Abstract: An apparatus for measuring stagnation pressure and yaw angle as well as providing static pressure and pitch angle indications at any point in subsonic and supersonic elastic fluid streams. Determination of both the static and stagnation pressures at any selected point permits Mach number determination anywhere along the radial length of axial flow turbine blades. Such localized Mach number determinations permit close monitoring of blade performance in axial flow turbines.

Abstract: A power generation system and method of operation for generating electricity by utilizing temperature differences inherently present in the ocean between water near the surface and water from the ocean's depths. A pump provides relatively warm, surface ocean water to a flash evaporator where a portion of the water is flashed into steam. The steam is expanded through a subatmospheric pressure range turbine which exhausts into a condensing enclosure. The steam exhausting into the enclosure is condensed by relatively cold ocean water pumped thereinto. The turbine drives a generator and thus produces the electricity. The turbine speed and generator output are controlled by selectively introducing atmospheric air and relatively warm water into the exhausted motive steam flow. Such selective introduction into the exhausted steam flow of air and/or relatively warm water increases the absolute pressure at the turbine's exhaust end and thus reduces steam flow through the turbine.

Abstract: A subatmospheric pressure condenser has an enclosure within which steam is condensed after exhausting from an associated turbine. The enclosure is flexibly connected to the turbine to permit relative movement therebetween. The condenser also has an outer wall which is flexibly connected to the enclosure to define a vacuum balancing chamber therebetween with the outer wall being structurally connected to the turbine for the purpose of reducing the atmospheric pressure force exerted on the turbine's structure by the turbine. The structural connectors between the outer wall and the turbine intersect the enclosure and provide fluid communication therethrough between the turbine's exhaust port and the vacuum balancing chamber. At the intersection between the structural connectors and the enclosure, sleeves are attached to the enclosure in closely spaced surrounding relationship with each of the structural connectors to minimize liquid intrusion therebetween from the enclosure to the vacuum balancing chamber.

Abstract: An improved open cycle ocean thermal energy conversion system including a flash evaporator for vaporizing relatively warm ocean surface water and an axial flow, elastic fluid turbine having a vertical shaft and axis of rotation. The warm ocean water is transmitted to the evaporator through a first prestressed concrete skirt-conduit structure circumferentially situated about the axis of rotation. The unflashed warm ocean water exits the evaporator through a second prestressed concrete skirt-conduit structure located circumferentially about and radially within the first skirt-conduit structure. The radially inner surface of the second skirt conduit structure constitutes a cylinder which functions as the turbine's outer casing and obviates the need for a conventional outer housing. The turbine includes a radially enlarged disc element attached to the shaft for supporting at least one axial row of radially directed blades through which the steam is expanded.

Abstract: An apparatus for gauging the shape of a specimen conducting surface or load distribution between normally mateable specimen conducting surfaces. A capacitance pad which is insertable between the specimen surface in question and a reference surface of known shape or normally mateable surfaces has multiple electrodes sandwiched between dielectric plates which are, during operation, situated adjacent the reference and specimen surfaces. The electrodes in the capacitance pad may be individually energized and selectively connected to a capacitance measuring circuit. Capacitance between the reference and specimen surfaces or between the normally mateable specimen surfaces changes the frequency of the measuring circuit when selected capacitance pad electrodes are connected to that circuit.

Abstract: A double ring and radial lead assembly for electrically connecting the exterior and interior of a large, hollow shaft. A first ring secured to the shaft has a radial opening therethrough in general alignment with a radial opening in the shaft between its exterior surface and its interior surface. The first ring is secured to the shaft through an interference fit. An electrical conductor is arranged in the generally aligned openings and is secured in such position. A second conductive ring is attached to the first ring through an interference fit and covers the radially outer end of the radial lead. The second ring acts as a slip ring and provides a rotatable electrical contact surface for maintaining electrical connection with a stationary electrical source. The radially directed conductor and both rings are electrically insulated from the shaft.

Abstract: A cradle structure situated within and fastened to a capacitor containment casing for supporting an electrical assembly disposed within that casing. The cradle structure is attached to either the containment casing's side walls or its cover.

