Abstract: A system for a variable capacity centrifugal compressor is provided. The compressor includes a base plate, a housing, and a variable geometry diffuser. A selectively moveable wall is disposed adjacent the base plate to vary the geometry of the diffuser. A portion of the moveable wall cooperates with a portion of the base plate to restrict the flow of fluid between the moveable wall and the base plate throughout the range of motion of the moveable wall to reduce the force required to open the diffuser.

Abstract: A bushing assembly as a means to enable guided movement of a shaft in an opening of a housing comprises a stationary bushing support carried by a housing internal wall. The bushing support has a support internal wall defining a bushing support opening through the bushing support to receive a movable shaft. Carried by the shaft is a removable wear sleeve having a wear sleeve outer wall in juxtaposition with and spaced apart from the support internal wall to permit relative axial movement of the wear sleeve with the shaft within the bushing support opening. Disposed between and for contact with the support internal wall and with the wear sleeve outer wall is an anti-friction layer.

Abstract: A roller assembly for guiding the motion of a circumferentially extending ring in a gas turbine engine, where the roller assembly has a pin and a collar. The pin has a head which engages a rotatable element, which in turn adapts the roller assembly to engage a track and which adapts the roller assembly to receive an external force from the track under operative conditions, causing a reactive force on the rotatable element to resist the external force. A gap formed between a shank of the pin and the collar decreases the bending stresses in the shank in comparison to forces acting on the pin at an end of the collar which engages a support.

Abstract: A composite roller for use in a variable pipe diffuser having inner and outer rings. The composite roller bearing rotatably mountable to a shaft comprising a cylindrical metal body having an external surface, an internal bore, and a pair of thrust washers having an internal bore mounted to each end.

Abstract: A housing assembly for a turbine engine has a housing which is adapted to cooperate with an adjacent valve ring assembly. The housing has a plurality of passages for working medium gases which extend radially through the housing and are circumferentially spaced in the housing. The valve ring modulates the flow through the passages. A plurality of flanges extend axially and circumferentially from the housing. Each flange has a track opening which receives a liner and a roller assembly having a bearing surface. The roller assembly in combination with the liner guides the valve ring assembly. The liner and the housing have different physical characteristics, such as a different rate of thermal expansion and different spring rate characteristics which accommodate differences in thermal growth between the liner and the housing.

Abstract: A method is provided for extending the system life of variable geometry components, including variable geometry rings, in an engine system by minimizing relative motion incurred from engine vibrations. Initially, the variable geometry rings are de-tuned from resonant engine vibrations. Damping is then introduced to absorb the impact from the relative motion incurred by engine vibrations and to minimize transmission of the relative motion through the variable geometry components.

Abstract: A variable stator vane includes an airfoil having a threaded stem, a lever having a mounting hole receiving the stem, and a nut threadingly engaging the stem to retain the lever on the airfoil. A clearance is provided between the seat and lever during alignment therebetween to provide sufficient thread overlap between the nut and stem to permit engagement therebetween, with insufficient thread overlap being provided during misalignment to prevent threaded engagement therebetween.

Abstract: A ring support system for use in a variable pipe diffuser. The ring support mechanism includes at least three axle shafts and at least three roller bearings rotatably mounted to the axle shafts, an inner ring having a groove disposed in the outside diameter, and an outer ring having a corresponding groove disposed in the inside diameter. The at least three axle shafts are circumferentially mounted in the outer ring such that the rollers are positioned partially within the groove of the outer cylinder such that the roller bearings define a diameter nearly equal to the outside diameter of the inner ring. The inner ring is positioned within the at least three roller bearings such that the at least three roller bearings are in axial sliding contact with the groove of the inner ring and in rolling contact with the groove of the inner ring. The ring support system provides rotational and axial support of the inner ring.

Abstract: A blade for a Kaplan turbine has substantially linear touching lines for contacting, in the closed position of the guide blade array, adjacent guide blades, the contact lines being linear or curved and running generally parallel to the pivot axis of the blade. The trailing side of the blade extends progressively inwardly and with a progressively increasing distance from the touching line on the trailing side.

Abstract: A steam turbine component and a steam turbine include a main axis and a separating element which is disposed in and fills a cross-sectional area at right angles to the main axis and which has at least one flow passage through which steam flows. A throttle element which can be displaced substantially along the main axis is provided for regulating steam flow through the flow passage. The throttle element has a first sealing surface and a second sealing surface. The sealing surfaces are in sealing contact with the separating element in a position closing the flow passage, and the sealing surfaces are at a distance from the separating element in a position at least partially opening the flow passage. The sealing surfaces are respectively located in a cross-sectional plane extending at right angles to the main axis, so that at most small frictional forces have to be overcome during opening of the flow passage and, in addition, a high degree of sealing is achieved.

