Abstract: A method to design a turbine including: estimating rates of thermal radial expansion for each of a stator and a rotor corresponding to a period of operation of the turbine; estimating a clearance between the rotor and the stator based on the rates of thermal radial expansion, and determining a mass or surface area of the stator or rotor based on the clearance.

Abstract: A clearance control apparatus providing compressed cooling air to a turbine casing in a gas turbine, the apparatus including: a cooling gas passage extending through an inner annular shell of the turbine casing; a cooling gas conduit connected to a compressor of the gas turbine and to the turbine casing, wherein the cooling gas conduit receives compressed air from the compressor and delivers the compressed air to the turbine casing, and wherein the cooling gas conduit is in fluid communication with the cooling gas passage, and a heat exchanger connected to the cooling gas conduit and to a fuel conduit delivering fuel to a combustor of the gas turbine, wherein the heat exchanger transfers heat from the cooling gas to the fuel.

Abstract: A power generation system may include a generator; a gas turbine system for powering the generator, the gas turbine system including a turbine component, an integral compressor and a combustor to which air from the integral compressor and fuel are supplied, the combustor arranged to supply hot combustion gases to the turbine component, and the integral compressor having a flow capacity greater than an intake capacity of at least one of the combustor and the turbine component, creating an excess air flow. A first control valve system controls flow of the excess air flow along an excess air flow path to a supplemental gas turbine system. The excess air flow may be combusted with a fuel and supplied to the supplemental gas turbine system. An eductor may be positioned in the excess air flow path for using the excess air flow as a motive force to augment the excess air flow with additional gas.

Abstract: A gas turbomachine includes a casing assembly surrounding a portion of the gas turbomachine and a counter-flow cooling system arranged within the casing. The counter-flow cooling system is configured and disposed to guide cooling fluid through the casing assembly in a first axial direction and return cooling fluid through the casing assembly in a second axial direction that is opposite the first axial direction.

Abstract: A gas turbomachine includes a casing assembly surrounding a portion of the gas turbomachine. The casing assembly includes an inner casing portion defining a casing volume VC and a counter-flow cooling system arranged within the inner casing portion. The counter-flow cooling system includes a plurality of ducts that collectively define a channel volume Vch. The plurality of ducts is configured and disposed to guide cooling fluid through the casing assembly in a first axial direction and return cooling fluid through the casing assembly in a second axial direction that is opposite the first axial direction. The casing volume and the channel volume define a volume ratio of about 0.0002<VCh/VC<0.9.

Abstract: A power generation system may include a generator; a gas turbine system for powering the generator, the gas turbine system including a turbine component, an integral compressor and a combustor to which air from the integral compressor and fuel are supplied, the combustor arranged to supply hot combustion gases to the turbine component, and the integral compressor having a flow capacity greater than an intake capacity of at least one of the combustor and the turbine component, creating an excess air flow. A first control valve system controls flow of the excess air flow along an excess air flow path to a supplemental gas turbine system. The excess air flow may be combusted with a fuel and supplied to the supplemental gas turbine system. An eductor may be positioned in the excess air flow path for using the excess air flow as a motive force to augment the excess air flow with additional gas.

Abstract: A power generation system may include a gas turbine system including a turbine component, an integral compressor and a combustor to which air from the integral compressor and fuel are supplied. The combustor is arranged to supply hot combustion gases to the turbine component, and the integral compressor has a flow capacity greater than an intake capacity of the combustor and/or the turbine component, creating an excess air flow. A turbo-expander powers a generator. A first control valve controls flow of the excess air flow along an excess air flow path to the turbo-expander. An eductor may be positioned in the excess air flow path for using the excess air flow as a motive force to augment the excess air flow with additional air.

