Abstract: A diagnostic system wherein a central diagnostic center receives sensor data relative to the operating condition of a plurality of remote plants. Each plant records just certain sensor signals and transmits them at respective prescheduled transmisssion times. If certain activation limits are exceeded, a data link with the diagnostic center is immediately established so that the data may be transmitted ahead of its normally scheduled transmission time in order that an immediate diagnostic analysis be made on the plant. A communication link between the plant and diagnostic center is kept open for a predetermined period of time in which more data may be sent from the plant to the diagnostic center, and results and instructions, sent from the diagnostic center back to the plant. Such instructions may include the changing of certain parameters in the examination of the sensor signals.

Abstract: A valve test system for closing off certain governor valves under steam flow conditions while still maintaining a substantially constant steam flow. A plurality of valve position demand signals is calculated for the respective governor valves with the signals being fully compensated with respect to non-linear flow characteristics of the valve. A valve test signal is injected in the control arrangement prior to the calculation of the valve position demand signals and causes closures of the valves under test and a proportionate further opening of the remaining valves.

Abstract: A low pressure steam turbine which is subject to an extremely narrow corrosive salt deposition zone includes rotating and stationary blades. One of the stationary blades has an array of sensors thereon divided up into a plurality of rows, one near the tip of the blade, one near the root of the blade and the third intermediate the two. The sensors are of the type which are flexible so as to conform to the curvature of the blade and will provide an output signal indicative of the presence of a salt solution. The outputs from the sensors are analyzed to provide an indication of the location of the salt solution zone.

Abstract: A millimeter wave radar mounted on a turbine installation for monitoring turbine blade vibration. The waveguide conducts signals from a millimeter wave radar unit outside of the turbine and directs the signal to the rotating blades and directs the reflected signals therefrom back to the radar unit. A sealing arrangement is provided where the waveguide passes through the turbine's outer casing and the waveguide itself within the turbine is positioned within a waveguide support member which extends from the aperture in the turbine casing to a point in the vicinity of the turbine blades where it is immovably supported. The waveguide additionally has an internal sealing arrangement transparent to the radar signals for maintaining pressure integrity.

Abstract: A rub between the rotating and stationary parts of a turbine is detected by connecting the rotor to electrical ground and introducing electrical energy into the rotor-ground circuit. A rub between the rotating stationary part modifies the currents in the grounding circuit to an extent that the condition may be detected so as to provide a rub indication. In another embodiment the rotor discharge current in one or more grounding devices normally associated with a turbine is monitored to detect any abnormal condition.

Abstract: A detector operable to detect cracks in a rotating member generates an alternating eddy current in the rotating member with an external coil surrounding the rotating member. A pick-up coil senses changes in the magnetic field of the eddy current due to a crack. The frequency of the excitation current is very much lower than the frequency of rotation of the rotating member and a plurality of samples are taken for each degree location. The output signal of the pick-up coil is comprised of both the crack indicative component and a residual or induced magnetism component. The signal is processed so as to extract the desired crack indicative component.

Abstract: A flowmeter wherein measurements relating to fluid flowing in a pipe are obtained by transmitting a laser beam from a high power pulsed laser into the fluid through an optical window in the pipe. The beam in the fluid causes a rapid thermal expansion of the fluid which generates a pressure pulse which travels axially up and down the pipe. Continuously operating low power laser beams are projected into the fluid at points displaced from the source of the acoustic pulse and these beams are modulated when the acoustic pulse passes them. The modulation is detected to obtain first and second transit times, these transit times being utilized to compute the desired fluid flow parameters.

Abstract: A VLF communication system which utilizes the electrically conducting portions of an electromechanical cable connected to a deployed aerostat and acting as its tether so as to additionally serve as the VLF antenna.

Abstract: A liquid sample subject to inclusion of impurities is concentrated by a predetermined concentration factor selected by an operator, with the concentrated sample being thereafter provided to an analyzer so that a meaningful chemical analysis may be performed. A first pump delivers the sample to a liquid reservoir at a first rate and the liquid is boiled to provide a liquid-vapor mixture, with the liquid portion of the mixture being returned to the reservoir by means of a vapor separator. Another pump delivers the concentrated reservoir fluid to an analyzer at a second flowrate, with the ratio of the flowrate of the first pump to the second pump being equivalent to the desired concentration factor. In another embodiment, a faster response time is attained by first boiling the input sample and providing the liquid which is separated from the liquid-vapor mixture to a relatively small reservoir.

Abstract: A bypass system for a steam turbine wherein the energy level of the steam bypassed around the intermediate pressure and low pressure turbines is modified by introduction of cooling water. The amount of water introduced is adaptively varied as a function of the enthalpy of the bypassed steam as measured by a sensor in the steam path.