Abstract: A roller positioning system for use in a variable pipe diffuser having inner and outer rings. The roller positioning system having at least three axle shafts having a cylindrical body positioned about a first centerline and having a bore disposed axially therethrough about a second centerline. A roller bearing is rotatably mounted to the body of each of the at least three axle shafts. The at least three axle shafts also having a pair of shoulders positioned on either side of the body concentric about the second centerline. The at least three axle shafts circumferentially disposed in the outer ring about the shoulders in a diameter such that the roller bearings nearly contact the outside diameter of the inner ring. The at least three axle shafts rotatably operable to effect an adjustment of the roller bearings about the second centerline such that the roller bearings are brought into contact with the inner ring.

Abstract: A drive positioning mechanism for use in a variable pipe diffuser for a centrifugal compressor. A rotational drives means is fixedly attached to the housing of a centrifugal compressor with a pinion gear mounted thereto. A rack gear is mounted to the inner ring and adapted to engage in meshing arrangement with the pinion gear. The rotational drive means is operable to position the inner ring between a fully open position and a partially closed position. A travel limiter is provided to positively limited the travel of the inner ring at the filly open and the partially closed positions.

Abstract: A turbomachine having variable angle diffuser vanes wed with a centrifugal pump. The performance of a diffuser is greatly enhanced by the use of adjustable angle diffuser vanes which can be set to a wide range of vane angles to provide a variable size of an opening between adjacent vanes. The demonstrated pumping system has a significantly wider operating range than that in conventional pumping systems over a wide flow rate, and is particularly effective in the low flow rate range in which known diffuser vane arrangements would lead to surge in the entire system and other serious operational problems.

Abstract: A centrifugal fan apparatus for installation in an air plenum adapted to provide pressurized air to a ventilating system includes a centrifugal fan rotor having front and rear sidewalls and a number of blades extending between these sidewalls. The platform has a horizontal base frame on which wheels are rotatably mounted. The front sidewall has a central opening for receiving air while the rear sidewall is attached to a rotatable drive shaft that extends rearwardly from the rotor. A motor is connected to the shaft in order to rotate it and the rotor. A linearly movable platform supports the rotor, shaft and motor and an actuator moves this platform forwardly or rearwardly in order to control the volume of air flowing out of the rotor. An air inlet member is mounted rigidly at the central opening and has a generally cylindrical section that can extend into the rotor when the rotor is moved to a forward position.

Abstract: A variable pipe diffuser for use in a centrifugal compressor. The variable pipe diffuser includes an outer ring and an inner ring which is rotatable circumferentially within the outer ring between a first, open position and a second, closed position. In an open position, complementary air channel sections of the inner and outer rings are aligned with one another to allow a maximum flow of refrigerant through the diffuser. In a closed position, the flow channels of the ring sections are misaligned and the flow of refrigerant through the diffuser is restricted. By adjusting the diffuser rings toward a closed position, surge conditions can be avoided even in the case where a high compressor pressure ratio is required.

Abstract: A radial rotary slide valve for controlling a steam flow rate in a steam turbine, includes an immobile fixed ring and a rotary ring which is disposed concentrically on the latter in such a way as to be rotatable into an angular position that can be varied through the use of a servo motor. The rotary ring has first control profiles which correspond to corresponding second control profiles belonging to the fixed ring in such a way that control slots situated between the control profiles can be varied for opening or closing. The rotary ring is divided into a top part and a bottom part by a joint in the region of a joint in the casing. In order to optimize the play required for sliding between the fixed ring and the rotary ring, the top part of the rotary ring and the bottom part of the rotary ring can be connected to one another by a suitable connecting device for varying the distance between at least two opposing half-ring ends.

Abstract: An efficiency matching device and method. The efficiency matching device is utilized in combination with a centrifugal fan adapted to deliver an air mass flow through an air delivery system. The fan has a housing that defines an inlet port and an exit port. The fan additionally has an impeller disposed within the housing. The impeller draws air into the inlet port, accelerates the air, and discharges the air through the exit port. The efficiency matching device is shiftably carried within the exit port for selectively varying the area of the exit port such that the efficiency of the centrifugal fan can be varied to match the output efficiency of the fan to the desired air mass flow through the air delivery system.

