Abstract: Systems, methods and devices adapted to ease installation of turbine bucket assemblies about a rotor and to reduce related stress concentrations in the rotor are disclosed. In one embodiment, an insert includes: a base portion adapted to complement an entry slot in a rotor of a turbine; and a neck portion extending radially outboard from the base portion, the neck portion adapted to complement a post of the rotor to form a substantially continuous dovetail about the rotor.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices adapted to ease installation of turbine bucket assemblies about a rotor and to reduce related stress concentrations in the rotor are disclosed. In one embodiment, an insert includes: a base portion adapted to complement an entry slot in a rotor of a turbine; and a neck portion extending radially outboard from the base portion, the neck portion adapted to complement a post of the rotor to form a substantially continuous dovetail about the rotor.

Abstract: A low pressure steam turbine is disclosed including a rotor having: a rotor body; and a plurality of bucket stages disposed axially along the rotor body, the plurality of bucket stages including a last bucket stage; and a nozzle assembly at least partially surrounding the rotor, the nozzle assembly including a plurality of nozzle stages corresponding to the plurality of bucket stages, wherein a nozzle in a nozzle stage axially upstream of the last bucket stage is adjustable to modify a fluid flow within the last bucket stage during operation of the low pressure steam turbine.

Abstract: A steam turbine and a rotor are disclosed having steam extending internally along at least part of the rotor. The rotor includes an interface and a steam passage system formed in the rotor, the passage system including a first inlet flow passage to the interface, the first inlet flow passage configured to receive steam from a first region of an outer surface of the rotor, a first outlet flow passage from the interface, the first outlet flow passage configured to pass steam to a second region of the rotor, a second inlet flow passage to the interface, the second inlet flow passage configured to receive steam from a third region of the outer surface of the rotor, a second outlet flow passage from the interface, the second outlet flow passage configured to pass steam to a fourth region of the rotor.

Abstract: A device includes a stationary, rotary component, and a fiber optic sensing system. The fiber optic sensing system includes a cable having one or more fiber optic sensors disposed on the stationary component, the rotary component, or combinations thereof. The fiber optic sensing system is configured to detect one or more first parameters including temperature, strain, pressure, vibration, torque; or combinations thereof related to the stationary component, the rotary component, or combinations thereof. The one or more first parameters is used to determine one or more second parameters including thermal expansion, clearance, fluid flow rate variation, condensation, fluid leakage, thermal loss, life, thermal stress, or combinations thereof related to the stationary component, the rotary component, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method includes transmitting light through at least one transmission optical fiber towards a target, receiving light reflected from the target through at least one signal optical fiber, filtering the received light at least two different wavelengths, and using the filtered light to detect a clearance variation. An optical fiber probe includes a plurality of optical fibers, a moisture-resistant enclosure enclosing the optical fibers, a hydrophobic layer situated over an end of the optical fiber probe for preventing moisture from reaching the optical fibers, and a broadband transmission layer between ends of the optical fibers and the hydrophobic layer.

Abstract: A fiberoptic system for clearance detection between rotating and stationary turbomachinery components is presented. The system comprises an optical fiber probe comprising a plurality of optical fibers, at least one of the optical fibers comprising a transmission fiber and at least one of the optical fibers comprising a signal fiber; a light source for providing light through the transmission fiber towards a target; filters for receiving light from the signal fibers, at least two of the filters for filtering different wavelengths; and at least one photodetector for receiving filtered light from the filters.

Abstract: A steam turbine and a rotor are disclosed having steam extending internally along at least part of the rotor. The rotor includes an interface and a steam passage system formed in the rotor, the passage system including a first inlet flow passage to the interface, the first inlet flow passage configured to receive steam from a first region of an outer surface of the rotor, a first outlet flow passage from the interface, the first outlet flow passage configured to pass steam to a second region of the rotor, a second inlet flow passage to the interface, the second inlet flow passage configured to receive steam from a third region of the outer surface of the rotor, a second outlet flow passage from the interface, the second outlet flow passage configured to pass steam to a fourth region of the rotor.

Abstract: Solutions for clutching steam turbine low pressure sections are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes: a first low pressure steam turbine including a first shaft; a second low pressure steam turbine including a second shaft; a clutch for coupling and uncoupling the first shaft and the second shaft; a conduit for delivering a working fluid to the first low pressure steam turbine and the second low pressure steam turbine; a valve within the conduit, the valve having an open position and a closed position, the closed position preventing flow of the working fluid to the second low pressure steam turbine; and a controller for operating the clutch and the valve, the controller uncoupling the second shaft from the first shaft and closing the valve in response to the first and second low pressure steam turbine attaining a predetermined low part load.

Abstract: A fiberoptic system for clearance detection between rotating and stationary turbomachinery components is presented. The system comprises an optical fiber probe comprising a plurality of optical fibers, at least one of the optical fibers comprising a transmission fiber and at least one of the optical fibers comprising a signal fiber; a light source for providing light through the transmission fiber towards a target; filters for receiving light from the signal fibers, at least two of the filters for filtering different wavelengths; and at least one photodetector for receiving filtered light from the filters.

Abstract: A device includes a stationary, rotary component, and a fiber optic sensing system. The fiber optic sensing system includes a cable having one or more fiber optic sensors disposed on the stationary component, the rotary component, or combinations thereof. The fiber optic sensing system is configured to detect one or more first parameters including temperature, strain, pressure, vibration, torque; or combinations thereof related to the stationary component, the rotary component, or combinations thereof. The one or more first parameters is used to determine one or more second parameters including thermal expansion, clearance, fluid flow rate variation, condensation, fluid leakage, thermal loss, life, thermal stress, or combinations thereof related to the stationary component, the rotary component, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method for measuring temperature of a rotating body such as a steam turbine is provided. The method includes striking a light beam onto the rotating body onto the rotating body and measuring a reflectance of the light beam from the rotating body. The method further includes obtaining a temperature of the rotating body based upon the measured reflectance.