Abstract: Actuators utilising shape memory alloy materials are known with regard to gas turbine engines. Such shape memory alloys have been used with respect to deformation provided in vanes and blades as well as nozzle elements in order that variations can be made in engine configuration dependent upon thermal cycling. Unfortunately, pedestals in order to provide spacing between the shape memory alloy and an antagonistic bias has resulted in uneven stress distribution as well as a higher thermal mass for the shape memory alloy. An uneven stress distribution will limit operational life whilst a higher thermal mass will result in slower reaction times. By separation of the shape memory alloy or material from its antagonistic bias through use of a slide element, a reduction in thermal mass is achieved and, more importantly, stress differentiation across the actuator is reduced.

Abstract: Centrifugal compressor flow stabilizing devices and methods of operation thereof are disclosed that act upon the flow field discharging from the impeller of a centrifugal compressor and modify the flow field ahead of the diffuser vanes such that flow conditions contributing to rotating stall and surge are reduced or even eliminated. In some embodiments, shaped rods and methods of operation thereof are disclosed, whereas in other embodiments reverse-tangent air injection devices and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for fabrication of a locomotive diesel engine turbocharger turbine stage so as to avoid harmonic vibration in the turbine blades when the engine is operated at pre-selected throttle settings. Upon determining throttle settings for the engine and modeling of the turbocharger therefor, at least one natural vibration frequency of the turbine blades and a turbine nozzle vane excitation frequency as a function of turbocharger rotation speed are determined. Then the data obtained is analyzed to ascertain whether at least one data coincidence, that is whether a rotation speed correlative of a throttle setting has a coincidence over a predetermined range of both a natural frequency and said turbine vane nozzle excitation. If not, the model is suitable for fabrication of the turbocharger; if so, the model is modified by changing blade stiffness and/or vane numbering until no data coincidences are present.

Abstract: A turbo-compressor being driven by an electric motor has an inlet guide vane and a blow-off valve. The surge limit line of the compressor is amended depending upon seasonal changes of temperature and pressure of a working gas to be sucked into the compressor. Upon the basis of the surge limit line amended, the minimum opening of the inlet guide vale is altered, thereby reducing the driving power or force of the compressor.

Abstract: A variable flow water pump includes a housing having an impeller mounted on a rotatable shaft. The pump impeller has a plurality, of vanes fixed to a back plate or flange. A circumferentially surrounding shroud is axially movable within the housing and may move between an open position and a covering position to expose or surround the vane portions and therefore control the effective working capacity of the pump. The shroud is controlled by an actuator and shift fork arrangement that responds to sensor measurements of temperature and/or engine speed to supply a sufficient quantity of coolant tailored to the actual need of the engine and without unwanted power loss caused by excessive flow.

Abstract: Vertical and horizontal wind shears, yaw misalignment and/or turbulence act together to produce asymmetric loading across a wind turbine rotor. The resultant load produces bending moments in the blades that are reacted through the hub and subsequently to the low-speed shaft. As a result, the main shaft and main shaft flange are displaced from their at rest or non-aerodynamic load positions. The amount of shaft flange displacement is measured using one or more sensors. The output signals from the sensors are used to determine the magnitude and/or the orientation of the resultant rotor load. This information is used to effect the blade pitch change needed to reduce the load and thereby reduce fatigue and loading on various turbine components.

Abstract: A diagnostic system and method for testing the operation of a rotary flow device, such as a turbine or compressor of a turbocharger with a variable-geometry mechanism, such as adjustable vanes, is provided. The system includes a flow generator configured to provide a flow of gas through the device, a power source configured to adjust a position of the variable vanes or other variable-geometry mechanism of the device, and a controller configured to selectively control the adjustment of the position of the vanes. The controller and power source can be configured to actuate the variable vanes to at least one predetermined position so that an operational condition of the device can be determined according to the flow of air through the device. For example, the system can detect the operation of a valve or other adjustment device that controls the position of the vanes. Further, the system can monitor the flow of gas through the device to detect the configuration and operability of the vanes.

