Abstract: A system for cooling a high pressure section of a turbomachine includes a conduit configured to carry cooling steam from a boiler to a space upstream of a first stage nozzle of the turbomachine. The conduit extends through a housing of the turbomachine and a nozzle diaphragm of the first stage nozzle. The system further includes a control valve in the conduit configured to regulate the flow of cooling steam. A turbomachine includes a housing; a turbine shaft rotatably supported in the housing; and a plurality of turbine stages located along the turbine shaft and contained within the housing. Each turbine stage includes a diaphragm attached to the housing. The diaphragm comprises a plurality of nozzles. A hole is provided in the diaphragm upstream of a first stage of the plurality of stages for the introduction of cooling steam. A method of cooling a high pressure section of a turbomachine includes introducing cooling steam into the turbomachine through the at least one hole.

Abstract: Cooled exhaust hood plates are provided in areas of high velocity steam flow within an exhaust steam flow of a steam turbine. Coolant is directed within double walled exhaust hood plates to cool plate surfaces adjacent to the high velocity exhaust steam flow. The cooled exhaust hood plates cool and condense the exhaust steam in proximity. Condensation will occur in low velocity area near the exhaust hood plate to reduce the boundary layer and improve the flow through the hood, improving overall turbine performance.

Abstract: Solutions for clutching turbine wheels are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes: a turbine rotor shaft; a plurality of turbine wheels affixed to the turbine rotor shaft; an independent turbine wheel engagably attached to the turbine rotor shaft; and a clutch operably connected to the turbine rotor shaft, the clutch configured to couple and decouple the independent turbine wheel from the turbine rotor shaft.

Abstract: Cooled exhaust hood plates are provided in areas of high velocity steam flow within an exhaust steam flow of a steam turbine. Coolant is directed within double walled exhaust hood plates to cool plate surfaces adjacent to the high velocity exhaust steam flow. The cooled exhaust hood plates cool and condense the exhaust steam in proximity. Condensation will occur in low velocity area near the exhaust hood plate to reduce the boundary layer and improve the flow through the hood, improving overall turbine performance.

Abstract: A system for cooling a high pressure section of a turbomachine includes a conduit configured to carry cooling steam from a boiler to a space upstream of a first stage nozzle of the turobmachine. The conduit extends through a housing of the turbomachine and a nozzle diaphragm of the first stage nozzle. The system further includes a control valve in the conduit configured to regulate the flow of cooling steam. A turbomachine includes a housing; a turbine shaft rotatably supported in the housing; and a plurality of turbine stages located along the turbine shaft and contained within the housing. Each turbine stage includes a diaphragm attached to the housing. The diaphragm comprises a plurality of nozzles. A hole is provided in the diaphragm upstream of a first stage of the plurality of stages for the introduction of cooling steam. A method of cooling a high pressure section of a turbomachine includes introducing cooling steam into the turbomachine through the at least one hole.

Abstract: Method and apparatus to limit and control rotational loss heating such as occurs in a large steam turbine in the bypass mode of operation under no-load and low-load operating conditions. According to the invention, a portion of the high pressure bypass steam is admitted to the lower pressure sections of the turbine to provide motive fluid for driving the turbine while, simultaneously, a second portion of the high-pressure bypass steam is admitted to the high-pressure section of the turbine in a reverse-flow direction to pass backwards therethrough and limit the rotational loss heating. The two flows may be proportioned to control rotational loss heating in both the high-pressure and lower pressure sections of the turbine. A reverse-flow valve and a ventilator valve are provided for routing the reverse-flow of steam.