Abstract: Rotor support structures for industrial machines are disclosed. The support structures may include a rigid base component including a top portion, a slide plate positioned above the rigid base component, and a bearing housing for a rotor, coupled to the slide plate. The bearing housing and the slide plate may be configured to slide or move over the rigid base component. The support structure may also include a plurality of retention blocks coupled to the bearing housing. Each of the plurality of retention blocks may include a moveable retention pin positioned through each of the plurality of retention blocks. The axial movement of the bearing housing and slide plate may compensate for thermal expansion of a turbine shell and/or may reduce vibrations of the rotor and bearing housing during operation of the industrial machines.

Abstract: Rotor support structures for industrial machines are disclosed. The support structures may include a rigid base component including a top portion, a slide plate positioned above the rigid base component, and a bearing housing for a rotor, coupled to the slide plate. The bearing housing and the slide plate may be configured to slide or move over the rigid base component. The support structure may also include a plurality of retention blocks coupled to the bearing housing. Each of the plurality of retention blocks may include a moveable retention pin positioned through each of the plurality of retention blocks. The axial movement of the bearing housing and slide plate may compensate for thermal expansion of a turbine shell and/or may reduce vibrations of the rotor and bearing housing during operation of the industrial machines.

Abstract: A standard for supporting a turbine rotor and a turbine shell includes a bearing block including a housing enclosing bearing surfaces engageable by the turbine rotor. Turbine shell-arm supports are located on opposite sides of the housing, the turbine shell-arm supports each having a horizontal and one or more vertical surfaces adapted to be engaged by support arms of a turbine shell enclosing at least a portion of the turbine. An internal cooling/heating circuit is arranged to simultaneously cool or heat the bearing block and the turbine shell-arm supports to thereby reduce differential thermal growth characteristics of the turbine rotor and turbine shell.

Abstract: A standard for supporting a turbine rotor and a turbine shell includes a bearing block including a housing enclosing bearing surfaces engageable by the turbine rotor. Turbine shell-arm supports are located on opposite sides of the housing, the turbine shell-arm supports each having a horizontal and one or more vertical surfaces adapted to be engaged by support arms of a turbine shell enclosing at least a portion of the turbine. An internal cooling/heating circuit is arranged to simultaneously cool or heat the bearing block and the turbine shell-arm supports to thereby reduce differential thermal growth characteristics of the turbine rotor and turbine shell.

Abstract: An extraction unit for a steam turbine includes an end plate mounted downstream of a selected stage of a steam turbine, the end plate sealing the selected stage from the atmosphere, and an extraction pipe passing through the end plate for extracting steam from the selected stage.

Abstract: An extraction unit for a steam turbine includes an end plate mounted downstream of a selected stage of a steam turbine, the end plate sealing the selected stage from the atmosphere, and an extraction pipe passing through the end plate for extracting steam from the selected stage.

Abstract: A temporary or portable traffic signal can be utilized to regulate traffic during power outages. However, when power is restored and the normal operation of the permanently installed traffic signal resumes, then a method of interconnecting the permanent and temporary systems ensures that the operation of the two system are synchronized in predetermined and/or selectable modes of operation. Whenever power is available, an interface detects operation of the permanently installed main system and produces signals that can be used in one mode of operation to direct the portable system to ignore its internal timing sequences and synchronize with the main system, or in another mode of operation to cease its operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are herein described which provide a door assembly for the drum door and lid of a top loading horizontal axis laundry machine. The drum door is provided with an automatic latch system that can be automatically latched and unlatched on command. In a presently preferred embodiment, the automatic drum latch employs a floating latch bar which engages or disengages a latch strike attached to the drum door, depending on its orientation at the time the drum door is depressed and released. An actuator is utilized to perform the task of depressing and releasing the drum door at the proper times. When the lid of the machine is closed, the drum is rotated to a selected rotational position that determines whether the automatic drum latch will latch or unlatch after an actuator is extended to depress the drum door and then is released.

