Abstract: Shape-tube electrochemical machining (STEM) systems, and methods of forming curved holes in components using STEM systems are disclosed. The systems may include a slider element, and an electrode coupled to the slider element. The electrode may include a linear body section, and a tip section. The tip section may be angled at a non-linear angle relative to the linear body section. The systems may also include a guide block slidably engaging the electrode. The guide block may include at least one aperture formed between a first and second section. The aperture(s) may receive the electrode. Additionally, the systems may include an electrode positioning block coupled to the linear body section of the electrode. The electrode positioning block may position the tip section of the electrode at a desired orientation relative to a component receiving the tip section to form a curved hole in the component.

Abstract: An annular diffuser has its inlet located at the exit of a last row of blades of a gas turbine having initially very slowly increasing cross-sectional area with distance to accommodate the diffusion produced by the decaying wakes in the diffuser so as to prevent flow separation from diffuser walls and as a result to foster the diffusion process and to increase the efficiency of the gas turbine. The rate of increase of cross-sectional area, which is much smaller than that appropriate in diffusers having uniform flow at their inlets, allows wakes which form near the trailing edges of the last turbine blades to dissipate while avoiding flow separation. In the diffuser of this invention, at a distance from inlet of one half of diffuser height at inlet, the cross-sectional area increase is smaller than 6.5% of the inlet cross-sectional area. This is equivalent to the corresponding two-dimensional straight-wall diffuser angle of, approximately 3.7 degrees.

Abstract: A flow by-pass system is provided in a downward-discharging exhaust hood of a steam turbine to by-pass a small percentage of the total steam flow from the top portion of the exhaust hood to the vicinity of the condenser and in that way relieve excess pressure in the top portion incident to the more convoluted path of the main portion of steam passing from the top to the bottom and to decrease energy loss caused by friction and thus to improve turbine efficiency. The flow by-pass system includes by-pass conduits within the front portion of the exhaust hood extending from the top portion to the vicinity of the condenser.

Abstract: An annular diffuser having its inlet located at the exit of a last row of blades of a steam turbine having initially very slowly increasing cross-sectional area with distance to accommodate the diffusion produced by the decaying wakes in the diffuser so as to prevent flow separation from diffuser walls and as a result to foster the diffusion process and to increase the efficiency of the steam turbine. The rate of increase of cross-sectional area, which is much smaller than that appropriate in diffusers having uniform incompressible flow at their inlets, allows wakes which form near the trailing edges of the last turbine blades to dissipate while avoiding flow separation. In the diffuser of this invention, whether it is one of fixed shape or one whose cross-sectional area can be changed by making use of an adjustable guide vane which surrounds at least a portion of the bearing cone, at a distance from inlet of one half of diffuser height at inlet, the cross-sectional area increase is smaller than 5.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the steam pressure at the exit of the last row of blades of a steam turbine by means of an adjustable guide vane assembly having a plurality of vane segments supported by the bearing cone that are moved to change the cross-sectional area of the exhaust flow passage so as to improve turbine efficiency under varying operating conditions by minimizing the average pressure in the annulus following the last row of turbine blades.

Abstract: In turbomachine apparatus having alternating rows of stator blades and rotor blades, there is provided discontinuities or nonuniformities on the downstream facing surfaces of at least one row of stator blades, the nonuniformities being adapted to disperse pressure waves reflected from downstream rotor blades. The nonuniformities may be an arrangement of grooves, ridges, or a combination of grooves and ridges on the downstream facing blade surfaces; other surface discontinuity configurations are also possible, such as an arrangement of potruding surface elements or dimples, or force-absorbing material selectively deposited on the dowstream-facing portion of the blade surfaces.