Having Apparatus Cleaning, Sealing, Lubricating, Purging, Standby, Or Protecting Feature Patents (Class 60/657)
  • Patent number: 5794446
    Abstract: A steam powered electric power generating station to provide electricity comprises a steam turbine positioned in a steam turbine shell, equipment, such as a heater, a first and a second temperature detector, and a computer. The steam turbine has necessary blades and a rod to turn an electrical generator to create electricity. The steam turbine shell mechanically coupled to receive steam to turn the at least one blade steam turbine. The equipment is mechanically coupled to the steam turbine shell to receive steam from the steam turbine shell and receives feed water through an entry port and releases feed water heater through an exit port. The first temperature detector is positioned to detect a first temperature of the feed water prior to entering the equipment via the entry port. The second temperature detector is positioned to detect a second temperature of the feed water after exiting the first piece of feed water via the exit port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Basic Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: James N. Earley, Jeffrey D. Hooper, Billy H. Stigall, John S. Stinson
  • Patent number: 5791147
    Abstract: A steam powered electric power generating station to provide electricity comprises a steam turbine positioned in a steam turbine shell, equipment, such as a heater, a first and a second temperature detectors, and a computer. The steam turbine has necessary blades and a shaft to turn an electrical generator to create electricity. The steam turbine shell mechanically coupled to receive steam to turn the at least one blade steam turbine. The equipment is mechanically coupled to the steam turbine shell to receive steam from the steam turbine shell and receives feed water through an entry port and releases feed water through an exit port. The first temperature detector is positioned to detect a first temperature of the feed water prior to entering the equipment via the entry port. The second temperature detector is positioned to detect a second temperature of the feed water after exiting the equipment via the exit port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Basic Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: James N. Earley, Jeffrey D. Hooper, Billy H. Stigall, John S. Stinson
  • Patent number: 5784887
    Abstract: A targeted fluid delivery system (110) is provided for delivering a treatment fluid (F) into tubes (I) of a tube and shell type heat exchanger such as in a condenser (C), typically used in a power plant. The system (110) targets the treatment fluid (F) delivery to separate regions (R) of tubes (I) such that the concentration of the treatment fluid (F) within the tubes (I) of the targeted region (R) is greater than a concentration of the treatment fluid (F) upon mixing with water from other tubes (I) outside of the targeted region (R) at an outlet (O). The system (110) includes a plurality of manifold tiles (160) oriented in fixed relationship to a tubesheet (100) of the condenser (C) at an inlet thereof such that the manifold tiles (160) are rigidly held in place, but do not block the tubes (I) of the condenser (C). The treatment fluid (F) is delivered to the tubes (I) through injectors (180) in the manifold tiles (160).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Inventors: Winston Chow, Yusuf G. Mussalli, Barry C. Syrett
  • Patent number: 5749227
    Abstract: A turbine air sealing and condenser air removal system for use in steam plant equipment is arranged to increase steam plant efficiency, reduce oxygen concentration in condensate being returned to the steam generators, and simplify system arrangement and maintenance. This system incorporates dry running shaft seals at the high and low pressure turbine shaft glands. The turbine shaft glands are exhausted to a vacuum header which is exhausted by vacuum pumps. Air from the condenser is also exhausted to the common vacuum header. Non-rotating air seals on the turbine such as valve stem seals, which must only accommodate linear movement, can incorporate metallic bellows or conventional packings to prevent air leakage into the steam path or steam leakage out into the surrounding environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Electric Boat Corporation
    Inventors: James S. Smith, Glenn N. Levasseur, John H. Chapman, Daniel J. Link, Kevin M. Didona
  • Patent number: 5669220
    Abstract: A method of operating a water/steam cycle of a thermal power station, for example a steam power station, combined heat and power station or combined cycle power station, having a preheating section for condensate, a steam generator, a steam turbine with a condenser, a condensate treatment system downstream of the condenser, and at least one condensate pump upstream of the condensate treatment system. The treated condensate is subjected to tapped steam from the steam turbine and/or from a steam reheat system in the preheating section and is heated thereby before it is supplied to the steam generator. The condensate is subjected to a pretreatment before reaching the preheating section and its degasification is dispensed with when it subsequently flows through the preheating section. A water/steam cycle of a thermal power station includes a preheating section, a steam generator, a steam turbine downstream of the steam generator, a condenser and a condensate treatment system downstream of the condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: ABB Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Nabil Rachid
