Abstract: The subject matter described herein relate to a segmented piston seal system. The segmented piston seal includes a first semi-circular section (FSCS) that includes a first locking structure at opposite ends of the FSCS. The segmented piston seal includes a second semi-circular section (SSCS) that includes a second locking structure at opposite ends of the SSCS. The first and second locking structures are configured to lock the FSCS and the SSCS together to form a piston seal.

Abstract: A blade includes an airfoil, a stationary portion coupled to a radially inner end of the airfoil, and a leakage flow guide vane assembly coupled to the stationary portion. The leakage flow guide vane assembly includes a plurality of passages defined therein. The passages are oriented to induce a swirl velocity to a working fluid flowing through the passages.

Abstract: A steam turbine is provided. The steam turbine includes a housing, a first steam inlet configured to discharge a first steam flow within the housing, and a second steam inlet configured to provide a second steam flow. A rotor and stator are coupled to the housing and configured to form a first flow path therebetween and in flow communication with the first steam flow. The rotor includes a plurality of blades coupled to the rotor, at least one root of the plurality of blades has a first side, a second side and a passageway coupled in flow communication to the first side and the second side. The passageway is configured to receive the second steam flow within the at least one root. The at least one root includes an angel wing configured to seal the second steam flow from the first flow path.

Abstract: A seal for a rotary machine includes a flexible element extending circumferentially about a rotating component and extending generally radially from a first end to a free second end. The flexible element is coupled proximate the first end for rotation with the rotating component. The seal also includes a retaining plate having a stop face that orients the flexible element at a first angle when the rotating component is operating at less than a critical speed and under the including of pressure loading, such that a clearance gap is defined between the free second end and a stationary component. The flexible element extends at substantially a second angle when the rotating component is operating at a speed greater than the critical speed, such that the flexible element forms a dynamic seal between the rotating component and the stationary component.

Abstract: A turbomachine and a method of operating the turbomachine are disclosed. The turbomachine includes a stator, a rotor including a rotor bearing face, and a face seal assembly including a first segmented seal ring and a second segmented seal ring. The first segmented seal ring includes a plurality of joints and a first flat-contact surface and the second segmented seal ring includes a plurality of segment ends and a second flat-contact surface. One of the first and second segmented seal rings includes a seal bearing face. The second segmented seal ring is coupled to the first segmented seal ring such that the second flat-contact surface is in contact with the first flat-contact surface. The plurality of segment ends is circumferentially offset from the plurality of joints. The first segmented seal ring is slidably coupled to the stator and defines a face seal clearance between the rotor and seal bearing faces.

Abstract: The subject matter described herein relate to a segmented piston seal system. The segmented piston seal includes a first semi-circular section (FSCS) that includes a first locking structure at opposite ends of the FSCS. The segmented piston seal includes a second semi-circular section (SSCS) that includes a second locking structure at opposite ends of the SSCS. The first and second locking structures are configured to lock the FSCS and the SSCS together to form a piston seal.

Abstract: A turbomachine and a method of operating the turbomachine are disclosed. The turbomachine includes a stator, a rotor including a rotor bearing face, a face seal assembly, a first pressure cavity, and a second pressure cavity. The face seal assembly includes a seal ring including a seal bearing face, a first pressure cavity, and a plurality of isolated hydrostatic ports extending from the first pressure cavity to the seal bearing face. The face seal assembly is slidably coupled to the stator and defines a face seal clearance between the rotor and seal bearing faces. The second and third pressure cavities are defined by the stator, the rotor, and the face seal assembly. The third pressure cavity is disposed downstream of the second pressure cavity with reference to flow of a process fluid along the stator and rotor. The first pressure cavity is isolated from the second and third pressure cavities.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a rotor key member, along with a related assembly and steam turbine. Particular embodiments include a rotor key member for radially retaining a circumferential seal in a steam turbine rotor body, the rotor key member including: a main body sized to contact an axial face of the circumferential seal; and a hook extending from the main body in a direction axially away from the circumferential seal, the hook sized to substantially complement a corresponding shelf in the steam turbine rotor body to restrict movement of the circumferential seal relative to the steam turbine rotor body.

Abstract: A first aspect of the invention provides an axially faced seal system for a radial tip of a turbine component, the system comprising: a stationary turbine component; a rotating turbine component; and a seal ring mounted to the stationary turbine component, the seal ring extending axially to the rotating turbine component and engaging the rotating turbine component on a side surface, wherein the side surface of the rotating turbine component is on a continuous, rotating mating ring having a 360 degree arc.

Abstract: A blade includes an airfoil, a stationary portion coupled to a radially inner end of the airfoil, and a leakage flow guide vane assembly coupled to the stationary portion. The leakage flow guide vane assembly includes a plurality of passages defined therein. The passages are oriented to induce a swirl velocity to a working fluid flowing through the passages.

Abstract: A seal for a rotary machine includes a flexible element extending circumferentially about a rotor and extending generally radially from a first end to a free second end. The flexible element is coupled proximate the first end for rotation with the rotor. The flexible element extends at substantially a first angle between at least an intermediate portion of the flexible element and the free second end when the rotor is operating at less than a critical speed, such that a clearance gap is defined between the free second end and a stationary portion. The seal also includes a retaining plate having a stop that orients the flexible element at a second angle proximate the free second end when the rotor is operating at equal to or greater than the critical speed, such that the flexible element forms a dynamic seal between the rotor and the stationary portion.

