Abstract: A nozzle blade and nozzle ring assembly includes a nozzle blade having radially inner and outer sidewalls with an airfoil portion extending therebetween; the inner and outer sidewalls walls formed with axially-extending first surface features along forward and aft marginal edges of the inner and outer sidewalls, respectively; and radially inner and outer nozzle rings formed with corresponding axially-extending second surface features mated with the first surface features, wherein the radially inner and outer sidewalls are welded to the radially inner and outer nozzle rings only along the mated first and second surface features.

Abstract: A nozzle blade and nozzle ring assembly includes a nozzle blade having radially inner and outer sidewalls with an airfoil portion extending therebetween; the inner and outer sidewalls walls formed with axially-extending first surface features along forward and aft marginal edges of the inner and outer sidewalls, respectively; and radially inner and outer nozzle rings formed with corresponding axially-extending second surface features mated with the first surface features, wherein the radially inner and outer sidewalls are welded to the radially inner and outer nozzle rings only along the mated first and second surface features.

Abstract: The present invention provides a steam turbine that has upper and lower halves of diaphragm. The steam turbine of the present invention also provides an adjustable support bar attached to at least the upper half or the lower half of the diaphragm. The adjustable support bar of the present invention has a screw therein such that the adjustable support bar can raise or lower the upper half or the lower half of the diaphragm without removing each half of the diaphragm. Also provided are methods for adjusting and supporting a vertical position of the upper half and the lower half of the diaphragm at a horizontal split line in a steam turbine.

Abstract: A steam turbine nozzle singlet having a blade or airfoil between inner and outer sidewalls is provided. The sidewalls include steps or flanges which are received in complementary recesses in the rings enabling axially short low heat input welds e.g., e-beam welds. These complementary steps and recesses mechanically interlock the singlet between the rings preventing displacement of the singlet in the event of weld failure. The low heat input welds minimize or eliminate distortion of the nozzle flow path. Additional features on the singlets, provide a datum for milling machines to form singlets of different sizes.

Abstract: A singlet welded nozzle hybrid design that includes a singlet, that is, a single airfoil with respective inner and outer sidewall components. The outer sidewall component is received in a radial and circumferential groove of an outer carrier. The connection of the inner sidewall can be achieved by mechanically fitting and welded the inner sidewalls to either a seal carrier or a small ring, or a small radial weld may be provided between the sidewall endfaces of circumferentially adjacent singlets.