Abstract: An accurately indexed rotatable tool positioning table for use with inspection and repair apparatus remotely disposed within the channel head of a steam generator is shown. The table is automatically rotated by a motor to predetermined positions and an angular position resolving mechanism in engagement therewith provides an output signal responsive to the angular movement for accurate position determination and control. An indexing pin is received in an indexing bushing in the plate to insure accurate, repeatable positioning of the plate, and switch means are associated therewith and operatively connected to the tool energizing circuit to prevent operation of any tool until the indexing pin is properly seated in the bushing and to prevent the positioning motor actuation until the pin is fully withdrawn from the bushing.

Abstract: A reversible gerotor pump is shown which delivers a lubricant in a predetermined manner regardless of direction of rotation. The reversibility is provided by an eccentric collar having a cylindrical opening encircling the pump rotor and which is rotatable through a 180.degree. arc by frictional engagement with the rotor. To ensure this frictional engagement is greater than the frictional engagement between the collar and an adjacent stationary face plate which opposes rotation of the eccentric collar, the surface of the collar in facing engagement with the plate defines slight protrusions projecting therefrom. The protrusions abut the plate for a limited surface engagement therebetween and therefore provide limited frictional engagement. In this manner the friction between the collar and the stationary plate is minimized and the eccentric collar is relatively free to be rotated to either of two extreme positions within the 180.degree. arc depending upon the direction of the rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: A reversing eccentric member for a gerotor pump is shown. The eccentric member comprises a ring having opposed generally planar surfaces. One surface defines an arcuate notch for limiting rotation of the member. The opposite surface defines a slightly-raised radially innermost marginal portion which is knurled to minimize the surface area that supports the member in facing engagement with a stationary plate of the pump and also define channels to prevent sticking between lubricated adjacent machined surfaces. This limits the frictional engagement between the stationary plate and the eccentric member and the adhesive tendency of the film of lubricant therebetween so the member is generally freely and easily rotated on the plate in response to a change in the direction of rotation of the pump rotor.

Abstract: A covered air scoop for a gas turbine combustor comprising a tubular member radially extending through the combustor shell to define an air inlet. A symmetrical cap member is disposed in spaced, overhanging relationship over the inlet. To enter the combustor, the air must flow into the cap member, thereby causing all air to enter the tube in a substantially uniform manner so that the air flow through all similarly constructed air tubes at a common axial location of the combustor is substantially equal at all times.

Abstract: A readily removable and serviceable filter assembly in an oil recirculation path of a bearing lubrication system is shown wherein the oil passing through the bearing to lubricate the bearing surfaces is returned to an interior reservoir through a stationary passage having a replaceable bearing oil filter assembly of multiple interengaging components to form a generally unitary assembly.

Abstract: A tube guide for guiding replacement heat exchanger tubes into proper position within a tube sheet of a steam generator and an extractor tool for engaging the tube guide for extracting it from the tube once the tube is properly positioned.

Abstract: A water-cooled turbine rotor blade having an enlarged radially-extending chamber forming a coolant reservoir connected to cooling passages subadjacent the blade surface. The channels interconnecting the reservoir with the passages are adjacent the blade tip so that the pressurized water (i.e., due to the centrifugal force caused by the rotation) in the reservoir flows into the channels at the tip and thence through the cooling passages radially inwardly. Heat absorption from the blade causes vaporization of the water as it flows through the passages. The cooling passages terminate radially inwardly (adjacent the hub or root portion) in a space in flow communication with the enlarged chamber and an exhaust port in the downstream face of the root so that vapor is exhausted at the downstream face and any liquid exiting the coolant passages is returned to the reservoir.

Abstract: A remotely operated tool and tool support for positioning heat exchanger tube ends within a tube sheet of a steam generator and expanding the tube end into intimate contact with the tube sheet. The tool includes a tool head for insertion into the vertically extending tubes and a drive means which is supported horizontally by the tool support. The tool head is supported for vertical movement with respect to the drive means and right angle gear means are interposed therebetween in a vertically movable mount to permit such relative movement. Switch means responsive to the relative positions of the tool head, drive means, and right angle gear means indicate each is in a proper position to initiate or terminate the operation of the tool.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for automatically determining and indicating that the rotor of a steam turbine has attained a predetermined minimal temperature. Means are utilized for measuring axial dimensional changes of the steam turbine cylinder and rotor due to an increased temperature and summing pertinent axial dimensional changes thereby determining the axial expansion of the rotor which in turn, through known physical properties of the rotor material, corresponds to a temperature increase. This increase of the temperature added to the initial temperature of the rotor provides the total temperature, and upon the total temperature reaching a predetermined value, the steam turbine is available to be brought up to speed and loaded.

Abstract: A spring biased member is disposed between the facing surfaces of the reversing eccentric and the rotor of a reversible, unidirectional flow pump. The member is keyed to the eccentric and applies frictional torque to the eccentric from the rotor to drive the eccentric to the proper position as determined by a fixed stop in accordance with the rotor's rotation. The member extends generally tangentially beyond either side of the contact points on the circular rotor face and presents a wedge-shaped confined space to the lubricant on the rotor face. The lubricant is driven into the wedge by the rotating rotor and raises the member from intimate contact with the rotor surface to maintain a thin lubricant film therebetween. This film of lubricant thus separates the member from the rotor face whenever there is relative motion between them to reduce wear on the otherwise contacting parts.