Abstract: A seal includes a housing having a back plate and a front plate. A supporting bristle layer is disposed adjacent to the back plate, and bristles in the supporting bristle layer have a first diameter. A sealing bristle layer is disposed adjacent to the supporting bristle layer, and bristles in the sealing bristle layer have a second diameter. A shielding/protecting bristle layer is disposed adjacent to the sealing bristle layer, and bristles in the shielding/protecting bristle layer have a third diameter. The second diameter is smaller than both the first diameter and the third diameter.

Abstract: A seal for a rotary machine includes a flexible element extending circumferentially about a rotating component and extending generally radially from a first end to a free second end. The flexible element is coupled proximate the first end for rotation with the rotating component. The seal also includes a retaining plate having a stop face that orients the flexible element at a first angle when the rotating component is operating at less than a critical speed and under the including of pressure loading, such that a clearance gap is defined between the free second end and a stationary component. The flexible element extends at substantially a second angle when the rotating component is operating at a speed greater than the critical speed, such that the flexible element forms a dynamic seal between the rotating component and the stationary component.

Abstract: A brush seal has bristles with a free end sealing against a radially inward surface of a stationary component. The bristles are angled axially 15 degrees to 70 degrees, and circumferentially at an angle that is less than the axial angle. A retaining plate extends radially outward from the rotating component, and supports the bristles from centrifugal loading in an operative state of a turbomachine. A bristle shield extends radially outward along a length of the bristles, such that the bristle shield is configured to shield the bristles from flow during an operative state of the turbomachine. The bristles are located between the retaining plate and the bristle shield. A circumferential groove has a downstream side and an upstream side, and a side plate is attached to the upstream side. The fixed end of the bristles is attached to the upstream side of the groove by the side plate.

Abstract: A turbomachine and a method of operating the turbomachine are disclosed. The turbomachine includes a stator, a rotor including a rotor bearing face, and a face seal assembly including a first segmented seal ring and a second segmented seal ring. The first segmented seal ring includes a plurality of joints and a first flat-contact surface and the second segmented seal ring includes a plurality of segment ends and a second flat-contact surface. One of the first and second segmented seal rings includes a seal bearing face. The second segmented seal ring is coupled to the first segmented seal ring such that the second flat-contact surface is in contact with the first flat-contact surface. The plurality of segment ends is circumferentially offset from the plurality of joints. The first segmented seal ring is slidably coupled to the stator and defines a face seal clearance between the rotor and seal bearing faces.

Abstract: A turbomachine and a method of operating the turbomachine are disclosed. The turbomachine includes a stator, a rotor including a rotor bearing face, a face seal assembly, a first pressure cavity, and a second pressure cavity. The face seal assembly includes a seal ring including a seal bearing face, a first pressure cavity, and a plurality of isolated hydrostatic ports extending from the first pressure cavity to the seal bearing face. The face seal assembly is slidably coupled to the stator and defines a face seal clearance between the rotor and seal bearing faces. The second and third pressure cavities are defined by the stator, the rotor, and the face seal assembly. The third pressure cavity is disposed downstream of the second pressure cavity with reference to flow of a process fluid along the stator and rotor. The first pressure cavity is isolated from the second and third pressure cavities.

Abstract: A steam turbine is provided. The steam turbine includes a housing, a first steam inlet configured to discharge a first steam flow within the housing, and a second steam inlet configured to provide a second steam flow. A rotor and stator are coupled to the housing and configured to form a first flow path therebetween and in flow communication with the first steam flow. The rotor includes a plurality of blades coupled to the rotor, at least one root of the plurality of blades has a first side, a second side and a passageway coupled in flow communication to the first side and the second side. The passageway is configured to receive the second steam flow within the at least one root. The at least one root includes an angel wing configured to seal the second steam flow from the first flow path.

Abstract: A steam turbine is provided. The steam turbine includes a housing and a steam inlet coupled in flow communication to the housing which is configured to discharge a first steam flow within the housing. A stator is coupled to the housing and includes plurality of vanes. A rotor is coupled to the housing and located within the stator, wherein the rotor and the stator are configured to form a first flow path there between and in flow communication with the first steam flow. The rotor includes a plurality of blades coupled to the rotor, at least one root of the plurality of blades has a first side, a second side and a passageway coupled in flow communication to the first side and the second side. The passageway is configured to define a second flow path in flow communication with the first flow path and to discharge a second steam flow within the at least one root.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a clearance between a rotor and a stator of a steam turbine during transient operations rely upon heating or cooling a shell support structure of the steam turbine that supports the stator of the steam turbine. Selectively heating or cooling the shell support structure makes it possible for thermal growth/contraction rates and magnitudes of the shell support structure to better match the thermal growth/contraction rates and magnitudes of a bearing support structure of the steam turbine during transient operations. As a result, the clearance between the rotor and the stator of the steam turbine can be maintained.

Abstract: Systems and devices configured to reduce thermal design clearances (e.g., between stationary nozzles connected to the inner casing and rotor buckets connected to the rotor) in turbines by actively controlling casing movements and/or locations during turbine operation are disclosed. In one embodiment, a clearance management system includes: a first inner casing support arm shaped to connect to an inner casing of a turbine and extend through an outer casing of the turbine; a seal system disposed about the first inner casing support arm and configured to connect to the outer casing; and a set of actuators disposed on a turbine foundation of the turbine and connected to the first inner casing support arm, the set of actuators located external to the outer casing and configured to adjust a position of the inner casing relative to the outer casing via manipulation of the first inner casing support arm.