Having Apparatus Cleaning, Sealing, Lubricating, Purging, Standby, Or Protecting Feature Patents (Class 60/657)
  • Publication number: 20110023485
    Abstract: A system reclaiming contaminated water includes a heat exchanger that receives the contaminated water and converts at least a portion of the contaminated water into steam and collects at least a portion of the contaminants within the heat exchanger. A thermal transfer fluid is heated by a solar concentrator during daytime and by a biofuel combustion device during nighttime. The heated fluid is circulated through the heat exchanger to heat the contaminated water. A steam engine is coupled to a generator, the steam engine receives the steam from the heat exchanger to drive the generator to provide power for the system. Steam exhausted from the steam engine is supplied to supplemental heat loads. The collected contaminants are directed to an evaporation device to remove residual liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventor: Frank Schubert
  • Patent number: 7870733
    Abstract: It is an object to provide a fluid machine, which is simple in structure and in which lubricating oil containing smaller amount of the working fluid is supplied to sliding portions of an expansion device. The fluid machine has the expansion device for generating a driving force by expansion of the working fluid, which contains the lubricating oil and is heated to a gas phase condition. The fluid machine further has an electric power generating device driven by the driving force of the expansion device and generating electric power. An oil pooling portion is formed in a fluid passage, through which the working fluid discharged from the expansion device flows, such that the lubricating oil contained in the working fluid is brought into contact with at least one of sliding portions of the expansion device and the electric power generating device. And a heating unit is provided to heat the working fluid in the oil pooling portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignees: DENSO Corporation, Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Keiichi Uno, Hironori Asa, Yasuhiro Takeuchi, Hiroshi Ogawa, Hiroshi Kishita, Kazuhide Uchida, Yasuhiro Kawase, Atsushi Inaba
  • Patent number: 7870734
    Abstract: A system for generating electricity from steam power, which includes a steam source communicated with a steam load, the steam load requiring steam at a load pressure lower than the steam source; a pressure reduction valve communicated between the steam source and the steam load, and adapted to reduce steam pressure to the load pressure; and a pressure reduction valve bypass circuit including a steam turbine for converting steam to electric power, the turbine being communicated with an electric power load to provide power to the load. The turbine is advantageously positioned vertically above a motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy J. Murphy, Ernest J. Biron
  • Publication number: 20110005224
    Abstract: A method for operating a multi-step steam turbine operating in high temperature conditions is provided. The rotor is embodied as a welded construction including a first component and a second component. A coolant is supplied to the steam turbine after an intermediate state when the steam turbine is in the light-load or no-load phase. As a result, the thermal loads in the outflow area of the steam turbine are reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: Stefan Glos, Matthias Heue, Ernst-Wilhelm Pfitzinger, Norbert Pieper
  • Publication number: 20100257860
    Abstract: A power plant including a steam turbine, and a steam turbine exhaust duct configured to deliver uncontaminated fluid from the steam turbine to downstream components of the power plant. The steam turbine exhaust duct includes a steam turbine exhaust duct isolation valve selectively configured to prevent fluid communication between the steam turbine exhaust duct and the downstream components of the power plant, and a steam turbine exhaust duct vent with a steam turbine exhaust duct vent valve. The steam turbine exhaust duct vent is configured to deliver contaminated fluid from the steam turbine exhaust duct to a fluid sink upon opening of the exhaust duct vent valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald J. Feller, James C. Bellows, Teri J. Robertson
  • Patent number: 7802430
