Abstract: A gas turbine power plant having a pressurized fluidized bed combustor and an external topping combustor. A cylindrical duct and a toroidal duct direct the flow of hot gas from the topping combustor and distribute it around the circumference of the turbine inlet. The walls of the duct are cooled by water or steam. The walls are formed by tubes, having cooling fluid passages formed therein, that extend between inlet and outlet manifolds. Elongated plate sections connect each tube to an adjacent tube so as to form a continuous gas barrier. If the walls are water cooled, the water that flows through the tubes for cooling is subsequently directed to a heat recovery steam generator, in which it is converted to steam for expansion in a steam turbine. If the walls are steam cooled, the steam is first generated in the heat recovery steam generator and then at least partially superheated by flowing through the walls.

Abstract: A system and method for testing an electrical generator of the type having a rotor (14) and a stator (12) includes or utilizes a movable carriage (22) having testing equipment which is sized to fit between the rotor (14) and stator (12) and is positionable over a selected stator (12) slot so as to be able to axially traverse the selected stator (12) slot, at least one sensor for sensing whether the movable carriage (22) is centered in an optimum position with respect to the selected stator (12) slot; and structure for centering the movable carriage (22) with respect to the optimum position if the sensor indicates the movable carriage (22) is not so centered, whereby accuracy of any testing by the testing equipment is optimized.

Abstract: A pressurized water nuclear reactor pressure vessel has an upper core support plate with passageways for the passage of coolant, an upper support plate above the upper core support plate, and peripheral hollow support columns extending upwardly above the passageways in the upper core support plate for supporting the upper support plate above the upper core support plate and for guiding coolant from the passageways into the plenum. Each peripheral support column has a peripherally slotted upper portion for guiding the coolant in the peripheral support column into the plenum and an unslotted lower portion.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for monitoring the operation of a nuclear power facility by generating a composite equation from a relational database which at execution time represents paper procedures. After generating the composite equation, a program stack is compiled on-line from the composite equation. Then, the program stack is executed and sensors are monitored to determine whether an emergency situation has occurred in the facility. When a determined violation has occurred, corrective actions are displayed for a plant operator to execute in order to correct the problem.

Abstract: An improved combustion system that is constructed and arranged to be used with a power-generating turbine or the like includes at least one combustion chamber, a fuel supply system for supplying fuel to the combustion chamber, an air supply system for supplying air from a pressurized air source to the combustion chamber, a monitor for monitoring a property of the combustion products from the combustion chamber, a regulator for regulating an air to fuel ratio in the combustion chamber, and a controller, in communication with the monitor and the regulator for controlling the regulator in response to information received from the monitor. According to one novel aspect of the invention, the controller controls the regulator with no direct mechanical linkage therebetween, so that the complexity and expense of the system is kept to a minimum.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for simulating operating conditions on a motor operated valve. The present invention provides a means for simulating actual operating load conditions, such as a simulated accident condition, for valves. An axial force is placed on the valve stem by a hydraulically operating loading system to simulate loading conditions associated with a postulated accident, and the valve operator is actuated. The response of the valve during the simulated loading condition is monitored to ensure that the valve is capable of operating, such as to close or open, in the event of an unusual condition.

Abstract: A canned motor pump includes a main housing with a rotatable shaft carrying an impeller, a high inertia flywheel mounted on the shaft, and a bearing housing stationarily mounted to the main housing. The bearing housing contains a convex radial bearing assembly pivotally mounted on an outer circumferential surface thereof for engagement with a bearing surface on an inner diameter of the flywheel. One embodiment of the convex radial bearing assembly employs a pad made of a self-lubricating, hard material and engageable with a hard metal surface on the inner diameter of the flywheel, and a second embodiment of the convex radial bearing assembly employs a pad with a hard metal surface on the outer diameter of the bearing housing and engageable with a sleeve made of a self-lubricating, hard material and located on the inner diameter of the flywheel.

