Abstract: Disclosed is a nozzle assembly which includes a nozzle housing and a valve element axially slidable therewithin between a closed and an open position. The nozzle housing has a housing inlet and a housing outlet fluidly interconnected by a plurality of housing passages. The valve element has a truncated conical valve body including a conical outer surface and a concave inner surface with a plurality of valve apertures extending through the valve body. The outer surface is sealingly engagable to a valve seat formed in the housing outlet such that the flow of cooling water through the valve apertures is prevented when the valve element is in the closed position. The outer surface and valve seat collectively define an annular gap when the valve element is axially displaced to the open position such that a portion of the cooling water flowing through the annular gap may pass through the valve apertures.

Abstract: A liner system for a steam outlet pipe of a turbine bypass system comprises a liner mounted in spaced coaxial relation to the inner pipe wall such that an annular cavity is defined between the liner and the steam outlet pipe. The cavity is open on an upstream end and closed on a downstream end such that a quarter-wavelength resonator is formed for attenuating noise associated with a flow of superheated steam passing through the steam pipe. The liner may include a plurality of perforations to further attenuate noise in the steam outlet pipe. The open upstream end and closed downstream end of the cavity increases pressure within the cavity to prevent cooling water from entering the perforations and contacting the inner pipe wall. A wire mesh disposed against the outer liner wall may block cooling water penetration through the perforations and may further attenuate noise associated with the flow of superheated steam.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for measuring leakage flow rate of a valve wherein fluid flows through the valve in a single-phase flow of a gas or steam. The underlying principle upon which the leakage flow rate may be determined is that the heat loss across a length of bare pipe located downstream of the valve causes a decrease in the temperature of the leakage flow. Also disclosed is a method for measuring the leakage flow rate when the fluid passing through the valve transitions from a liquid-phase flow into a two-phase flow of liquid and steam. In two-phase flow, the underlying principle upon which the leakage flow rate may be determined is that any leakage of the valve will cause an increase in the pressure on the downstream side of the valve because of frictional resistance to flow in the downstream piping which corresponds to an increase in temperature thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a nozzle assembly having a nozzle housing and a valve element axially slidable therewithin between a closed and an open position. The nozzle housing has a housing inlet and a housing outlet fluidly interconnected by a plurality of housing passages. The valve element has a truncated conical valve body including a conical outer surface and a concave inner surface with a plurality of valve apertures extending through the valve body. The outer surface is sealingly engagable to a valve seat formed in the housing outlet such that the flow of cooling water through the valve apertures is prevented when the valve element is in the closed position. The outer surface and valve seat collectively define an annular gap when the valve element is axially displaced to the open position such that a portion of the cooling water flowing through the annular gap may pass through the valve apertures.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for measuring leakage flow rate of a valve wherein fluid flows through the valve in a single-phase flow of a gas or steam. The underlying principle upon which the leakage flow rate may be determined is that the heat loss across a length of bare pipe located downstream of the valve causes a decrease in the temperature of the leakage flow. Also disclosed is a method for measuring the leakage flow rate when the fluid passing through the valve transitions from a liquid-phase flow into a two-phase flow of liquid and steam. In two-phase flow, the underlying principle upon which the leakage flow rate may be determined is that any leakage of the valve will cause an increase in the pressure on the downstream side of the valve because of frictional resistance to flow in the downstream piping which corresponds to an increase in temperature thereof.

Abstract: A pneumatic control system is provided for positioning a piston within a cylinder and comprises a positioner for regulating the flow of compressed air into and out of first and second ends of the cylinder. First and second large boosters force compressed air into the respective first and second ends. First and second small boosters and first and second quick exhaust valves collectively exhaust compressed air out of the respective first and second ends. First and second small and large booster check valves interposed between the directional valve and the respective first and second small and large boosters are oriented such that the flow of compressed air through the signal lines and into the first and second small and large boosters may be blocked for increasing the sensitivity of the positioning of the piston.