Abstract: Vertical and horizontal wind shears, yaw misalignment and/or turbulence act together to produce asymmetric loading across a wind turbine rotor. The resultant load produces bending moments in the blades that are reacted through the hub and subsequently to the main shaft. As a result, the main shaft may be radially displaced from its at rest positions. The amount of radial displacement is measured using two or more sensors. The output signals from the sensors are used to determine the magnitude and/or the orientation of the resultant rotor load. This information is used to affect the blade pitch change or other action with similar system effect to reduce the asymmetric load and thereby reduce fatigue and loading on various turbine components.

Abstract: A turbo-compressor comprises a compressor main body for compressing an operation fluid, an inlet guide vane apparatus being provided on a suction side of the compressor main body and having guide vanes, and a blow-off valve being provided in a discharge said compressor main body. An opening of the blow-off valve is variable. A pressure detector is provided on the discharge side of the compressor. At least any one of a time-period and a number of times of operations of the inlet guide vane apparatus is memorized in a memory, when it is operated at an inlet guide vane opening, being equal or less than a setting limit. A controller controls the blow-off valve and the guide vanes based on the values which are memorized in the memory.

Abstract: A radial-flow pump (1), and especially a coolant pump for an internal combustion engine, comprising an impeller (2) provided with vanes (5) and a directing device (4) including at least one temperature- and/or speed-sensitive element for temperature-dependent control of the coolant flow, where at least one impeller vane (5) and/or the directing device (4) is configured as a speed-sensitive element. In order to increase efficiency, the proposal is put forward that the impeller vanes (5) should be elastically deformable by Coriolis forces of the coolant flow, the discharge angles (&agr;), which are preferably defined between impeller vanes (5) and impeller tangential planes (&egr;), decreasing with an increase in speed.

Abstract: A method of testing an actuation system for positioning an actuator, the actuation system including a primary electronic system, a secondary hydro-mechanical system is disclosed. The method includes the steps of measuring the actual position of the actuation device as set by the primary electronic system; measuring the system inputs and computing an ideal actuator position based thereon; determining the difference between the actual actuator position and the ideal position. The difference is then compared to a first threshold value which represents a disturbance beyond which the system cannot safely operate. Control is transferred from the primary control to the secondary control if the difference exceeds the first threshold. If the difference is less than the first threshold, the difference is compared to a second threshold value which represents an operating condition that can be tolerated for a period of time.

Abstract: A gas turbine sealing arrangement which includes a seal housing having at least one seal in close proximity to the turbine rotor. The seal housing is preheated prior to turbine start-up to thermally move the seal housing and its seal radially away from the rotor.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for use with a gas turbine engine receive a signal indicative of an engine operating condition, generate signals representative of thermal conditions of a rotor, blades, and a case, and in response to each of the signals above, determine a signal indicative of a difference between a instantaneous clearance for the thermal conditions and a steady state clearance for the engine operating condition. The determination includes effects related to a temporary difference that results from a difference between the steady state clearance for the engine operating condition and a steady state clearance for a preceding engine operating condition, but does not require computation of the actual temperatures or the steady state temperatures of the rotor, the blades, and the case. A signal indicative of the difference between a instantaneous clearance for the thermal conditions and a steady state clearance for the engine operating condition may be provided to various augmentation schedules.

Abstract: In a turbine rotor, a thermal mismatch between various component parts of the rotor occurs particularly during transient operations such as shutdown and startup. A thermal medium flows past and heats or cools one part of the turbine which may have a deleterious thermal mismatch with another part. By passively controlling the flow of cooling medium past the one part in response to relative movement of thermally responsive parts of the turbine, the flow of thermal medium along the flow path can be regulated to increase or reduce the flow, thereby to regulate the temperature of the one part to maintain the thermal mismatch within predetermined limits.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the amount of gas flow through a compressor having variable geometry guide vanes and a variable geometry diffuser. The geometry variation of the diffuser is based on the geometry variation of the guide vanes. The method and apparatus ensure that the compressor will operate at peak efficiency over a broad range of load conditions.

Abstract: An upper reservoir-side conduit or a lower reservoir-side conduit is branched in the vicinity of pump-turbine ends and at least a first pump-turbine out of a plurality of pump-turbines which share the conduit portions located farther than the branch points with the other pump-turbine or pump-turbines is provided with a rotational speed increase detector. When it is detected that the rotational speed of the first pump-turbine has exceeded a second predetermined value higher than a rated speed, a command is issued also to at least one of the other pump-turbines to limit the guide vane closing speed in that pump-turbine to a speed approximately equal to or lower than the speed after the shift to a slow closing of the guide vanes.

