Abstract: An axial flow steam turbine has a self-locking nozzle block wherein the nozzle block has radially inwardly and outwardly extending flanges that seat in grooves formed in spaced shrouds of the nozzle ring, with locking pins provided, in bores in a rear arcuate section of the nozzle ring, formed from the material that has a thermal coefficient of expansion greater than the thermal coefficient of expansion of the material from which the nozzle ring is formed. Preferably, the nozzle block is formed from a material having a thermal coefficient of expansion comparable to that of the pins. Steam passing through the turbine heats its assembly such that the locking pins force the flanges of the nozzle block into sealing contact with a first arcuate section of the nozzle ring so as to prevent vibration and loosening of the nozzle block in the nozzle ring.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for detecting the presence of contaminants in a liquid stream which may also contain gas bubbles, the gas bubbles are detected by mechanically generating an alternating hydraulic pressure in the liquid stream, and monitoring the response of gas bubbles in the stream to the alternating hydraulic pressure.

Abstract: A shaft torsion monitor comprises a plurality of sensors for sensing the angular position of various portions of the shaft under dynamic conditions and for producing sets of data representative of the sensed angular positions. A memory is provided for periodically storing one of the sets of data representative of the angular position of the various portions of the shaft in the absence of torsion. Circuitry is provided for subtracting the stored set of data from each of the other sets of data to eliminate the effects of noise. The resulting data is analyzed to determine the torsion experienced by the shaft.

Abstract: A turbine blade is designed to avoid having to machine a part of the last blade assembled in a row in order to make a fit. The location of the root pivot center was carefully selected to be located in vertical proximity to a leading edge of the platform.

Abstract: A system and method for generating power in a solid fuel gas turbine utilizing a pressurized fluidized bed combustor is provided. High efficiency is obtained by evaporation cooling and regenerative heating of the compressor discharge air, thus eliminating the need to recover heat from the turbine exhaust gas by a costly and complex steam bottoming system.

Abstract: Apparatus for lifting and applying torque to an object is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a releasable spring counterbalance which resiliently connects a drive for engaging applying torque to the object to a means for lifting an object, such as a crane. Preferably, a body portion connects the drive and a means for supporting the object. A spring counterbalance reduces the force due to the weight of the object which bears upon the threads when the object is lifted into a position to be torqued. After the threads are initially engaged, the counterbalance is removed and torque applied to the drive means. Torque is transferred through the body portion to the object. Thus, problems associated with the handling of large parts and initially engaging threaded connections are substantially reduced, since the initial engagement takes place under conditions of reduced force.

Abstract: A gas turbine is provided in which the quantity of cooling air required to cool the turbine is reduced by the evaporative cooling of air bled from the compressor discharge for cooling purposes. The evaporative cooling is accomplished by spraying pressurized water into a bleed pipe which diverts the cooling air from the compressor discharge to the turbine.

Abstract: Direct coal-fired gas turbine systems and methods for their operation are provided by this invention. The systems include a primary combustion compartment coupled to an impact separator for removing molten slag from hot combustion gases. Quenching means are provided for solidifying the molten slag removed by the impact separator, and processing means are provided forming a slurry from the solidified slag for facilitating removal of the solidified slag from the system. The released hot combustion gases, substantially free of molten slag, are then ducted to a lean combustion compartment and then to an expander section of a gas turbine.

Abstract: A moisture pre-separator for a steam turbine includes an inner cylinder, an outer cylinder and a bottom interconnecting lower ends of the inner and outer cylinders. An annular collection chamber formed by the outer surface of the inner cylinder and the inner surface of the outer cylinder and the bottom is vented to communicate steam from the collection chamber to the interior of the inner cylinder, thereby equalizing pressure around the circumference of the entry gap and increasing effectiveness of moisture entrapment. Vanes are provided either on the outer surface of the inner cylinder or the inner surface of the outer cylinder, or both, in order to enhance swirling flow of moisture within the chamber, thereby helping to keep moisture away from the outer surface of the inner cylinder.

Abstract: A method of stud welding stainless steel studs to carbon steel or low alloy steel components with formation of a ductile weld therebetween. The chromium equivalent and nickel equivalent of the steel component is determined and a stainless steel stud provided that has a chromium equivalent and nickel equivalent content which, upon dilution thereof by steel of the component during stud welding, will provide a structure of austenite plus ferrite in the resulting weld structure, and stud welding the specified stainless steel stud to the steel component.

