Abstract: An array of blades for use in a turbomachine is provided comprising a plurality of blades mounted to a rotor disk. A plurality of first blades form a first set of blades and a plurality of second blades form a second set of blades. A blade-to-blade flow field defined between successive ones of the first set of blades is interrupted by the second set of blades to form an asymmetric blade-to-blade flow field around the array of blades. The trailing edges of the second set of blades are positioned forwardly from a line connecting the trailing edges of the first set of blades such that shock forces in the flow field around the array of blades will generally impinge on a stable region of the first set of blades.

Abstract: An array of blades for use in a turbomachine is provided comprising a plurality of blades mounted to a rotor disk. A plurality of first blades form a first set of blades and a plurality of second blades form a second set of blades. A blade-to-blade flow field defined between successive ones of the first set of blades is interrupted by the second set of blades to form an asymmetric blade-to-blade flow field around the array of blades. The trailing edges of the second set of blades are positioned forwardly from a line connecting the trailing edges of the first set of blades such that shock forces in the flow field around the array of blades will generally impinge on a stable region of the first set of blades.

Abstract: A family of sprayable, high viscosity thixotropic surface cleaners which include (i) a thickening agent present in a sufficient amount to impart a viscosity of at least 6,000 cP at standard temperature and pressure when the cleaners are in a rest state; (ii) an aqueous solvent system including water and at least one miscible organic solvent; (iii) a sufficient amount of a thickening agent compatible surfactant; and (iv) sufficient base to provide a pH range to the cleaners ranging from about 5 to about 10. The family of surface cleaners become finely divided fluids when dispensed under high flow or high shear conditions from a sprayer and undergo transformation to semisolid states after dispensing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing steam swirl in a steam turbine. A plurality of seal segments (14) are circumferentially juxtaposed to form a seal ring (12) encircling the turbine shaft (10), each seal segment (14) supporting a plurality of circumferentially disposed annular seal fins (20) to limit axial steam flow along the shaft (10). A plurality of flow dams (40) are disposed within grooves (42) defined in the plurality of seal fins (20) and seal segments (14) for limiting circumferential steam flow and thereby reducing rotor instability.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing steam swirl in a steam turbine. A plurality of seal segments (14) are circumferentially juxtaposed to form a seal ring (12) encircling the turbine shaft (10), each seal segment (14) supporting a plurality of circumferentially disposed annular seal fins (20) to limit axial steam flow along the shaft (10). A plurality of flow dams (40) are disposed within grooves (42) defined in the plurality of seal fins (20) and seal segments (14) for limiting circumferential steam flow and thereby reducing rotor instability.

Abstract: A dual-fluid cooling spray device for use with a steam turbine. The steam turbine includes a casing, a plurality of rotating blades and a plurality of stationary vanes. The dual fluid spray device includes a nozzle adjacent to one row of rotating blades and/or stationary vanes, and a dual fluid housing assembly penetrating the casing and coupled to the nozzle. Both a steam pipe and a water pipe are coupled to the dual-fluid housing assembly.

Abstract: A steam turbine having improved stationary parts in which a moisture removal slot is formed in a blade ring cylinder immediately upstream of the last row of rotating blades. The slot has a reduced width inlet throat portion and an enlarged manifold portion. The manifold portion of the slot distributes the moisture collected to a plurality of radially oriented discharge holes formed in the blade ring. The inlet throat serves to insolate the manifold from the swirling steam flowing through the turbine, thereby preventing entrainment of the moisture droplets into the steam flow. The blade ring encircles the tips of the last row of rotating blades and the outer flow guide is integrally formed on the blade ring. The steam turbine also has a new inner flow guide that matches a new last row of rotating blades. The new inner flow guide is attached to the existing inner flow guide by welds.

Abstract: A steam turbine having improved stationary parts in which a moisture removal slot is formed in a blade ring cylinder immediately upstream of the last row of rotating blades. The slot has a reduced width inlet throat portion and an enlarged manifold portion. The manifold portion of the slot distributes the moisture collected to a plurality of radially oriented discharge holes formed in the blade ring. The inlet throat serves to insolate the manifold from the swirling steam flowing through the turbine, thereby preventing entrainment of the moisture droplets into the steam flow. The blade ring encircles the tips of the last row of rotating blades and the outer flow guide is integrally formed on the blade ring. The steam turbine also has a new inner flow guide that matches a new last row of rotating blades. The new inner flow guide is attached to the existing inner flow guide by welds.

