Abstract: An apparatus and method for holding and inverting cylinder halves of steam turbines is disclosed. The device includes an adjustable base member having a temporary cylinder half support platform. The support includes a jacking mechanism for raising and lower the cylinder half when placed thereon. A rotatable carriage assembly is supported above the base member and securable to the cylinder half flange, the carriage being rotated by a rotation drive unit which is controlled to rotate the cylinder half at a constant rate. After a cylinder half is placed on a support platform, the jacks are activated to raise the cylinder half flange to the level of the rotatable carriage and the flange secured to the carriage. A support is then lowered and removed, and the cylinder half rotated about either its longitudinal or quadrature axis. The axis of rotation is chosen such that the center of gravity of the cylinder half passes therethrough.

Abstract: The axial force on the valve stem of a large valve can be related to the output of a strain sensor mounted on the yoke of the valve, but accuracy can be achieved only if the strain sensor is first calibrated by applying a known axial force to the valve stem. This can be done conveniently by using the invention, which includes two loading beams juxtaposed on opposite sides of the valve stem, elongated in a direction perpendicular to the valve stem, and including a split nut or a collet for gripping the valve stem. Legs extend from the ends of the loading beam assembly parallel to the valve stem, and one or both of these legs includes a hydraulic ram for applying force to one or both ends of the loading beam assembly. This applied force can be measured independently of the yoke-mounted strain sensor.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for performing remote impact testing for generator stator wedges and ripple springs. An improved low profile carriage is utilized for correlating wedge displacement data with the force required to displace the wedge. A calibrated test stand, in which exemplary wedges are placed under a known loading via a hydraulic load cell, provides means for generating calibration curve sets. From the graphed forcedisplacement curves generated from wedges placed under a known loading, force and displacement data generated during actual stator testing can be analyzed to measure the tightness or looseness of stator wedges, coils and ripple springs. In the preferred embodiment of the low profile carriage of the present invention, a capacitive sensor is used to directly measure the displacement or vibration of stator wedges as a result of being struck by an impact hammer with a known force.

Abstract: A valve stem stress measuring instrument is provided for measuring axial thrust developed on a valve operating system. In a quarter turn valve, or a butterfly, a valve stem stress instrument comprises a pair of load sensing assemblies which are disposed on either end of the valve housing. One load sensing assembly is attached to the stop nut end of the valve housing and a second load sensing assembly is installed on the drive end portion of the housing. Load cells are disposed between the worm shaft and a fixed engagement area rigidly attached to the worm shaft housing. With the worm shaft captured between each of the load sensing assemblies, reaction thrust or stem stress can be determined on the shaft in both the open and closed positions. After calibration, the present invention provides means for determining stem torsional stress values for a butterfly valve over its full stroke, such that the valve can be tested under actual operating conditions.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically cleaning shaft grounding devices in rotating machinery to reduce or eliminate the need for on-line servicing of the grounding devices. When a monitoring system for the grounding devices signals that an excessive electrical charge is present on the shaft, a cleansing material is sprayed at the interface of the grounding device with the shaft to remove any contaminants for the electrical insulating material between the bearings and the rotating shaft, and to re-establish the grounding path from the shaft. Voltage discharge from the shaft to the bearings through the bearing lubricating oil is thereby prevented. Alarm delay of the shaft ground monitoring device allows the apparatus to function automatically, obviating the need for on-servicing by plant personnel or unnecessary shut down of the machinery.

Abstract: A system for providing seal oils to a gland seal that surrounds the shaft of a generator with the temperature differences between the oils minimized, as well maintained at a temperature which is greater than that for a bearing lubrication oil supply system. The temperature of the air-side seal oil is used as a reference and then the difference between the air- and hydrogen-side seal oil temperatures is used to control the hydrogen-side seal oil temperature. The air-side temperature is controlled by a separate controller using the bearing oil temperature as a reference. The system advantageously prevents thermal differential expansion from occurring in the generator shaft and gland seal, and eliminates the need for operator attention for seal oil temperature control.