Abstract: A gas turbine system has a shaft assembly for controlling a flap for the hot gases in the form of a solid stub shaft connected to a tubular shaft via a mechanical entrainer system either in the form of a set of links articulated to the stub shaft and the tubular shaft or in a radial claw arrangement in which between radial claws on the stub shaft, axial entrainers of the hollow shaft engage.

Abstract: A centrifugal fan having a damper control system located away from the air flow path is disclosed. The control system includes a rotatable shaft located outside of a fan housing wherein rotation of the control shaft actuates a plurality of shafts and rods to move an annular damper located within the housing into an open position away from the centrifugal fan blades and to a closed position coaxially over the fan blades thus substantially restricting the flow of air through the centrifugal fan. The dampers are mounted for translation on two support rods located on opposite sides of the centrifugal fan. The dampers ride on a support system including a plurality of ball bearings that are in tangential contact with the support rods thus providing high-pressure contact surfaces between the bearings and the support shafts which act to keep the path of travel of the bearings on the rods free of debris so that the dampers have unobstructed motion between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A variable camber turbomachine vane is described in which at least one of a front part and a rear part is pivotable relative to the other about a pivot axis to vary the camber of the vane, and the facing end surfaces of the front and rear parts form a junction which provides for the continuity of the intrados and extrados faces of the vane as well as for sealing between these two faces. The pivot axis is offset on the intrados face side relative to the mean surface of the vane by a distance which is preferably at least one third of the thickness of the vane. Also, a cover is provided on the intrados side of the vane for masking the recess which is created in the intrados face at the junction when the camber of the vane is varied.

Abstract: A water level regulating system controlling the water level of a head tank of each of a plurality of hydroelectric plant installed in cascade along a stream by using an opening of guide vanes of a hydraulic turbine as a manipulated variable, and the water level of the head tank as a controlled variable. Each hydroelectric plant has a water level regulator constituting the water level regulating system. Each of the water level regulator of an upstream hydroelectric plant and the water level regulator of a downstream hydroelectric plant has a device varying PID parameters for controlling the water level in accordance with the opening of the guide vanes, and a device varying a reference water level to a set water level.

Abstract: Wicket gates and axial flow or mixed flow runner blades for a hydraulic turbine with the wicket gates arranged in a generally circular array around a central axis and with the gates pivotal about pivot axes parallel to the central axis. Each of the wicket gates is provided with a trailing edge shaped to present a discharge angle which varies from a small discharge angle at the bottom of the gate to a large discharge angle at the top of the gate. The discharge angle at any point along the length of the trailing edge is preselected such that water flow having a known radial velocity vector at the trailing edge will have a constant circumferential velocity vector along the length of the trailing edge. The shape of the runner blades is related to the shape of the wicket gates such that the whirl value for the fluid flow exiting the runner blades is between about zero and a value that is less than the change in whirl from the inlet to the exit of the runner apparatus formed by the runner blades.

Abstract: A steam turbine includes a rotary slide for controlling steam throughput, particularly in combination with a steam offtake. The rotary slide has control slits formed therein. A stationary channel body has channel inlets formed therein with which the control slits cooperate for increasingly opening and closing the channel inlets depending on a direction of rotation of the rotary slide at the time. At least one roller bearing race is disposed between the stationary channel body and the rotary slide outside the vicinity of the control slits and the channel inlets, for reducing rotational friction. At least one of the control slits and at least one of the channel inlets is disposed at each of at least two separate orbits. One of the channel inlets is opened while others of the channel inlets to be opened remain closed, upon rotation of the rotary slide in a corresponding direction of rotation.

Abstract: A steam turbine includes a rotary slide for controlling steam throughput, particularly in combination with a steam offtake. The rotary slide has control slits formed therein for that purpose. A stationary channel body has channel inlets formed therein. The control slits and the channel inlets cooperate with each other for increasingly opening and closing the channel inlets depending on a direction of rotation of the rotary slide at the time. The channel body has at least an adapter part in which the channel inlets are formed and a basic part having steam channels formed therein being required for conducting steam and in particular leading to nozzles. The channel inlets connect the control slits with the steam channels and are defined in accordance with an intended control characteristic.