Abstract: A DEH (digital electrohydraulic) control system for a steam turbine generator having a steam bypass system. The turbine system includes a high pressure turbine having throttle and governor steam admission valves as well as an intermediate pressure turbine having stop and interceptor steam admission valves. The turbine is brought on line by initially controlling steam admission into the intermediate pressure turbine by modulating the interceptor valve in response to a speed error signal generated as a result of the difference between actual and a predetermined reference speed. During this initial control the throttle valve remains in a closed position. When the turbine speed has attained a preset value such as half of synchronous speed, the interceptor valve is held at the same position it was in when the preset speed was attained and the throttle valve is controllably open in response to the same speed error signal.

Abstract: A magnetometer compensation scheme wherein a magnetizable material adjacent the magnetometer is given a certain permanent magnetization to cancel the effect of the earth magnetic field at the location of the magnetometer.

Abstract: The lower end of a hollow thermocouple well is removed and replaced by an end cap of a different thermocouple material than the well so that the junction between the end cap and the end portion of the well defines a radially activated thermocouple junction. A wire of the same material as the end cap is affixed to the end cap and electrical connections are made to the wire and to the well to provide a thermocouple output signal indicative of temperature measurement. In another embodiment two end caps are utilized at the end of the thermocouple well with the two end caps being of two dissimilar thermocouple elements and which have the necessary electrical connections made thereof to provide a thermocouple output signal.

Abstract: A bypass system for a steam turbine wherein the temperature of the steam bypassed around the high pressure turbine is accurately controlled by measuring the inlet and outlet temperatures of the boiler reheater and generating an adaptive set point. The set point value is used to govern operation of a spray valve which admits cooling water to the bypass steam path.

Abstract: A conductivity sensor for placement on a curved steam turbine component within the steam path. The sensor includes a metal foil base over which is deposited an electrically insulating layer such as glass. The base and insulating layers are of such thickness so as to be flexible so as to conform to the curved surface. An electrode array is deposited upon the insulating layer and spaced so as to accommodate for deposition of steam impurities onto the insulating layer. Flexible links connect the electrodes to electrical leads so that conductivity indications may be obtained.

Abstract: A steam turbine system which includes a steam generator and a steam bypass path for bypassing steam around the turbine. The outlet throttle pressure of the steam generator is controlled by controlling admission of steam into the bypass path by means of a bypass valve. A desired throttle pressure set point is generated which is independent of steam flow and this set point is compared with the actual throttle pressure for governing the bypass valve during turbine start-up. When the turbine is fully operational the bypass valve control is effected by a comparison of the actual throttle pressure with the desired throttle pressure set point plus some bias.

Abstract: A sonar system for positive identification of certain resonant body targets such as mines. Two acoustic signals of different frequencies are transmitted toward the target and the acoustic returns are separated into the component frequencies, detected, and thereafter subtracted from one another. A signal, above a threshold value, resulting from the subtraction is indicative of a resonant body target and the indication is displayed and/or recorded.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a turbine power plant, wherein a demand signal based upon load or total turbine steam flow required for a predetermined level of operation controls the value of individual signals representative of valve position for respective steam inlet valves in the single and sequential mode of operation, is disclosed. Each individual valve position signal, which is representative of a selected portion of the total demand signal, is dynamically calculated to reflect the effect of the pressure drop across the nozzles, and to correct for the number of inlet nozzles, associated with each valve. The total demand signal is modified in accordance with actual throttle pressure over a period of time that is dependent on the amount of throttle pressure change.

Abstract: Apparatus for sampling water or steam condensate in a steam turbine system includes a plurality of lines connected to receive fluid samples from various points in the system for delivering a selected sample to an analyzer through a valving arrangement. The valving arrangement and analyzer are under control of a microprocessor which has a set of stored instructions governing the random selection of which lines are to be selected for sampling. The selection may be interrupted as a result of the analysis whereas the result of abnormal fluid conditions in a particular line is determined by sensors provided in each line. The valves are of the type which provide for continuous fluid flow therethrough so that a fluid sample if selected will be provided to the analyzer and all those not selected will be returned back to the steam turbine system for reuse.

Abstract: Turbine blade vibration detection apparatus having two or more extremely narrow beam radar sensors positioned to direct their radar signals towards predetermined blade row or rows. A blade identification circuit is provided for each blade row having an associated radar sensor for providing an output count indicative of which blade is being examined by a particular radar sensor. The gating of the blade count and radar sensor signals is governed by a computer which performs a frequency analysis of the radar signals and compares the result with predetermined threshold values.