  • Patent number: 5533337
    Abstract: In a feed water supply system for a power plant, feed water is supplied into a steam generator to generate steam, the steam is fed to a main turbine to drive an electric generator, and a feed water pump for supplying feed water into the steam generator is arranged so as to be driven by a feed water pump turbine driven with steam. The system is provided with main turbine extraction steam pipings for passage of main turbine extraction steam, high pressure auxiliary steam pipings for passage of high pressure steam, and low pressure auxiliary steam pipings for passage of low pressure steam, as pipings for steam supply for driving the feed water pump turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yosio Kusayama
  • Patent number: 5490386
    Abstract: A method is provided for cooling a low pressure steam turbine operating in a ventilation mode. The low pressure steam turbine has a closable inlet through which steam can be delivered when operating in a power generation mode and which is blocked off when operating in ventilation mode, an outlet which communicates with a condenser for condensing the steam to condensate and a bleed port between the inlet and the outlet. A bleed pipe is connected to the bleed port for diverting steam and/or condensate during operation in the power generation mode. Steam is supplied through a steam transfer pipe to the bleed pipe in order to cool the low pressure steam turbine when operating in the ventilation mode. Condensate may also be supplied to the bleed pipe. The cooling effect in the low pressure steam turbine is largely limited to those components which suffer most when it is operating in the ventilation mode, and the cooling provisions are extracted from resources that are already available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Herbert Keller, Dietmar Bergmann
  • Patent number: 5454689
    Abstract: A process for sealing the rotor of a turbine which uses wet geothermal steam under pressure in which the said rotor is provided with a plurality of adjacent labyrinth sealing rings interposed with passages which extend radially of the rotor itself. The process provides at least one step in which a flow of steam is introduced into one of the said radial passages and made to pass through the labyrinth of at least one of the said sealing rings, being throttled with a drop in pressure and reduction in temperature. The portion of steam which has been throttled is collected through another of the said radial passages and exhausted or recycled to the turbine at an intermediate stage having the same pressure as the steam. The pressure and temperature values reached by the steam after throttling are such as to maintain it in a wet state. In this way, as the steam always stays wet, the salts in the original geothermal steam remain dissolved and are not deposited, thus allowing the seals to operate correctly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Ansaldo Gie S.r.l.
    Inventor: Loris Falavigna
  • Patent number: 5442921
    Abstract: A targeted fluid delivery system (110) is provided for delivering a treatment fluid (F) into tubes (I) of a tube and shell type heat exchanger such as in a condenser (C), typically used in a power plant. The system (110) targets tile treatment fluid (F) delivery to separate regions (R) of tubes (I) such that the concentration of the treatment fluid (F) within the tubes (I) of the targeted region (R) is greater than a concentration of the treatment fluid (F) upon mixing with water from other tubes (I) outside of the targeted region (R) at an outlet (O). The system (110) includes a plurality of manifold tiles (160) oriented in fixed relationship to a tubesheet (100) of the condenser (C) at an inlet thereof such that the manifold tiles (160) are rigidly held in place, but do not block the tubes (I) of the condenser (C). The treatment fluid (F) is delivered to the tubes (I) through injectors (180) in the manifold tiles (160).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: EPRI
    Inventors: Winston Chow, George E. Hecker, Yusuf G. Mussalli, Barry C. Syrett
  • Patent number: 5392605
    Abstract: The pressure of a high pressure combustible gas is reduced by applying the gas to an expander having a rotatable shaft that passes through a seal and is coupled to a generator. Gas that leaks through the seal provides a simple seal and is withdrawn for burning to heat the high pressure gas before it is applied to the expander.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Ormat Turbines (1965) Ltd.