Abstract: A fluidly cooled flat plate neutral bus for electrically connecting the neutral bushings on dynamoelectric machines. The current carrying flat plate is in heat transmissive contact with a coolant carrying conduit which transfers heat generated in the neutral bus to the coolant flowing therethrough. The fluidly cooled flat plate neutral bus provides high heat flux while occupying a small volume.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention:This invention relates to the neutral bushings on dynamoelectric electric machines, and more particularly to means for electrically connecting those neutral bushings and means for cooling the electrically connecting means.2. Description of the Prior Art:Large turbine generators often have several (three for a three-phase machine) neutral lead bushings which are electrically connected by a bus. Several schemes have been utilized in the past to remove the heat generated in the bus as a result of the current flow therethrough during generator operation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling fluid velocity exhausting from an elastic fluid turbine within a predetermined range. Elastic fluid flow rate and velocity is measured through the turbine's exhaust stage and coolant flow rate to heat exchange tubes situated downstream from the exhaust stage is regulated so as to maintain exhaust pressure and, thus, fluid velocity through the exhaust stage within a predetermined range. Pressure measuring devices situated upstream and downstream from the turbine exhaust stage provide flow rate and velocity measurements for the elastic fluid passing thereby while the coolant flow rate through the heat exchange tubes is regulated by a variably restrictive valve or variable speed coolant pump.

Abstract: A power plant system utilizing a zoned or multipressure condenser or cooling tower whose different zones are air-cooled in a dry manner. The zoned condenser may condense motive cycle fluid by passing it directly through air-cooled heat exchange conduits or by passing a dense fluid through an intermediate, zoned condenser where it boils as it absorbs heat from the cycle fluid and then through the aforementioned zoned, cooling tower. A separate coolant circuit is used between each intermediate condenser zone and the cooling tower. Each intermediate condenser zone is maintained at a predetermined pressure by the coolant flowing through one of the coolant circuits and transporting heat therewith from the intermediate condenser to air flowing through the dry cooling tower. To obtain different boiling and condensing temperatures in the coolant circuits different coolants or different coolant pressures must be utilized therein.

Abstract: Turbine structure having rotor cooling on the upstream side of the turbine's inlet or control stage with lower pressure turbine stages being situated axially downstream from the control stage. The normal axial direction of motive fluid flow is substantially the same through both the control stage and the lower pressure stages. Apertures in the control stage's rotatable disc portion of the rotor cause motive fluid which has been expanded through the control stage to be pumped into a cooling space formed between the rotor and a stationary nozzle structure which directs the motive fluid into the control stage. Motive fluid leakage between the nozzle structure and the control stage disc is minimized by a first set of seals disposed therebetween. Motive fluid leakage contact with the rotor is minimized by a second set of seals disposed between the control stage and nozzle structure with a conduit providing fluid communication for the leakage past the first seal to the exit from the control stage.

Abstract: Iron or other ferromagnetic material is utilized in the rotor core of a dynamoelectric machine having a superconductive field winding. A parallel connection arrangement of the winding in combination with a plurality of current dividing resistance elements provides a sinusoidal distribution of current density across the circumference of the rotor. The magnetic field associated with the sinusoidal current distribution is reduced in critical interior regions of the winding by the demagnetizing field produced by the magnetic poles of the ferromagnetic core, thereby allowing a larger current to flow in the winding without destroying superconductivity. The two fields add in regions exterior to the winding, thereby providing a net increase in the useful external field obtained from a given amount of superconductive material.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming electrical coil bars used in dynamoelectric machines of any size and cone angle. The apparatus includes at least one rotatable frusto-conical shaped member whose major diameter, minor diameter, and cone angle are adjustable to form coils for any sized dynamoelectric machine. By guiding an end portion of an electrical coil bar against the conical surface in a spiral configuration about the conical member's axis of rotation, the electrical coil bars may be caused to lie along a frusto-conical surface when assembled in the dynamoelectric machines. The frusto-conically shaped member has a plurality of radially extendible struts at one axial end thereof, a plurality of radially directed support members at the other axial end thereof, and a plurality of shaping ribs extending between the struts and support members.