Abstract: A fluid passage extends through the compressor casing from a point near the tip of the impeller to a transducer located externally of the compressor casing. Responsive to fluctuations of pressure sensed by the transducer indicative of rotating stall, the compressor is controlled by varying the diffuser or shutting down the compressor, as is appropriate.

Abstract: A compressor is disclosed having a characteristic modifier, such as air injection, adapted to modify an operating characteristic of the compressor in order to reduce the bandwidth and rate limit requirements of the compressor. The compressor includes an actuator, such as a bleed valve, whose bandwidth and rate limit parameters meet the corresponding reduced requirements of the compressor. The actuator is adapted to stabilize the compressor with respect to a likely condition in the compressor which would tend to make the compressor operate in a less stable manner. This makes it possible to stabilize the compressor using a more readily available actuator having lower bandwidth and rate limit parameters.

Abstract: A method of testing an actuation system for positioning an inlet guide vane, the actuation system including a primary electronic system, a secondary hydro-mechanical system is disclosed.

Abstract: A centrifugal compressor having an impeller wheel mounted for rotation about a central axis and a diffuser for emptying compressed fluid into a collector chamber. A plenum chamber is located behind the impeller shroud and series of deswirl passages are located about the impeller for placing the collector chamber in fluid flow communication with the plenum chamber. A series of channel flow passages are further arranged to inject compressor fluid in the plenum chamber into the exit flow leaving the tips of impeller blades under controlled conditions so that the injected fluid enters the exit flow smoothly and with little loss of energy. An adjustable control device regulates the flow through the deswirl passages to keep the total flow moving through the diffuser relatively constant under varying load conditions.

Abstract: A steam or air cooled combined cycle gas turbine includes first and second turbine stages and a second nozzle stage. During start-up, cooling air is supplied radially inwardly through the second stage nozzle for flow into the gas flow through the turbine and for combining with cooling air flowing radially outwardly from a high pressure compressor port. The combined air flow flows radially outwardly through the turbine blades. In normal operation, steam in lieu of air flows radially inwardly through the second nozzle stage and radially outwardly between the turbine wheels and spacer therebetween. Part of the steam through the nozzle stage combines with the radially outwardly flowing steam for cooling the turbine blades. The balance of the steam flows into the gas flow through the turbine.

Abstract: A gas bearing face seal assembly for a gas turbine engine having improved sealing characteristics. The assembly can include support means which concentrically position a face seal member with respect to a seal radius, while permitting translation of the face seal with respect to a rotating sealing surface and radial growth of the seal member with respect to the housing. A clearance control ring means can be included to reduce and maintain radial clearance between the face seal member and a housing surface. The face seal member may be pressurized radially outwardly, and can include improved vent channel and vent passage means.

Abstract: In a flow control apparatus of an exhaust gas turbocharger turbine for an internal combustion engine including a rotor disposed in a turbine casing having a spiral guide channel arranged around the rotor with a mouth area defining an inlet opening for directing the exhaust gas to the turbine rotor, a control sleeve including a flow guide section with flow guide passage is axially movably supported between the spiral guide channel and the rotor. The flow guide passages have guide characteristics which vary depending on the axial location on the sleeve so that the characteristics of the exhaust gas flow admitted to the rotor can be changed by axial movement of the control sleeve. Adjacent the flow guide passages the control sleeve has an integral annular end section for blocking the exhaust gas flow so as to form a flow-throttling cross-section at the mouth area for engine brake operation.

Abstract: A steam or air-cooled combined cycle gas turbine includes first and second turbine stages and a second nozzle stage disposed about a spacer between the turbine stages. Cooling steam is passed through the nozzle vanes radially inwardly and through the seal between the spacer and the nozzle stage into a pair of chambers. Inlet ports are carried by the first and second-stage turbines for conducting the steam through both single and multi-pass circuits in the turbine blades to cool the blades. Steam is inlet along the axis of the turbine for mixing with the steam inlet past the nozzle stage and spacer seal. Air is inlet adjacent the axis of the turbine and a valve selectively opens and closes an air inlet for admitting air into the chambers. When the turbine is in a start-up mode or steam is not available, the valve is open to admit air into the chambers to supply cooling air to the turbine blades. When steam is available, the valve is closed and the turbine blades are steam cooled.

