Abstract: Steam turbine speed-control systems often incorporate pilot valves for the purpose of controlling the position of hydraulic actuators for steam valves. However, the operational efficiency of these pilot valves can suffer from imperfections due to manufacturing defects, wear, and the like, thereby impairing the control system's overall performance. For these reasons, this disclosure relates to a method for overcoming a faulty pilot valve by incorporating a control system (including additional controllers) dedicated to the pilot valve. In this type setup, not only can the position of the pilot valve be a control variable, but the velocity of actuation of this valve can also be used as another control variable. Therefore, the results of separate controllers, using these two control variables, can be combined to improve the dynamic response of the steam turbine speed-control system.

Abstract: A turbine installation comprising a turbine in combination with an electrical closed-loop control system. The turbine is disposed in a flow of water for producing electrical energy. The turbine includes a hollow hub and a plurality of runner blades pivotally connected to a hollow hub. Each blade comprises a hydrofoil being bounded by an inner surface and a distal outer surface, a leading edge and a trailing edge separated by a water directing surface. The blades are adjustable in pitch from a maximum pitch position in which an inner portion of the water directing surface extends substantially in a direction of the water flow, to a minimum pitch position in which an outer portion of the water directing surface is substantially perpendicular to the water flow. The hollow hub has spaced apart inner and outer surfaces and a hub longitudinal axis. Each blade is pivotally connected to the hub about a rotational axis.

Abstract: A turbine, adaptable to improve the survivability of fish present in water flowing therethrough, includes a hub and associated runner blades. Each blade comprises an inner edge and a distal outer edge, a leading edge and a trailing edge separated by a water directing surface. Each blade is rotatable relative to the hub about a blade rotational axis. The turbine is provided with a gap shielding device designed to shield a gap formed between the hub and the blade inner edge as the blade is rotated about its axis. The gap shielding device may comprise a plurality of independently biased pins, a plurality of fluid jets, a plurality of flexible members, a fluid-filled boot, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method for draining condensate off a compressed-gas system that traps condensate that collects during operation of the compressed-gas system, draws off collected condensate through an outlet, connects a trap volume and a purging device to the outlet, connects a collection chamber to the outlet, detects the presence of condensate in the collection chamber by at least one sensor, connects control electronics to the sensor, controls a valve arrangement by the control electronics that either shuts the purging device so that no condensate can escape through it or opens the purging device each time the condensate level rises and the sensor changes over from indicating “no condensate” to indicating “condensate present”, starts the timer circuit and on expiry of the time defined by the timer circuit, opens the valve until the sensor indicates “no condensate” thereupon closing the purging device with the valve.

Abstract: An upper reservoir-side conduit or a lower reservoir-side conduit is branched in the vicinity of pump-turbine ends and at least a first pump-turbine out of a plurality of pump-turbines which share the conduit portions located farther than the branch points with the other pump-turbine or pump-turbines is provided with a rotational speed increase detector. When it is detected that the rotational speed of the first pump-turbine has exceeded a second predetermined value higher than a rated speed, a command is issued also to at least one of the other pump-turbines to limit the guide vane closing speed in that pump-turbine to a speed approximately equal to or lower than the speed after the shift to a slow closing of the guide vanes.

Abstract: A moving-weight, dynamic balancing apparatus for a rotary machine, in particular an industrial fan, having a rotary shaft, and at least one rotor carried by the rotary shaft and provided with main rotor bearings to allow rotary movement thereof. The balancing apparatus includes at least one moving-weight balancing unit is carried by the rotary shaft, and at least one monitoring and correcting system having a drive assembly. The at least one monitoring and correcting system monitors and corrects the unbalanced state of the rotor, and acts continuously on the at least one moving-weight balancing unit when the rotor is rotating to monitor and correct for rotor unbalance. The at least one moving-weight balancing unit has at least two balancing masses mounted to be movable under drive from the drive assembly controlled by the monitoring and correction system.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a miniature pump which can be implanted in the eye for controllably removing excess fluid from the eye to treat glaucoma. The pump, in accordance with the inventive method, may be placed beneath the conjunctiva and/or extraocular muscles. In order to ensure that the right amount of fluid is removed from the eye the pump has a variable pumping rate, which results in a variable rate of removal of fluid from the eye. The pumping rate can be manually adjusted or automatically controlled in response to sensed ocular pressure. In the automatic mode, serious complications such as hypotony are avoided by reducing fluid flow when ocular pressure is low.