Abstract: A tool for forming substantially rectangular cross sections on conduits. Two mateable collars are disposable about the exterior of a conduit and have forming surfaces which can be pressed against the conduit's wall to predetermined extents to cause the conduit to assume the desired outside rectangular dimensions. Such pressing is provided by two threaded fasteners, each of which extend through one of the collar members and into threaded engagement with the mateable collar. The assembled collar configuration may be disengaged from, rotated about, and reclamped on the exterior of the conduit so as to provide uniform wall formation if the shape of the desired conduit permits such collar rotation. To assure complete contact between the conduit's exterior and the forming surfaces of the collar, two wedge members are axially inserted in the conduit's opening.

Abstract: A probe for insertion into a steam flow which provides a quality measurement of the steam in that particular flow. Steam quality is determined by transmitting light across a portion of the steam flow, making a measurement of the light's intensity after traversing the steam flow, and comparing that intensity to light intensity which was measured through a dry steam flow. Light provided by a Helium-Neon laser is directed through a diverging lens which distributes the emitted light across a predetermined area. Such distributed light is directed through a light beam splitter which directs a portion of the light beam through a series of optic fibers. Such optic fibers transmit light through an isolation window, and across a steam flow specimen channel where it is reflected by a mirror. The reflected light from the mirror traverses the optic fibers in the opposite direction to light emitted from the laser.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing continuous phase proportion indications for a single component fluid having multiple coexisting phases. The apparatus assures homogeneity of the multiple phases by subjecting the fluid to an ultrasonic or sonic wave generator which uniformly disperses the phases among each other. The homogeneous phase mixture is exposed to a second sonic or ultrasonic wave generator with the speed of the wave originating therefrom being timed during its traversal across the mixture. Such timing enables determination of the acoustic velocity which, in addition to the wave's frequency and mixture's pressure, temperature and drop size can be correlated with the proportions of the phases in the mixture.

Abstract: A pinned root blade having a predictable center of rotation when tangentially oscillated and also having a predetermined, axial contact surface which is engageable with a rotatable rotor and which is disposed about the center of rotation in such manner as to provide maximum friction damping of the tangential oscillations.

Abstract: A tubular element having structural members disposed thereon at selected axial locations for supporting thermocouples inside the bore of a hollow shaft. Each of the structural members constitutes a generally "X"-shaped configuration which is substantially divided in half to form separated sections. Thermocouples placed in the legs of each X-shaped structural member are biased into contact with the shaft's interior surface by spring members which are disposed in openings formed in both sections on opposite sides of the X member's division at low or zero speed and by the springs and centrifugal force at high speed. Relative axial movement of the sections constituting each X member is restrained by dowels set into the sections and across the space separating them. Wires from the thermocouples extend radially into and axially within the tubular member. At one axial end of the tubular member the thermocouple wires are connected to a rotatable transmitter which broadcasts signals received from those thermocouples.

Abstract: A flow rate metering device having an inlet plenum chamber which accepts fluid flow of any velocity distribution and disperses that fluid to a homogeneous, essentially zero velocity fluid body from which a flow nozzle draws such zero velocity fluid and accelerates it therethrough to obtain a pressure drop. By measuring the pressure at selected locations upstream and downstream from the nozzle inlet, fluid flow rate through the nozzle can be metered by reference to conventional pressure differential correlations. The upstream pressure tap is preferably in the plenum chamber near the point where fluid velocity is near zero and the downstream pressure tap is preferably disposed in either of two locations: the downstream face of the flow nozzle or through the wall of a conduit into which the differential pressure nozzle discharges. Disposed within the plenum chamber is a flow deceleration device which augments the plenum chamber's inherent capability of reducing entering fluid flow velocity to substantially zero.

Abstract: A multiple number of rotatable, axial flow turbine blades having a common platform and shroud portion from which two arcuately separated, axially extending, side entry roots protrude radially inwardly toward the axis of rotation of a rotatable shaft.