Abstract: A plate for spreading bolt loading around the horizontal joint flanges of a turbomachine, such as a steam turbine, is provided. The plate is contoured so that its surface area substantially matches that of the surface of the steam turbine flange against which the compressive load associated with the joint bolt preloading is applied. The plate is disposed between the flange and the nuts on the joint bolts and is made from a high yield strength material so that the locally high stresses under the nuts do not cause creeping or yielding of the plate. The plate serves to distribute the compressive joint loading around the entire surface of the flange, thereby eliminating the locally high compressive stresses that can cause creep and yielding in the flange. Spherical counter bores are machined in the plate bolt holes and spherical washers are installed between the plate and the nuts so that misalignment of bolt holes does not cause the nuts to impose bending forces on the bolts.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for reducing humping in steam turbines, where the steam turbine includes a rotor assembly, rotatably mounted to a foundation, a stator assembly, positioned about said rotor assembly, an outer cylinder, to which the stator assembly is attached, which outer cylinder being divided into a cover half and a base half. The apparatus for reducing humping includes a plurality of support towers attached to the foundation and a plurality of support paws attached to the base half, wherein each support paw is mounted on a support tower. Each of said support paws is shown to include first and second sidewalls, each attached along one end to the base half and a top wall positioned between the side walls. The top wall and the first and second side walls define a cavity, whereby a portion of the support tower fits within the cavity. The division between the cover and base halves defines a joint. The first and second sidewalls are formed such that they extend beyond the joint.