Abstract: A method and device for monitoring the flow of fluid for driving a turbine, the fluid flowing through a turbine blade path between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, by: sensing the value of the pressure of the fluid at the fluid inlet and fluid outlet; electronically calculating the fluid flow rate on the basis of the sensed pressure values; electronically comparing the calculated flow rate with a maximum desired flow rate; and automatically issuing an indication when the calculated flow rate exceeds the maximum desired flow rate.

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: An electric power plant having dual turbine-generators and a steam source which includes a high temperature gas-cooled nuclear reactor. Each turbine includes a high pressure portion driven by superheat steam and a lower pressure portion driven by reheat steam. A turbine bypass system permits minimum flows of superheat and reheat steam from the source at times when the turbines require flows of such steam that are less than the minimum flows. Before it is reheated, steam that has passed through the high pressure portions and their bypass lines drives auxiliary steam turbines that rotate means for propelling the coolant gas through the reactor. During acceleration of a turbine-generator to its synchronous speed, one of the steam flows through its high and lower pressure portions is varied to govern the shaft speed, while the other flow is held relatively constant, that one of the flows which is varied being determined by the shaft speed.

Abstract: An electric power plant having a cross compound steam turbine and a steam source that includes a high temperature gas-cooled nuclear reactor. The steam turbine includes high and intermediate-pressure portions which drive a first generating means, and a low-pressure portion which drives a second generating means. The steam source supplies superheat steam to the high-pressure turbine portion, and an associated bypass permits the superheat steam to flow from the source to the exhaust of the high-pressure portion. The intermediate and low-pressure portions use reheat steam; an associated bypass permits reheat steam to flow from the source to the low-pressure exhaust. An auxiliary turbine driven by steam exhausted from the high-pressure portion and its bypass drives a gas blower to propel the coolant gas through the reactor.

Abstract: A power plant including dual steam turbine-generators connected to pass superheat and reheat steam from a steam generator which derives heat from the coolant gas of a high temperature gas-cooled nuclear reactor. Associated with each turbine is a bypass line to conduct superheat steam in parallel with a high pressure turbine portion, and a bypass line to conduct superheat steam in parallel with a lower pressure turbine portion. Auxiliary steam turbines pass a portion of the steam flow to the reheater of the steam generator and drive gas blowers which circulate the coolant gas through the reactor and the steam source. Apparatus and method are disclosed for loading or unloading a turbine-generator while the other produces a steady power output. During such loading or unloading, the steam flows through the turbine portions are coordinated with the steam flows through the bypass lines for protection of the steam generator, and the pressure of reheated steam is regulated for improved performance of the gas blowers.

Abstract: An electric power plant having dual turbine-generators connected to a steam source that includes a high temperature gas cooled nuclear reactor. Each turbine comprises a high pressure portion operated by superheat steam and an intermediate-low pressure portion operated by reheat steam; a bypass line is connected across each turbine portion to permit a desired minimum flow of steam from the source at times when the combined flow of steam through the turbine is less than the minimum. Coolant gas is propelled through the reactor by a circulator which is driven by an auxiliary turbine which uses steam exhausted from the high pressure portions and their bypass lines. The pressure of the reheat steam is controlled by a single proportional-plus-integral controller which governs the steam flow through the bypass lines associated with the intermediate-low pressure portions.

Abstract: A control system is disclosed for a high temperature gas cooled reactor power plant, wherein a steam source derives heat from the reactor coolant gas to generate superheated and reheated steam in respective superheater and reheater sections that are included in the steam source. Each of dual turbine-generators includes a high pressure turbine to pass superheated steam and an associated intermediate low pressure turbine to pass reheated steam. A first admission valve means is connected to govern a flow of superheated steam through a high pressure turbine, and a second admission valve means is connected to govern a flow of reheated steam through an intermediate-low pressure turbine. A bypass line and bypass valve means connected therein are connected across a second admission valve means and its intermediate-low pressure turbine.