Abstract: A method for assembling a power system is provided. The method includes coupling a first turbine and second turbine together with a coupling that extends between a first rotor of a first turbine and a second rotor of the second turbine, and such that the first turbine has fluid flow along a first flow path, and the second turbine has fluid flow along a second flow path. The method further includes fixedly coupling an outer wall to the first turbine that directs fluid flow from the first flow path towards the second flow path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are herein described which provide a door assembly for the drum door and lid of a top loading horizontal axis laundry machine. The drum door is provided with an automatic latch system that can be automatically latched and unlatched on command. In a presently preferred embodiment, the automatic drum latch employs a floating latch bar which engages or disengages a latch strike attached to the drum door, depending on its orientation at the time the drum door is depressed and released. An actuator is utilized to perform the task of depressing and releasing the drum door at the proper times. When the lid of the machine is closed, the drum is rotated to a selected rotational position that determines whether the automatic drum latch will latch or unlatch after an actuator is extended to depress the drum door and then is released.

Abstract: A method for assembling a power system is provided. The method includes coupling a first turbine and second turbine together with a coupling that extends between a first rotor of a first turbine and a second rotor of the second turbine, and such that the first turbine has fluid flow along a first flow path, and the second turbine has fluid flow along a second flow path. The method further includes fixedly coupling an outer wall to the first turbine that directs fluid flow from the first flow path towards the second flow path.

Abstract: The shafts of upstream and downstream turbines are interconnected by a coupling. A diffuser is provided in an intermediate cavity between the upstream and downstream turbines to recover kinetic energy, as well as minimize or eliminate windage and spinning losses resultant from exposure of the coupling to the flowpath along the turbines. A radial entry inlet provides a supplemental fluid admission into the intermediate cavity, the admission being turned axially and circumferentially for joining with the flow exiting the upstream turbine for combined flow to the downstream turbine.

Abstract: Assemblies and methods are provided that address ergonomic problems by providing a support member for adjusting the operating angle of the control panel to optimize the position thereof for personal requirements of individual users. The assembly also provides a robust construction that is even reliable for use on appliances such as laundry appliances that are subject to relatively high vibrations during operation. The assembly provides a recess in the appliance housing that mates to the shape of the control panel to thereby provide a prone setting which minimizes the packaged volume of the machine, with a resulting savings in the cost of packaging and shipping.

Abstract: The shafts of upstream and downstream turbines are interconnected by a coupling. A diffuser is provided in an intermediate cavity between the upstream and downstream turbines to recover kinetic energy, as well as minimize or eliminate windage and spinning losses resultant from exposure of the coupling to the flowpath along the turbines. A radial entry inlet provides a supplemental fluid admission into the intermediate cavity, the admission being turned axially and circumferentially for joining with the flow exiting the upstream turbine for combined flow to the downstream turbine.

Abstract: A device for installation in the tank of a standard toilet, which saves a significant quantity of water by limiting the duration of the flush each time the toilet is flushed by normal operation of the flush handle, yet it allows the operator to select a full flush by simply holding the handle down for approximately 3 seconds before releasing it. Since approximately 75% of all flushes are to eliminate liquid waste, and such flushes typically require 50% to 70% of the water needed to eliminate solid waste, this device can substantially reduce the water usage in a household or business. For new installations, the device is constructed as part of a modified overflow pipe. A second embodiment, intended for retrofit in existing toilets, is constructed in such a way as to allow it to be quickly and easily clamped over the overflow tube in the toilet tank, bringing the benefit of water conservation with convenience and at relatively low cost.

Abstract: A comparator has one input terminal connected to a reference voltage terminal and a second input terminal connected to sense the voltage on the resonator structure of a crystal filter. In the event the voltage on the resonator structure changes, such as by failure of the ground connection, the comparator generates an output signal indicating crystal filter failure.