a root portion of the turbine blade and a subadjacent portion of a turbine disc to force cooling fluid into the turbine blade. Use of the cooling apparatus requires no modification or disassembly of the rotor assembly.

Abstract: A passenger vehicle speed control apparatus and method are operative with a track providing an input speed command having ONEs and ZEROs information components. At least two programmed microprocessors operate with the vehicle and redundantly decode the ONEs and ZEROs input speed command signal components through operation of a fixed frequency filter for each of a plurality of frequency pairs and a variable frequency filter tuned to the frequency of the fixed filter having the highest amplitude signal component for determining a speed command signal to control the movement speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: The rotatable guide wheel of a transit vehicle is supported by a vertical stationary shaft by at least one main support bearing. Upon failure of that main support bearing the guide wheel shifts position for operation with one of a sleeve bearing coupled with the shaft and a thrust bearing coupled with the shaft below the guide wheel.

Abstract: An adjustable frequency AC motor drive control system includes pulse width modulation control of an inverter coupled with the motor and a programmed microprocessor which generates a cosine wave in cooperation with a sine wave and a carrier wave to provide a synthesized sine wave voltage to the motor by controlling the conduction of power switches at a rate higher than the fundamental frequency of the sine wave voltage output.

Abstract: A microprocessor controlled propulsion motor control apparatus for a passenger vehicle is provided, including a chopper apparatus having an interrupt clock to determine the frequency cycle of operation of that chopper apparatus. It is required that this frequency stay within a predetermined tolerance and not vary outside that tolerance. The output pulses from the microprocessor clock are counted between successive signals from the chopper interrupt clock in response to each occurrence of a determined operation condition of the passenger vehicle to determine that the chopper interrupt frequency is satisfactory.

Abstract: The invention comprises a cooled turbine rotor blade having an improved blade tip structure. A groove is provided in the trailing edge end of the blade tip on those turbine blades whose trailing edge is too thin to support an extension of the blade walls to form a blade tip cavity which extends to the tip of the trailing edge of the blade. The groove protects adjoining exhaust apertures from closure by a blade tip smear.

Abstract: A conventional cross-flow or paired-stage multi-stage flash evaporator plant is provided with duct means for collecting distillate from collection trays in the successive evaporator units in the plant. Distillate from individual units is diverted to a bypass flow path from the duct means when it is detected to be contaminated with brine.

Abstract: A multi-annular swirl burner includes a plurality of overlapping tubular wall members which form a rich combustion zone and a lean combustion zone with a throat section therebetween. Annular passages are located between adjacent wall members, and vanes located therein input a tangential velocity to entering air. The tangential velocity of the swirling flows increases with increasing radius to produce centrifugal separating force on particulates moving from the rich combustion zone to the throat section. A collection system scavenges particulates from the throat section for disposal.

Abstract: A gas turbine power plant is provided with an industrial gas turbine which drives a rotating brushless exciter generator coupled to a power system through a breaker. One or more of the turbine-generator plants are operated by a hybrid digital computer control system during sequenced startup, synchronizing, load, and shutdown operations. The program system for the computer and external analog circuitry operate in a multiple gas turbine control loop arrangement. Automatic synchronization is achieved with a hybrid subsystem which includes the programmed computer and external phase detection circuitry. An automatic synchronization program for the computer is divided into rough speed and voltage matching, fine speed matching and breaker closure subprograms.

Abstract: A computer monitored or controlled system is equipped with an interactive debugging system which enables a systems engineer to modify the system configuration in a simple manner. At any time, the systems engineer may obtain from the system a complete, understandable description of the system's present operating configuration. He may then modify any part of the system. Operation of portions of the system may be simulated, and detailed records of system and simulation operations may be automatically obtained.

