Abstract: Apparatus and method for indicating whether friction forces within a position modulating valve are approaching a predetermined friction value. The invention includes pressure detectors which monitor the pressure forces required by the valve actuator to move the valve plug predetermined distances toward open and seated positions. Means are provided which generate signal proportional to the difference between opening and seating actuating pressures and which is functionally related to the friction force within the valve. Means for comparing the generated signal to a predetermined reference signal, and for indicating if the generated signal exceeds the reference, are also provided.

Abstract: An electric power plant having dual turbine-generators and a steam source which includes a high temperature gas-cooled nuclear reactor. Each turbine includes a high pressure portion driven by superheat steam and a lower pressure portion driven by reheat steam. A turbine bypass system permits minimum flows of superheat and reheat steam from the source at times when the turbines require flows of such steam that are less than the minimum flows. Before it is reheated, steam that has passed through the high pressure portions and their bypass lines drives auxiliary steam turbines that rotate means for propelling the coolant gas through the reactor. During acceleration of a turbine-generator to its synchronous speed, one of the steam flows through its high and lower pressure portions is varied to govern the shaft speed, while the other flow is held relatively constant, that one of the flows which is varied being determined by the shaft speed.

Abstract: An electric power plant having dual turbine-generators connected to a steam source that includes a high temperature gas cooled nuclear reactor. Each turbine comprises a high pressure portion operated by superheat steam and an intermediate-low pressure portion operated by reheat steam; a bypass line is connected across each turbine portion to permit a desired minimum flow of steam from the source at times when the combined flow of steam through the turbine is less than the minimum. Coolant gas is propelled through the reactor by a circulator which is driven by an auxiliary turbine which uses steam exhausted from the high pressure portions and their bypass lines. The pressure of the reheat steam is controlled by a single proportional-plus-integral controller which governs the steam flow through the bypass lines associated with the intermediate-low pressure portions.

Abstract: An electric power plant having a cross compound steam turbine and a steam source that includes a high temperature gas-cooled nuclear reactor. The steam turbine includes high and intermediate-pressure portions which drive a first generating means, and a low-pressure portion which drives a second generating means. The steam source supplies superheat steam to the high-pressure turbine portion, and an associated bypass permits the superheat steam to flow from the source to the exhaust of the high-pressure portion. The intermediate and low-pressure portions use reheat steam; an associated bypass permits reheat steam to flow from the source to the low-pressure exhaust. An auxiliary turbine driven by steam exhausted from the high-pressure portion and its bypass drives a gas blower to propel the coolant gas through the reactor.

Abstract: A power plant including dual steam turbine-generators connected to pass superheat and reheat steam from a steam generator which derives heat from the coolant gas of a high temperature gas-cooled nuclear reactor. Associated with each turbine is a bypass line to conduct superheat steam in parallel with a high pressure turbine portion, and a bypass line to conduct superheat steam in parallel with a lower pressure turbine portion. Auxiliary steam turbines pass a portion of the steam flow to the reheater of the steam generator and drive gas blowers which circulate the coolant gas through the reactor and the steam source. Apparatus and method are disclosed for loading or unloading a turbine-generator while the other produces a steady power output. During such loading or unloading, the steam flows through the turbine portions are coordinated with the steam flows through the bypass lines for protection of the steam generator, and the pressure of reheated steam is regulated for improved performance of the gas blowers.

Abstract: A control system is disclosed for a high temperature gas cooled reactor power plant, wherein a steam source derives heat from the reactor coolant gas to generate superheated and reheated steam in respective superheater and reheater sections that are included in the steam source. Each of dual turbine-generators includes a high pressure turbine to pass superheated steam and an associated intermediate low pressure turbine to pass reheated steam. A first admission valve means is connected to govern a flow of superheated steam through a high pressure turbine, and a second admission valve means is connected to govern a flow of reheated steam through an intermediate-low pressure turbine. A bypass line and bypass valve means connected therein are connected across a second admission valve means and its intermediate-low pressure turbine.

Abstract: A positioning device for varying a predetermined distance between a position sensor element and a rotor member disposed within a turbine apparatus. The positioning device comprises a concentric arrangement of rectilinearly displaceable members biased towards normal positions within a casing. Each member is displaced relative to the casing to either increase or decrease the predetermined distance between the sensor element and the rotor member.

Abstract: An electrohydraulic emergency trip system which automatically shuts off the steam supply to a turbine power plant upon the detection of specific operational contingencies is disclosed. The hydraulic portion of the system includes two pair of combined electrical and hydraulically operated pilot trip valves that are so arranged that the opening of any one valve of each pair decreases the hydraulic trip pressure to close rapidly the steam inlet valves to the turbine; that an open or closed failure of a single trip valve does not prevent a valid trip or cause an unwarranted trip; and finally that an open failure of one pair of the valves does not result in an unwarranted trip. Each pair of valves is electrically operated from an independent voltage source such that the electrical failure of one source does not cause or prevent an unwarranted turbine trip.