Abstract: A system and process for restarting a turbomachine includes a shutdown cooldown protection process implemented by a plant level control system or direct control system of the turbomachine. The system and process for restarting ensure rotating components are cooled as expected prior to a unit restart. This system and process for restarting will lockout an ability to restart if an improper cooldown of rotating components is detected. If this lockout is enabled, delaying restart for the rotating components to cool naturally is needed, or the operator could decide to force cool the components.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting an inner casing of a turbine includes a base, an arm, a guide roller, and an adjustment system. The arm has a first end and a second end, and is pivotally connected to the base intermediate the first end and the second end. The guide roller is operatively coupled to the first end of the arm to rotatably engage an exterior surface of the inner casing, and an adjustment system extending from the base and engaging the arm to change an angular position of the arm relative to the base and adjust a position of the guide roller relative to the exterior surface of the inner casing.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting an inner casing of a turbine includes a base, an arm, a guide roller, and an adjustment system. The arm has a first end and a second end, and is pivotally connected to the base intermediate the first end and the second end. The guide roller is operatively coupled to the first end of the arm to rotatably engage an exterior surface of the inner casing, and an adjustment system extending from the base and engaging the arm to change an angular position of the arm relative to the base and adjust a position of the guide roller relative to the exterior surface of the inner casing.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine is disclosed having a turbine, one or more hydrocarbon gas combustors, and a compressor. The compressor has a rotor assembly with one or more rotor blade rows extending radially outward from an inner wheel disk. The compressor also has a stator assembly with one or more stator vane rows extending radially inward from an inner casing and positioned between adjacent rotor blade rows. The inner casing extends circumferentially around the rotor assembly and is constructed from at least one low-alpha metal alloy.

Abstract: A system includes a turbomachine rotor having a shaft and turbomachine blades coupled to the shaft. The system also includes a turbomachine stator having a shroud surrounding the turbomachine blades of the turbomachine rotor. Further, the system includes a cooling channel having at least a first portion of the cooling channel extending upstream of a final stage of a compressor of the system, where the cooling channel is configured to receive cooled compressed air from the compressor and direct the cooled compressed air adjacent to the turbomachine rotor to reduce thermal expansion and/or axial displacement of the turbomachine rotor.

Abstract: A system for reducing leakage between static and rotating components within a turbine includes a static structure that is disposed radially outward from a tip of a rotating component. The static structure includes a seal assembly slot formed therein. A seal assembly includes a support block that is disposed within the seal assembly slot. A sealing material is disposed along a bottom portion of the support block and a tip slot is formed within the sealing material. The support block includes a forward portion that is slideably engaged with a forward inner surface of the seal assembly slot and an aft portion that is slideably engaged with an aft inner surface of the seal assembly slot. The system further includes a spring that extends axially between an aft wall of the seal assembly slot and an aft wall of the support block.

Abstract: A system includes a turbomachine rotor having a shaft and turbomachine blades coupled to the shaft. The system also includes a turbomachine stator having a shroud surrounding the turbomachine blades of the turbomachine rotor. Further, the system includes a cooling channel having at least a first portion of the cooling channel extending upstream of a final stage of a compressor of the system, where the cooling channel is configured to receive cooled compressed air from the compressor and direct the cooled compressed air adjacent to the turbomachine rotor to reduce thermal expansion and/or axial displacement of the turbomachine rotor.

Abstract: An article of manufacture includes a first member configured to be attached to a first support structure, a second member configured to be attached to the first member, and an externally threaded dowel configured to engage an internally threaded hole in the second member. The externally threaded member is also configured to contact the first member. Rotation of the externally threaded dowel adjusts a distance spanned by the first member and second member.

Abstract: A system for reducing leakage between static and rotating components within a turbine includes a static structure that is disposed radially outward from a tip of a rotating component. The static structure includes a seal assembly slot formed therein. A seal assembly includes a support block that is disposed within the seal assembly slot. A sealing material is disposed along a bottom portion of the support block and a tip slot is formed within the sealing material. The support block includes a forward portion that is slideably engaged with a forward inner surface of the seal assembly slot and an aft portion that is slideably engaged with an aft inner surface of the seal assembly slot. The system further includes a spring that extends axially between an aft wall of the seal assembly slot and an aft wall of the support block.