Abstract: Combustion apparatus for a gas turbine engine for directing combustion air to enter the combustor adjacent the fuel oil nozzle in a vigorous swirling pattern to thoroughly mix with the atomized fuel to eliminate fuel rich, smoke producing pockets from the combustion zone. The apparatus includes air inlet ports directing one portion of the combustion air in an axially directed swirling motion, another portion of the air in a tangentially directed swirling motion with other portions of the air directed to cool and clean the nozzle and cool the wall of the combustor.

Abstract: A fuel nozzle assembly having a nozzle tip disposed in one end of a fuel delivery tube supported in a mounting flange. An air delivery tube, also secured to said support flange, encloses the fuel delivery tube to define an annular air chamber therebetween. The air delivery tube and the fuel delivery tube define interengaging tab portions providing a breech-lock engagement therebetween, with the tab members disposed closely adjacent the nozzle tip and effecting a sealing engagement between the nozzle tip and an aperture in the end of the air delivery tube through which the tip protrudes. To accommodate unequal axial expansion of the two tubes, the air delivery tube is mounted to the support flange with a flexible diaphragm.

Abstract: A pressure-fed journal bearing for a steam turbine is shown having a generally tangentially oriented oil inlet discharging at the horizontal centerline of the supported shaft to utilize the pressure head of the oil and retain laminar flow in the direction of rotation of the shaft. Seals are disposed in the axial ends of the bearing to minimize end leakage and confine the oil flow to an outlet channel generally opposite the inlet and likewise tangentially oriented to receive the discharged oil with minimal bearing losses. The oil flow rate through the bearing can be regulated by an orifice in the outlet or inlet channel.

Abstract: A gas turbine power generating system comprising, in the preferred embodiment, three gas turbine engines in series-connected flow communication employing high pressure hydrogen and oxygen as the fuel. Pre-heated pressurized steam (or a steam and water mixture) is fed to the initial gas turbine combustor for combustion coolant. Steam, consisting of the products of combustion plus the vaporized coolant, is exhausted from the first turbine into the combustor of the next turbine for re-heating via the combustion therein of the high pressure hydrogen and oxygen. The exhaust steam from the intermediate turbine is in turn re-heated in the combustor of the final turbine. The final exhaust steam is then passed through a recuperative heat exchanger to pre-heat the pressurized cooling water so that, when injected into the first combustor, it is vaporized prior to entering the first turbine.

Abstract: A variable area turbine nozzle vane is supported from stationary housing structure and disposed in a confined fluid flow path between the gas generator and the power turbine of a split shaft gas turbine engine. The radially innermost structure defining the flow path for the working fluid is supported by a strut passing through, and also supporting, a hollow variable vane so that no external support struts are present in the flow path of the working fluid.

Abstract: An air conditioning unit having a housing providing support structure for supporting the unit on a relatively thin sheet metal roof of a bus or the like. The housing includes two opposed upright side panels which provide the support for the air conditioning components housed therein and which also in turn are supported on the bus roof, generally adjacent the sidewalls of the bus to utilize the greater load bearing capability of the roof in this vicinity. The housing is separated into an evaporator compartment and a condenser compartment by an internal bulkhead extending between and supported by the side panels. The unit includes a single condenser fan motor and a single evaporator fan motor which are each cantilevered from the bulkhead in their respective compartments to generally counterbalance one another while transferring their weight through the bulkhead to the sidewalls of the housing.

Abstract: A self-contained temperature probe assembly for sensing the disc cavity temperature of a gas turbine engine is shown. The assembly includes a thermocouple probe comprising an upper tube and a lower tube housing the probe leads. The lower tube extends from the cylinder housing through the blade ring to guide the probe tip through a hollow vane to adjacent a rotor disc and includes a tapered portion for sealing engagement with a tapered aperture in the blade ring as biased by a coil spring. The upper tube extends outwardly from the turbine cylinder to the probe head. The adjacent ends of the two tubes are retained in a standard flange in predetermined spaced relation against outward withdrawal and the lead wires are coiled within the space to maintain a slack condition to prevent transmission of vibration of the lead wires into the probe head and also prevent the rather fragile wires from supporting any weight of the probe during shipping or installation of the probe to the turbine.

Abstract: A gas turbine blade is shown having channels subjacent the surface for a coolant to flow therethrough from a radially inner inlet to a discharge port adjacent the blade tip. The channels include intermediate enlarged chambers wherein a portion of the coolant is permitted to vaporize, so that the smaller diameter coolant distributing channels remain substantially liquid full. The vapor from the chambers is exhausted at a position radially inwardly of the blade tip and preferably below the blade platform.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for starting a gas turbine engine is shown wherein the combustion chamber has a fixed geometry providing a high throughput velocity to prevent flashback during normal operation of the engine. Thus, there is provided a flame holding zone out of the main flow path through the chamber that exhausts into the chamber upstream of a catalytic reactor element to preheat the catalyst to a sufficiently high temperature for continuous auto-combustion therein prior to the rotor of the engine attaining running speed. After running speed the combustion in the flame holding zone is extinguished and the velocity of the fuel/air mixture in the main flow path through the chamber is sufficient to maintain the combustion within the catalytic element for the continuous running of the engine without any flashback.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine having cooled rotor blades is shown wherein the coolant is delivered to a stationary chamber adjacent the blades. A portion of the coolant is directed to seals between the stationary structure and the rotor and another portion is directed between adjacent rotor discs for entry through the downstream disc into the blades supported therein. The portion flowing through the seals is prevented from flowing into the fluid directed to the discs. Also, the coolant to the discs is given a velocity vector substantially equal to the velocity vector of the openings through the disc to the blade root to minimize pumping losses and temperature increases in the coolant during its delivery to the blade.