Abstract: A self-aligning, sealing assembly in accordance with the present invention includes a sealing apparatus and at least one preloading device. The sealing assembly is mounted in machinery which has a rotating shaft and a stationary member with an inner surface which is spaced from and surrounds a shaft. A slot is located in and extends around the inner surface of the stationary member. The slot has an upstream surface, a downstream surface, and an outer surface. The sealing apparatus is adjustably disposed in the slot and has an inner surface, an outer surface, an upstream surface and a downstream surface. Labyrinth seal teeth extend radially inward from the inner surface of the sealing apparatus. Each tooth is radially spaced from the shaft to form a non-contact seal. A space between the outer surface of the ring and the inner surface of the slot is designed to accommodate radial movement of the ring resulting from radial movement of the shaft.

Abstract: Outer and inner endwall sections are so profiled that, essentially, the flowpath is straight or flat in the direction of flow. The profiles are defined by lines of revolution about a centerline of a turbine, and shaped as projections upstream from blade tips or bases, tangent to such blade tips or bases, axially, and radially, conforming to a mean obtaining between convex and concave surfaces of the nozzle.

Abstract: A substantially cylindrical, plug-type configuration of the element offers a mass which is less responsive to non-uniform and unsteady pressures, and channeling therein opens centrally, and about the periphery thereof, onto a recess formed in an end of the element which closes onto a valve seat. The channeling and recess are cooperative to assure that the balance-end of the element will have average, representative pressures conducted thereto.

Abstract: An overhung steam turbine is described which features a seal assembly and a bearing assembly to minimize axial shaft movement. The seal assembly forms a pressure barrier between a relatively low vacuum exhaust region and an exhaust cavity disposed at one end of the rotor shaft to minimize the pressure differential across the ends of the shaft and the resultant thrust force of the rotor shaft against the turbine casing. A bearing assembly is provided which includes a pair of journal bearings and a pair of oppositely disposed thrust bearings. In one embodiment one thrust bearing is connected by an adapter ring which is mounted to a horizontally split bearing casing. In another embodiment, the thrust bearing is carried by one of the journal bearings. The journal bearings are preferrably connected by horizontally split ring bearings to facilitate insertion and removal of the bearings without removing the overhung shaft.