Abstract: An apparatus and method for preparing and delivering a fluid mixture. The apparatus includes a high pressure differential solids feeder assembly and a pressurized mixing apparatus. The feeder assembly is coupled to a proppant storage vessel at ambient pressure and receives a continuous unpressurized proppant output flow from the proppant storage vessel. The feeder assembly is configured to output a continuous pressurized proppant output flow of sufficient mass to achieve continuous operation of the apparatus in an uninterrupted episode for an individual fracture stage. The pressurized mixing apparatus is coupled to the feeder assembly and in fluidic communication with the continuous pressurized proppant output flow and a continuous pressurized fracturing fluid flow.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preparing and delivering a fluid mixture. The apparatus including a high pressure differential solids feeder assembly and a pressurized mixing apparatus. The feeder assembly is coupled to a proppant storage vessel at ambient pressure and receives a continuous unpressurized proppant output flow from the proppant storage vessel. The feeder assembly is configured to output a continuous pressurized proppant output flow of sufficient mass to achieve continuous operation of the apparatus in an uninterrupted episode for an individual fracture stage. The pressurized mixing apparatus is coupled to the feeder assembly and in fluidic communication with the continuous pressurized proppant output flow and a continuous pressurized fracturing fluid flow.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for delivering a fluid using non-mechanical lock hopper eductor assembly. The assembly including at least one lock hopper coupled to an eductor motive fluid inlet, a source of a treatment material and a suction flow outlet. The lock hopper configured to contain therein a pressurized treatment fluid as an output suction flow. The lock hopper is coupled to an eductor pump assembly. The eductor pump assembly including a suction chamber in fluidic communication with the eductor motive fluid inlet, the suction flow outlet and a fluid mixture outlet. The suction chamber configured to output a fluid mixture to a mixing chamber coupled to said fluid mixture outlet and configured to mix the fluid mixture therein. The eductor pump assembly further including an expansion feature coupled to said mixing chamber and configured to expand the fluid mixture therein for delivery to a downstream component.

Abstract: The present application provides a steam turbine driven by a flow of steam. The steam turbine may include a rotor, a number of nozzles positioned about the rotor, and a number of nozzle diaphragms. One or more of the nozzle diaphragms may include an inducer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for delivering a fluid mixture using direct injection to a mixing apparatus. The apparatus including a proppant storage vessel configured to contain therein a proppant material and output a proppant output flow at ambient pressure to a solid feed pump assembly. The apparatus further including a fracturing fluid storage vessel configured to contain therein a fracturing fluid and output a fracturing fluid output flow at a fracture fluid blending pressure. The solid feed pump assembly configured to output to a mixing apparatus, a proppant output flow at the fracture fluid blending pressure. The mixing apparatus configured to output a fluid mixture of the proppant and the fracturing fluid at the fracture fluid blending pressure. The mixing apparatus coupled to a high pressure pump assembly and configured to deliver the fluid mixture therein to a downstream component at an injection pressure.

Abstract: An adjustable support apparatus for a steam turbine nozzle assembly is disclosed. In one embodiment, a steam turbine apparatus includes: a diaphragm segment having a horizontal joint surface and an angled ledge below the horizontal joint surface, the angled ledge configured to receive a complementary angled portion of a wedge member.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for delivering a fluid using non-mechanical lock hopper eductor assembly. The assembly including at least one lock hopper coupled to an eductor motive fluid inlet, a source of a treatment material and a suction flow outlet. The lock hopper configured to contain therein a pressurized treatment fluid as an output suction flow. The lock hopper is coupled to an eductor pump assembly. The eductor pump assembly including a suction chamber in fluidic communication with the eductor motive fluid inlet, the suction flow outlet and a fluid mixture outlet. The suction chamber configured to output a fluid mixture to a mixing chamber coupled to said fluid mixture outlet and configured to mix the fluid mixture therein. The eductor pump assembly further including an expansion feature coupled to said mixing chamber and configured to expand the fluid mixture therein for delivery to a downstream component.

Abstract: The present application provides a steam turbine driven by a flow of steam. The steam turbine may include a rotor, a number of nozzles positioned about the rotor, and a number of nozzle diaphragms. One or more of the nozzle diaphragms may include an inducer.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a seal ring. The method includes positioning a mount assembly adjacent to at least one of an inner diameter and an outer diameter of an annular seal ring, and securing the annular seal ring to the mounting assembly. The method also includes forming at least one of an admission side hook and a steam joint side hook in the annular seal ring.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a seal ring. The method includes positioning a mount assembly adjacent to at least one of an inner diameter and an outer diameter of an annular seal ring, and securing the annular seal ring to the mounting assembly. The method also includes forming at least one of an admission side hook and a steam joint side hook in the annular seal ring.

