Abstract: A remote operated turning gear engager for rotating a turbomachine rotor is disclosed. Pressurized oil is selectively supplied to displace a piston to engage the turning gear with the rotor. Electrical sensing means are utilized to verify that the turning gear is in the appropriate position. Additional control means are provided for discontinuing turning gear operation should insufficient oil be supplied to the bearings. Other circuit means prevent operation of the turning gear should the rotor be rotating and allow for a bypass of this safety feature for positioning the rotor for service requirements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for regulating the flow of liquid lubricant to hydrostatic bearings is disclosed. A cavitating venturi is utilized to regulate the volume flow rate of liquid lubricant supplied to a bearing. The cavitating venturi acts to provide a constant volume flow rate of liquid lubricant relatively independent of system flow resistance and feed pressure to the bearing.

Abstract: Apparatus for effecting the mounting and removal of a hub from a shaft is disclosed. The combination of a piston and cylinder is designed relative to the hub to be mounted to the shaft such that by securing them in one position the hub may be forced onto the shaft utilizing pressurized fluid and by securing the piston and the cylinder in another position the hub may be forced from the shaft using a pressurized fluid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for regulating power consumption while controlling surge in a centrifugal compressor are disclosed. Various operating parameters of a centrifugal compressor are measured and based upon these parameters control of the power consumption of the compressor motor via inlet guide vanes and/or diffuser vanes is achieved. Additionally, the control senses and regulates power consumption and vane positioning to control operation under surge conditions and will, if necessary, energize a blow-off valve to prevent operation under surge conditions. The control is designed to integrate compressor and motive source operation to effectively minimize power consumption while avoiding operation in the surge range.

Abstract: A retracting internal tube cutter for severing a tube from the interior is disclosed. The tube cutter includes a pair of swing arms mounted for pivotal outward displacement for effecting cutting of the tube. A retractor collar biased by a spring is mounted about the swing arms such that the collar maintains the swing arms in an insertion position except when the cutter is rotated. When the cutter is rotated the arms are forced outwardly causing the retractor collar to retract such that the cutter may sever the workpiece where desired. Upon discontinuance of rotation of the tube cutter, the retractor collar is urged into the insertion position withdrawing the cutter arms from the workpiece such that the tube cutter may be removed from the tube.

Abstract: A solid wheel turbine including a series of spaced overlapping buckets suitable for use in high quality and wet steam applications is disclosed. Complex flow passageways for buckets in a turbine wheel are utilized to achieve both high erosion resistance and improved performance by guiding the discharge from the bucket. The solid turbine wheel has a reduced diameter rim portion and a full diameter rim portion such that the flow passageway may change in the relative radial displacement between the inlet and the discharge. An L-shaped passageway extending from the reduced diameter portion to the full diameter portion is utilized to obtain additional guidance of the flow as it is discharged from the turbine wheel to obtain improved performance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the condition of blades mounted to a rotary shaft in a turbomachine by selectively illuminating a particular blade in a turbomachine. A control system for determining when to initiate a strobe light in response to a shaft position for illuminating a particular blade is described. Additionally, indexing means for automatically sequencing through the blades is further disclosed. A camera for remote monitoring of the blades using an automatic control system is further provided.

Abstract: An oil delivery system for supplying oil to seal a portion of a turbomachine is disclosed. Specific means for routing oil at a desired temperature to an overhead tank are disclosed such that should oil from the overhead tank be required, as in an emergency or shutdown condition, then the oil being supplied from the tank will be at or near the temperature of the oil being supplied during normal operating conditions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus utilizing valves mounted in parallel for controlling fluid flow powering an expander is disclosed. A large slow acting valve and a smaller faster acting valve are combined to obtain the desired control including a damped response. A start-up control based on shaft speed is further disclosed.

Abstract: The buckets of a turbine wheel are formed as a series of equally spaced, overlapping U-shaped passages in the rim of a wheel blank. In the machining operation, an island is left as the inner segment of the curved portion of the U and this is used in combination with labyrinth seals to provide a fluid seal between the inlet and the outlet portion of each bucket.