    Abstract: This invention improves and integrates a pressure control device (Pressure control device or PCD) into a new and efficient air removal system of a power plant condenser to dramatically improve condenser efficiency by reducing back pressure. The major improvements in the PCD of this invention are summarized below: First, the invention of a condenser steam-air mixture exhaust simulator for production of steam-air mixture at low pressure typical of operating conditions of power plant condensers makes it possible to study condensation mass and heat transfer data and to learn operating procedures for this Novel Pressure Control System (PCS) Technology for optimum reduction of air inventory in a condenser. With these data and procedures, the design and performance of a PCD can be greatly improved. Second, the development of an orifice plate to replace spray nozzles in a PCD greatly enhances the efficiency of the PCD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Inventor: William T. Sha
  • Patent number: 7793501
    Abstract: Attemperation systems and methods for cooling steam bypassed from a steam turbine during tripping of the steam turbine are provided in the disclosed embodiments. The systems may be configured to deliver water discharged from a fuel gas heater to a bypass attemperator, where the water discharged from the fuel gas heater may be used to cool the bypass steam. Before being used by the fuel gas heater, the water used to heat the fuel gas may be heated by an economizer. The water may be delivered to the economizer by an intermediate pressure stage of a boiler feedwater pump. In the disclosed embodiments, the intermediate pressure stage of the boiler feedwater pump may also be used to supply water to a re-heater attemperator, which may be used to further cool the steam after it has been delivered from the bypass attemperator to a re-heater. In addition, the intermediate pressure stage of the boiler feedwater pump may deliver water directly to the bypass attemperator as a supplemental water source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kowshik Narayanaswamy, Prakash Narayan
  • Patent number: 7784279
    Abstract: A steam valve has: a valve casing; a valve seat; a main valve body slidable to abut to or to detach from the valve seat; a bypass valve body slidably disposed in the main valve body; a cylindrical flow guide surrounding the annular wall of the bypass valve body; and a strainer surrounding the main valve body and the flow guide. The bypass valve body has a steam passage and the annular wall that protrudes out of the main valve body when the bypass valve body is in an open position. The annular wall has steam inlet ports. The flow guide guides steam from outside to flow through a space between the annular wall and the flow guide so as to admit steam into the steam passage in the bypass valve body through whole peripheral part of the annular wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Osamu Shindo
  • Patent number: 7775046
    Abstract: A system and a method of augmenting the heat up of a unit using a compressed, heated gas that contains moisture such as steam or vaporized water such that the specific heat of the gas is increased. In a preferred embodiment, steam in compressed inert gas such as nitrogen is capable of augmenting the heat up cycle for units such as process reactor vessels, furnaces, process steam and power production boilers, turbines, and other production vessels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: BJ Services Company LLC
    Inventors: Bradley Cyril Ingham, Steven J. Barber
  • Publication number: 20100199670
    Abstract: A power generation plant includes a steam turbine and an electrical generator driven thereby. A condenser is downstream from the steam turbine. Moreover, the power generation plant includes a steam source and an inert gas source. A deaerator downstream from the condenser and is operable to perform deaeration using the inert gas source and is also selectively operable to perform deaeration using the steam source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Teri J. Robertson, James C. Bellows
  • Publication number: 20100199671
    Abstract: A power generating system comprises a condenser and a deaerator apparatus. The condenser condenses a working fluid into a condensate and operates at an internal pressure above ambient pressure during a normal operating mode. The deaerator apparatus uses steam to remove contaminants from the condensate to bring the condensate to a desirable purity. The deaerator apparatus is deactivated during a typical operating state of the power generating system such that the condensate bypasses the deaerator apparatus. The deaerator apparatus is activated during a non-typical operating state of the power generating system such that the condensate passes into the deaerator apparatus wherein contaminants can be removed from the condensate. The typical operating state of the power generating system occurs when the condensate comprises a desirable purity and the non-typical operating state of the power generating system occurs when the condensate comprises an undesirable purity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.