Abstract: Electric discharge machining apparatus and method. An electron discharge machining apparatus and method is provided for precisely machining a wall of a tubular member to form a wall portion thereof defined by a slot of predetermined configuration at a predetermined location in a wall of the tubular member. The tubular member may be a nuclear steam generator tube. The apparatus includes a housing sized to be disposed in the tube, the housing having an opening therethrough capable of being aligned with the predetermined location in the tube wall to be electro-machined. An electrode is housed in the housing for generating an electric discharge arc between the electrode and the wall of the tube in order to machine the slot at the predetermined location. A rotator is connected to the housing for precisely rotating the housing, so that the opening formed through the housing is rotated into registry with the predetermined location to be electro-machined.

Abstract: A hot gas cleanup system for removing particulates, alkali and sulfur from fuel gas produced by the gasification of coal in a gasifier, especially in an integrated gas turbine gasification power plant. A calcium based sulfur sorbent and an alkali sorbent are injected directly into the fuel gas and then recovered, along with the used sorbent, in a high efficiency, high temperature ceramic barrier filter. The fuel gas is then subjected to further de-sulfurization in a polishing de-sulfurizer supplied with a copper based sulfur sorbent. The used copper based sorbent is regenerated in fluidized bed regenerator. The regenerated sorbent is returned to the polishing de-sulfurizer and sulfur dioxide produced by the regeneration is directed to an oxidizer to which the used and unused sulfur sorbent from the filter is supplied so that the sulfur dioxide can be captured and so that the used sulfur sorbent can be converted to a more stable form for disposal.

Abstract: Vibration in the blade of a turbo-machine is suppressed by the incorporation of both inner and outer restraints that inhibit deflections of the blade foils. The outer restraint comprises shroud, welded lugs or tie wires that divide the row of blades into a plurality of blade groups by connecting the blades in each group together. The number of blades in each group can be equal to the number of blades in the row divided by the harmonic of the rotor rotational frequency that is closest to the blade resonant frequency of concern. The inner restraint comprises welded lugs or tie wires disposed radially inward from the outer restraint that divide each blade group into a plurality of sub-groups, thereby further suppressing blade vibration. Since the length of the inner restraints is less than that associated with harmonic shrouds, the stresses in the inner restraint, as well as in the blades, due to radial growth of the rotor are maintained within acceptable levels.

Abstract: Apparatus to test both the analog and digital portions of a mobile receiver, which includes simulating signals received from a satellite with interferences and impairments.

Abstract: A system for determining depth profiles of concentrations of hazardous elements in soils comprises a neutron source for generating neutrons of a first energy level and irradiating a volume of soil with the neutrons. Nuclear reactions are effected within the soil and gamma radiation is emitted from the soil. The system also includes an array of gamma detectors for detecting gamma radiation emitted from the soil; source electronics for controlling the width of regularly repeated pulses of neutrons generated by the neutron source; detector electronics associated with the gamma detectors for amplifying and digitalizing signals generated by the gamma detectors and storing data representing the digitalized signals; spectral analysis software for analyzing the data and determining the concentrations of selected target elements in the soil; and an acquisition interface module (AIM).

Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus and a system for measuring and monitoring the actual mechanical power being produced by an electric motor and measuring and monitoring the reactive torque acting on and the rotational speed of a drive shaft of the electric motor used to drive a valve actuator of a motor operated valve (MOV). The apparatus and system is comprised of a motor power measuring cell inserted between and bolted to the electric motor housing and to the valve actuator housing of commercial MOVs to provide continuous in-service valve and motor diagnostics. The motor power measuring cell is provided with a first measuring means for measuring the torque acting on the drive shaft and a second measuring means for measuring the rotational speed of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A protection circuit for a brushless excitation system is provided which directly monitors the output voltage of the diode bridge rectifier of the system. The protection circuit includes a reference signal generator subcircuit which provides a reference signal which tracks the dc output voltage of the diode bridge. The reference signal can vary as the system voltage is varied under certain circumstances. The protection circuit also provides for the calculation of a predetermined percentage of the reference signal voltage to create a tolerance band for testing the actual output voltage of the diode bridge rectifier. The percentage represents an acceptable limit of the ratio of a peak-to-peak ripple of the reference signal to the dc voltage of the reference signal. Using the reference signal and the percentage value to create a tolerance band, a comparator is used to test the actual output voltage of the diode bridge to determine if the output voltage is within the tolerance band.