Abstract: The adjustment of the play separating the stators and the rotor is effected automatically and jointly with adjustment of the phase angle of the stators. For each startor, at least one slug is used, the slug being mounted for sliding in an oblique groove of a bush integral with the stator. A bush, groove and slug arrangement can also be provided for an adjustable stop on the starter to adjust the play between a free extremity of the rotor blade and the adjustable stop on the stator. Pivoting of each stator provokes a systematic modification of the play.

Abstract: An adjustable radial flow diffuser for a radial flow compressor includes adjusting elements having diffuser blades. The adjusting elements are arranged in a diffuser annulus uniformly distributed along the diffuser circumference with an angular pitch .delta.. The adjusting elements further are swivellable about an adjusting axis V parallel to the longitudinal axis of the compressor for changing the narrow cross-section between the diffuser blades. The adjusting elements have either a substantially U-shaped or H-shaped cross-section with sector-shaped plates that are mounted on both sides of a blade root to form the legs. The diffuser blade forms the web of the substantially U or H shaped cross-section.

Abstract: An industrial gas turbine engine includes in serial flow relationship a booster compressor, core engine, power turbine, and flow channel, with the power turbine having a first shaft, joined to the booster compressor, and an output shaft, and the flow channel having an outlet. Means for selectively varying flow area of the channel outlet are provided for controlling stall margin of the booster compressor in an exemplary embodiment of the engine and method of operation. The flow area varying means is effective for providing a minimum area of the channel outlet for controlling booster compressor stall margin at least at a synchronous speed associated with powering an electrical generator. In one embodiment, the flow area varying means effects a minimum horsepower from the output shaft for allowing lock-on and lock-off of the electrical generator at synchronous speed.

Abstract: A rotary internal combustion engine has a base and a housing rotatably mounted to the base and forming a radial cylinder. An output shaft is rotatably mounted concentrically with the housing and has an arm rigidly extending therefrom. A piston slides in the cylinder for forming a combustion chamber, the piston being operatively connected to the arm. Relative rotational movement between the housing and the output shaft causes the piston to reciprocate in the cylinder. Rotation of the housing is caused by expansion of exhaust gases from the cylinder passing through a turbine which is fixedly connected to the housing. Adjustable stator blades are mounted to the base downstream of the turbine. Stop means are arranged on the shaft for limiting the relative movement between the shaft and the housing. Brake means are arranged on the base and the housing for facilitating starting and stopping sequences of the engine.

Abstract: Pre-rotational swirl controller for rotary pumps having a flow duct enclosed by a casing and a plurality of guide vanes located substantially radially within it. Each of these has two bearings, i.e. one on a hub located centrally and one on a trunnion which passes through the casing and which is also acted upon by an adjusting device. The guide vanes can be radially assembled through the casing because, for each guide vane, there is a removal slot which is closed by a cap which carries the seal and the bearing for the guide-vane trunnion, these being designed so as to be tolerant of alignment errors. A self-locking setting gear with a large transmission ratio and a through drive shaft is provided for the adjustment.

Abstract: An arrangement for controlled admission to a nozzle assembly of axial flow extraction steam turbines consists essentially of a control valve located upstream of the nozzle assembly and having two inlet windows for the working medium and of a duct element located between the control valve and the nozzle assembly. The duct element is provided with a plurality of inlet flow ducts which connect the inlet windows of the control valve to the nozzles of the nozzle assembly. The control valve is rotatable by 180.degree. in the peripheral direction for increasing the opening or closing of the inlet flow ducts.

Abstract: There is provided a rotor arrangement comprising primary blades 16 mounted on a support disc 15 and secondary blades 18 mounted on a support disc 17. The secondary blades are disposed between respective primary blades with some axial overlap. The set of secondary blades is movable relative to the set of primary blades so that each secondary blade can be moved between end positions abutting the associated pair of primary blades.

Abstract: Thermally actuated flow diverters for gas turbine engines are provided which include an arrangement of vanes in spaced overlapping array, which direct, e.g. coolant air flow to rotating engine components, each vane having 3 foil components joined at 3 hinge points. That is, a leading foil positioned on the suction side of the vane, a trailing foil pivotably mounted to a rearward portion of such leading foil at a first pivot axis and a third foil positioned on the pressure side of the vane connecting a forward portion of such leading foil and such trailing foil at second and third pivot axes respectively. Either the third foil or the leading foil is fixedly mounted to engine walls of the same material, the other of these two foils defining an actuation link that is expandable and contractable relative to such walls; the third foil having a coefficient of thermal expansion greater than that of the leading foil.