    Inventor: Uri Kaplan
  • Patent number: 5388411
    Abstract: A method of operating a combined gas and steam turbine cycle system including a steam turbine provided with steam from at least one heat recovery steam generator having a high pressure section and a low pressure section, wherein the steam turbine includes high pressure seals and low pressure seals, includes the steps of:a) when the steam turbine is operating at a load below a self-sealing load, supplying steam at a controlled, predetermined pressure to the high and low pressure seals from the high pressure section of the heat recovery steam generator; andb) after steam from the lower pressure section of the heat recovery stem generator exceeds the predetermined pressure, supplying the high and low pressure seals with steam from the lower pressure section of the heat recovery steam generator at a pressure higher than the predetermined pressure, andc) supplying steam from the high pressure section of the heat recovery steam generator whenever a turbine metal inlet temperature exceeds a predetermined reference t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Craig W. McKeever, Daniel T. Lee
  • Patent number: 5353628
    Abstract: A steam purity monitor (10) detects the presence of sodium hydroxide and sodium chloride in a steam turbine (12). In the steam purity monitor (10), a control unit (18) is connected to a sensor unit (14) in the steam turbine (12) which has a conductance sensor (30), pressure sensor (34) and temperature sensor (32) to measure conductance, pressure and temperature in the steam turbine (12). A heating coil (40) is further provided to vary the temperature of the sensor unit (14). If conductance is detected by the conductance sensor (30), then the temperature is obtained from the temperature sensor (32) and compared by the control unit (18) to a saturation temperature calculated based on pressure readings from the pressure (34). If the temperature exceeds the saturation temperature by a predetermined amount, the control unit (18) indicates the presence of sodium hydroxide on a display unit (29).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation
    Inventor: James C. Bellows
  • Patent number: 5343705
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a required deaerating temperature differential between incoming water and sparge steam in a steam generation system having a vacuum deaerator. The present invention selectively combines raising the energy of the sparge steam with flash cooling of the incoming water to provide the required deaerating temperature differential. The energizing of the sparge steam is accomplished by a thermocompression device. The thermocompression device may also be used to reduce the pressure in a portion of the vacuum deaerator to cause the flash cooling of the incoming water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Graham Corporation
    Inventors: Roderick E. Athey, Elliot Spencer, Lance L. Frens
  • Patent number: 5333457
    Abstract: A method for improving operational efficiency of a partial-arc steam turbine power plant during power output variations by dynamically adjusting valve point values during turbine operation. Impulse chamber pressure at each of a plurality of valve points is first determined during operation of the steam turbine at constant pressure. For each adjacent pair of valve points, an optimum constant pressure transition point pressure for transitioning from one to the other of the sliding pressure mode and constant pressure mode is then computed. The optimum constant pressure transition point pressure for each pair of valve points is converted to a corresponding percentage of the pressure difference between the adjacent pairs of valve points. The impulse chamber pressure at each valve point is then used to calculate a corresponding impulse chamber pressure for transitioning from the one mode to the other mode based upon the percentage pressure difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation
    Inventor: George J. Silvestri, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5329771
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for operating a hermetic, small-size power plant in which a primary circulation is conducted in a main line connecting a high-speed machine including at least a turbine and a generator installed on a joint rotor, a vaporizer and a condenser. Fluid lubrication of bearings of the rotor during the continuing operation is effected by fluid medium passing through the condenser and along the main line of the primary circulation. The vaporizer is connected to the high-speed machine through medium flow paths defining a circulating medium circuit bypassing the condenser and at least partly bypassing the main line of the primary circulation to secure passage of circulating medium accumulated in the vaporizer for lubrication of the bearings of the rotor during stopping of the primary circulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: Oy High Speed Tech Ltd.