Abstract: Inefficiencies in the operation of auxiliary power units producing electric and hydraulic power along with bleed air resulting from independence in the demand for power may be minimized in a system including at least one bleed air consuming system (84, 86), an electrical generator (92), a hydraulic pump (90), and a turbine wheel (10, 20) for driving the generator (92) and the pump (90). Also included is a combustor (32) for receiving fuel and compressed air and producing gases of combustion to drive the turbine wheel (10, 20). A rotary compressor (10, 14) is coupled to the turbine wheel to be driven thereby. The compressor (10, 14) is a radial discharge compressor with an impeller having blades (14) extending from an inlet end (40) to a discharge end (42) and a shroud (18) to the blades (14). Two axially spaced annular ports (44, 46; 44, 50) are adjacent the discharge end (42).

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an improved variable breadth imler for use in a variable capacity centrifugal pump and a method for adapting a variable capacity centrifugal pump to produce a specific predetermined shutoff head are provided. The variable breadth impeller is a two piece unit comprising an impeller element having a plurality of radially extending impeller vanes thereon and an axially movable shroud having a plurality of radially extending grooves therein for receiving the impeller vanes in a meshing relationship. The movable shroud further includes a plurality of axially extending grooves in its outer peripheral surface which act as a supplemental pumping means between minimum flow rate condition and shutoff condition. The operation of the improved variable breadth impeller results in a specific predetermined pressure head being attained and maintained at pump shutoff operating condition.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement on a centrifugal pump including: a casing defining an inlet path extending at the axial portion thereof, a turbine chamber communicating with the inlet path, and an outlet path disposed at the outer periphery portion of the turbine chamber; a drive shaft rotatably held in the casing; and a turbine fixed on the drive shaft and disposed rotatably in the turbine chamber.

Abstract: Stall margin in a gas turbine compressor is controlled during acceleration by synthesizing the thermal enlargement of critical compressor stages to synthesize the temporary increase in blade-case clearance during acceleration. The change in clearance is used to produce an augmenting stator vane deflection signal which is summed with a steady state vane deflection signal to increase deflection during acceleration until the clearance returns to a nominal level when the expansion of the compressor parts stabilize.

Abstract: The deflection angle of a gas turbine stator is adjusted in proportion to the difference between two parameters computed from N.sub.2 and TT2 using the same function generator. One parameter is a reference adjustment under standard conditions for measured N.sub.2 adjusted to sea level and standard temperature. The second parameter is an adjustment for actual altitude conditions. The parameters manifest the clearance between the engine case and the turbine blade tips.

Abstract: A method of controlling a centrifugal compressor having a variable width diffuser section, the compressor being part of a chiller having a condenser and an evaporator, the method including the steps of defining the width of the diffuser which results in an optimum noise and performance level at given values of an operational parameter of the compressor, periodically sensing the operational parameter of the compressor, and periodically varying the diffuser width according to the sensed operational parameter to create a diffuser width that results in the optimum noise and performance levels at the sensed value of the operational parameter. The step of defining preferably defines the width based at least on the capacity at which the compressor is operating. The capacity is preferably determined by measuring the flow and temperature difference of the fluid passing through the evaporator. A control system for controlling the chiller system to minimize noise is also disclosed.

Abstract: A down-whole fluid drill assembly for boring holes in the earth, having a bit attached to a housing that is rotated by the passage of a fluid through the assembly. The drill assembly comprises at least two helical vanes connected to the first portion of a shaft that is mounted within a first hollow cylindrical housing. The helical vanes are attached to the first housing, defining at least two fluid channels between the adjacent vanes, housing, and the shaft. The drill bit is attached to the first end of the first housing. The second portion of the shaft is rotatably mounted within a second hollow cylindrical housing such that the first end of the second housing is adjacent to the second end of the first housing. The second housing has a fluid passage aligned in fluid flow communication with the fluid channels.

