Abstract: A system and method for establishing communications in a power plant comprises a power generation system having an interface for establishing wireless communication, at least one power plant auxiliary system having an interface for enabling wireless communication, and a wireless communications link, having at least two redundant wireless communications channels, established between the power generation system and the power plant auxiliary system. The two redundant wireless communications channels may be two redundant wireless radio frequency channels. The communications link may be established utilizing a network communications controller which wirelessly communicates with the power generation system and the power plant auxiliary system. One or more of the power plant auxiliary systems may communicate with the network communications controller through a repeater.

Abstract: A blade-to-blade vibration damper for a turbine rotor blade is disclosed. Each blade has airfoil, platform and root portions. A plurality of blades are circumferentially spaced about a rotor disk. An inclined recess extends into the platform portion of each blade from a first surface thereof, and toward its root portion. A U-shaped wire-form damping member has its in-turned marginal end portions slidably received in each recess. When the rotor disk is rotated at a sufficient angular speed, the damping members move outwardly by the centrifugal force acting thereon to engage the opposing surface of the platform portion of the adjacent blade. When so engaged, the members damp vibrations of such blades and seal the space between the opposing platform surfaces.

Abstract: A retainer ring clamps, for example, a turbine cooling plate to a rotatable turbine disc. The retainer ring has a wedge-shaped channel that engages annular flanges on the cooling plate and the disc. The wedge-shaped channel converts radial forces on the ring to axial clamping forces which secure the cooling plate to the disc. Special tooling is not required to assemble the retainer ring to the cooling plate and turbine disc, and preloading of the cooling plate against the disc is not necessary. An angled or slanted gap in the ring eases assembly and disassembly of the retainer ring onto the annular flanges of the cooling plate and turbine disc and ensures that axial and radial movement of the retainer ring is required for disassembly of the ring from the flanges.