Abstract: A gas turbine unit comprising an expansion turbine, a compressor and a turbine engine arranged in sequence on a common shaft. The rotor element of the expansion turbine comprises fan blades having a straight non-curved profile. Guide vanes are provided upstream of the expansion turbine to form a throttling device for controlling the flow of air to the expansion turbine. The guide vanes are adjustable relative to the blades of the expansion turbine to deflect the air to vary the throttling effect to cause the expansion turbine to operate alternately as a compressor and a turbine in response to the adjustment of the guide vanes.

Abstract: A control valve for connecting a plurality of fluid demand locations with a common source while assuring a constant distribution regardless of differences in absolute magnitudes and counter pressures. The control valve comprises a main regulating valve for the total flow, coupled to a second valve comprising parallel valves corresponding to the respective demand locations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tool for control measurement of the correct form of the teeth of helical gear wheels. A rack with the same pitch as the wheel to be control-measured rolls on top of the wheel in engagement with its teeth. An indicator whose height is adjustable has a measuring arm passing through a hole in the rack, so that its point slides on the side of a tooth on the gear wheel. The relative height of the indicator in relation to the rack is recorded.

Abstract: A method for assembling a turbo-machine of the type comprising a stator housing supporting guide vanes and a rotor having blade discs. According to the method, the stator housing is placed with its axis vertically oriented on a base member which supports the housing both in the vertical and in the horizontal direction. Guide vanes and blade discs are alternately placed in the housing with the guide vanes being secured to the interior of the housing and the blade discs being supported in stacked relationship with interleaved spacing rings on the base member. The stack of blade discs is then secured together as by through bolts passing through aligned apertures in the blade discs. Thereafter, the rotor comprising the assembled blade discs and spacing rings is centered relative to the stator housing. The interconnected stator housing and assembled rotor are then lifted from the base member and moved to a horizontal position.

Abstract: An epicyclic gear train comprises support spindles for the planet or star wheels cantilevered from a single support flange. The cross sections of the spindles vary with distance from the support plate so that under tangential loading the bearing surfaces of the spindles will assume a position essentially parallel to the axis of the gear train.

Abstract: Apparatus for the injection of fuel into a gas turbine which is adapted to remove the fuel from the injectors when the turbine is to be stopped. Each injector provides separate, parallel fuel flow paths from a pair of fuel inlet connections toward a plurality of atomizing apertures. When the turbine is to be stopped, one of the inlet connections is connected to a source of compressed air and the other is connected to a sump for the fuel.

Abstract: Steam and gas turbines share a common heat source according to the invention. A fluidized bed combustion chamber provides hot gas for the gas turbine and a heat source for a gaseous heat exchange medium which transfers heat to the steam turbine. Air flow from the gas turbine compressor is used to help control the temperature of the hot gases in the fluidized bed and may also be used as the heat exchange medium for the steam turbine. Controls for air flow and pressure are provided to accommodate variations in power demand. A method of operating such a plant is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved hollow vane for a gas turbine is cooled by a flow of cooling air through the interior of the vane. Flow guiding plates inserted in the interior of the vane direct coolant flow first to the leading edge of the vane for maximum cooling at that location and then to discharge openings in the trailing edge of the vane.

Abstract: A steam power plant is disclosed in which superheaters for the various turbine stages include heat exchange coils located in the bed portion of high temperature fluidized beds. Improved heat transfer and reduced corrosion of the superheater coils are achieved. A method of producing superheated steam without high temperature corrosion is also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-stage turbine is provided with spacing pieces between stages which include inwardly extending stays for supporting end-bearings of the adjacent turbine stages. The stays are hollow and surround conduits for cooling air for the turbines and the stays.

Abstract: An improved gear ring for epicyclic gear trains is formed from a plurality of concentric ring elements shrink fitted to each other, whereby increased flexibility is achieved without increasing stress levels in the ring. The ring elements may be separated by a layer of elastomeric material having a low modulus of elasticity. A method of making such a gear ring is disclosed.

