Abstract: A support assembly for a rotating shaft utilizing an annular spring is disclosed. A series of support rods are spaced on the interior and exterior sides of an annular spring to define spring segments which act as a spring for supporting the journal. A squeeze film damper cavity may be incorporated either as part of the spring support structure or separately within the assembly to provide the necessary damping.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining when to initiate the cleaning of the turbine blades of a turbocharger is disclosed. The performance of the compressor portion of the turbocharger is monitored and upon a degradation in performance being detected it is indicated that fouling of the turbine blades has occurred. In response to this indication a water injection system is energized for supplying atomized water under high pressure to the exhaust gas powering the turbocharger to effectively clean the turbine blades. Means are provided for decreasing the speed of the turbocharger during the cleaning cycle to allow for an effective cleaning operation.

Abstract: A hub is mounted or dismounted by the use of hydraulic pressure with the hub being the only movable member. Either of two seals of different diameters are used in conjunction with a third seal of an intermediate diameter so as to establish a differential annular area between the two seals in use. Depending upon which pair of seals is used, hydraulic pressure tends to either force the hub onto or off of the shaft.

Abstract: The cutter blade and mandrel of a tube cutter coact through sloped surfaces having a tongue-and-groove connection. Relative axial movement between the mandrel and cutter blade causes the cutter blade to move radially inward or outward and the tongue-and-groove connection permits the mandrel and cutter blade to rotate as a unit to thereby increase the effective cutter height of the blade by the height of the underlying mandrel.

Abstract: In an admission valve structure for a turbine all of the valves except the first opening one are spring biased closed, when seated. Because of the sequential opening of the valves, the valve closing bias of each spring acts as an opening bias relative to all earlier opening valves until that valve is opened. The combined spring forces act to open at least some of the valves thus permitting the governor to attain minimum speed once the throttle valve is opened in the steam header.

Abstract: The load on the starting steam turbine or motor which drives the power recovery string of an FCC process is reduced on the order of 15% by increasing the specific volume of the air compressed by a fixed volume compressor in the string. The specific volume of the ambient air is increased by returning a portion of the compressed and thereby heated air to the inlet of the compressor in amounts sufficient to raise the temperature of the inlet air about 75.degree. F., or more.

Abstract: A rotor assembly and methods for securing rotor blades within and removing rotor blades from rotor assemblies. The rotor assembly comprises a rotor disc defining a plurality of blade grooves, and including a plurality of tenons disposed between the blade grooves and defining a plurality of pin sockets radially extending inward from outside surfaces of the tenons; and a plurality of rotor blades, each blade including a root disposed within a blade groove to secure the blade against radial movement, and a blade platform overlaying a tenon and defining a radially extending pin aperture. The rotor assembly further comprises a plurality of locking pins radially extending through the pin apertures and into the pin sockets to secure the rotor blades against axial movement, each pin including a head and a base to limit radial movement of the pin.

Abstract: Assembly and disassembly methods and apparatus for a rotary machine. According to a first aspect of the present invention, methods and apparatus are provided for assembling and disassembling a disc end bearing and an intermediate bearing housing of the rotary machine. According to a second aspect of the present invention, methods and apparatus are provided for assembling and disassembling a bearing lifting frame and a removable fluid casing section of the rotary machine. According to a third aspect of the present invention, methods and apparatus are provided for assembling and disassembling an impeller rotor of the rotary machine.

Abstract: A trip mechanism for a trip valve is made up of a reset lever and a bell crank operatively connected through a guide stem which is guidingly received in a flange portion of the valve housing. A valve stem and the guide stem are slidably connected to the reset lever which is provided with a spring bias which tends to move the reset lever in a valve closing position. When the bell crank and guide stem are in engagement the valve is held open and when the bell crank is subjected to an actuating force the bell crank and guide stem become disengaged causing the valve to close under the spring bias and to remain closed until manually reset.

Abstract: The stator blades of a stage of an axial flow turbo machine are assembled in an arcuate series, as by insertion of the journals at the outer ends of the blades in the stator housing. A one-piece arcuate inner shroud ring is formed with aperture spaced circumferentially comparable to the spacing of the inner ends of the blades in the series. The diameter of the apertures exceeds the diameter of the blade journals. Force is applied to the ends of the ring to control or bow the same sufficiently to permit insertion of the contracted ring into the series of blades. Upon insertion of the ring, the contracting force is relieved, permitting the ring to expand to normal contour whereby the inner journals of the blades become positioned in the apertures of the ring. Thereafter annular bearings are inserted in the space between the journals and the bores of the apertures.