    Inventors: Timo Kytomaki, Olli Lindgren, Jarmo Alamaki, Jaakko Larjola
  • Patent number: 5305607
    Abstract: In a geothermal electrical power generating plant of the type employing one or more flash crystallizers and one or more reactor clarifiers for processing a large quantity of particulate silica that precipitates out of the hot geothermal brine as thermal energy is extracted during power production, method and apparatus for continuously separating toxic particulate scale out of the nontoxic particulate silica. A portion of the clarifier sludge underflow is treated to cause vertical separation of the scale particles from the silica particles by means of a continuous vertical countercurrent decantation process in which a liquid slurry of the silica and scale particles is flowed upwardly at a velocity greater than the terminal settling velocity of the silica and less than the terminal settling velocity of the scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: Magma Power Company
    Inventor: Enos A. Bonham, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5297389
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a required deaerating temperature differential between incoming water and sparge steam in a steam generation system having a vacuum deaerator. The present invention selectively combines raising the energy of the sparge steam with flash cooling of the incoming water to provide the required deaerating temperature differential. The energizing of the sparge steam is accomplished by a thermocompression device. The thermocompression device may also be used to reduce the pressure in a portion of the vacuum deaerator to cause the flash cooling of the incoming water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: Graham Corporation
    Inventors: Roderick E. Athey, Elliot Spencer, Lance L. Frens
  • Patent number: 5292225
    Abstract: An overspeed trip system for a steam turbine. A pressure switch is installed at the discharge of an oil pump that is driven by the rotor shaft and that rotates at the same speed as the rotor. The discharge pressure of the oil pump is proportional to the rotational speed of its impeller. When the pressure switch senses that the oil pump discharge pressure exceeds a predetermined value, thereby indicating that the rotor has reached an overspeed condition, it activates a solenoid operated valve that causes oil to be dumped from the line supplying control oil pressure to a throttle valve actuator. The throttle valve is spring loaded to close so that when the oil is dumped, the throttle valve closes, thereby effecting a turbine trip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Glenn E. Dyer
  • Patent number: 5201180
    Abstract: A method for monitoring the operating condition of a steam turbine, to which an adjustable inlet steam quantity can be supplied and from which a variable, partially expanded steam quantity can be extracted, includes initially ascertaining a relative inlet steam quantity for an adjustable inlet steam quantity as a percentage value, and ascertaining a relative turbine power from the relative inlet steam quantity as a percentage value; and determining an applicable operating point from the relative inlet steam quantity and the relative turbine power, and subsequently displaying the applicable operating point inside a performance graph for various extraction steam quantities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Inventor: Paul Girbig
  • Patent number: 5199264
    Abstract: In a power generating installation including a steam turbine-generator system, a source of steam under pressure, and a steam conditioning unit, the steam turbine-generator system including a high pressure turbine and at least one low pressure turbine, each turbine having a steam inlet and an exhaust outlet, and an output shaft coupled to all turbines, and the steam conditioning unit being connected between the exhaust outlet of the high pressure turbine and the steam inlet of each low pressure turbine and being effective to remove moisture from, and reheat, steam flowing between the exhaust outlet of the high pressure turbine and the steam inlet of the low pressure turbine, the steam conditioning unit is composed of two structurally separate devices which include a reheating device which functions exclusively to add heat to the steam and a moisture separating device which acts to remove moisture from the steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Paul W. Viscovich
  • Patent number: 5189873
    Abstract: A combined cycle power plant includes a water treatment apparatus for removing iron oxides in condensate provided in a partial condensate flow line for selectively flowing a portion of the condensate into a condenser. The partial condensate flow line recirculates a portion of the condensate from and to the condenser through the condensate feed line connected to a boiler utilizing exhaust gas from a gas turbine. A heating apparatus heats the condensate to reduce the concentration of oxygen by deaeration, and a drum blow off water recovery line is connected to the boiler and to the condenser for blowing off part of the condensate in the boiler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi Mishima, Yoshiki Noguchi
  • Patent number: 5180034
    Abstract: An adaptive oil lubrication system for a marine propulsion system having a variable speed oil pump controlled by a microprocessor. The speed of the pump and, thus, the oil flow rate is varied to track the demand for lubrication by the propulsion system. A microprocessor monitors the propulsion system and calculates the appropriate speed of the oil pump to generate the oil flow needed by the propulsion system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1993