Abstract: An improved combustion chamber for devices such as gas turbines includes a flame tube having burners and a center tube extending through its end wall. The openings for the burners and the center tube are co-planar in the end wall to allow some angular movement of the flame tube relative to the center tube. A bayonet joint between the flame tube and the center tube includes a spherical bearing surface to permit such angular movement but to prevent axial movement. A unique locking pin geometry is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tool for inserting balance weights in a rotatable body such as a turbine rotor includes an elongated insertion rod having structure such as threads at one end for attachment to a balance weight. An elongated sleeve slideably surrounds the insertion rod and includes on one end a surface conformed to strike the balance weight when the sleeve is moved on the rod. By striking one end of the sleeve, the balance weight may be upset into a recess in the rotor. A method of using the tool is also disclosed.

Abstract: A balancing device and method for balancing a rotating body during operation. The device and method detects the phase and amount of unbalance and provides signals in synchronism with the unbalance. Local heating of the rotating body is provided to counteract the unbalance by thermal deformation of the axis of the body without removing material. The phase and amount of the local heating are controlled in relation to unbalance detected.

Abstract: An apparatus for starting a turbine plant includes tubing or conduits for directing compressed air to the compressor stage of the turbine plant, whereby the turbine plant may be rotated to a speed sufficient for starting. Arranged in parallel with the compressed air tubing or conduits are additional conduits for conveying dry air to the turbine plant during rest or shutdown periods when the turbine plant is inoperative. A valving arrangement permits selective flow of compressed air through the apparatus for starting the turbine plant or of dry air for maintaining desired conditions within the turbine plant during rest or shutdown conditions.

Abstract: An energy source for large heating systems, such as municipal systems, is disclosed which includes a heat pump driven directly by an internal combustion engine. The exhaust gases from the engine are passed through a heat exchanger to provide additional heat input to hot water leaving the condenser of the heat pump. In one embodiment, the exhaust gases also provide heat input to the evaporator of a second heat pump unit also driven directly by the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A fluid pressure actuated clutch for connecting concentric, rotatable shafts in a multi-stage turbine includes a plurality of pivoted pawls mounted on one shaft for engagement with a plurality of gear teeth mounted on the other shaft upon rotation of the pawls by selectively actuatable hydraulic pistons. The pawls are spring biased and/or counterweighted to pivot out of engagement with the gear teeth when the other shaft achieves a rotational speed higher than the one shaft. The device is particularly suited for connecting concentric shafts of high and low pressure stages of turbine plants.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the flow of fuel supplied via a regulating valve to a gas turbine plant having a compressed-gas generating unit and a power turbine which is driven by the gas from the generating unit. The function of the controlling apparatus is to reduce or cut off the supply of fuel in the event of an overspeed condition of the power turbine. The apparatus includes a first means which is responsive to the angular velocity of a rotor in the power turbine, and a second means which is responsive to the angular acceleration of such rotor. The control means is jointly responsive to the output signals provided by the first and second means so as to control the valve and reduce the rotor's angular velocity when the output signals provided by both the first and second means concurrently exceed predetermined values.

Abstract: Apparatus for washing the blades of the high-pressure compressor of a two-stage turbo-compressor. A spray tube is mounted radially outwardly of an aperture defined in the turbine casing, but is capable of being moved radially inwardly through the aperture so as to direct an axial stream of wash water into the high-pressure compressor in response to the build-up of water pressure in a supply line which acts upon a piston against the action of a spring. In the absence of water pressure, the spring maintains the spray tube in its normal position externally of the casing.

Abstract: A method of installing into a machinery hall a gas turbine unit comprising a gas generator unit and a power turbine unit and forming a portion of a large capacity, gas-turbine powered electrical generating apparatus. The method is particularly intended for electric generating equipment having a capacity of at least 60 megawatts. To install the gas generator of such a unit in the hall and to couple it to the already-installed power turbine unit, the gas generator is moved horizontally into the machinery hall on roller devices.