Abstract: An insert and method for altering a through-hole in a body, such as a steam balance hole in a steam turbine rotor wheel. The insert has a body with oppositely-disposed first and second ends, a flange radially extending from the second end of the body, and an outer surface at a perimeter of the body between the first end and the flange. A first bore within the body defines a first opening at the first end, and the first bore and outer surface of the body cooperate to define therebetween a wall capable of being plastically deformed in a radially outward direction. A second bore within the body communicates with the first bore and has a smaller cross-section than the first bore. The installation method entails installing the insert in a through-hole and flaring the wall to clamp the axial thickness of the body between the flange and flared wall of the insert.

Abstract: A turbine wheel hole plug that includes: 1) an approximate cylindrical body, the cylindrical body sized such that the cylindrical body fits snugly into a turbine wheel hole; 2) a first flange at a first end of the cylindrical body, the first flange being approximately cylindrical in shape and having a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the turbine wheel hole; and 3) a second flange at a second end of the cylindrical body, the second flange comprising a flared flange. The first flange and the second flange may lock the cylindrical body into a preferred position in the turbine wheel hole.

Abstract: A method for plugging a turbine wheel hole in a turbine wheel. The method may include the steps of: 1) obtaining a turbine wheel hole plug that includes an approximate cylindrical body, a first flange at a first end of the body, and a hollow cylinder at the second end of the body, wherein the body, the first flange and the hollow cylinder are sized such that: a) the cylindrical body fits snuggly into the turbine wheel hole; b) the first flange comprises a diameter that is greater than the diameter of the turbine wheel hole; and c) the hollow cylinder protrudes from one end of the turbine wheel hole when the turbine wheel hole plug is inserted into the other end of the turbine wheel hole until the first flange abuts the turbine wheel; 2) positioning the turbine wheel hole plug into the turbine wheel hole; and 3) deforming the hollow cylinder so that the hollow cylinder flares outward.

Abstract: An insert and method for altering a through-hole in a body, such as a steam balance hole in a steam turbine rotor wheel. The insert has a body with oppositely-disposed first and second ends, a flange radially extending from the second end of the body, and an outer surface at a perimeter of the body between the first end and the flange. A first bore within the body defines a first opening at the first end, and the first bore and outer surface of the body cooperate to define therebetween a wall capable of being plastically deformed in a radially outward direction. A second bore within the body communicates with the first bore and has a smaller cross-section than the first bore. The installation method entails installing the insert in a through-hole and flaring the wall to clamp the axial thickness of the body between the flange and flared wall of the insert.

Abstract: Systems and methods of detecting and correcting the undesirable operation of a turbine by monitoring one or more sensor devices, where each sensor device monitors one or more operating parameter values associated with various turbine components. If any of the sensor devices detects that a particular operating parameter associated with one or more turbine components is operating in a range of unacceptable risk, then corrective action is taken which may include opening and or closing one or more of the steam valves associated with an inlet pipe until that particular operating parameter of the turbine is no longer operating in a range of unacceptable risk.

Abstract: A method for plugging a turbine wheel hole in a turbine wheel. The method may include the steps of: 1) obtaining a turbine wheel hole plug that includes an approximate cylindrical body, a first flange at a first end of the body, and a hollow cylinder at the second end of the body, wherein the body, the first flange and the hollow cylinder are sized such that: a) the cylindrical body fits snuggly into the turbine wheel hole; b) the first flange comprises a diameter that is greater than the diameter of the turbine wheel hole; and c) the hollow cylinder protrudes from one end of the turbine wheel hole when the turbine wheel hole plug is inserted into the other end of the turbine wheel hole until the first flange abuts the turbine wheel; 2) positioning the turbine wheel hole plug into the turbine wheel hole; and 3) deforming the hollow cylinder so that the hollow cylinder flares outward.

Abstract: A turbine wheel hole plug that includes: 1) an approximate cylindrical body, the cylindrical body sized such that the cylindrical body fits snugly into a turbine wheel hole; 2) a first flange at a first end of the cylindrical body, the first flange being approximately cylindrical in shape and having a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the turbine wheel hole; and 3) a second flange at a second end of the cylindrical body, the second flange comprising a flared flange. The first flange and the second flange may lock the cylindrical body into a preferred position in the turbine wheel hole.

Abstract: An automated computer-implemented steam turbine engine monitoring and control arrangement provides continual monitoring and performs ongoing analysis of turbine system operational parameters to identify turbine internal component degradation. Current operational data for selected parameters are compared with accumulated past operational parameter data on a continuing basis to detect gradual changes occurring over an extended period of turbine operation. Based upon a comparison of some or all of the particular monitored turbine system operational parameters, and on the amount or rate of detected change occurring over time, a determination is made as to whether internal component degradation has progressed to a significant degree and to which particular turbine internal components are most likely to have incurred damage or degradation.

Abstract: Systems and methods of detecting and correcting the undesirable operation of a turbine by monitoring one or more sensor devices, where each sensor device monitors one or more operating parameter values associated with various turbine components. If any of the sensor devices detects that a particular operating parameter associated with one or more turbine components is operating in a range of unacceptable risk, then corrective action is taken which may include opening and or closing one or more of the steam values associated with an inlet pipe until that particular operating parameter of the turbine is no longer operating in a range of unacceptable risk.

Abstract: A method and system for determining a limit exceedance of an operating parameter in a steam turbine system. Measurement data associated with the operating parameter is received, and a limit exceedance is determined when the rate of change in the received data over a predefined period of time exceeds a predefined limit. A control action is taken when a limit exceedance has been determined.

Abstract: A method of obtaining sealing steam temperature readings in a steam turbine where steam is used to seal turbine shaft ends includes (a) supplying pressurized sealing steam through a supply pipe to a steam seal header that, in turn, distributes the sealing steam to the shaft ends, respectively; (b) measuring temperature of the pressurized sealing steam at a location immediately adjacent at least one shaft end, downstream of the supply pipe; and (c) using temperature measurements from step (b) to insure that the pressurized sealing steam is within a predetermined acceptable range.

Abstract: A system and a method for controlling a steam turbine in accordance with an exemplary embodiment are provided. The steam turbine has a first turbine subassembly and a second turbine subassembly both operably coupled to a rotor shaft for rotating the rotor shaft. The rotor shaft extends along an axis and being rotatably supported by a thrust bearing. The method includes determining a magnitude of an axial force being applied by the rotor shaft against the thrust bearing. The method further includes reducing an amount of steam being supplied to at least one of the first and second turbine assemblies when the magnitude of the axial force being applied against the thrust bearing exceeds a threshold value.