Abstract: A process for operating a hydraulic machine, especially a hydro-turbine, includes the step of detecting an actual machine state during operation of the machine by ascertaining operating data. The ascertained operating data includes flow through the turbine (if present), effective and reactive power fed into the electric mains, guide vane opening, pressure before the machine and at the suction pipe exit, headwater level, and tailwater level. The method further includes the step of processing at least one state characteristic values of a first cavitation characteristic value (indicative of cavitation intensity), a second cavitation characteristic value (indicative of an abrupt rise in cavitation manifestations), vibration characteristic values, suction pipe pressure, sand concentration, air pressure, water temperature, and generator temperature (for example winding temperature).

Abstract: An upper reservoir-side conduit or a lower reservoir-side conduit is branched in the vicinity of pump-turbine ends and at least a first pump-turbine out of a plurality of pump-turbines which share the conduit portions located farther than the branch points with the other pump-turbine or pump-turbines is provided with a rotational speed increase detector. When it is detected that the rotational speed of the first pump-turbine has exceeded a second predetermined value higher than a rated speed, a command is issued also to at least one of the other pump-turbines to limit the guide vane closing speed in that pump-turbine to a speed approximately equal to or lower than the speed after the shift to a slow closing of the guide vanes.

Abstract: A compressor is disclosed having a characteristic modifier, such as air injection, adapted to modify an operating characteristic of the compressor in order to reduce the bandwidth and rate limit requirements of the compressor. The compressor includes an actuator, such as a bleed valve, whose bandwidth and rate limit parameters meet the corresponding reduced requirements of the compressor. The actuator is adapted to stabilize the compressor with respect to a likely condition in the compressor which would tend to make the compressor operate in a less stable manner. This makes it possible to stabilize the compressor using a more readily available actuator having lower bandwidth and rate limit parameters.

Abstract: A turbine, disposed in water flowing therethrough, includes a hub and associated runner blades. Each blade comprises an inner surface and a distal outer surface, a leading edge and a trailing edge separated by a water directing surface. Each blade is rotatable relative to the hub about a blade rotational axis. The hub includes a spherically-shaped outer surface in a region of the hub swept by the inner surface of the blades when the blades are rotated from maximum to minimum pitch. The hub may also be associated with blades in which the chord is reduced in the root region of the blade. The turbine may also include seals attached to the blade inner surface and an essentially spherically-shaped discharge ring to improve certain turbine parameters such as cavitation, efficiency, flow disturbance, and fish survivability.

Abstract: The stroking speed of an antisurge control valve is impeded by the combined damping effects of signal dead time and the inherent lag of ancillary pneumatic components within a primary control loop. Furthermore, as control valve actuator size increases, the negative influence of these two impediments (dead time and lag) is amplified. As a result, control valve response times are adversely affected; and the possibilities of surge-induced compressor damage and process upsets are heightened. For these reasons, this disclosure relates to a method for protecting turbocompressors from impending surge, and for preventing subsequent process upsets, by improving antisurge control. But more specifically, it describes a technique for decreasing damping effects by evacuating control valve actuators (diaphragm or piston) through restrictions having a lower resistance to compressible-fluid flow rather than through volume boosters--consequently, increasing a control valve's opening speed to that of an emergency shutdown.

Abstract: A turbine, adaptable to improve the survivability of fish present in water flowing therethrough, includes a hub and associated runner blades. Each blade comprises an inner edge and a distal outer edge, a leading edge and a trailing edge separated by a water directing surface. Each blade is rotatable relative to the hub about a blade rotational axis. The turbine is provided with features designed to shield a gap formed between the hub and the blade inner edge as the blade is rotated about its axis.

Abstract: A compressor has inlet guide vanes, rotor blades and stator blades. To prevent rotating stall, baffle vanes 5 capable of having their angles varied are installed upstream of the inlet guide vanes, actuators to vary the angles of baffle vanes are coupled to the baffle vanes, sensors installed upstream of the baffle vanes detect a rotating stall condition inside the flow passage of the compressor, and a control unit is responsive to signals from the sensors to output control signals to the actuators to vary the angles of the baffle vanes so as to prevent the rotating stall condition. Instead of the baffle vanes, fluid jets may be provided upstream of the inlet guide vanes for the same purposes.