Abstract: A balloon inflator utilizes a bypass motor such that the inflation or working air is separate from the motor cooling air. The intake for the motor cooling and inflation air is separated from exhaust vents to limit any recirculation of the air, assuring that the inflation air be maintained as cool as possible. An impaler is maintained in an involute to achieve the requisiting inflation pressure. A free floating inflation nozzle is maintained within a collar and is adapted for engagement with an output of the involute when inflation activity is desired; otherwise the nozzle is disengaged from the involute allowing the air from the involute to otherwise be exhausted. The motor driving the impaler is selectively interconnected with a half wave rectifier for speed selectability.

Abstract: A centrifugal or rotary double pump has a singular circular casing surmounting two motors driving individual rotors within the casing. Above a flat side of the casing is attachable to the device serviced by the double pump and receives an insert defining the inlet and outlet apertures and within the housing, defining two pump units each in conjunction with the respective rotor.

Abstract: A centrifugal compressor including a vaned diffuser provided with a plurality of stationary vanes disposed around an impeller for converting into kinetic energy of a discharged fluid into pressure. The diffuser further includes rotatable vanes unevenly distributed in the stationary vanes.

Abstract: The invention relates to secondary power system apparatus and method for use aboard aircraft in place of conventional auxiliary power units (APU's) and emergency power units (EPU's). The invention integrated power unit (IPU) performs the function of both an APU and an EPU, while avoiding the use of hazardous monofuels. The IPU includes a turbine engine operable on pressurized ambient air, or on pressurized stored air, along with jet engine fuel. The structure of a combustion chamber for the engine which is able to use pressurized air from two separate sources; of a control able to selectively operate the engine as an EPU, as an APU, and to effect operating transition from EPU to APU; and of a composite secondary power system with the IPU are all disclosed.

Abstract: A vertical-axis cantilevered-shaft centrifugal pump having an impeller within a pump casing, an intake end in fluid communication with a fluid supply, and a dischage end, in which is provided an integral by-pass. The pump is operated at a speed representing a relatively high level of pump efficiency to produce a relatively stable fluid flow from the fluid supply through the casing. The first portion of the fluid flow from the casing is directed through the discharge end of the pump, while a second portion of the fluid flow is diverted from the casing back to the fluid supply. The second diverted portion may be returned to the supply through a plurality of outlets located on volutes of the pump casing. The discharge from the pump can be controlled using a variable control valve adjacent the discharge end of the pump.

Abstract: A system for stabilizing the flow of fluid in a variable capacity compressor having a diffuser, the capacity of which can be varied by changing the relative position of fixed diffuser surface and a movable diffuser surface. The system includes an annular push ring connected to the movable diffuser surface by a plurality of pins. The annular push ring is axially displaceable and rotatably fixed. Axial displacement of the annular push ring axially displaces the movable diffuser surface. The system also includes a drive ring mounted on a nozzle base plate for driving the annular push ring. The drive ring is axially displaceable and rotatable. Rotation of the drive ring axially displaces the drive ring, the push ring, and the movable diffuser surface.

Abstract: An axial flow turbine, whose outlet rotor blades (12) are followed by a diffuser (13), has first means (8) within the retardation zone of the diffuser for swirl removal from the swirling flow.A row with adjustable guide vanes (11) is arranged between these first means for swirl removal in the form of aerodynamic ribs and the outlet rotor blades. These guide vanes (11) have a straight mean camber line with a symmetrical aerofoil section, are conically shaped in the radial direction and are twisted.In addition to a substantial improvement in the pressure recovery over a wide load range, this measure also permits the vortex usually occurring between the rotor blades and the aerodynamic ribs to be prevented.

Abstract: The guide apparatus comprises a fan diverging evaporator cooling air into a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment, an intaking chamber 5 having the fan 5 mounted at center of therein and encircled part of the fan with a first outside wall and a second outside wall, an incoming passage for the refrigerating compartment and an incoming passage for the freezing compartment individually feeding cooling air into the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment, an inside wall formed integrally with the top end of first outside wall at top end portion of the inside wall, a shutter housing having the first outside wall of the intaking chamber encircling part of the fan and the inside wall formed integrally with the top end of the first outside wall at top end portion of the inside wall, the second outside wall facing to the first outside wall and placing the fan between the second outside wall and the first outside wall, the outside walls being flushed with one another, a shutter having a co

Abstract: In order to pump up fish in a gentle manner from a cod end being towed by a vessel by means of a fish pump located at the end of the cod end, a throttle valve for adjusting the admission of the catch to the pump is positioned in the inlet suction channel of the pump. A direct sea water inlet to the pump inlet is provided in the form of openings with throttles for adjustment of the direct sea water inflow. Thus, the ratio between the fish from the cod end and sea water supplied directly to the pump is controlled.

