Abstract: A system and method are provided for electronically managing remote review of documents that are stored on a central repository. The remote review system advantageously enables a remote reviewer, lacking repository access, to remotely review and record decisions in respect to documents stored in the repository and then electronically integrate those remotely made decisions back into the repository. In this way, the inventive system and method promotes efficiency and consistency in responding to document requests for legal purposes.

Abstract: A system and method for electronically managing privileged and non-privileged documents in two independent schemas. One schema is a privileged schema for storing privileged documents and the other schema is a non-privileged schema for storing non-privileged documents. The two schemas are separate and distinct so that privileged and non-privileged documents are not commingled. Access to the privileged schema is restricted to privileged users while non-privileged users have access only to the non-privileged schema. As a result, privileged documents are protected against the inadvertent waiver of privilege.

Abstract: A seal assembly and method for a turbomachine having a rotary member and a stationary member circumscribing the rotary member. The seal assembly comprises an annular-shaped platform on the rotary member so as to be disposed at an outer circumferential region thereof. The platform is supported radially outward from the rotary member so as to project beyond axially-adjacent regions of the rotary member. The platform has a contact region radially separated from the rotary member by a cavity. A sealing member is disposed at a radially inward region of the stationary member, with a portion of the sealing member in rubbing contact with the contact region.

Abstract: A seal assembly and method for a turbomachine having a rotary member and a stationary member circumscribing the rotary member. The seal assembly comprises an annular-shaped platform on the rotary member so as to be disposed at an outer circumferential region thereof. The platform is supported radially outward from the rotary member so as to project beyond axially-adjacent regions of the rotary member. The platform has a contact region radially separated from the rotary member by a cavity. A sealing member is disposed at a radially inward region of the stationary member, with a portion of the sealing member in rubbing contact with the contact region.

Abstract: In a steam turbine high pressure end seal region, brush seals are provided between first and second pressure regions having a pressure drop in excess of the sealing capacity of an individual brush seal. To use brush seals between the first and second regions, one or more intermediate pressure regions are maintained at a substantially fixed predetermined pressure between the first and second pressure regions. Brush seals are interposed between adjacent pressure regions whereby the pressure drop between adjacent pressure regions is within the sealing capacity of the individual brush seal disposed between the adjacent pressure regions.

Abstract: In a steam turbine high pressure end seal region, brush seals are provided between first and second pressure regions having a pressure drop in excess of the sealing capacity of an individual brush seal. To use brush seals between the first and second regions, one or more intermediate pressure regions are maintained at a substantially fixed predetermined pressure between the first and second pressure regions. Brush seals are interposed between adjacent pressure regions whereby the pressure drop between adjacent pressure regions is within the sealing capacity of the individual brush seal disposed between the adjacent pressure regions.

Abstract: A rotary machine has stationary upper and lower housings with circumferential grooves and a rotatable component, as well as annular sealing segments movable toward and away from the rotating components between large and small clearance positions. To prevent circumferential displacement of the lower side segments by gravity forces and to enable the lowermost segment in the lower housing to move vertically between inner and outer clearance positions, the side segments of the lower housing are supported by brackets resting on a support surface forming part of the horizontal midline at the juncture of the upper and lower housings. Consequently, the gaps between the lower ends of the side segments and the opposite ends of the lower segment in the open position of the segments remains, enabling the lower segment to move radially vertically inwardly upon closing the seals.

Abstract: An insert assembly is provided for a rotary machine wherein the rotary machine comprises a rotor and a casing. The rotor comprises a generally longitudinally-extending axis. The casing is generally coaxially aligned with the axis. The casing circumferentially surrounds and is radially spaced apart from the rotor. The insert assembly comprises a channel circumferentially disposed on the rotor and an insert circumferentially disposed in such channel such that the insert assembly is configured to thermally isolate frictional heat from the rotor to the insert.

Abstract: In a steam turbine, a combined brush and labyrinth seal is provided between a diaphragm web and a radially outwardly projecting platform between axially adjacent wheels on the rotor. The brush seal is located upstream of the labyrinth seal teeth. The platform has at least one and preferably a pair of flanges or fins projecting in opposite axial directions adjacent radial outer ends of the platform. Non-uniform heat distribution resulting from the frictional contact between the bristles of the brush seal and a sealing surface on the platform along the rotor surface affecting rotor dynamics is thereby eliminated or minimized.

Abstract: A rotary machine has a stationary component with circumferential grooves and a rotatable component, as well as annular packing or sealing ring segments movable toward and away from the rotating component. To prevent circumferential displacement of the lower side packing ring segments by gravity forces and enable the lowermost segment in the lower housing to be moved radially inwardly, the side segments of the lower housing are supported adjacent the casing midline in a manner preventing downward movement and enabling horizontal movement. In an exemplary embodiment, the lower side packing ring segment is elongated so as to extend above the horizontal joint of the housing and a key bar extends from a key bar groove in the housing to engage a corresponding groove in the segment. The key bar may be disposed to define a seal key for the horizontal joint.

Abstract: An insert assembly is provided for a rotary machine wherein the rotary machine comprises a rotor and a casing. The rotor comprises a generally longitudinally-extending axis. The casing is generally coaxially aligned with the axis. The casing circumferentially surrounds and is radially spaced apart from the rotor. The insert assembly comprises a channel circumferentially disposed on the rotor and an insert circumferentially disposed in such channel such that the insert assembly is configured to thermally isolate frictional heat from the rotor to the insert.

