Abstract: A thermal turbomachine such as an axial flow steam turbine of the center intake opposite flow type includes an intake duct surrounding the rotor and which is delimited by a portion of the internal surface of an inner housing surrounding the rotor and by the juxtaposed surfaces of two rotationally symmetrical shells. In order to permit the shells to expand substantially unhindered in relation to the inner housing as a result of imposed thermal stresses and still provide a gastight seal between an internal surface portion of the inner housing and the peripheral portions of the shells the latter are pressed into a slidable sealing engagement with the former rather than rigidly attached to each other. According to one embodiment, the slidable sealing engagement between the parts is established by means of a groove provided on one part into which the other part is fitted.

Abstract: A coupling for connecting together the end of one shaft to that of another, particularly for use in turbogenerators, includes a large coupling flange fixedly secured to the end of the one shaft and including a countersunk bore portion, a small coupling flange fixedly secured to the end of the other shaft and inserted within the countersunk bore portion of the first shaft, and fastening devices for compressing together the end faces of the shafts and for exerting pressure upon the coupling flanges. A plurality of shear pins are also interposed between the flanges so as to facilitate the transmission of torque from the one shaft to the other during operation, the shafts thereby being rotatably locked together relative to one another.

Abstract: A low pressure multi-stage axial flow steam turbine comprises an outer housing and an inner housing structure constituting a carrier for the rows of guide blading of the various stages. A steam inflow housing located within the inner housing structure forms the boundary of a crescent-shaped intake duct which surrounds and admits steam to the first stage guide blading which flows through the duct in the same direction as that in which the turbine rotor rotates, and the cross sectional area of the intake duct decreases progressively in the direction of steam flow therethrough such that the tangential components of the steam velocity conform to a predetermined function. The curvature of the intake duct at the inner periphery thereof increases progressively in the direction of steam flow therethrough such that the radial components of the steam velocity conform to a second predetermined function.

Abstract: In a steam turbine structure, a stuffing box is conventionally provided for the rotor shaft at the shaft passthrough opening in the turbine casing and blocking steam is admitted to the stuffing box. In order to prevent thermal-shock damage to the shaft at the stuffing box during a re-start of the turbine while the shaft temperature is still approximately at its normal operating temperature and while the blocking steam is then temporarily in a wet state, the blocking steam is prevented from reaching the stuffing box, the wet steam being diverted by way of a controllable valve through a by-pass leading to a condenser. After the blocking steam has reached its dry state, the valve closes off the by-pass to the condenser and opens the blocking steam line leading to the stuffing box.

Abstract: A fluid-flow machine such as a steam turbine including an inner shell surrounding the rotor component of the machine and which is secured to the foundation, and an outer shell surrounding the inner shell and which is composed of three principal components, these being a support frame secured to the foundation, an exhaust duct for the steam or other motive fluid depending from the frame and leading to the condenser, and an exhaust cover above the frame. The inner shell is divided along a horizontal plane passing through the rotor axis into upper and lower hemi-cylinder halves. Each end of the frame includes a lower fixed part incorporating the lower half of the pass-through structure for the rotor shaft and a removable upper part in the form of a yoke beam incorporating the upper half of the shaft pass-through structure.