    Inventor: James C. Bellows
  • Patent number: 7693402
    Abstract: A thermal storage unit having at least one conduit around which a cast is made is provided. The thermal storage unit uses conventional piping or tubing to create conduits that economically maximize the surface area of flow in contact with the thermal mass by proving multiple passes for the fluid through the cast. This enables the thermal storage unit to economically provide heat storage as well as effective heat delivery and pressure containment for a fluid flowing through the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Active Power, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Hudson, David E. Perkins, Donald M. Hudson, David J. Beatty, Donald L. Stamets, Joseph F. Pinkerton
  • Patent number: 7681395
    Abstract: Backup energy systems utilizing compressed air storage (CAS) systems and bridging energy systems to supply backup power to a load are provided. During a power failure, the bridging energy system provides backup power to the load at least until the CAS system begins supplying adequate power. In various embodiments, backup power capability is enhanced through the use of one or more exhaustless heaters, which are used to heat compressed air. The compressed air, in turn, drives a turbine which is used to power an electrical generator. In various embodiments, ambient air heat exchangers or other types of heat exchangers are used to heat compressed air prior to the compressed air being routed to the turbine, thereby increasing system efficiency. Backup power and backup HVAC are also provided by utilizing turbine exhaust, heat exchangers and various resistive heating elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Inventors: Joseph F Pinkerton, David Beatty, David E Perkins
  • Patent number: 7669419
    Abstract: A system for generating back-up electrical power. The system includes a vessel adapted to contain a volume of compressed gas and a valve to release gas from the vessel at a predetermined pressure. A scroll expander is adapted to receive and pass the released gas. A rotary member is rotated by the flow of the released gas passed by the expander. An electrical generator is drivingly connected to the rotatable member of the expander to generate a supply of electrical power. A power conditioning unit has at least one capacitor to store electrical energy to provide a back-up electrical supply for a brief period until the scroll expander and generator can produce the required supply of electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Energetix Group Limited
    Inventors: Lee Juby, Russell Benstead, Simon Redford
  • Publication number: 20100043438
    Abstract: A method of cooling a turbine having internal moving components to a predetermined temperature is disclosed. The method comprises taking the turbine offline. While the turbine is offline, nitrogen is flowed through the turbine until the turbine reaches the predetermined temperature while controlling the flow of nitrogen from at least one injection point to prevent damage to the moving components of the turbine by achieving uniform cooling of the internal moving components. Then the flow of nitrogen is stopped. A method and assembly for cleaning a turbine having a deposit formed on an internal surface of the turbine is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventor: Steven J. Barber
  • Publication number: 20100034684
    Abstract: A method for lubricating a screw expander includes condensing a mixture of working fluid and lubricant fed from the screw expander, through a condenser. At least a portion of the mixture of working fluid and lubricant fed from the condenser is pressurized from a first pressure to a second pressure through a pump. The method also includes separating the lubricant from the condensed working fluid of the at least portion of the mixture via a separator and feeding the lubricant to the screw expander; or separating the lubricant from the working fluid of the at least portion of the mixture via an evaporator and feeding the lubricant to the screw expander; or feeding the at least portion of the mixture of condensed working fluid and lubricant to the screw expander; or combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Gabor Ast, Michael Adam Bartlett, Thomas Johannes Frey, Herbert Kopecek
  • Patent number: 7640748
    Abstract: A system and method of cooling a steam turbine having internal moving components to a predetermined temperature by controlling a flow of nitrogen through the turbine, thus decreasing the downtime associated with maintaining the turbine. This provides a more efficient and cost effective method of operating a power plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: BJ Services Company
    Inventors: Steven J. Barber, Paul K. Trygstad
  • Publication number: 20090320478
    Abstract: A steam jet air ejector and a method for improving the performance of a steam jet air ejector in a nuclear reactor, the boundary layer separation reduction assembly for the steam jet air ejector includes a discharge diffuser including a plurality of vacuum ports positioned along an inner surface of the discharge diffuser and a vacuum source coupled to the vacuum ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2006
