Abstract: A method for mechanically attaching a composite or polymeric material to a bucket in a radial airfoil includes creating at least one dovetail shape pocket in the bucket having inclined interfaces with respect to the radial airfoil, and filling the pocket with the composite or polymeric material.

Abstract: A support arrangement for a diaphragm segment in a turbine casing that includes: 1) a support bar joined to a diaphragm segment; 2) a turbine casing comprising a vertical wall and a horizontal shoulder, wherein a portion of the horizontal shoulder underlies the support bar; 3) a cut out area defined by the vertical wall and an outer edge of the support bar; and 4) a shim interposed between the horizontal shoulder and the support bar. The cut out area may be a size that allows the shim to pass through.

Abstract: A support arrangement for a diaphragm segment in a turbine casing that includes: 1) a support bar joined to a diaphragm segment; 2) a turbine casing comprising a vertical wall and a horizontal shoulder, wherein a portion of the horizontal shoulder underlies the support bar; 3) a cut out area defined by the vertical wall and an outer edge of the support bar; and 4) a shim interposed between the horizontal shoulder and the support bar. The cut out area may be a size that allows the shim to pass through.

Abstract: A nozzle blade comprising radially inner and outer walls with an airfoil portion extending therebetween; the inner and outer walls formed with alignment features on respective oppositely-facing surfaces aligned with a longitudinal center axis through the nozzle blade.

Abstract: A method for making a turbine blade includes providing a bucket in the turbine blade with a plurality of window pockets passing all the way through a wall of the bucket, positioning the window pockets in regions minimizing or at least reducing stress concentrations on the window pockets, and casting a composite comprising a resin matrix and layers of a fabric material in the bucket.

Abstract: A method facilitates reducing stress in a turbine bucket including a metallic base metal. The method comprises providing a turbine bucket including at least one pocket formed therein, and filling at least one pocket defined in the bucket with a polymer composite having continuous fibers oriented in a resin matrix, such that the fibers have an orientation determined in accordance with a pre-selected frequency tuning of the bucket.

Abstract: A method for mechanically attaching a composite or polymeric material to a bucket in a radial airfoil includes creating at least one dovetail shape pocket in the bucket having inclined interfaces with respect to the radial airfoil, and filling the pocket with the composite or polymeric material.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a machine casing component carrier configured to support a machine component such that the longitudinal axis of the machine component is adjustable with respect to a longitudinal axis of a rotatable member of the machine are provided. The carrier includes a support member configured to fixedly engage the machine component, an outwardly radially extending flange configured to engage a complementary receptacle formed in the turbine casing such that the weight of the carrier is supported at least partially by the receptacle, and a selectably adjustable shim member positionable within the receptacle configured to control an alignment of the longitudinal axis of the machine component with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rotatable member.

Abstract: A steam turbine nozzle singlet having a blade or airfoil between inner and outer sidewalls is provided. The sidewalls include steps or flanges which are received in complementary recesses in the rings enabling axially short low heat input welds e.g., e-beam welds. These complementary steps and recesses mechanically interlock the singlet between the rings preventing displacement of the singlet in the event of weld failure. The low heat input welds minimize or eliminate distortion of the nozzle flow path. Additional features on the singlets, provide a datum for milling machines to form singlets of different sizes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a steam turbine that has upper and lower halves of diaphragm. The steam turbine of the present invention also provides an adjustable support bar attached to at least the upper half or the lower half of the diaphragm. The adjustable support bar of the present invention has a screw therein such that the adjustable support bar can raise or lower the upper half or the lower half of the diaphragm without removing each half of the diaphragm. Also provided are methods for adjusting and supporting a vertical position of the upper half and the lower half of the diaphragm at a horizontal split line in a steam turbine.