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventor: Wiliam F. Lopes
  • Patent number: 5172553
    Abstract: A method and apparatus wherein, during time periods when a turbine is off-line and in a restart-ready condition, residual steam is circulated in the turbine between the cover and base of the turbine such that the cover and base are maintained at generally equal temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Serge P. Barton, Peter G. Smith
  • Patent number: 5165237
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a required deaerating temperature differential between incoming water and sparge steam in a steam generation system having a vacuum deaerator. The present invention selectively combines raising the energy of the sparge steam with flash cooling of the incoming water to provide the required deaerating temperature differential. The energizing of the sparge steam is accomplished by a thermocompression device. The thermocompression device may also be used to reduce the pressure in a portion of the vacuum deaerator to cause the flash cooling of the incoming water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Assignee: Graham Corporation
    Inventors: Roderick E. Athey, Elliot Spencer, Lance L. Frens
  • Patent number: 5136848
    Abstract: A method for improving operational efficiency of a partial-arc steam turbine power plant during power output variations by dynamically adjusting valve point values during turbine operation. Impulse chamber pressure at each of a plurality of valve points is first determined during operation of the steam turbine at constant pressure. For each adjacent pair of valve points, an optimum constant pressure transition point pressure for transitioning from one to the other of the sliding pressure mode and constant pressure mode is then computed. The optimum constant pressure transition point pressure for each pair of valve points is converted to a corresponding percentage of the pressure difference between the adjacent pairs of valve points. The impulse chamber pressure at each valve point is then used to calculate a corresponding impulse chamber pressure for transitioning from the one mode to the other mode based upon the percentage pressure difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: George J. Silvestri, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5133189
    Abstract: A system is provided for independently testing trip valves in a multi-valve electro-hydraulic trip control system for a steam turbine. The electro-hydraulic trip control system features first and second channels arranged in series to control the pressure of a hydraulic fluid supplied to the actuator of the steam turbine throttle valve. Each of the channels has first and second trip valves arranged in parallel. First and second orifices are arranged in parallel with the first and second channels, respectively. First and second pressure switches are adapted to sense the pressure in the hydraulic fluid downstream of the first orifice. A programmable controller is programmed to test each of trip valves individually by individually opening and closing each of the trip valves sequentially and determining whether the signals from the pressure switches indicate that the trip valve being tested has opened. The programmable controller is programmed to indicate a valve failure should one of the trip valves fail to open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Joseph D. Hurley
  • Patent number: 5131230
    Abstract: A steam turbine monitoring and control system for a steam turbine having a base, a cover and interfacing plant piping system with plural feed water heaters and fluid tanks, includes a plurality of water detectors located in the interfacing plant piping system, for detecting the presence of water or cool fluid, a plurality of heater blankets covering the steam turbine, temperature detector means, coupled to the base and cover of the steam turbine, for detecting temperature differentials between the base and the cover, a water detector controller coupled to the plurality of water detectors and the temperature detector means; and monitor/alarm means, coupled to the water blanket power source, the plurality of heater blankets, the temperature detector means, and the plurality of water detectors, for indicating a condition of potential water induction when water or cool fluid is detected at any one of the plurality of water detectors, and for switching on the heater blankets to maintain absolute and relative tempe
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Serge P. Barton, Peter G. Smith
  • Patent number: 5111663
    Abstract: Start-up particulate separating apparatus for the inlet steam flow to a steam turbine, where particulate material can be a cause of internal damage and erosion, comprising a steam inlet pipe to the turbine, a centrifugal separator, and means for directing the inlet steam from the inlet pipe to the separator for removing particulate therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Inventor: Ronald E. Brandon
  • Patent number: 5090205
    Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and a method for using that apparatus for replacing an existing governor valve on a steam chest of a high pressure turbine that enables chemical foam to be input from outside the turbine for cleaning chemical deposits from the turbine. This device enables chemical foam to be input without penetrating the turbine's main steam loop. When the cleaning process has been finished, the original governor valve can be easily replaced in a short period of time. The apparatus includes an inlet for the chemical foam, a structure for attaching the apparatus to the steam chest of the turbine, and a structure which allows the foam to flow from the stream chest to the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Inventor: Charles D. Foster