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventor: Robert Alan Head
  • Publication number: 20090288418
    Abstract: In a moisture separator, a manifold that communicates with a steam inlet is disposed in a shell; a plurality of blowout outlets for steam is provided on a side of the manifold; a first support plate and a lower support frame are fixed to a lower part in the shell to compart a steam drift space and a drain path; a moisture separating element is provided corresponding to the manifold; steam from which moisture is removed by the moisture separating element is heated by the group of the heating tubes to flow as high-temperature reheat steam to the steam outlet; the moisture is led from the drain opening through the drain path to the drain outlet; and a blocking plate that blocks a part of the drain opening is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventors: Issaku Fujita, Nobuki Uda, Jiro Kasahara
  • Publication number: 20090272114
    Abstract: Heat recovery equipment recovers heat from flue gas. The heat recovery equipment includes a power generation plant that drives a steam turbine by superheated steam produced in a boiler, and an exhaust-gas treatment line that treats flue gas output from the boiler. The exhaust-gas treatment line includes a first air preheater, a heat extractor unit, and a dry electrostatic precipitator. The power generation plant includes a condensed water line. The condensed water line includes a condenser, a condensed water heater, and a low-pressure feedwater heater. The condensed water heater heats water condensed by the condenser with the heat recovered by the heat extractor unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Takeuchi, Yoshio Nakayama, Tsuyoshi Oishi, Satoshi Nakamura, Shinji Nakamura, Tsuyoshi Dohi, Chikayuki Nagata
  • Publication number: 20090266076
    Abstract: A power generating system including a working fluid circuit. The power generating system includes a condenser system in the working fluid circuit and a condensate polisher circuit. The condenser system receives a working fluid that includes steam or a combination of water and steam and condenses at least a portion of the working fluid into a condensate. The condensate has a temperature above a predetermined upper operating temperature. The condensate polisher circuit is branched off from the working fluid circuit and receives and treats said condensate from the working fluid circuit and returns treated condensate to the working fluid circuit. The condensate polisher circuit includes a heat exchanger that reduces the temperature of the condensate at least to the upper operating temperature and a condensate polisher that removes contaminants from the condensate to bring the condensate to a predetermined purity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: James C. Bellows
  • Publication number: 20090241544
    Abstract: A method of increasing service interval periods in a steam turbine by neutralizing sodium hydroxide in contaminated steam in a high temperature and a high pressure portion of a steam turbine by placing a protective covering over at least a portion of each of the bolts of a nozzle block assembly. The protective covering neutralizes contaminants in contaminated steam to reduce stress cracking of the bolts during steam turbine operation, and thus extend the useful life of the bolts and reduce the need for service work to repair or replace damaged bolts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: SIEMENS POWER GENERATION, INC.
    Inventors: James C. Bellows, Sudhir Rajagopalan, James W. Dorow
  • Publication number: 20090188253
    Abstract: A vapour power generating system for generating power by using heat from a source of heat. The system has a closed circuit for a working fluid, and includes a heat exchanger assembly (1) for heating the fluid under pressure with heat from the source, a separator (8) for separating the vapour phase of the heated fluid from the liquid phase thereof, an expander (14) for expanding the vapour to generate power, a condenser (17) for condensing the outlet fluid from the expander (14), a feed pump (F) for returning condensed fluid from the condenser (17) to the heater and a return path for returning the liquid phase from the separator to the heater. The liquid phase of the working fluid contains a lubricant which lubricant is soluble or miscible in the liquid phase and a bearing supply path (21) is arranged to deliver liquid phase pressurised by the feed pump (F) to at least one bearing for a rotary element of the expander.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: CITY UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ian Kenneth Smith, Nikola Rudi Stosic, Ahmed Kovacevic
  • Publication number: 20090165460
    Abstract: The invention relates to a steam circuit in a power station, comprising at least one evaporator and at least one superheater, characterized in that a condensate collector and return line is provided between the superheater and the steam generator to trap condensate in the superheater and return the condensate to the evaporator
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventor: Uwe Juretzek