Abstract: A brush seal assembly and method for a turbine machine having a rotary member and a stationary member circumscribing the rotary member. The seal assembly is comprised of a sealing member disposed at a radially inward region of the stationary member and a portion of the sealing member is in rubbing contact with the contact region. The sealing member is detachable from the stationary member for selective replacement and incorporates at least one integrally formed seal element.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for assembling steam turbines are provided. The method of assembling a steam turbine includes providing an annular outer member, providing an annular inner member, coupling a plurality of airfoils to the inner member with a plurality of generally radial fastener assemblies such that the plurality of airfoils extend substantially radially outward from the inner member, and coupling each of the plurality of airfoils to the outer member.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for assembling a double flow steam turbine is provided. The method comprises providing an annular member having a first end, a second end, and a body extending therebetween, coupling a first arcuate member to the annular member wherein the first member includes a radially inner surface that defines an inner diameter of the first member and an opposite radially outer surface that defines an outer diameter of the first member, wherein the inner surface is substantially parallel to the outer surface, and coupling a second arcuate member to the annular member wherein the second member includes a radially inner surface that defines an inner diameter of the second member and an opposite radially outer surface that defines an outer diameter of the second member. The method also comprises coupling the second member to the first member such that a steam turbine flow splitter is formed.

Abstract: A flow splitter directs inlet steam in axially opposite directions in a double flow steam turbine. The flow splitter includes a main ring having a radially outer apex with annular concave surfaces extending inwardly from and in opposite axial directions on opposite axial sides of the apex. A second ring is secured on one axial side of the main ring by welding to the main ring and has a concave outer surface portion which completes the concave surface of the flow splitter along the opposite axial side of the flow splitter.

Abstract: A support arrangement for a turbine diaphragm segment in a split turbine casing includes a semi-annular diaphragm segment having a horizontal joint surface; a support bar joined to the diaphragm segment adjacent the horizontal joint surface, the support bar formed with a first flange extending outwardly over a portion of the casing, the portion including a horizontal surface; and a shim on the horizontal surface and engaged by the first flange.

Abstract: A cooling insert/nozzle assembly for use in gas turbines or similar machinery includes a nozzle having inner and outer ribs with cast-in “T” sections and “L” sections, respectively, at the end of the ribs in which air flow enters the nozzle. The assembly further includes a cooling insert having a flexible end which is inserted between adjacent ribs having either the cast-in “T” or “L” sections.

Abstract: A steam turbine blade includes a shank portion and an airfoil portion. The airfoil portion is formed with at least one pocket filled with a polymer filler material chosen as a function of natural frequency impact on the turbine blade or as a function of the damping characteristics of the filler materials. A steam turbine rotor wheel includes a plurality of blades secured about a circumferential periphery of the wheel, each blade having one or more pockets in the airfoil portion, the plurality of blades divided into two groups of blades. The pockets of one group of blades are filled with one or more polymer filler materials, and the pockets of the other group of blades filled with one or more polymer filler materials, wherein the polymer filler materials in the one group of blades creates different natural frequencies or damping characteristics in the blades of the one group than the polymer filler materials in the blades of the other group.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a blade for assembly on a steam turbine rotor wheel includes forming an airfoil portion with plural pockets and filling the pockets with more than one filler material chosen as a function of required temperature capability.

Abstract: A steam turbine rotor wheel includes a plurality of blades secured about a circumferential periphery of the wheel, each blade comprising a shank portion and an airfoil portion, the airfoil portion having at least one pocket filled with a filler material, wherein at least one edge of the pocket adjacent a leading edge of the blade is formed with an undercut.

Abstract: Nozzle segments mounting vanes are received in circumferentially extending, generally dovetail-shaped grooves in an outer casing of a steam turbine, the nozzle segments forming part of a stage with rotating buckets of the steam turbine. The inclined slashfaces of the adjoining bases of the nozzle segments are provided with circumferentially opening slots to receive spline seals. The spline seals preclude or minimize steam leakage flow past the gap between the adjoining nozzle segments thereby enhancing the steam flow through the partitions of the nozzles.