  • Patent number: 5040368
    Abstract: An improved actuator of the type in which a piston is translatable in a piston housing in response to an expandable working fluid in fluid communication with one end of the piston. An improved sealing assembly prevents leakage of working fluid from the piston housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: Actronics Incorporated
    Inventor: William E. Baker
  • Patent number: 5025630
    Abstract: In a method and device for protecting against erosion and/or corrosion steam pipes of the high-pressure stage of a power and/or steam generation plant saturated steam turbine, at portions of its low-pressure stage and at heaters of the heat exchanger installation of the power and/or steam generation plant, the major part of the water contained in the offtakes and the wet steam outlets of the high-pressure stage is separated out by centrifugal means. A first fraction of the steam partly dried by this means is superheated and/or final dried and then fed into the portions of the low-pressure stage of the turbine and a complementary fraction of the partly dried steam is fed to the heaters. The first fraction and the complementary fraction of the steam are dried together by centrifugal means after which the complementary fraction is final dried by centrifugal means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Assignee: Stein Industrie
    Inventors: Jacques Marjollet, Boris Perras
  • Patent number: 5018356
    Abstract: A steam turbine system having a steam chest coupled in operating relationship to a steam turbine includes apparatus for controlled heating of the steam chest to reduce thermal stresses. A throttle valve is connected in a steam flow path between a steam source and the steam chest for regulating the flow of steam over a predetermined range of steam flow rates. A temperature sensor is coupled to the steam chest for providing signals indicative of the temperature of the steam chest. A steam leak-off line coupled to the steam chest includes a flow control valve for regulating the flow of steam from the steam chest through the leak-off line, and a controller is coupled in a controlling relationship to the throttle valve and the flow control valve for controlling the flow of steam into and out of the steam chest to effect a controlled warming of the steam chest. The controller is connected to receive the signals from the temperature sensor and is responsive to the signals for controlling warming of the steam chest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: George J. Silvestri, Jr., James A. Martin, Douglas R. Ulrich
  • Patent number: 5018355
    Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and a method for using that apparatus for replacing an existing governor valve on a steam chest of a high pressure turbine that enables chemical foam to be input from outside the turbine for cleaning chemical deposits from the turbine. This device enables chemical foam to be input without penetrating the turbine's main steam loop. When the cleaning process has been finished, the original governor valve can be easily replaced in a short period of time. The apparatus includes an inlet for the chemical foam, a structure for attaching the apparatus to the steam chest of the turbine, and a structure which allows the foam to flow from the steam chest to the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Inventor: Charles D. Foster
  • Patent number: 5005351
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling the operation of a steam condenser in a power plant which includes a steam turbine, the condense having: a steam flow path including a steam inlet connected to receive turbine exhaust steam from the turbine steam outlet, a condensate outlet and a heat exchange region located between the steam inlet and the condensate outlet; a cooling water flow path having an inlet and an outlet and heat exchange elements for conducting cooling water through the heat exchange region, and a non-condensible product removal path having an inlet communicating with the heat exchange region and an outlet located outside of the heat exchange region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: David H. Archer
  • Patent number: 4976100
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for recovering heat from the exhaust gas of a gas turbine operating in a combined cycle power plant. Heat is recovered by transferring it to feedwater supplied to a heat recovery steam generator. The heat recovery steam generator generates steam for expansion in a steam turbine, thereby producing additional rotating shaft power, and injection into the combustor of the gas turbine, thereby reducing nitrogen oxides in the exhaust gas. Feedwater from the condenser is entered directly into a feedwater heater in the heat recovery steam generator, thus avoiding the use of steam for feedwater heating. Acid corrosion is avoided by regulating the heat transferred from the exhaust gas to the feedwater heater in the event high sulfur fuel is burned in the gas turbine combustor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Richard M. Lee
  • Patent number: 4961311
    Abstract: A combined cycle power plant having a steam turbine, a gas turbine, a heat recovery steam generator, a deaerator and a condenser includes a heat exchanger for controllably exchanging heat between relatively cool condensate from the condenser and relatively warm feedwater from the deaerator in order to recover additional heat from the heat recovery steam generator and, thereby, improve overall efficiency of the combined cycle power plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: James Pavel, Bennie L. Richardson