Abstract: A pneumatic control system is provided for positioning a piston within a cylinder and comprises a positioner for regulating the flow of compressed air into and out of first and second ends of the cylinder. First and second large boosters force compressed air into the respective first and second ends. First and second small boosters and first and second quick exhaust valves collectively exhaust compressed air out of the respective first and second ends. First and second small and large booster check valves interposed between the directional valve and the respective first and second small and large boosters are oriented such that the flow of compressed air through the signal lines and into the first and second small and large boosters may be blocked for increasing the sensitivity of the positioning of the piston.

Abstract: An improved nozzle assembly for spraying cooling water into superheated steam flowing through a steam pipe of a steam desuperheater includes a nozzle housing, a nozzle barrel, a valve element, and at least one valve spring. A nozzle barrel disposed within the nozzle housing has flow passages in fluid communication with a barrel chamber. The barrel chamber minimizes a tendency for cooling water to enter the superheated steam in a streaming spray. The valve element is slidable within the nozzle barrel for regulating the flow of cooling water through the nozzle assembly. The valve spring biases the valve element against the forward end of the nozzle housing to initially seal the nozzle assembly in a closed position. A control valve increases the fluid pressure within the nozzle housing which in turn forces the valve head away from the nozzle housing, allowing for increased flow of cooling water into the superheated steam.

Abstract: Disclosed is a diffuser apparatus for facilitating a reduction in fluid pressure and suppression of noise. The apparatus comprises a tubular inner sleeve, a tubular muffler and a tubular outer sleeve. The inner sleeve defines a fluid flow axis and has a plurality of inner sleeve passages. The outer sleeve has the inner sleeve concentrically positioned therein and defines a plurality of outer sleeve passages. The muffler is concentrically positioned between the inner and outer sleeves such that fluid flows radially outwardly through the inner sleeve passages, through the muffler, and through the outer sleeve passages. The muffler may be spaced from the inner sleeve so as to define a gap between the muffler and the inner sleeve. The muffler may also be spaced from the outer sleeve so as to define a gap between the muffler and the outer sleeve.

Abstract: There is provided a vortex generator comprised of a diffuser, a vortex ring and a spray nozzle. The diffuser redirects a flow of superheated steam radially outwardly by forcing the superheated steam through orifices. An end plate creates a low pressure area downstream of the diffuser. The vortex ring imparts a spiraling motion to the flow of superheated steam. The spray nozzle sprays cooling water in a predetermined spray pattern into the low pressure area. The spray pattern maximizes the surface area of the cooling water within the superheated steam. The combination of the spiraling motion, the radially outwardly directed flow, and the low pressure area results in a closed vortex having a vortex core. The closed vortex is characterized as a spiraling, swirling flow of eddies and vortices downstream of the vortex generator. The closed vortex promotes the uniform mixing of the cooling water with the steam flow.

Abstract: Disclosed is a diffuser apparatus for facilitating a reduction in fluid pressure and suppression of noise. The apparatus comprises a tubular inner sleeve, a tubular muffler and a tubular outer sleeve. The inner sleeve defines a fluid flow axis and has a plurality of inner sleeve passages. The outer sleeve has the inner sleeve concentrically positioned therein and defines a plurality of outer sleeve passages. The muffler is concentrically positioned between the inner and outer sleeves such that fluid flows radially outwardly through the inner sleeve passages, through the muffler, and through the outer sleeve passages. The muffler may be spaced from the inner sleeve so as to define a gap between the muffler and the inner sleeve. The muffler may also be spaced from the outer sleeve so as to define a gap between the muffler and the outer sleeve.

Abstract: A pressure-gain combustor is placed in the exhaust path of the turbine in a turbocharger or turbine engine, thus increasing the pressure drop in the engine. The increased pressure drop in the engine leads to increased turbine power output when the turbocharger or turbine engine is operating under no-load or partial load conditions, thus reducing the problem of turbo lag.

Abstract: A diffuser for a radial flow compressor includes a pair of coaxial rings, the second of which closely surrounds the first. A set of intersecting flow passages extends through the first ring, and another aligned set of flow passages extends through the second ring. In a first embodiment of the invention, a circumferential groove is formed between the two rings, thus allowing low momentum fluid to migrate from the pressure side of one passage to the suction side of a neighboring passage and to prevent boundary layer build-up. In a second embodiment of the invention, the passages are arranged in a double cone configuration which allows higher diffusion levels than are attainable in a straight cone diffuser of equal length.