Abstract: A generator-type pressure relief device includes: a housing; a propeller disposed in the housing; a shaft fixed to the center of rotation of the propeller; a generator unit that generates electricity by receiving rotational torque from the shaft; an electricity storage unit that stores electricity generated by the generator unit; an electronic brake operated by an electric signal supplied from the outside to suppress the axial rotation of the shaft; a control unit that sends an electric signal to the electronic brake to control the operation of the electronic brake; and a water pressure sensor provided in the water supply pipe or the water drainage pipe or the housing so as to transfer water pressure information on the water to the control unit, and which allows the control unit to control the electronic brake.

Abstract: A wind turbine yaw system is provided that includes a yaw gear, at least two pinion gears, and at least two drive units, each of which is associated to one of the pinion gears for driving that pinion gear. The yaw system also includes a control system with a controller for generating a drive unit control signal for each drive unit for controlling the respective drive unit according to a reference signal having a desired operational parameter value for the respective drive unit, so as to realize the desired operational parameter value in the respective drive unit. The control system includes a feedback loop for each drive unit feeding a drive unit feedback signal including at least the actual value of one operational parameter of the respective drive unit back to the controller. The controller generates the drive unit control signals based on the reference signal and the feedback signals.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and products are disclosed for improving the airflow exiting a blower that has one or more adjustable guide vanes that are affixed to the blower at one or more pivot points located in an outlet of the blower that include: determining a rotational speed of an impeller in the blower and adjusting a position of at least one of the adjustable guide vanes in dependence upon the rotational speed of the impeller.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and products are disclosed for improving the airflow exiting a blower that has one or more adjustable guide vanes that are affixed to the blower at one or more pivot points located in an outlet of the blower that include: determining a rotational speed of an impeller in the blower and adjusting a position of at least one of the adjustable guide vanes in dependence upon the rotational speed of the impeller.

Abstract: A turbine system is provided wherein during self-sealing operating conditions, excess leakoff steam is restricted from being dumped to a steam seal header and is diverted into the working steam flow path, hence increasing net output and efficiency for the turbine system. A related method is also provided.

Abstract: A control valve is provided that includes a valve body, a valve element, a first radial seal, and a second radial seal. The valve body forms an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid flow passage therebetween. The valve element is disposed at least partially within the valve body, and is movable between at least a closed position and an open position. When the valve element is in the closed position, fluid is restricted from flowing through the fluid flow passage. When the valve element is in the open position, the fluid is allowed to flow through the fluid flow passage. The first radial seal is disposed against the valve body at a first distance from a centerline of the control valve. The second radial seal is disposed against the valve body at a second distance from the centerline, the second distance being greater than the first distance.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating the impact of compressor fouling in a combined cycle power block. The current performance of the combined cycle power block is determined and normalized to one or more reference conditions. A baseline performance of a gas turbine of the combined cycle power block is also determined. A predicted performance of the combined cycle power block is then determined by substituting the baseline performance of the gas turbine for the current performance of the gas turbine. A recoverable impact to the combined cycle power block due to compressor fouling is then determined by subtracting the normalized current performance from the predicted performance and a recoverable impact to the fuel consumption of the combined cycle power block is determined from the recoverable impact.

Abstract: A seal monitoring and control system for a gas lubricated non-contacting seal includes various sensors providing signals to a programmable logic control system. The control system is disposed to determine a presence of an anomalous operating condition of the seal, for example, based on phase, relative position of rotor to stator or other signals in combination provided by the various sensors to provide an output signal, which in one embodiment performs at least one mitigating process to correct the anomalous operating condition by adjusting at least one operating parameter of the seal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid compressor having an aerostatic bearing, to a control system of a fluid compressor having an aerostatic bearing as well as to a method of controlling a compressor, wherein the aerostatic bearing is fed by a compressed fluid accumulator (5) which is charged during the operation of the compressor (100) and discharged at the respective start to prevent damage to the bearings.

Abstract: A rotary ram compressor for use in gas turbine engines and the like, having a plurality of vanes attached to discs, with the opposing parts of each two adjacent vanes and the opposing parts of the disks' surfaces confined between the opposing parts of the surfaces of the two adjacent vanes defining a channel in-between. Each channel is formed of two successive freely communicating portions: a first diverging inlet portion; and a second constant cross-sectional area outlet portion. In operation, gases are rammed into the first diverging inlet portion of the channel and are gradually displaced to the second constant cross-sectional area outlet portion of the channel, while being diverged, resulting into a rise in the static pressure energy of the gases, followed by smoothening of the stream of flow of the pressurized gases within the second constant cross-sectional area outlet portion of the channel.

Abstract: The temperature and flow rate of steam introduced to a gas turbine and a combustor is controlled properly through mixing intermediate-pressure steam and high-pressure steam. Thus, two different requirements; i.e., adjustment of steam temperature and securing of a sufficient steam flow rate, can be satisfied simultaneously. As a result, it becomes possible to simultaneously achieve control of the clearance of the blade ring of the gas turbine by means of steam and cooling of the combustor by means of steam.

Abstract: A process for periodically calibrating an algorithm in a control unit of a system for balancing loads on a thrust bearing of a gas turbine engine rotor is disclosed involving the steps of initializing a calibration of the control unit algorithm, causing the engine to attain a crossover condition, measuring the residual load on the rotor thrust bearing, calculating a residual load on the rotor thrust bearing by means of the control unit algorithm, comparing the measured residual load and the calculated residual load on the rotor thrust bearing to determine a difference therebetween, and modifying the control unit algorithm to compensate for the difference between the measured and calculated residual loads on the rotor thrust bearing.