Abstract: A clearance control apparatus providing compressed cooling air to a turbine casing in a gas turbine, the apparatus including: a cooling gas passage extending through an inner annular shell of the turbine casing; a cooling gas conduit connected to a compressor of the gas turbine and to the turbine casing, wherein the cooling gas conduit receives compressed air from the compressor and delivers the compressed air to the turbine casing, and wherein the cooling gas conduit is in fluid communication with the cooling gas passage, and a heat exchanger connected to the cooling gas conduit and to a fuel conduit delivering fuel to a combustor of the gas turbine, wherein the heat exchanger transfers heat from the cooling gas to the fuel.

Abstract: A method to design a turbine including: estimating rates of thermal radial expansion for each of a stator and a rotor corresponding to a period of operation of the turbine; estimating a clearance between the rotor and the stator based on the rates of thermal radial expansion, and determining a mass or surface area of the stator or rotor based on the clearance.

Abstract: Measurement devices and methods for evaluating clearances between adjacent components in turbomachines are provided. A measurement device may include a tool and a controller. The tool and controller may determine the clearance by measuring the distance between the adjacent components. The controller may compare the clearance to a predetermined engineering clearance limit and/or a previously measured clearance. A method may include measuring the clearance with a device which includes a controller. The method may further include comparing the clearance in the controller to a predetermined engineering clearance limit and/or a previously measured clearance.

Abstract: A gas turbomachine includes a casing assembly surrounding a portion of the gas turbomachine and a counter-flow cooling system arranged within the casing. The counter-flow cooling system is configured and disposed to guide cooling fluid through the casing assembly in a first axial direction and return cooling fluid through the casing assembly in a second axial direction that is opposite the first axial direction.

Abstract: A method and system for protecting the rotor blade tips of rotary machines, particularly the compressors of gas turbine engines, comprising a rotor assembly having a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart rotor blades, with each blade extending radially outwardly from an inner wheel disk; a stator assembly comprising one or more rows of spaced-apart vanes extending between adjacent rows of the rotor blades; a casing extending circumferentially around the rotor and stator assemblies; and an abradable ceramic coating applied to selected areas of the interior cylindrical surface of the rotor casing to thereby provide a minimum clearance between the casing and rotor blades during start up and to thereafter ensure an effective compressor seal for compressed gas flow.

Abstract: A method of operating a turbine engine including coupling a heating assembly to the turbine engine for selectively heating a compressor casing. A sensor transmits a first monitoring signal indicative of a speed of a rotor assembly to a controller. The controller determines whether the turbine engine is operating in a first operating mode based at least in part on the received first monitoring signal, wherein during the first operating mode a minimum clearance distance is defined between the rotor assembly and the compressor casing. The compressor casing of the turbine engine is heated to increase the clearance distance between the compressor casing and the rotor assembly, if the turbine engine is in the first operating mode.

Abstract: A turbomachine includes a compressor provided with a casing having an inner surface defining a flow path. At least one blade is rotatable within the flow path. The at least one blade includes a tip portion that is spaced from the inner surface. At least one patch ring segment is mounted to the inner surface of the casing. The at least one patch ring segment includes a body having a first end that extends to a second end through a surface portion. A first wall member extends from the first end and a second wall member extends from the second end. The first and second wall members include in-turned sections that define a C-shaped cross-section of the at least one patch ring segment.

Abstract: The present application provides for a gas turbine engine system for turbine deceleration during shutdown procedures. The gas turbine engine system may include a rotor extending through a turbine, a generator engaged with the rotor, and a starting system in communication with the rotor. The starting system may reverse the operation of the generator so as to apply torque to the rotor during the shutdown procedures.

Abstract: A stator blade segment for a compressor includes an inner ring segment and an outer ring segment and a plurality of stator blades extending radially between the inner and outer ring segments, the stator blade secured to the outer ring at a shank portion of the blade and loosely held in a slot in the inner ring segment at a tip portion of the blade, the slot formed to substantially match a cross-sectional profile of the tip portion of the blade but sized to create a clearance between the tip portion and the slot.