  • Publication number: 20090151355
    Abstract: A filtering apparatus having a vessel and a filter made from fluororesin and treated before filtering operation by at least one of adding thermal treatment in gas or liquid and penetrating with fluid composed of hot water or steam at a temperature of less than melting point of the fluororesin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Makoto FUJIE, Hideki Nakamura, Kazuya Yamada, Shuji Seki, Manabu Sakurai, Tadashi Fukushima, Kenichiro Ide, Tetsuya Noda, Masaru Komatsubara
  • Publication number: 20090120091
    Abstract: A geothermal power system for production of power, and in particular electrical energy, utilizing naturally occurring geothermal energy sources and a method for identifying and converting manmade and natural geological formations into a substantial source of energy and at the same time providing remediation of environmental and safety hazards. Utilizing surface air that is substantially cooler than the geothermal temperature of the subterranean cavern an induced air flow will be produced. This naturally induced air flow will be harnessed and provide the energy to the system power plants for production of electrical energy. The system includes a hydroelectric power system, a geothermal well, underground farms, heat recovery systems, a source of renewable biomass material, and air and water remediation systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventor: John R. DuBois
  • Publication number: 20090038310
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preventing chlorine deposition on the heat-transferring surfaces of a boiler, particularly on the superheater, in which boiler a fuel with a chlorine content, such as a biomass or waste fuel, is burned. And to which steam boiler is fed, preferably in the superheater area, a compound with a sulphate content, which forms a particular reagent to fix alkali compounds. The said compound is ferric(III)sulphate, Fe2(SO4)3 and/or aluminium(III)sulphate, Al2(SO4)3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventor: Martti Aho
  • Patent number: 7487640
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for removing water from a steam plant and to a steam plant with which, according to the degree of impurity of a number of partial volumes of water, a separate collection of the relevant partial water volumes is carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Schöttler, Anja Wallmann, Rainer Wulff
  • Publication number: 20090031726
    Abstract: A steam turbine installation (1), especially for electricity generation, includes a steam path (2) in which a steam generator (4) and a steam turbine (3) are arranged. In order to reduce the risk of erosion for components which are arranged in the steam path (2), for example blades of the steam turbine (3), an inertial separator (6) is arranged in the steam path (2) between the steam generator (4) and the steam turbine (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Ralf Greim, Timothy Stephen Rice
  • Patent number: 7464551
    Abstract: A storage power station (S), for example an air storage plant, that includes a compressor unit (V), a turbine unit (T) and a storage volume (100) can be operated using a specific method of operation, which allows as fast a reaction as possible to changes in the load demands. Rapid changes in the load demands can be satisfied by controlling the power consumption of the compressor unit (V), which results in a variable net power output, with the power output from the turbine unit (T) remaining constant. The power of the compressor unit can be controlled approximately one order of magnitude more quickly than the power generation machine can be controlled. In the extreme, the compressor unit can simply be shut down, thus resulting in its drive power becoming available to an electricity grid within seconds. During this process, the turbine unit can continue to operate normally, and can slowly follow the power demand, thus reducing the load on the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Rolf Althaus, Martin Koller, Karl Wiederhold
  • Publication number: 20080251140
    Abstract: A steam valve has: a valve casing; a valve seat; a main valve body slidable to abut to or to detach from the valve seat; a bypass valve body slidably disposed in the main valve body; a cylindrical flow guide surrounding the annular wall of the bypass valve body; and a strainer surrounding the main valve body and the flow guide. The bypass valve body has a steam passage and the annular wall that protrudes out of the main valve body when the bypass valve body is in an open position. The annular wall has steam inlet ports. The flow guide guides steam from outside to flow through a space between the annular wall and the flow guide so as to admit steam into the steam passage in the bypass valve body through whole peripheral part of the annular wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventor: Osamu SHINDO
  • Publication number: 20080223043