Abstract: A method and system adapted for removing one or more shells from an assembly of multiple annular shells, for example, turbine shells of a gas turbine engine. The method includes removing an upper shell positioned in an upper position relative to a lower shell of the assembly of multiple annular shells, and then positioning and securing a counterweight in the upper position and securing the counterweight to the lower shell as a replacement for the upper shell in the upper position. The counterweight and the lower shell are then rotated in unison until the lower shell is in the upper position and the counterweight is in a lower position previously occupied by the lower shell. Thereafter, the lower shell can be removed from the assembly.

Abstract: A seal for a turbine casing is provided. The turbine casing includes a plurality of sections joined at flanges provided on each section. Each flange includes a bore and a counterbore. The seal comprises a compression sleeve seal having a length that is greater than a counterbore-to-counterbore length of two flanges; a fastener configured to extend through the compression sleeve seal; and a nut threadable on each end of the fastener. The compression sleeve seal is compressible between each flange and each nut to create a first seal and is radially extensible to create a second seal against each bore.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a turbine assembly includes a first static structure and a second static structure radially outward of the first static structure. The assembly also includes a support member placed in a recess of the second static structure, wherein the support member includes first and second curved surfaces to contact the first and second static structures, respectively, and wherein the support member includes a biasing structure to retain the support member in the recess.

Abstract: An article of manufacture includes a first member configured to be attached to a first support structure, a second member configured to be attached to the first member, and an externally threaded dowel configured to engage an internally threaded hole in the second member. The externally threaded member is also configured to contact the first member. Rotation of the externally threaded dowel adjusts a distance spanned by the first member and second member.

Abstract: A method and system adapted for removing one or more shells from an assembly of multiple annular shells, for example, turbine shells of a gas turbine engine. The method includes removing an upper shell positioned in an upper position relative to a lower shell of the assembly of multiple annular shells, and then positioning and securing a counterweight in the upper position and securing the counterweight to the lower shell as a replacement for the upper shell in the upper position. The counterweight and the lower shell are then rotated in unison until the lower shell is in the upper position and the counterweight is in a lower position previously occupied by the lower shell. Thereafter, the lower shell can be removed from the assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rolling and aligning a casing of a gas turbine is disclosed. At least one jack having a roller at one end is positioned at a location to couple the roller to the casing. The casing is rolled within the turbine by rolling over the roller of the at least one jack. The roller is moved relative to the at least one jack to align the casing within the turbine.

Abstract: A seal for a turbine casing is provided. The turbine casing includes a plurality of sections joined at flanges provided on each section. Each flange includes a bore and a counterbore. The seal comprises a compression sleeve seal having a length that is greater than a counterbore-to-counterbore length of two flanges; a fastener configured to extend through the compression sleeve seal; and a nut threadable on each end of the fastener. The compression sleeve seal is compressible between each flange and each nut to create a first seal and is radially extensible to create a second seal against each bore.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a turbine assembly includes a first static structure and a second static structure radially outward of the first static structure. The assembly also includes a support member placed in a recess of the second static structure, wherein the support member includes first and second curved surfaces to contact the first and second static structures, respectively, and wherein the support member includes a biasing structure to retain the support member in the recess.

Abstract: A turbine that includes a rotor, an inner turbine shell, an outer turbine shell, and a sliding engagement between the inner turbine shell and the outer turbine shell. The inner turbine shell is a single piece construction that completely surrounds at least a portion of the rotor, and the outer turbine shell surrounds the inner turbine shell. A method for aligning turbine components that includes aligning a single-piece inner turbine shell substantially concentric with a rotor and surrounding the single-piece inner turbine shell with an outer turbine shell. The method further includes supporting the single-piece inner turbine shell with respect to the outer turbine shell using a bearing assembly between the single-piece inner turbine shell and the outer turbine shell.