Abstract: A simplified, readily removable air gap baffle ring for a gas cooled dynamoelectric machine, such as a turbine generator. The baffle ring comprises two composite rings with a seal material sandwiched therebetween and bonded into a single ring structure. The seal ring attaches to finger plate extensions which are an integral part of the generator core, and forms an air gap seal between the rotor retaining ring and end wedges which extend from the stator coil slots. The air gap baffle assembly of the present invention effectively seals the high pressure zone of the exciter end of the generator, from the lower pressure radial air gap zone located between the generator rotor and stator, to thereby force cooling gas to flow into the rotor and stator.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed for step-molding elongated work pieces, such as generator components. A heated press includes a cooling box attached thereto, separated by a thermal insulating gasket. As a first portion of the work piece is being heat cured, a second portion extending adjacent the heated press is placed within the cooling box to prevent its being cured from residual heat of the press. After the first portion has been cured, the second portion is sequentially placed within the heated press. In this manner, the entire elongated work piece is cured and inadvertent "bumps" in the cured work piece are prevented to form the component to its desired shape.

Abstract: An automated facility for the large-scale production of superconducting magnets for use in a particle accelerator. Components of the automated facility include: a superconducting coil winding machine; a coil form and cure press apparatus; a coil collaring press; collar pack assembly apparatus; yoke half stacking apparatus; a cold mass assembly station; and a final assembly station. The facility can produce, on an economical manufacturing basis, magnets made of superconducting material for use in the ring of the particle accelerator. Each of the components is under the control of a programmable controller for operation having repeatable accuracy. All of the elements which are combined to form the superconducting magnet are thus manufactured with the dimensional precision required to produce a known, uniform magnetic field within the accelerator.

Abstract: An automated facility for the large-scale production of superconducting magnets for use in a particle accelerator. Components of the automated facility include: a superconducting coil winding machine; a coil form and cure press apparatus; a coil collaring press; collar pack assembly apparatus; yoke half stacking apparatus; a cold mass assembly station; and a final assembly station. The facility can produce, on an economical manufacturing basis, magnets made of superconducting material for use in the ring of the particle accelerator. Each of the components is under the control of a programmable controller for operation having repeatable accuracy. All of the elements which are combined to form the superconducting magnet are thus manufactured with the dimensional precision required to produce a known, uniform magnetic field within the accelerator.

Abstract: An automated facility for the large-scale production of superconducting magnets for use in a particle accelerator. Components of the automated facility include: a superconducting coil winding machine; a coil form and cure press apparatus; a coil collaring press; collar pack assembly apparatus; yoke half stacking apparatus; a cold mass assembly station; and a final assembly station. The facility can produce, on an economical manufacturing basis, magnets made of superconducting material for use in the ring of the particle accelerator. Each of the components is under the control of a programmable controller for operation having repeatable accuracy. All of the elements which are combined to form the superconducting magnet are thus manufactured with the dimensional precision required to produce a known, uniform magnetic field within the accelerator.

Abstract: An automated facility for the large-scale production of superconducting magnets for use in a particle accelerator. Components of the automated facility include: a superconducting coil winding machine; a coil form and cure press apparatus; a coil collaring press; collar pack assembly apparatus; yoke half stacking apparatus; a cold mass assembly station; and a final assembly station. The facility can produce, on an economical manufacturing basis magnets made of superconducting material for use in the ring of the particle accelerator. Each of the components is under the control of a programmable controller for operation having repeatable accuracy. All of the elements which are combined to form the superconducting magnet are thus manufactured with the dimensional precision required to produce a known, uniform magnetic field within the accelerator.

Abstract: An automated facility for the large-scale production of superconducting magnets for use in a particle accelerator. Components of the automated facility include: a superconducting coil winding machine; a coil form and cure press apparatus; a coil collaring press; collar pack assembly apparatus; yoke half stacking apparatus; a cold mass assembly station; and a final assembly station. The facility can produce, on an economical manufacturing basis, magnets made of superconducting material for use in the ring of the particle accelerator. Each of the components is under the control of a programmable controller for operation having repeatable accuracy. All of the elements which are combined to form the superconducting magnet are thus manufactured with the dimensional precision required to produce a known, uniform magnetic field within the accelerator.