Abstract: An adjustable pad bearing for the rotor shaft journal of a steam turbine power system or the like provides a pre-load force on the top half of the journal so as to damp the system and move criticals away from the operating range. An adjustable pad bearing in accordance with the invention provides for maintenance of system vibrations at or below desirable levels. The pre-load force is applied to the top half of the journal as a result of oil or a like viscous fluid collected in a pressure dam in the pad. The position of the pad bearing in relation to the top half of the journal is adjustable to change the magnitude and location of the pre-load force, as well as the pressure dam angular orientation of that force.

Abstract: An electromagnetic tagging system is provided for remotely detecting and locating polymeric and other non-conductive structures situated behind barriers, such as underground plastic pipes or containers. The system comprises a fluctuating magnetic field source, a pattern of tags embedded in discrete regions of the wall of the polymeric structure, each tag including an amorphous magnetic metal target for generating a Barkhausen response when exposed to the fluctuating magnetic field source, and a portable detection circuit movable along the ground or other control surface for remotely detecting the Barkhausen response. The amorphous magnetic material in each tag is preferably in the form of a plurality of elongated particles having aspect ratios of at least 3 to 1 and arranged end-to-end.

Abstract: An apparatus for powering a unipolar motor may include a solid oxide fuel cell having a plurality of sub-modules, a unipolar generator having a plurality of armature turns, and a plurality of jumpers. Each of the sub-modules may produce fuel cell electric power at the fuel cell terminals. Each of the armature turns may produce generator electric power at the generator terminals. The jumpers may interconnect the fuel cell terminals with the generator terminals in order to provide a configurable voltage-current profile for the unipolar motor. The fuel cell may have a fuel cell housing and the generator may have a generator housing. The fuel cell terminals may be located outside of the fuel cell housing and the generator terminals may be located outside of the generator housing. Each of the sub-modules and each of the armature turns may produce a voltage. The jumpers may interconnect the fuel cell terminals in series with the generator terminals in order to sum the voltages for the unipolar motor.

Abstract: A method for installing a header cap on a water header both positioned on a stator coil. The method includes the steps of creating a generally smooth surface on the water header for providing a mating surface on the water header. A seal is interposed between the mating surface of the water header and the header cap for providing a material used to provide a sealed boundary between the cap and mating surface. The header cap and the mating surface of the water header are placed in abutting relationship with the seal for forming a layered, contiguous connection. A pressure device is attached in operative association with the header cap for operatively applying a pressure to the header cap. A spring which is received by the pressure device is compressed for applying a constant and unidirectional pressure to the pressure device which, in turn, transmits the constant and unidirectional pressure to the header cap.

Abstract: A system for supporting a retaining ring on an end of body portion of a rotor in an electrodynamic system includes an end wedge which is adapted to be in contact with a retaining ring, a damper bar having a first surface which abuts the end wedge member and a second, oppositely facing surface; and a filler block positioned between the second surface of the damper bar and a field winding portion of a rotor. The filler block has a tapered surface which defines a stress-reducing gap between the field winding portion and the retaining ring, so as to minimize stress in the slot cell and field windings during high-speed rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: Finely powdered urania scrap materials are subjected to sintering conditions (greater than 1600.degree. C.) in a hydrogen atmosphere for about 4 to 8 hours in order to remove impurities (such as Si, Fe, Ni, Sn, Cu, Na and Pb). The process upgrades the quality of the urania powder to where it can be used directly as clean scrap makeup, thereby avoiding expensive decontamination and recovery steps like solvent extraction. The novelty of the process is in the use of sintering conditions (greater than 1600.degree. C.) in a hydrogen atmosphere on finely divided powder to decontaminate urania materials.