  • Patent number: 4959963
    Abstract: A moisture pre-separator for a steam turbine includes an inner cylinder, an outer cylinder and a bottom interconnecting lower ends of the inner and outer cylinders. An annular collection chamber formed by the outer surface of the inner cylinder and the inner surface of the outer cylinder and the bottom is vented to communicate steam from the collection chamber to the interior of the inner cylinder, thereby equalizing pressure around the circumference of the entry gap and increasing effectiveness of moisture entrapment. Vanes are provided either on the outer surface of the inner cylinder or the inner surface of the outer cylinder, or both, in order to enhance swirling flow of moisture within the chamber, thereby helping to keep moisture away from the outer surface of the inner cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Homer G. Hargrove, Harry F. Martin, Donald K. Whirlow
  • Patent number: 4917570
    Abstract: An axial thrust limiting system for a steam turbine including a rotor having a shaft, the turbine containing a plurality of chambers each defining a pressure zone containing a fluid which, during operation of the turbine, is at a pressure which influences the axial thrust load on the shaft, the turbine being constructed such that at least during rapid shut down a pressure differential can develop between two of the chambers to create an excessive axial thrust load on the shaft. The axial thrust limiting system includes controllable valve connected in a fluid flow path between the two chambers, and valve operating components connected for operating the valves during rapid shut down of the turbine in order to reduce the pressure differential between the two chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Joseph Pankowiecki, Andrew S. Braytenbah, Gilbert F. Hyde
  • Patent number: 4903490
    Abstract: A steam turbine system including a source of motive steam and a turbine adapted to operate at less than a full load and normally provided with two separate valve chests each incorporation a plurality of commonly controlled valves, is modified to improve turbine efficiency by separating the camshafts for each group of control valves associated with each of the steam chests such that the valves associated with each of the steam chests may be operated in two distinct groups. In one form, the steam chests are each associated with four valves and the camshafts are split so that each section of camshaft controls two valves. In this form, the turbine is initialized at 50 percent admission by opening two sets of valves and thereafter the admission is increased in 25 percent increments by sequentially opening the other two valve sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: George J. Silvestri, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4901532
    Abstract: Apparatus for inhibiting flashing of preseparator drain liquid in a steam turbine system includes a pump in the form of an eductor for pumping liquid extracted from exhaust steam between a collection tank and a moisture separator drain tank. The eductor performs the dual function of pumping while cooling the liquid to provide greater differential between the liquid temperatures and the flash point. The apparatus includes controls for preventing flooding and emptying of the collection tank. Further apparatus is provided to cool the liquid in the collection tank by spray water obtained from a lower temperature cycle point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: George J. Silvestri, Jr., Homer G. Hargrove
  • Patent number: 4896500
    Abstract: A deaerating subsystem in a combined cycle power plant includes a deaerator and a storage tank coupled to the deaerator, the deaerating subsystem being adapted for isolation of the deaerator when it is defective even while the overall combined cycle power plant is operating. Blind flanges are provided in a downcomer and in vapor risers between the deaerator and the storage tank for such isolation. Also provided is a condensate bypass for preventing the reception of the condensate by the deaerator, and for enabling the storage tank to receive the condensate directly. Thermal energy is input into the storage tank such that controlled amounts of heated condensate from the steam generator, and controlled amounts of dry steam can be input to the storage tank while the deaerator is isolated for repairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1990
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: James Pavel, Bennie L. Richardson, Gerald A. Myers
  • Patent number: 4888953
    Abstract: A boiler/turbine plant controlling apparatus comprises a circuit for driving a turbine inlet steam flow regulator valve on the basis of a difference between a load command signal adjusted by a thermal stress value of a turbine and an actually measured output signal of a plant; a circuit for driving a boiler feed water flow regulator valve on the basis of a difference between a value which is obtained by adding a boiler feed water amount with a super heater feed water amount and a value represented by a boiler input command signal; a circuit for driving a fuel flow regulator valve in accordance with an actually measured fuel amount and a fuel command signal corrected by a difference signal between a primary steam temperature setting signal and a steam temperature signal representative of a primary steam temperature measured value; a circuit for driving a super heater water feed valve on the basis of a difference value between the primary steam temperature setting signal and the steam temperature signal; a circ