Abstract: A caliper (10) for measuring the thickness of a blade edge composed of: a pair of opposed jaws (11,12) disposed for displacement relative to each other in a first direction, a sliding member (31) mounted to one of the jaws (12) for displacement relative to the one of the jaws (12) in a second direction, the second direction having a component perpendicular to the first direction, the sliding member (31) defining a stop edge between the jaws (11,12), and a guiding member (21) operatively associated with the sliding member (31) for causing the magnitude of the displacement of the sliding member (31) in the second direction to be a fixed proportion of the magnitude of relative displacement of the jaws (11,12) in the first direction.

Abstract: A gas turbine of the type having turbine vanes retained in a cylinder and utilizing torque pins to transmit the torque load on the vanes to the cylinder is provided with improved structure for enabling insertion and withdrawal of the pin from engagement with the outer vane shroud in the vicinity of the cylinder flanges.

Abstract: A monitor for detecting the presence of liquid in a fluid supply conduit wherein the fluid has at least a liquid phase, and wherein bubbles may form in the fluid, is shown to include an ultrasonic signal transmitter for generating and transmitting an ultrasonic signal, an ultrasonic signal receiver, means for attaching the transmitter and receiver to the conduit, and a waveguide which confines a portion of the fluid so that the ultrasonic signal is guided to the receiver when liquid is present in the confined portion. The waveguide also tends to exclude bubbles from the confined portion. The waveguide may include a cylinder positioned in the conduit between the transmitter and the receiver and which has a plurality of openings to allow the ingress and egress of liquid.

Abstract: A method of determining the untwist of turbine blades under dynamic conditions is comprised of the steps of producing a first pair of blade passing event signals in response to a blade tip's movement past a pair of fixed sensors. The signals comprising the first signal pair are compared to one another to establish a first differential value. Another data point containing blade vibrational information is produced. The first differential value and the other data point are evaluated to discriminate between blade untwist and synchronous vibration. Based on the magnitude of the blade untwist, inferences can be drawn regarding the status of the turbine blade lashing wires.

Abstract: A device and method for sensing analyte ionic components are described. The device includes at least one detecting element including a first end, a second end, a first ion exchange medium extending from the first end to the second end, and a second ion exchange medium, which is in fluid communication with and has higher ion mobility than the first medium. The second medium includes an ion concentration member covered by a selectively permeable membrane. An analyte introduced at the ion concentration member passes therethrough and disassociates into its ionic species which collect in the ion concentration member. After collecting for a sufficient length of time, a voltage is applied so that the analyte ions move from the second medium into the first medium and toward a second end of the element at a rate determined by the applied voltage and their individual mobilities. Ions with different mobilities separate spatially and pass through the second end of the element at different times.

Abstract: A method of eliminating cracking between a steam turbine casing and a welded integral steam chest includes removing the integral steam chest from the steam turbine casing and replacing it with a separate and spaced apart steam chest having a plurality of steam exit ports. Steam inlet diffusers located in the turbine casing and normally connected to steam passageways in the integral steam chest are each connected to a corresponding steam exit port in the spaced apart steam chest. The connection between the spaced steam chest and the turbine casing is made by a plurality of relatively flexible steam pipes. Preferably, the integral steam chest is removed by cutting away the welded junction between the turbine and steam chest at a level corresponding to a radially outer end of the inlet diffusers in the turbine casing. The diffusers are each re-bored to a uniform diameter suitable for insertion of the flexible steam pipes. Each steam pipe is then welded to a corresponding diffuser.

Abstract: The efficiency of a combined cycle power plant is improved by preheating fuel supplied to a combustion turbine. The flow rate of feed water through an economizer section of a heat recovery steam generator is increased, and the excess flow, over that required to sustain saturated steam production in an evaporator section, is flowed through a heat exchanger to preheat the fuel.

Abstract: An axial thrust limiting system for a steam turbine including a rotor having a shaft, the turbine containing a plurality of chambers each defining a pressure zone containing a fluid which, during operation of the turbine, is at a pressure which influences the axial thrust load on the shaft, the turbine being constructed such that at least during rapid shut down a pressure differential can develop between two of the chambers to create an excessive axial thrust load on the shaft. The axial thrust limiting system includes controllable valve connected in a fluid flow path between the two chambers, and valve operating components connected for operating the valves during rapid shut down of the turbine in order to reduce the pressure differential between the two chambers.

Abstract: A monitor for monitoring the vibration of the rotating portion of a turbine comprises radioactive nuclides carried by a rotating portion of the turbine. A sensor is positioned in a fixed location with respect to the rotating portion of the turbine. The sensor is responsive to the movement of the radioactive nuclides past the sensor for producing an input signal. A processor extracts vibration information from the input signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for locking side entry blades, in a rotor, such as used in compressors, turbines and fans. The apparatus utilizes arcuate locking devices retained in a circumferential groove in the periphery of the rotor. Each locking device features a key which engages a keyway in the side of the blade root shank. Use of the locking devices does not require that the blades having abutting platforms.