Abstract: A variable cycle gas turbine engine (10) includes a core unit (30) having a guide vane array (36), and a hybrid stage (38) with a rotor blade array (40) and a stator vane array (42). The engine is operable in at least two modes which channel different quantities of working medium air to the core unit, and each mode corresponds to a distinct thermodynamic cycle. The vanes (54) of the hybrid stage stator vane array are bivariable so that the leading segment (140) and trailing segment (146) of each vane are separately adjustable over a range of pitch angles. The bivariable character of the vanes ensures aerodynamic stability of the engine in each of its modes of operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control system for controlling injection and extraction of steam in a steam turbine (1), the same valves (5,6) being used both for injection of steam to the turbine (1) and for extraction of steam from the turbine (1) . The valves (5, 6) commonly used for injection and extraction are controlled to be timely opened and closed in dependence on the pressure conditions at injection points (2,3) and extraction points (2,3), respectively, in the turbine and on the pressure (P3) prevailing in a process network connected to the valves (5, 6) such that injected or extracted steam is utilized in an optimal manner.

Abstract: A method of operating a pitot pump that pressurizes a first fluid of a first viscosity and first density wherein the pump includes a rotatable housing and a stationary probe disposed within the housing includes the steps of providing a source of a second fluid having a second viscosity and second density less than the first viscosity and first density, detecting a physical condition in the housing indicative of the presence of the first fluid at a second radial position inside the first radial position and connecting the source of the second fluid to an inner annular chamber of the housing when the detected physical condition indicates that the first fluid is present at the second radial position.

Abstract: A method and system for maintaining forward flow direction and controlling the path of steam flow following trips of reheat turbines, by maintaining pressure differentials to control the direction and path of the steam flow. After a turbine trip, pressure at the exhaust stage is reduced by extracting steam at a point just upstream of the exhaust and dumping it to a lower pressure zone, feedwater heater, or condenser. Additionally, pressure is increased at the inlet by introducing HP exhaust into the impulse chamber. Secondly, pressure is reduced on the concave, pressure side of turbine blading nearest the turbine exhaust by applying suction to steam collection channels running the length of the pressure surfaces thereof, thereby keeping the path of steam flow in contact with the pressure surfaces of the blades.

Abstract: A casing for a high pressure steam turbine is provided which is adapted to be stocked for subsequent customization. The casing is made as an incomplete casing with a closed chamber between an inner and outer wall and extending axially along a significant length of the casing. Taps for extraction or admission are subsequently provided by locating the axial locations which provide the desired pressures, machining a slot through the inner wall and an opening through the outer wall, and securing a fluid tight barrier between the walls adjacent the slot to separate the chamber in an additional chamber. Other aspects of the invention include providing for a controlled extraction with control means in the upper portion of the casing and extraction out of the lower portion. Additional features include axial ribs to abut and support the barrier, and provisions for making connections to the interior of the turbine casing.

Abstract: An apparatus for pumping a liquid stored under pressure without pressure-induced, liquid leakage during seal failure. The liquid or slurry being pumped is usually of a type that is difficult to handle, e.g., liquids which are volatile, poisonous, corrosive or a combination of these characteristics.The apparatus comprises in combination a vessel capable of containing a liquid under pressure; a vertical pump with its inlet port in communication with the vessel; an equalizing line connecting the shaft housing of the pump with the vapor space of the vessel; and a shaft seal located within the pump above the equalizing line connection so that the vessel and the shaft housing can be pressure-equalized during seal failure.The apparatus further provides pressure sensitive switching means so that the pump can be isolated upon occurrence of a specified pressure change within the vessel.

Abstract: A governor control linkage assembly to be connected between the governor and a valve to be controlled by the governor such as the inlet valve for a steam turbine upstream from a venturi type safety trip valve therein in one preferred form with Woodward T.G.-10 governors has a main lever arm connected at one end to the governor for actuation thereof and to the opposite end to a pivot arm on a fulcrum assembly which permits the pivot arm to be moved by a manually operable threaded assembly connected thereto so as to move the inlet valve from open to closed position and from closed to open position when the turbine is shut down to aid in the restarting thereof. In another preferred form with Woodward P.G.

Abstract: The invention relates to a centrifugal compressor comprising an impeller not comprising distributor blading upstream of the impeller, a pressure probe and regulator means controlled by the probe and arranged to act on the flow conditions downstream or upstream of the compressor to avoid the risk of surging. The probe is disposed upstream of the impeller of the compressor and being arranged to detect the critical direction of the absolute velocity of the fluid and to measure the critical value of the radial gradient of the static pressure beyond which the compressor runs the risk of being subjected to surging.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a water turbine is disclosed wherein an auxiliary servomotor having a capacity substantially equal to that of a servomotor for actuating pressure regulator is provided for actuating flow control guide vanes, the auxiliary servomotor for the guide vanes and the servomotor for the pressure regulator being connected through pipe lines. The guide vanes for the water turbine are controlled according to a position of an auxiliary servomotor for the governor and the servomotor for the pressure regulator is controlled according to a difference between the opening position of the guide vanes and the set position of a load limiter for the water turbine.