Abstract: An exhaust system for an axial flow turbomachine having a diffuser comprised of inner and outer flow guides that direct the flow of working fluid from a turbine cylinder to an exhaust housing having a bottom opening, thereby turning the flow 90.degree. from the axial to radial direction. The flow exiting at the top of the diffuser is directed by a flow-guiding surface of the exhaust housing to turn 180.degree. from the vertically upward direction to the downward direction. The axial length of the outer flow varies around the circumference thereof as a function of the distance from the flow-guiding surface of the exhaust housing to the inlet of the outer flow guide so that the axial length of the outer flow guide is less than 30% of the height of the last row blade airfoil throughout any portions of the outer flow guide in which the distance from the flow-guiding surface to the outer flow guide inlet is less than the height of the airfoil.

Abstract: A steam turbine having improved stationary parts in which a moisture removal slot is formed in a blade ring cylinder immediately upstream of the last row of rotating blades. The slot has a reduced width inlet throat portion and an enlarged manifold portion. The manifold portion of the slot distributes the moisture collected to a plurality of radially oriented discharge holes formed in the blade ring. The inlet throat serves to insolate the manifold from the swirling steam flowing through the turbine, thereby preventing entrainment of the moisture droplets into the steam flow. The blade ring encircles the tips of the last row of rotating blades and the outer flow guide is integrally formed on the blade ring. The steam turbine also has a new inner flow guide that matches a new last row of rotating blades. The new inner flow guide is attached to the existing inner flow guide by welds.

Abstract: An exhaust system for an axial flow turbomachine is provided having a diffuser that directs the flow of working fluid from a turbine exit to an exhaust housing having a bottom opening, thereby turning the flow 90.degree. from the axial to radial direction. In the exhaust housing, the flow exiting at the top of the diffuser turns 180.degree. from the vertically upward direction to the downward direction. The strength of the vortex formed in the exhaust housing as a result of this turning is minimized by orienting the outlet of an outer exhaust flow guide portion of the diffuser so that it lies in a plane that makes an angle with a plane perpendicular to the turbine axis. As a result, the minimum axial length of the outer flow guide occurs at a location remote from the exhaust housing outlet and the maximum axial length occurs at a location proximate the opening, thereby crowding the vortex against a radially extending baffle in the exhaust housing.

Abstract: A method of installing a seal having a sealing surface in a defined operating position in a rotating machine composed of a stationary part which carries the seal and a rotary part mounted to rotate about an axis of rotation and having a cylindrical surface located to rotate adjacent, and in close proximity, to the sealing surface, which method includes: installing the seal on the stationary part in a position corresponding to the defined operating position so that the seal is immovable relative to the stationary part; machining the sealing surface to a desired final dimension by mounting a machine tool to rotate about the axis of rotation and rotating the tool about that axis; withdrawing the tool; and modifying the installation of the seal so that the seal is supported in the defined operating position so as to be resiliently movable relative to the stationary part.

Abstract: A honeycomb labyrinth seal includes a downstream-most row of honeycomb cells which extends beyond the exit edge of a base portion, so that a portion of each cell of the downstream-most row of honeycomb cells overhangs the base portion by an amount approximately equal to one half the width of the drainage passages formed in the base portion.

Abstract: A pressure sensing probe 10 includes an elliposoidally shaped symmetric probe body 12 with fluid orifices 14 and 16 facing into and away from the flow. The orifices 14 and 16 facing in opposite directions allows direction of flow to be detected along with pressure magnitude. The symmetric body shape allows the probe 10 to operate satisfactorily with some misalignment with respect to the flow direction 32 but perpendicularity between orifices 14 and 16 and the flow direction 32 is preferred. The body 12 is ellipsoidally shaped to maximize the difference in pressure between the two orifices 14 and 16 and is held away from pipe wall turbulence by a symmetric stem 18. The ellipsoidal shape of the body 12 and stem 18 are also designed to minimize turbulence in the fluid created by the probe 10. The length to diameter ratio of the ellipsoidal shape of the probe body 12 changes depending upon fluid density and flow speed and the desires to maximize the pressure signal while minimizing flow disturbance.

Abstract: A circular grooved honeycomb labyrinth seal having a plurality of arcuate base portions, a plurality of honeycomb-shaped cell portions extending radially inwardly from the base portion with a plurality of passages disposed adjacent the base portion, the passages being in fluid communication with each cell and with the upstream side and the downstream side of the honeycomb labyrinth seal.

Abstract: A support configuration between a turbine and associated condenser for compensating unbalanced pressure forces on the turbine with unbalanced pressure forces exerted on the condenser. A portion of the condenser floor is elevated above the remaining part of the condenser floor, is flexibly connected therewith, and constitutes a vacuum balance plate which is structurally connected to the turbine. Due to its flexible connection with the condenser, the vacuum balance plate is permitted limited displacement relative to the remaining portion of the condenser floor and can thus transmit unbalanced pressure forces exerted thereon through the structural members to the turbine so as to minimize the condenser vacuum load on the turbine's foundation. The vacuum balance plate's elevation is greater than the condenser's adjacent hot well floor and is preferably greater than the condenser's maximum condensate height.