Abstract: The invention describes an arrangement for optimum flooding of high speed vacuum pumps. The actuation of the flood valve (6) is controlled by the forces, which, among other things, are exerted upon the rotor by the flooding process. These forces are determined and used to actuate a flood valve controlling entry of the flooding gas. Such forces can be measured in active magnetically supported rotors by masuring the currents in the magnetic bearings (10 and 12). In case of hybrid bearing systems and purely mechanical bearing systems, force measurement is possible indirectly by means of measuring the distance or spacing between the rotor and the stator, or, alternatively, also by means of force sensors.

Abstract: Improvements to an evaporative cooler having a direct drive fan include mutual adjustment of motor speed and fan blade pitch, a simplified, clog resistant water distribution system, a fan shroud creating minimal air flow noise, and a fouling sensor in the water supply. An adjustable variable frequency controller determines motor speed, which complements selected fan blade pitch to operate the fan at a desired speed consistent with avoiding resonance and vibration. The fan shroud has a canted top surface and rounded corners to minimize air flow disturbance. A sensor monitors the water supply for excessive mineral fouling, and activates a drain valve if a present threshold is encountered. A refill valve enables resupply with fresh, unfouled water.

Abstract: Turbine nozzle phasing device for controlling a flow of gasses to a plurality of nozzles in response to a control signal. The turbine nozzle phasing device includes a housing having a lower portion which includes a first plenum for receiving the flow of hot gasses and an upper portion which includes a second plenum integral with the first plenum, a detachable partition for separating the first plenum from the second plenum and a first nozzle which communicates with the first plenum. Hot gasses flowing into the first plenum flows through the first nozzle. A set of second nozzles is provided which communicates with the second plenum. Partition detaching apparatus is also included for detaching the detachable partition in response to the control signal to permit a portion of the hot gasses flowing into the first plenum to flow into the second plenum and through the set of second nozzles.

Abstract: A method of operating a pitot pump that pressurizes a first fluid of a first viscosity and first density wherein the pump includes a rotatable housing and a stationary probe disposed within the housing includes the steps of providing a source of a second fluid having a second viscosity and second density less than the first viscosity and first density, detecting a physical condition in the housing indicative of the presence of the first fluid at a second radial position inside the first radial position and connecting the source of the second fluid to an inner annular chamber of the housing when the detected physical condition indicates that the first fluid is present at the second radial position.

Abstract: A side channel blower, preferably for burners for cleaning soot particle filters mounted in exhaust gas lines of vehicles by burning off, is shown, in which a chamber housing (6) with a chamber (5) is arranged on the air discharge side, wherein air flows into said chamber from the side channel blower (1) and said chamber permits adjustable return of air from said chamber into the annular channel (8) via a bypass (12, 13) and return of additional air, also into said annular channel (2), via an air transfer channel (9) that can be closed with a valve (16), and the air delivered can be fed from said chamber to the filters for cleaning by burning off via two air discharge openings (8a, 8b), which can be closed such that one discharge opening is open and the other discharge opening is closed.

Abstract: A windmill device is provided having a windmill tail pivotally attached to a rear end of the fan or rotor assembly, to swing upwardly from alignment therewith, a laterally extending arm attached to the fan assembly to pivot therewith, and a depending flap vane hingedly attached at the top to a portion of the arm outside the wake thereof and urged to tilt forwardly in a downward direction towards the wind. The flap vane gradually swings the fan assembly away from pointing into the wind as the wind speed increases until a predetermined wind speed is reached when the fan assembly is held out of the wind with the arm extending parallel with the tail. A rear vane may be provided attached to the flap vane and forming an inverted V-shape therewith. An intermediate vane may also be provided extending downwardly between the flap vane and the rear vane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method (and an apparatus) for controlling a steam turbine of a power station unit that includes a steam turbine and a steam generator, with the output signal of the turbine controller acting on the adjusting mechanism of the turbine inlet valve arrangement. In order with such a method to relieve the turbine controller of those controller output variations that are already evident from the change of the reference inputs, the output signal of the turbine controller has added to it a signal that is computed from the load setpoint of the turbine controller according to the relationship governing the steam turbine ##EQU1## and that is supplied to the summating point in the computed magnitude or weighted by a factor k that deviates from unity.