    Abstract: A filtering apparatus having a vessel and a filter made from fluororesin and treated before filtering operation by at least one of adding thermal treatment in gas or liquid and penetrating with fluid composed of hot water or steam at a temperature of less than melting point of the fluororesin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: Makoto FUJIE, Hideki Nakamura, Kazuya Yamada, Shuji Seki, Manabu Sakurai, Tadashi Fukushima, Kenichiro Ide, Tetsuya Noda, Masaru Komatsubara
  • Patent number: 7353653
    Abstract: The present inventive subject matter is drawn to a hybrid ultra reliable power generating system for supplying continuous reliable power at remote locations comprising: a primary power unit producing electric power that is supplied to a load. Also a secondary power unit is included in the form of a closed cycle vapor turbine (CCVT) system that is capable of producing 100% of the electric power that is produced by the primary power unit and which is heated in hot standby by rejected heat of the primary power unit, wherein the vaporizer of the CCVT is maintained during hot standby at a temperature above its nominal operating temperature and the vapor turbine of the CCVT is preferable maintained at idle during hot standby at a rotating speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Ormat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Lucien Y. Bronicki
  • Patent number: 7343744
    Abstract: A method for controlling a turbine-generator including: detecting a power-load unbalance between a turbine and a generator; measuring the duration of a power-load unbalance; measuring the rate of loss of an electrical load; and regulating steam flow through the turbine responsive to the rate of loss of an electrical load and the duration of the power-load unbalance; all of which results in more accurate and robust control of turbine-generator speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sheldon S. Abelson, Michael Glynn Wise, Michael James Molitor
  • Patent number: 7322270
    Abstract: A safety circuit for media-operated consumers, such as steam turbines or gas turbines, includes at least one first solenoid valve (1.1) which acts on a fluid circuit. An actuating device (9) can be connected to the fluid circuit, and acts at the same time on the operating behavior of the consumer. At least one other solenoid valve (1.2, 1.3) is connected at least to one of the other solenoid valves (1.1) such that only with simultaneous triggering of at least two solenoid valves (1.1, 1.2, 1.3) does at least one control valve (2.1), connected to the fluid circuit (10) act on the actuating device (9). Permanent verifiability can occur with simultaneous implementation of the safety function. A process for operating the safety circuit is also involved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Hydac System GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Schmieding
  • Patent number: 7310948
    Abstract: A self-contained, line-mounted, automatic device for reducing and preventing ice deposits on a suspended line, such as a suspended overhead power line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: Manucheher Shirmohamadi
  • Patent number: 7147427
    Abstract: A steam-driven turbine system for a power plant in which a high pressure and a low pressure turbine are coupled to a common shaft to drive an external generator. Process steam supply is used as gland sealing steam for the low pressure turbine and turbine driven steam pumps. The high pressure turbine has glands that are self sealing at higher generator outputs, and thus the turbine utilizes the process steam supply for gland sealing only during startup or at low generator outputs. The excess or “spillover” steam that is produced by the high pressure turbine at higher generator outputs is diverted away from the main condenser and/or low pressure feed heater. The spillover steam, which is normally waterlogged, is first passed through a separator to remove excess moisture. The spillover steam is next passed through a superheater to raise its temperature. The spillover steam is then directed to the low pressure turbine and/or turbine driven steam pumps so that it may be used as gland sealing steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: STP Nuclear Operating Company
    Inventor: Michael S. Campbell
  • Patent number: 7127895
    Abstract: Backup energy systems utilizing compressed air storage (CAS) systems and bridging energy systems to supply backup power to a load are provided. During a power failure, the bridging energy system provides backup power to the load at least until the CAS system begins supplying adequate power. In various embodiments, backup power capability is enhanced through the use of one or more exhaustless heaters, which are used to heat compressed air. The compressed air, in turn, drives a turbine which is used to power an electrical generator. In various embodiments, ambient air heat exchangers or other types of heat exchangers are used to heat compressed air prior to the compressed air being routed to the turbine, thereby increasing system efficiency. Backup power and backup HVAC are also provided by utilizing turbine exhaust, heat exchangers and various resistive heating elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Active Power, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph F Pinkerton, David Beatty, David E Perkins
  • Patent number: 7059132