Abstract: A thrust bearing has a curved surface machined therein by a cutter which is positioned by a cam as the bearing is rotated. The cam causes the cutter to pivot so that a sloped cut is made rather than a conventional planar cut.

Abstract: The clearance necessary for the assembly of the nozzle ring of an axial flow steam turbine is localized through a temporary bolting. The localized clearance is compartmentalized by making a generally radially extending hole centered on the clearance at the circumferential location of the boundary between each pair of adjacent nozzle banks. Pins are driven into the holes and provide a seal between adjacent nozzle banks.

Abstract: A lubrication system for a turbomachine includes a primary pump operatively connected to the rotor of the turbomachine. The system further includes independently driven stand-by pump means for maintaining lubricating oil flow to the turbomachine when the primary pump is unable to deliver the oil as required. The system further includes a by-pass connecting the primary pump outlet to the oil reservoir. The by-pass is activated for permitting oil flow from the primary pump outlet to the reservoir when the secondary oil pump is activated.

Abstract: Film cooling of the blades of an expander is achieved by supplying steam generated at the outlet of the expander to a plurality of discharge points. In one embodiment, a plurality of passages are formed in the hub of the expander and underlie each of the vanes. Tubes are located at the inlet end of each vane and form a fluid path with the associated underlying passage and discharge steam over the entire height of the inlet end of the vane. Additional passages provide fluid communication between the underlying passages and the base of the associated vane so that film cooling is supplied to the entire inducer section of the expander.

Abstract: A plurality of circumferentially spaced pockets are formed in the face of a stationary carbon ring. A rotating seal ring coacts with the pockets in the carbon ring to define a gas lift bearing to thereby reduce the pressure differential and leakage across the carbon ring. Alternatively the spaced pockets can be located in the rotating seal ring.

Abstract: A Belleville spring type of overspeed trip mechanism is made to rotate at the same speed as the shaft by preventing slippage between the spring and the other members of the trip mechanism. Slippage is prevented by forming grooves in the periphery of the interior portion of the spring and using pins which coact with the grooves to prevent rotation of the spring relative to the other members.

Abstract: The load on the starting steam turbine or motor which drives the power recovery string of an FCC process is reduced on the order of 15% by increasing the specific volume of the air compressed by a fixed volume compressor in the string. The specific volume of the ambient air is increased by returning a portion of the compressed and thereby heated air to the inlet of the compressor in amounts sufficient to raise the temperature of the inlet air about 75.degree. F., or more.

Abstract: A rotor assembly and methods for securing rotor blades within and removing rotor blades from rotor assemblies. The rotor assembly comprises a rotor disc defining a plurality of blade grooves, and including a plurality of tenons disposed between the blade grooves and defining a plurality of pin sockets radially extending inward from outside surfaces of the tenons; and a plurality of rotor blades, each blade including a root disposed within a blade groove to secure the blade against radial movement, and a blade platform overlaying a tenon and defining a radially extending pin aperture. The rotor assembly further comprises a plurality of locking pins radially extending through the pin apertures and into the pin sockets to secure the rotor blades against axial movement, each pin including a head and a base to limit radial movement of the pin.

Abstract: An oil slinger is held in place on a shaft by an O-ring which serves as a detent when the shaft is at rest and as a static seal when the shaft is rotating. Because the slinger is held only by a detent action in the rest position, the slinger can be moved aside during assembly and disassembly of the companion bearing and seal structure and thereby provide greater access.

Abstract: A flexible damped bearing arrangement for rotatably mounting a shaft wherein the shaft bearing is supported within a movable member suspended from a stationary frame by means of a series of resilient springs adapted to permit the member to move radially in reference to the shaft. A squeeze film cavity, provided with high pressure fluid, is established between the movable member and the stationary frame to dampen the bearing's response to the shaft. Seals are provided outside the damping cavity and are arranged to act perpendicular to the direction of movement of the member whereby the interaction of the seals with the squeeze film damping is substantially minimized.