Abstract: A fluid container associated with the wicket gate operating ring to receive fluid from a source so as to add an emergency counterweight to the gate operating ring upon failure of the gate operating ring servomotors.

Abstract: A rotary type pumping machine such as a pump turbine in a pumped storage hydro-electric plant, wherein, when the pumping operation of the runner of the machine is started, compressed air is introduced into the runner chamber to depress the water surface in the runner chamber to facilitate the start up of the runner and, when the runner is accelerated to a predetermined speed, the air in the runner chamber is discharged through an air discharge valve to commence the pumping operation. Water pressure available in the water passageway on upper reservoir side of the runner chamber is applied to the valve closing mechanism of the air discharge valve. The valve opening force exerted by a valve operating mechanism and acting on the valve opening mechanism of the air discharge valve is selected to be greater than the valve closing force generated by the water pressure applied to the valve closing mechanism of the air discharge valve.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surge control method and apparatus for a combustion air blower used with a metal melting furnace which includes a variable restriction on the blower inlet regulated by a pressure sensing means near the blower outlet.

Abstract: A governor control linkage assembly to be connected between the governor and a valve to be controlled by the governor such as the inlet valve for a steam turbine upstream from a venturi type safety trip valve therein in one preferred form with Woodward T.G.-10 governors has a main lever arm connected at one end to the governor for actuation thereof and to the opposite end to a pivot arm on a fulcrum assembly which permits the pivot arm to be moved by a manually operable threaded assembly connected thereto so as to move the inlet valve from open to closed position and from closed to open position when the turbine is shut down to aid in the restarting thereof. In another preferred form with Woodward P.G.

Abstract: A control system primarily for variable speed drives having input and output sheaves with axially movable flanges and a belt interconnecting the sheaves, in which a fluid actuating mechanism moves the flange on the input sheave to vary the pitch thereof, and consequently, the output speed of the drive. A fan or other fluid pressure creating device, is driven by the output element of the drive and is connected to a control mechanism which is responsive to a condition sensing device for providing a pressure varying according to the condition to be maintained. The control mechanism is connected to a source of operating pressure and is regulated by the pressure from the pressure creating device and the condition sensing device for varying the pressure in the pressure actuating mechanism to vary the position of one of the movable flanges and thereby control the output speed of the drive.

Abstract: A diffuser control for controlling vapor flow through a diffuser passage comprising an annular recess defined by a housing of the diffuser passage and in communication therewith, and an annular control ring supported for movement within the recess and the diffuser passage between a throttling position, wherein the restriction means throttles vapor flow through the diffuser passage, and an open position for permitting a substantially free flow of vapor through the diffuser passage. The diffuser control further comprises a plurality of springs supported by the housing for urging the control ring toward the throttling position, a stop for limiting movement of the control ring at the throttling position, a low pressure conduit for connecting the annular recess to a low pressure source, and a seal for retarding vapor flow from a higher pressure side of the control ring to a lower pressure side thereof when the control ring is in the open position.

Abstract: A diffuser control for controlling vapor flow through a diffuser passage comprising an annular recess defined by a housing of the passage and in communication therewith, a diffuser control ring supported for movement within the annular recess and the diffuser passage between a full throttling position, wherein the restriction means throttles vapor flow through the diffuser passage, and an open position for permitting a substantially free flow of vapor through the diffuser passage. The control further comprises a first set of springs for urging the control ring toward the full throttling position, and a second set of springs for urging the control ring toward an intermediate throttling position located between the open and full throttling positions. The diffuser control also comprises a low pressure conduit for connecting the annular recess to a low pressure source, and a intermediate pressure conduit for connecting the annular recess to an intermediate pressure source.

Abstract: The disclosure illustrates a turbocharger wastegate valve comprising a cylindrical chamber connected through a radial inlet to the gas stream upstream of the turbine. High pressure air is selectively directed across the inlet through a nozzle to prevent or permit flow into the chamber which is connected to a point downstream of the turbine. The pressure of the air delivered to the nozzle may be varied to proportion the gases bypassed around the turbine.

Abstract: A system for indicating optimum positioning of steam inlet valves to minimize steam throttling losses during operation of a turbine power plant in the sequential valve mode is disclosed.