Abstract: A method of determining a remaining life in a component and a rotatable machine system are provided. The rotatable machine system includes a plurality of valves coupled in flow communication with a rotatable machine of the rotatable machine system, a plurality of sensors configured to receive operating parameters associated with the rotatable machine and the plurality of valves, and an online valve lifetime counter (OVLIC), including a processor communicatively coupled to the plurality of sensors. The OVLIC is configured to determine a trend of differential temperature across a body of a valve of the plurality of valves, convert the trend of differential temperature to a stress induced into the valve over time, and determine life remaining in the valve based on a total damage of the valve wherein the total damage is a function of creep damage and fatigue damage to the valve.

Abstract: A method of determining a remaining life in a component and a rotatable machine system are provided. The rotatable machine system includes a plurality of valves coupled in flow communication with a rotatable machine of the rotatable machine system, a plurality of sensors configured to receive operating parameters associated with the rotatable machine and the plurality of valves, and an online valve lifetime counter (OVLIC), including a processor communicatively coupled to the plurality of sensors. The OVLIC is configured to determine a trend of differential temperature across a body of a valve of the plurality of valves, convert the trend of differential temperature to a stress induced into the valve over time, and determine life remaining in the valve based on a total damage of the valve wherein the total damage is a function of creep damage and fatigue damage to the valve.

Abstract: The invention relates to sheath for a blade that has a uniform assembly direction over the radial height of the sheath whether the blade has a straight or curved trajectory. This is achieved by the a sheath formed around the edge, having a first inner surface wherein a first tangential vector projected tangentially to the first inner surface in a direction away from the head portion in an longitudinal plain forms a first angle with the rotational axis that does not vary over the radial height of the sheath while a second tangential vector projected tangentially from any point of the second inner surface of the sheath in a direction towards the head portion intersects the first tangential vector.

Abstract: The invention relates to an axial flow turbine and method of operating thereof. The turbine comprises a last stage of rotating blades located towards a downstream end of the turbine having a distal region at an end of the airfoil of the blades. A monitoring control system has at least one sensor in the distal region of at least one last stage blade for measuring at least one physical property of the airfoil and a control element that is capable of influencing at least one physical property of the distal region. The control system further includes a controller that adjusts the control element based on at least measured physical property so by controlling the at least one physical property.

Abstract: The invention relates to sheath for a blade that has a uniform assembly direction over the radial height of the sheath whether the blade has a straight or curved trajectory. This is achieved by the a sheath formed around the edge, having a first inner surface wherein a first tangential vector projected tangentially to the first inner surface in a direction away from the head portion in an longitudinal plain forms a first angle with the rotational axis that does not vary over the radial height of the sheath while a second tangential vector projected tangentially from any point of the second inner surface of the sheath in a direction towards the head portion intersects the first tangential vector.

Abstract: A method of replacing rotating metal blades of a steam turbine inserted into a rotor having one or more existing grooves for inserting root sections of the metal blades is described, the method including the steps of providing replacement blades having radially inwards directed root sections of fiber-reinforced composite material, changing the shape of the one or more grooves in the rotor to form a cavity for the insertion of the root sections of fiber-reinforced composite material and inserting the replacement blades into the rotor.

Abstract: The invention relates to an axial flow turbine and method of operating thereof. The turbine comprises a last stage of rotating blades located towards a downstream end of the turbine having a distal region at an end of the airfoil of the blades. A monitoring control system has at least one sensor in the distal region of at least one last stage blade for measuring at least one physical property of the airfoil and a control element that is capable of influencing at least one physical property of the distal region. The control system further includes a controller that adjusts the control element based on at least measured physical property so by controlling the at least one physical property.

Abstract: A method of replacing rotating metal blades of a steam turbine inserted into a rotor having one or more existing grooves for inserting root sections of the metal blades is described, the method including the steps of providing replacement blades having radially inwards directed root sections of fiber-reinforced composite material, changing the shape of the one or more grooves in the rotor to form a cavity for the insertion of the root sections of fiber-reinforced composite material and inserting the replacement blades into the rotor.