Abstract: A method for assembling a rotary machine is provided. The method includes providing at least one seal assembly that includes at least one annular seal housing defined by a top wall, a front wall, and a rear wall, that are connected together such that a cavity is defined within the housing, coupling a plurality of flexible plates within the cavity such that the plates are axially-spaced from the front wall and the rear wall within the cavity, coupling at least one side plate to the at least one annular seal housing such that the at least one side plate is moveable with respect the front wall and the rear wall, and coupling the at least one sealing assembly within a rotary machine to facilitate sealing between a rotary component and a stator component.

Abstract: An adjustable support apparatus for a steam turbine nozzle assembly is disclosed. In one embodiment, a steam turbine apparatus includes: a diaphragm segment having a horizontal joint surface and an angled ledge below the horizontal joint surface, the angled ledge configured to receive a complementary angled portion of a wedge member.

Abstract: Steam turbine nozzle segments with conical interfaces are disclosed. In one embodiment a steam turbine static nozzle blade includes: an airfoil; an inner sidewall integral with a first side of the airfoil; and an outer sidewall integral with a second side of the airfoil; the inner sidewall and the outer sidewall each including: a pressure side having an arcuate concave surface extending substantially an entire length of the sidewall; and a suction side having an arcuate convex surface extending substantially the entire length of the sidewall.

Abstract: A method and seal assembly for a rotary machine including a rotary component and a stationary component is provided. The method includes providing a seal housing including a front plate and a back plate that is spaced from the front plate such that a cavity is defined between the front plate and the back plate. The method also includes coupling a plurality of flexible compliant plates to at least one of the seal housing and the stationary component such that the compliant plates are spaced from the front plate and the back plate within the cavity, and coupling at least one projection to at least one of the seal housing and the compliant plates such that the at least one projection facilitates reducing flow through at least one of a first axial gap and a second axial gap that are defined between the seal housing and the compliant plates.

Abstract: A method and seal assembly for sealing a rotary machine including a rotary component and a stationary component is provided. The method includes providing a plurality of flexible leaf plates in an opening defined between a pair of spaced walls that include an adjustable front wall and an adjustable back wall that is opposed to the front wall. The method also includes adjusting a width of the opening by axially adjusting at least one of the front and back walls with respect to a central rotational axis of the rotary component.

Abstract: A method and seal assembly for a rotary machine including a rotary component and a stationary component is provided. The method includes providing a seal housing including a front plate and a back plate that is spaced from the front plate such that a cavity is defined between the front plate and the back plate. The method also includes coupling a plurality of flexible compliant plates to at least one of the seal housing and the stationary component such that the compliant plates are spaced from the front plate and the back plate within the cavity, and coupling at least one projection to at least one of the seal housing and the compliant plates such that the at least one projection facilitates reducing flow through at least one of a first axial gap and a second axial gap that are defined between the seal housing and the compliant plates.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a seal ring. The method includes positioning a mount assembly adjacent to at least one of an inner diameter and an outer diameter of an annular seal ring, and securing the annular seal ring to the mounting assembly. The method also includes forming at least one of an admission side hook and a steam joint side hook in the annular seal ring.

Abstract: A method is provided for assembling a turbine engine. The method includes providing a retro-fit seal ring assembly that includes a plurality of unitary, arcuate ring segments that are circumferentially-spaced about a center axis of the ring assembly. Each of the plurality of ring segments includes a body and at least one integrally formed tooth that extends radially inward therefrom. The methods also includes extending at least one fastener through the body of each of the plurality of ring segments, and removably coupling each of the plurality of ring segments to an outer surface of a stationary component within the turbine engine using the at least one fastener.

Abstract: A method of assembling a seal assembly for a turbine engine is provided, wherein the method includes providing a seal ring having an arcuate inner ring portion, an arcuate outer ring portion, and a neck portion extending therebetween, and forming at least one recess within at least one of the outer ring portion and the neck portion. The method also includes extending a biasing mechanism across the seal ring such that the biasing mechanism is positively retained within the at least one recess.

Abstract: A method for assembling a rotary machine is provided. The method includes providing at least one seal assembly that includes at least one annular seal housing defined by a top wall, a front wall, and a rear wall, that are connected together such that a cavity is defined within the housing, coupling a plurality of flexible plates within the cavity such that the plates are axially-spaced from the front wall and the rear wall within the cavity, coupling at least one side plate to the at least one annular seal housing such that the at least one side plate is moveable with respect the front wall and the rear wall, and coupling the at least one sealing assembly within a rotary machine to facilitate sealing between a rotary component and a stator component.