Abstract: A compressor assembly (12,13) for a gas turbine engine (10) comprises a centrifugal compressor (12) having a variable cross-sectional area diffuser (13) located at its downstream end. When the cross-sectional area of the diffuser (13) is less than a maximum value, some of the air exhausted from the downstream end (24) of the compressor (12) is directed to the upstream end (23) thereof. Sufficient air is so directed as to ensure that the mean air velocity at the outlet (30) of the diffuser (13) remains substantially constant.

Abstract: Two concentric and relatively displaceable cylinders mounted on the center axis of a vacuum furnace between its load chamber and its blower serve to control the gas flows in said furnace, where said gas flows are used to heat and cool the load portions.

Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus is provided with an exhaust feature for exhausting air from the living enclosure. The air conditioning apparatus includes an evaporator blower for moving air from the living enclosure through an evaporator coil and back to the living enclosure. The evaporator blower includes a blower housing which includes an air inlet and an air outlet, and an exhaust opening is provided in the blower housing. An exhaust door is pivotally mounted on the blower housing and is movable between a first position in which the exhaust door closes the exhaust opening in the blower housing and a second position in which the exhaust door closes the air outlet of the blower housing and the exhaust opening is opened. When the door is in the second position, air is exhausted from the living enclosure through the exhaust opening.

Abstract: A compressor stator vane for a gas turbine engine comprised of a leading edge section and a trailing edge section and constructed so that either or both sections may be rotated about a common axis of rotation to vary vane camber with torque for rotating the sections being applied around the engine perimeter.

Abstract: A submersible centrifugal pump especially for aquariums includes a motor driven impeller for circulating water through the pump and a movable flow indicator visible from the exterior of the pump for visually indicating the water flow rate through the pump. The impeller is mounted on a hollow motor shaft which protrudes above the pump to provide for the passage of air down through the shaft for mixing with the water within the pump. The shaft is rotatable relative to the impeller to permit turning of a valve shutter connected thereto relative to a valve seat for controlling the water flow rate through the pump.

Abstract: The expense of variable inlet guide vane structure for rotary compressors is avoided in a structure including a compressor housing 20 with an inlet end 24 and a rotor 10 journaled within the housing 20 by disposing a housing 42 about the inlet end 24 and having an inlet port 54 over a minor fraction of its periphery. A single guide vane 60, is disposed within the inlet port 54 to impart preswirl to incoming air as it enters the housing 42.

Abstract: A variable geometry turbine in which an inlet passageway has a movable wall the position of which is adjusted to match the turbine characteristics to the flow rate through the turbine. Nozzle vanes extend through the movable wall and are mounted on a nozzle support which is normally stationary so that the nozzles contact the facing wall of the inlet passageway. The nozzle support is arranged to move with the movable wall however when the movable wall opens the inlet passageway beyond a predetermined extent so that the nozzle vanes are at least partially retracted when the movable wall is in the fully open position.

Abstract: An improvement in the inner tip support of variable inlet guide vanes in an axial flow compressor. Each of the guide vanes is rotatably mounted on a spindle at its radially outer end so that it can pivot between an open and a closed position. The improvement comprises a bushing disposed in the casing radially inward of each of said guide vanes, and a button on the end of each of said guide vanes contained within and forming clearances with the bushing walls, the button being eccentrically offset with respect to the guide vane spindle by a preselected amount and in a preselected direction to cause the button to provide restraining force on the vane inner ends when the vanes are in an open position.

Abstract: A steam turbine in which the number of shell penetrations is reduced to six, without the use of T or Y fittings, by controlling steam flow to large nozzle chambers with a single large valve, rather than two smaller size valves. Secondly, adjacent valves are oriented in opposite directions, with those valves controlling nozzle chambers in the upper casing of the turbine opening to provide downward flow. This arrangement achieves two benefits: first, it reduces the number of turns and the length of the "spaghetti" piping leading to the nozzle inlet snouts, providing a straighter and more direct route for steam flow; and secondly, the inversion of adjacent valves allows room for installation of individual servomotors for each valve, which in turn enables greater flexibility in valve actuation sequencing. The invention also provides an improved method of valve sequencing.