    Abstract: In the control of feedwater to the steam generator in a power plant comprising one steam generator and a plurality of turbine plants, the water level in the steam generator and the flow rate balance between the steam flow rate and the feedwater flow rate of each turbine plant will be stabilized. In the power plant comprising one steam generator and a plurality of turbine plants combined, the control in the feedwater controller of the first turbine plant (main turbine plant) is normal control, that is, to control the feedwater control valve through the use of detection signals from the steam generator level detecting unit, the main steam flow detecting unit and the feedwater flow detecting unit of the first turbine plant, and the control in the feedwater controller of the second turbine plant (duplicate turbine plant) is to control the feedwater control valve through the use of a detection signal from the condenser level detecting unit of the first turbine plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazumasa Odani, Masayuki Nagasawa
  • Patent number: 7036315
    Abstract: In a waste heat recovery system having a superheat controller, a reference superheat controller operating trajectory is established and compared with operational superheat controller trajectories from time to time and measuring the deviation therebetween to determine whether a low charge condition exists. If such a condition does exist, warning steps and possibly shut down steps can be taken. As a verification of a low charge condition, the absence or presence of oscillations in the pressure and/or pump power conditions can be observed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Pengju Kang, Frederick James Cogswell
  • Patent number: 7028479
    Abstract: A method and a device are for operating a steam turbine in which includes several no-load or light-load phases. All phases are supplied with steam in order to ensure good preheating. The supply of a phase is selected in such a way that the phase produces the least possible output, preferably no output. The enthalpy differential between the entrance to and exit from the phase is thus preferably reduced to zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Edwin Gobrecht, Juergen Havemann, Norbert Henkel, Michael Wechsung
  • Patent number: 7028480
    Abstract: A steam temperature control system for a power plant for controlling a temperature of steam flowing through steam pipes connected to a heat exchanger to a target temperature by spraying water by means of a spray valve of an attemperator, having a target temperature calculation section for calculating the target temperature of the steam for determining the target temperatures of the plural steam pipes connected to the heat exchanger in respective steam pipes connected to a common heat exchanger; and an instruction value calculation section for calculating command values to the spray valves disposed to the respective steam pipes, based on the target temperatures determined by the calculation in the target temperature calculating section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takaaki Sekiai, Satoru Shimizu, You Oosawa
  • Patent number: 7003956
    Abstract: A steam turbine and steam turbine plant that can utilize a relatively higher reheated steam, such as about 1300 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, is provided. A steam turbine plant includes a steam generator generating high pressure steam and reheated steam, a high pressure turbine driven by the high pressure steam generated by the steam generator, and an intermediate pressure turbine driven by the reheated steam. A steam bleed line coupled with the high pressure turbine bleeds steam from the high pressure turbine as cooling steam. The intermediate pressure turbine includes a heated steam inlet for receiving the reheated steam, and a cooling steam inlet for receiving the cooling steam. The cooling steam cools components of the intermediate pressure turbine that receive the reheated steam. A low pressure turbine is driven by steam discharged from the intermediate pressure turbine, and a condenser condenses steam discharged from the low pressure turbine into water as a condensate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Katsuya Yamashita, Kohei Nagane, Yukio Shinozaki
  • Patent number: 6981378
    Abstract: Uninterruptible power is supplied to a load connected to a power line by connecting the power line to a rotatable member that includes a Rankine cycle turbine coupled to a device that operates as a motor when line power is operative thereby rotating the member at a standby rotational speed so that a predetermined amount of kinetic energy is stored in the rotating member, and that operates as a generator when the line power is inoperative and the member is rotated by the application of vaporized working fluid to the turbine. Working fluid is vaporized and maintained at an operational temperature level only when the line power is inoperative. The working fluid is held at a standby temperature level, preferably greater than the operational temperature level, while the power line is operative whereby the working fluid contains a predetermined amount of stored thermal energy while the power line is operative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Ormat Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Lucien Y. Bronicki