Abstract: A surging prediction device for a centrifugal compressor has a differential pressure detector and a controller. The detector detects a differential pressure between a hub side pressure in the vicinity of an inlet or a diffuser in the centrifugal compressor and a shroud side presser in the vicinity of the inlet of the diffuser. The controller compares the detected differential pressure from the detector with a set differential pressure beforehand set so as to be lower than a surging differential pressure between the hub side pressure and the shroud side pressure at an occurrence time of surging, and outputs a surging signal predicting an occurrence of surging when the detected differential pressure becomes higher than the set differential pressure.

Abstract: A gas turbine rotor assembly includes axially spaced rotor discs carried on a shaft, together with first and second generally cylindrical actuators mounted at each of their opposite ends to the shaft and extending toward one another to overlap at their distal ends. The actuators lie within the interior surface of the rotor discs and have openings in their overlapped portions. Upon a transient condition, the forward actuator thermally expands in an axial direction to register at least in part its openings with the openings of the second actuator to provide air flow through the partially aligned openings to opposite sides of an aft rotor disc. The second actuator thermally expands in a forward axial direction to increase the registration of the openings and, hence, the flow-through area, affording increased air flow.

Abstract: In a diffuser for a centrifugal compressor of the type which includes an impeller rotatably provide on a downstream side of the suction casing and a plurality of radial stator blades arranged tangentially with respect to the impeller, auxiliary blades are provided between the impeller and the stator blades, with the auxiliary blades having a chord length shorter than that of the stator blades and being slidable in the axial direction of the impeller. Further, the auxiliary blades are connected to devices designed to move them in the axial direction.

Abstract: A system for controlling rotor blade tip clearances in a gas turbine engine supplies both heating air and cooling air to the rotor bore. The heating air flow is controlled by a valve and the cooling air flow is not controlled.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling rotor blade tip clearances in a gas turbine engine is disclosed. A flow of heat transfer fluid is supplied to the rotor. The temperature of the flow is controlled as a function of the heat carrying capacity of the fluid.

Abstract: A centrifugal fan in which the cone and wheel have a telescoping relationship to vary the rated capacity of the fan. The mechanism effects the relative movement manually, or by a servo arrangement responsive to system pressure. The telescoping relationship includes an anti-recirculation sleeve on the cone. The wheel and cone can be moved to effect engagement of the cone and the wheel back plate to cut off the fan, when in a parallel arrangement, and to arrest wheel movement, after the drive to the wheel has been stopped. In another aspect, the cone and wheel are bodily stationary and a separate movable flow control sleeve is positioned to control flow.

Abstract: A variable-capacity water pump includes a pump impelled fixed to a rotatable shaft for forcibly feeding cooling water from a cooling water passage, a mechanical seal disposed behind the pump impeller, a temperature sensor such as a thermostat mounted on the rotatable shaft and disposed in the cooling water passage for detecting the temperature of the cooling water, a thrust shaft disposed coaxially with the rotatable shaft and axially movable by the temperature sensor, and a disk secured to the thrust shaft for axial movement therewith, the disk being axially movable by the temperature sensor for varying a range of operation of the pump impeller. In response to a variation in the temperature of the cooling water, the temperature sensor axially moves the thrust shaft and hence the disk to vary the range of operation of the impeller, thereby changing the quantity of the cooling water flowing through the water pump.

Abstract: A variable capacity centrifugal pump capable of directly varying capacity, r output, in response to existing back pressure. The pump comprises a axially movable shroud having female grooves in fluid tight communication with male impeller vanes. The shroud has a top face surface in fluid communication with a control cavity which in turn is in fluid communication with pump back pressure.

Abstract: A compressor with a rotary driven centrifugal impeller which receives inlet air from an inlet passageway and this discharges compressed air through a radially extending diffuser passageway. Moveable vanes are provided both in the inlet passageway and diffuser passageway for varying the pressure and flow output from the compressor while maintaining the rotary speed of the centrifugal impeller substantially constant. In the preferred form of the invention, the centrifugal impeller and an electrical generator are rotatably driven at a constant speed and in synchronism with each other and, together, form an electrical and pneumatic power system.