Abstract: A compact boring system 20 for machining the interior surface of cylindrical shapes, such as steam turbine valves and rotors in a field situation. The apparatus is designed to set up in the object itself. A boring bar 26 is rotatably disposed in a pair of roller bearing supports 23. A plurality of locating buttons 29 extend radially from the bearing supports 23 to contact the interior of the object and support the apparatus therein. The bearing supports 23 can be secured to the boring bar 26 at any axial location thereon. A machining head 35 is also securable to the boring bar 26 at any axial location, and includes a threaded drive shaft 38 for translating the machining head 35 axially along the bar 26. A cutting tool 56 is disposed in the machining head 35 so as to be radially adjustable with respect to the axis of the bar.

Abstract: A support system is provided for a pressurizer relief and safety valve system in a nuclear power plant. The pressurizer has a generally cylindrical vessel wall topped with a dome-like member. The valve system includes a manifold generally located above and extending about the periphery of the vessel wall of the pressurizer.The valve support system comprises a plurality of paired lug members that extend outwardly from and are secured to the vessel wall at points spaced around the wall periphery. V-shaped columnar supports extend vertically upward from each of the lug pairs to the valve system manifold.A structural pin extends in the horizontal direction to support a base portion of each of the columnar supports relative to the associated lug pair. Disengageable locking clamps secure the pin to the lugs. A pair of diagonal columns extend upwardly in a V-shape from the support base portion to the manifold. A crossbar connects the diagonal columns at the top of each columnar support.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing electrical insulation and hydrogen leakage resistance functions required on a radial lead portion of a field winding assembly for rotors of hydrogen cooled turbine-generators. A glass cloth tube impregnated with an epoxy resin binder is machined to desired tolerances to provide a controlled interference fit over the radial lead conductor outer surface. A coating of the epoxy resin or insulating varnish may be brushed on the interface surface. The pre-machined insulating tube not only prevents hydrogen gas from entering the rotor bore area, but also electrically insulates the rotor field windings from the rotor shaft.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for measuring the tightness of generator stator slot wedges and ripple springs with the rotor still in place. A wedge block having a hydraulic cylinder disposed therein is installed within the upper of a pair of parallel grooves in the stator slot. The hydraulic cylinder is activated to press down on a load plate, which in turn contacts a slot wedge within the other pair of parallel grooves. This is turn compresses the ripple spring between the slot wedge and the stator windings. A load cell measures the force required to compress the ripple spring, while four linear variable differential transformers measure the amount of displacement of the slot wedge. These two measurements are then used to derive a measurement for the tightness of the slot wedge and the ripple spring.

Abstract: Fastener comprises a flat head nut having a specially designed shape and includes a complimentary bolt, for use in a cryogenic environment. Opposed heads of the nut and bolt each have an underside connecting the heads to neck and body portions, respectively, which are of a conical shape and which fit into correspondingly tapered openings of two support members of a superconducting magnetic storage device. The shape of the fastener permits a predetermined contact pressure to be maintained for the support structure as the superconducting magnet is cooled to cryogenic temperatures. The fastener produces a rigid structure to eliminate frictional heating of the magnet. A specially designed tool is provided for torquing the nut and/or the bolt. At least the nut includes three tapered slots in its head portion, and tool having three correspondingly tapered fingers. In this manner, the nut can be sufficiently held, and yet the head of the nut remains flush with the surface of the support member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a passive superconducting sensor for quench detection in a superconducting coil. The sensor consists of a first circuit electrically connected to two voltage taps of a superconducting coil. The first circuit uses nonsuperconducting components and preferably contains a resistive element. The first circuit is magnetically coupled to a second circuit by a hybrid transformer. The second circuit is superconducting and contains a readout coil and preferably a second hybrid transformer. The second hybrid transformer is magnetically coupled to a sense coil which detects flux changes in the superconducting coil. The readout coil is coupled to a readout device which measures changes in the current through the readout coil. The current in the readout coil can be made a function only of the resistance of the superconducting coil between the voltage turns and thus can be used to detect a quench.

Abstract: A reactor vessel O-ring spring clip designed to hold the tubular O-ring in the groove of a reactor vessel head flange, especially during head lifting. The spring clip is designed such that the weight of the O-ring acts to increase the friction force between the spring clip and the, typically, threaded hole into which it is inserted. The end of the clip adapted to be inserted through a slot in the tubular O-ring for securement thereto has a circular member thereon which prevents the spring clip from becoming disengaged from the O-ring during head lifting.