Abstract: A rotary machine has a stationary component with circumferential grooves and a rotatable component, as well as annular packing or sealing ring segments movable toward and away from the rotating component. To prevent circumferential displacement of the lower side packing ring segments by gravity forces and enable the lowermost segment in the lower housing to be moved radially inwardly, the side segments of the lower housing are supported adjacent the casing midline in a manner preventing downward movement and enabling horizontal movement. In an exemplary embodiment, the lower side packing ring segment is elongated so as to extend above the horizontal joint of the housing and a key bar extends from a key bar groove in the housing to engage a corresponding groove in the segment. The key bar may be disposed to define a seal key for the horizontal joint.

Abstract: In a steam turbine, a combined brush and labyrinth seal is provided between a diaphragm web and a sealing surface on a rotatable component radially outwardly of the rotor surface. The contact between the brush seal and sealing surface lies along an axially upstream projecting flange of an annular platform such that heat generated by frictional contact between the bristles and the sealing surface has minimal effect on the rotor surface and hence rotor dynamics. A backup labyrinth seal is provided between the web and platform. Additionally, axially upstream projecting flanges are provided on the downstream buckets and which flanges are spaced radially outwardly of the rotor surface and lie in registration with the diaphragm web. Labyrinth teeth seal between the diaphragm web and the bucket flanges serving as a backup seal.

Abstract: In a steam turbine, a combined brush and labyrinth seal is provided between a diaphragm web and a radially outwardly projecting platform between axially adjacent wheels on the rotor. The brush seal is located upstream of the labyrinth seal teeth. The platform has at least one and preferably a pair of flanges or fins projecting in opposite axial directions adjacent radial outer ends of the platform. Non-uniform heat distribution resulting from the frictional contact between the bristles of the brush seal and a sealing surface on the platform along the rotor surface affecting rotor dynamics is thereby eliminated or minimized.

Abstract: A steam turbine has a rotor mounting axially spaced rotor wheels having male dovetails for mounting a plurality of axially spaced buckets having female dovetails. A plurality of arcuate bridging members extend axially between the axially adjacent bucket dovetails at locations spaced radially outwardly of the surface of the rotor shaft. A diaphragm in radial opposition to the bridging member mounts a brush seal having bristles engaging the bridging member. The bridging member carries backup labyrinth seal teeth for sealing with the diaphragm. The friction generated by contact between the brush seal bristles and bridging members lies radially outwardly of the rotor whereby non-uniform distribution of heat about the rotor surface due to frictional contact with the brush seal is avoided, with consequent avoidance of rotor bowing.

Abstract: A steam turbine has a rotor mounting axially spaced rotor wheels having male dovetails for mounting a plurality of axially spaced buckets having female dovetails. A plurality of arcuate bridging members extend axially between the axially adjacent bucket dovetails at locations spaced radially outwardly of the surface of the rotor shaft. A diaphragm in radial opposition to the bridging member mounts a brush seal having bristles engaging the bridging member. The bridging member carries backup labyrinth seal teeth for sealing with the diaphragm. The friction generated by contact between the brush seal bristles and bridging members lies radially outwardly of the rotor whereby non-uniform distribution of heat about the rotor surface due to frictional contact with the brush seal is avoided, with consequent avoidance of rotor bowing.

Abstract: A rotary machine has stationary upper and lower housings with circumferential grooves and a rotatable component, as well as annular sealing segments movable toward and away from the rotating components between large and small clearance positions. To prevent circumferential displacement of the lower side segments by gravity forces and to enable the lowermost segment in the lower housing to move vertically between inner and outer clearance positions, the side segments of the lower housing are supported by brackets resting on a support surface forming part of the horizontal midline at the juncture of the upper and lower housings. Consequently, the gaps between the lower ends of the side segments and the opposite ends of the lower segment in the open position of the segments remains, enabling the lower segment to move radially vertically inwardly upon closing the seals.

Abstract: In a steam turbine, a combined brush and labyrinth seal is provided between a diaphragm web and a sealing surface on a rotatable component radially outwardly of the rotor surface. The contact between the brush seal and sealing surface lies along an axially upstream projecting flange of an annular platform such that heat generated by frictional contact between the bristles and the sealing surface has minimal effect on the rotor surface and hence rotor dynamics. A backup labyrinth seal is provided between the web and platform. Additionally, axially upstream projecting flanges are provided on the downstream buckets and which flanges are spaced radially outwardly of the rotor surface and lie in registration with the diaphragm web. Labyrinth teeth seal between the diaphragm web and the bucket flanges serving as a backup seal.

Abstract: In a steam turbine, a combined brush and labyrinth seal is provided between a diaphragm web and axial projecting platforms on bucket dovetails at a location spaced radially outwardly of the outer diameter of the rotor. The downstream axially adjacent bucket dovetails also have platforms serving as complementary sealing surfaces to labyrinth teeth formed on the web. By locating the combined labyrinth and brush seal radially outwardly of the outer diameter of the shaft, thermal bowing of the rotor is eliminated. By providing backup labyrinth seals at the same radial location, axial thrust loads are eliminated in the event of brush seal failure.

Abstract: A brush seal segment includes a plurality of bristles disposed between a pair of backing plates. The bristles are welded to one another adjacent their proximal ends and to the edges of the backing plates remote from the bristle tips. An end plate is welded to the end faces of the backing plates at each of the opposite ends of the segment. Each end plate terminates at approximately one-half the length of the bristles along the end face to prevent the bristles from bending circumferentially and axially during handling while maintaining substantially uniform flexibility of the bristles throughout the entire length of the segment.