Abstract: The adjustment of clearances at the time of assembly and subsequently during operation of a labyrinth seal lying between the rotor and stator of a turbomachine is effected by radial displacements of a bush radially rigid with an outer pivot pin of each blade of the stator and co-operates with a boss of the casing by means of screw-threads. Such displacements are controlled as a function of a signal provided by a computer which integrates various operational parameters of the turbomachine and acts on a control ring connected by a lever to the said bush. The internal pivot of the blade is rigid with an annular member which carries a layer of abradable material constituting a fixed part of the labyrinth seal. The rotary part of the labyrinth seal is mounted on an opposed part of the rotor. A method for effecting the adjustment of the clearances is also described.

Abstract: This invention covers elements, such as guide walls, shut-off flaps, flow dividers and vanes, arranged on or in flow ducts energized with compressor and/or fan air, where said elements are variably arranged to suit variable operating states. To achieve extremely accurate, light-weight and uncomplicated actuating kinematics, the elements are designed as memory-alloy components or are nonpositively connected to at least one such component, they are at least partially located at one end and they permit of selective deformation in response to operationally induced over-maximum or under-minimum temperature conditions.

Abstract: A water pump having a pump impeller and a cup-like disk disposed to be movable along a rotation shaft driven by the engine, a space for passing water being formed between the pump impeller and the cup-like disk, the pump impeller and the cup-like disk being engaged each other by the engagement of vanes and grooves formed at least one side of them respectively, the distance between the pump impeller and the cup-like disk being varied according to the change of water temperature or the change of rotation speed of the engine, thereby to make it possible to adjust the water flow rate of the pump.

Abstract: This device provides the diffusor guide vanes with bypass ducts which establish communication between the pressure and suction sides, which can be sealed by means of shut-off elements, which take the form of bimetal components or at least are connected to such a component, and which are deformed flap-fashion as a function of temperature.

Abstract: A temperature sensor, for measuring the temperature of air flowing in a substantially annular path into a compressor stage of a gas turbine engine, is positioned in proximity to the inner diameter of the annular flow path forward of the compressor stage where the measured temperature of the compressor inlet air is reliable during periods of water ingestion as well as during dry operation.

Abstract: Exhaust gas turbine for driving a charging compressor for an internal combustion engine has movable inlet vanes. The vanes are controlled by sensing the inlet and outlet pressure at the vanes and adjusting the vanes in accordance with these pressures in order to maximize turbine efficiency.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a hydraulic turbine is disclosed comprising a hydraulic circuit to control the positioning of turbine runner blades and a hydraulic circuit to control the positioning of turbine wicket gates. The runner blade hydraulic circuit comprises a solenoid valve for normal operation of the blades and a slow rate servovalve for moving the blades when the actual blade position differs from a desired position by less than a predetermined tolerance. The wicket gate circuit comprises a solenoid valve for normal control of the gates. A diverter directs flow from the solenoid valve to a flow rate control valve when the difference between the actual and desired position of the gates is less than a second predetermined tolerance.

Abstract: A surge detection system for a compressor having a gas inlet and a gas outlet and experiencing rapid temperature changes in said gas inlet during surges, said detector comprising first and second thermocouples having different temperature response times, Tf and Ts respectively, and producing an electrical output proportional to said rapid temperature change occurring during a surge, means for mounting said first and second thermocouples in said compressor gas inlet such that both thermocouples are subject to the same temperature changes, means for electrically coupling said thermocouples to algebraically sum said electrical outputs, Tf-Ts to represent the rapid change in temperature occurring between said thermocouples, and means coupled to said thermocouples for converting said algebraically summed outputs, Tf-Ts, to control signals representing the number, intensity and duration of said surges.

Abstract: A centrifugal vapor compressor having a two-position, pressure controlled diffuser throttle ring is disclosed. The throttle ring is positively maintained in a minimum or a maximum throttling position by supplying either a relatively low pressure or a relatively high pressure, respectively, to a cavity behind the throttle ring. The throttle ring may be one of any of a variety or types of throttle rings including a new, improved throttle ring having a back portion with a sealing means which facilitates sliding movements of the throttle ring and which prevents vapor flow between the cavity behind the throttle ring and the diffuser passageway.

Abstract: A turbine suitable for a gas turbine engine is provided with a bearing support member which is interconnected with the turbine casing by means of an annular array of aerofoil guide vanes. The whole assembly of support member and aerofoil guide vanes is maintained in a state of tension. The degree of tension in the assembly is controlled so as to be substantially constant throughout the normal operating cycle of the turbine.