  • Patent number: 6951105
    Abstract: An electro-water reactor steam powered electric generator system includes a steam boiler having water and steam chambers, a water intake pipe and a plurality of steam delivery pipes. An electric resistance heater is mounted under and around the boiler having power leads connected to an auxiliary power source. A plurality of independent steam turbines and connected electric generators are joined respectively to the steam delivery pipes. Most of the electric power delivery leads of the generators are adapted to deliver electric power for industrial and residential usage. At least one of the generator power leads is connected to the electric resistance heater elements. A steam return pipe connects each turbine with a condenser which includes a heat exchanger connected to the water intake pipe. Electric pumps and piping circulate water between the condenser and a body of water. An auxiliary electrical power source is connected to the heater elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Inventor: Edward J. Smith
  • Patent number: 6938421
    Abstract: A system for the control of an indirectly heated gas turbine comprising a primary system of controlling the temperature of heated compressed gas entering the expander, and an independent secondary system which includes a safety valve for instantaneous release of heated compressed gas to the atmosphere. The primary system controls system gas temperature and power output by modulating a flow of unheated compressed gas which bypasses the heat exchanger and mixes with the heated gas leaving the heat exchanger to produce a lower temperature gas entering the expander. The secondary system provides a backup means of overspeed prevention, and includes a safety valve to instantly discharge to the atmosphere hot compressed gas upstream of the expander by being responsive to the speed of the turbine. The safety valve includes a frangible membrane clamped between parallel flanges within the ducting, and further includes a dagger assembly for rupturing the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Inventor: Richard W. Foster-Pegg
  • Patent number: 6918252
    Abstract: A method is provided for cooling a seal located in a wall of a chamber and through which a movable shaft passes, the seal being heated by hot pressurized vapor that leaks through the seal into the chamber and internal friction. The method comprises the steps of: providing a chamber in which the seal is located and into which the hot pressurized vapor leaks; injecting cool liquid into the chamber in which the seal is located; and cooling and condensing the hot pressurized vapor in the chamber thus cooling the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Ormat Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Ohad Zimron, Nadav Amir, Meir Rigal
  • Patent number: 6915635
    Abstract: It is proposed that, during the operation of a steam turbine of a steam power plant, the internal pressure and also the internal temperature and, in the region outside it, the external temperature be determined in at least one steam-carrying component. As a result of a change in the operating state, in particular in the event of a load change, then, the abovementioned values vary, so that, under some circumstances, the mechanical stresses which in this case act on the steam-carrying component become unacceptably high. Consequently, a spatial temperature distribution and a reference stress of the steam-carrying component are determined from the abovementioned values and compared with a material limit stress. If the reference stress is greater than the material limit stress, a limit steam pressure desired value is determined, and at least one steam valve is set in such a way that the steam pressure on the steam-carrying component corresponds approximately to this limit steam pressure desired value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thorsten Wolf
  • Patent number: 6898935
    Abstract: A system and method of cooling a steam turbine having internal moving components to a predetermined temperature by controlling a flow of nitrogen through the turbine, thus decreasing the downtime associated with maintaining the turbine. This provides a more efficient and cost effective method of operating a power plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: BJ Services Company
    Inventors: Steven J. Barber, Paul K. Trygstad
  • Patent number: 6898936
    Abstract: A method of remediating and recovering energy from combustion products from a fossil fuel power plant having at least one fossil fuel combustion chamber, at least one compressor, at least one turbine, at least one heat exchanger and a source of oxygen. Combustion products including non-condensable gases such as oxygen and nitrogen and condensable vapors such as water vapor and acid gases such as SOX and NOX and CO2 and pollutants are produced and energy is recovered during the remediation which recycles combustion products and adds oxygen to support combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Thomas L. Ochs, William K. O'Connor