Abstract: A combustor for a stationary combustor turbine is provided with a generally tubular sidewall formed from a telescopic arrangement of sidewall ring members. A corrugated spacer band supports the upstream end portion of each sidewall member on the downstream end portion of the next inwardly located sidewall member in the upstream direction. An annular coolant admission slot is thus provided between the sidewall members with the corrugated spacer band located therein.The downstream end portion of each sidewall member extends as an annular lip projecting downstream from the downstream end of the corrugated band to discourage mixing of the hot internal gases with the coolant air flowing as a film through the slot and along the inner sidewall surface.

Abstract: A manipulator control system uses a microprocessor to compute appropriate control parameters in order to maintain constant tangential velocity of a spray nozzle in relation to the inside surface of a spherical portion of a nuclear steam generator. The microprocessor also computes, in one of the three modes of operation, of the control system, appropriate control parameters for maintaining a predetermined distance between the nozzle and the center of the spherical enclosure.

Abstract: A pulsed coolant thermocouple temperature measuring system is arranged to measure temperature above a limit operating temperature of the thermocouple includes a rake which is disposed across a hot gas path combustion turbine. Multiple thermocouple are disposed in respective channels in the rake to sense the temperature of hot gas from surplus which enter the thermocouple channels through respective sampling ports in the rake. The sample gas flows merge with a common channel and exhaust through a hot gas sample valve. When any of the thermocouples reaches a limit temperature, a coolant valve is opened as the hot gas valve is closed so as to drive coolant air into the common channel over the thermocouple through the thermocouple channels and the sampling ports into the hot gas path.

Abstract: A reheat pressurized fluidized bed combustor system for an electric power plant includes an HP turbine which drives a compressor. Compressed clean air is directed through a combustor bed heat exchanger where it is heated to 1500.degree. F. and then directed to the HP turbine inlet. After HP turbine expansion, the clean exhaust air is cooled to about 1100.degree. F. and partly directed to the combustor bed for reheating and for bed fluidization and combustor support and partly bypassed around the combustor bed. Coal is burned in the combustor bed to heat the combustor outlet gases to 1600.degree. F. which are directed to a cleanup system and then mixed with the bypass flow portion. The mixed flow is supplied to a low pressure turbine at a turbine inlet temperature of 1300.degree. F. at which alkali matter is solidified and then exhausted to one or more heat recovery devices.

Abstract: An improved combustor basket for a land-based combustion turbine comprises a plurality of ring segments joined in telescoping fashion to form a constant diameter basket, the downstream end of each ring segment having an extended lip for improved film cooling of the interior surface of the ring segments, a combustor dome adjoining the upstream end of the combustor basket and having an interior splash plate directing a cooling air film along the interior surface of the dome wall, fuel injecting means, and oval-shaped scoops for directing the flow of compressed air into the combustion zone. Each ring segment, excluding the first, comprises an upstream cylindrical section, a conical section, and a downstream cylindrical section, which geometrical arrangement permits construction of a constant diameter combustor basket. The combined improvements of the present combustor basket result in more efficient and complete combustion, which results in the production of less smoke.

Abstract: A speed and load control for a combustion turbine utilized in the generation of electric power includes means for effecting a smooth transition between the isochronous and droop modes of control. The speed and load control also includes means for maintaining a constant power level during a transition from the isochronous to the droop mode of control so as to minimize fluctuations in signal frequency.

Abstract: A combined cycle electric power plant includes in interconnected relationship a steam turbine, two gas turbines, three electric generators, two heat recovery steam generators, a hybrid computer control system, a plant protection system and various items of auxiliary equipment. A computerized simulator is interfaced with the control system at the factory site to test the controls and the control system is then modularly disassembled in various structures and shipped to the field site for reassembly without need for extensive field testing. The control system includes a digital control computer, a digital monitor computer and modular analog controls for the turbines. Various levels of automated control can be employed including coordinated plant control which involves supervisory operation of the analog controls by the control computer. In analog control, complete plant operation is produced by operation of the analog controls without the control computer.