Abstract: An adjustable gain controller for a steam turbine valve position control loop includes an electronic operator, a proportional controller, a derivative controller and an integral controller. A steam flow condition error signal is amplified by the reciprocal of the valve's regulation value. The amplified error signal is supplied to the electronic operator and to the integral controller. The electronic operator includes means for initially selecting a value of A and n and generating a gain factor from a nonlinear gain characteristic function utilizing those values in combination with the valve's regulation value and the normalized error signal. The electronic operator multiplies the amplified error signal by the gain factor and applies the resultant signal to the proportional controller and the derivative controller. The output signals from the proportional, derivative and integral controllers are summed together and that sum is input into an electrohydraulic valve actuator system.

Abstract: For use in combination with a turbine control system, an automatic signal selector to assure selection of a valid signal representation of an operating parameter of the controlled turbine. Redundant sensors provide multiple redundant signals representing the operating parameter. Each signal is applied to a corresponding range detection circuit which generates an alarm signal whenever the sensor signal is higher or lower than preselected values. Simultaneously, each sensor signal and each alarm signal is applied to a selector network which selects one of the sensor signals as a valid signal for turbine control purposes. Thus, if any one of the alarm signals is present, indicating that at least one sensor signal is outside the preselected range, the highest valued sensor signal is automatically selected for control purposes. On the other hand, if no alarm signals are present, the control signal is automatically selected to be an intermediate valued one of the sensor signals.

Abstract: An adaptive control system for controlling the temperature of desuperheated steam in a turbine bypass system. In one embodiment of the invention, redundant temperature sensors downstream of desuperheating water sprays provide an indication of the actual steam temperature after desuperheating has occurred. The highest value of temperature is automatically selected for control and to provide an error signal to a controller. The controller output, indicative of the deviation from a desired temperature, is multiplied by a factor proportional to steam flow in the bypass system. The multiplied signal is then utilized to proportionally position one or more water control valves to spray more or less water into the bypassed steam. The control system thus automatically adapts itself to variations in steam flow. Preferably, the steam flow is taken as the product of the position of a steam flow throttling valve in the bypass line and the steam supply pressure ahead of the valve.

Abstract: A control system for a steam turbine operated with a steam bypass system. In the control system, bypass valve control is according to setpoints generated as a function of a combined flow reference (CFR) signal. The CFR signal is representative of boiler outlet flow under all turbine operating phases and is generated by multiplying the sum of the steam admission control valve flow demand and the high pressure bypass flow demand by boiler pressure. An actual load demand (ALD) signal indicative of the turbine demand for steam is produced from the product of the steam admission control valve flow demand and boiler pressure, and is used for intercept valve control. Excessive steam flow in the lower pressure bypass subsystem is prevented by providing an override for the normal control to prevent high heat impact to the condenser and latter stages of the turbine high pressure section.

Abstract: A solution to the problem of excessive rotation loss heating in a bypass steam turbine has been provided by the introduction of a reverse flow of steam to the high-pressure section of the turbine during those operating periods in which such heating is of concern. The present invention is directed to a control system for automatically selecting either the forward or reverse steam flow regime as is most appropriate, depending on turbine and other related operating conditions. In a preferred embodiment, the control system includes means for selecting either a forward or reverse flow control signal to govern the steam admission control valves; means for controlling the reverse flow valve and having decisional logic for determining whether the reverse flow valve shall be open or closed; and means for controlling the ventilator valve and having decisional logic for determining whether the ventilator valve shall be open or closed.