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1989
    Assignee: Babcock-Hitachi Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukio Fukayama, Taku Oshima, Shigeyoshi Kawano
  • Patent number: 4873829
    Abstract: A steam power plant is shown which comprises a pressurized deaerating feed water tank, a high-pressure steam boiler, a high-pressure steam turbine, a low-pressure steam turbine, and a water-cooled, steam condenser, connected in series in a closed circuit. The condenser is maintained under a substantial pressure during operation and connected to supply feed water to the feed water tank. A steam-operated deaerator is connected to the feed water tank to remove air from the water therein. A steam jet is connected between and operable to move steam from the low-pressure turbine to the condenser. A steam jet is connected between and operable to move water from the condenser to the deaerator. A second steam jet is connected to the deaerator to provide steam to scrub the oxygen from the incoming water and permit introduction of a secondary steam source to provide heat as needed. A high-pressure, water injector is connected between and operable to move water from the feed water tank to the boiler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1989
    Inventor: Anthony R. Williamson
  • Patent number: 4866940
    Abstract: A method for automatically calibrating a controller for a valve controlled system follows consistent procedures to make precise adjustments to valve characteristics. The controller is placed in a calibration mode, then the valve settings are modified over a full range of operation. At predetermined levels of operation, the valve settings are maintained at preset values while system performance is measured. After the full range of valve operation has been covered, adjustments are made to the correspondence between the valve settings and the levels of operation in dependence upon the differences between the measured system performance and the predetermined levels of operation. This procedure is repeated to provide average values and also to make changes to valve characteristic curves corresponding to different modes of operation such as single valve and sequential valve modes. Other control parameters may be adjusted by evaluating system performance during normal operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Edward Y. Hwang, Timothy D. Thomas
  • Patent number: 4843824
    Abstract: A system for converting heat to kinetic energy, the system characterized by a fluid driven motor responsive to an introduction of high pressure fluid for driving a selected power train, and a pressure generator for introducing the high pressure fluid to the motor. The pressure generator includes a plurality of boiler tubes for receiving low pressure fluid, a fire box for successively transferring heat to the boiler tubes, and a pressure equalizer for incrementally equalizing pressures within the boiler tubes, whereby an introduction of low pressure fluid, followed by an efficient conversion to a high pressure fluid, is facilitated within the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignees: Dorothy P. Mushines, Sandra E. Banker, Gerald M. Mushines
    Inventor: Anthony Mushines
  • Patent number: 4825653
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for collection of water in a steam turbine exhaust system and in particular within a steam turbine exhaust pipe in which there is at least one turn or bend in the pipe and a plurality of substantially parallel turning vanes positioned in the bend for reducing undesirable flow characteristics in steam. The turning vanes extend across the pipe transverse to the direction of steam flow and are attached at opposite ends to a vane support ring embedded in the pipe wall. The invention includes forming a plurality of slots extending through the vane support ring for tranporting water from within the pipe to an external location. The slots are aligned on the vane support ring in an area corresponding to virtually zero pressure differential between each of the vanes and an adjacent vane. The slots preferably extend from a trailing edge of one of the vanes along the line normal to a tangent line to an adjacent vane on the low pressure side of the vane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: George J. Silvestri, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4819435
    Abstract: A steam turbine power generation generation system includes a partial-arc stem turbine connected in driving relationship to an electric power generator and a boiler system for supplying steam at a predetermined pressure and temperature to the turbine. The boiler system includes a primary superheater, a serially connected division valve for controlling steam flow and pressure and a finish superheater. The turbine system includes a plurality of control valves for controlling steam admission to each partial-arc and a microcomputer base control means for controlling operation of the control valves and the division valve in response to load demands on the system so as to maintain constant speed operation of the steam turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: George J. Silvestri, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4819436
    Abstract: In a steam turbine power plant, a deaerator is heated and pressurized by extraction steam from the steam turbine for the purpose of preheating feedwater to the power plant boiler. Under certain conditions, the available steam to the deaerator is insufficient to adequately maintain pressure in the deaerator leading to steam voids with a rapid rise in deaerator water level which could cause damage to the deaerator, feedwater pumps or the turbine and lead to a power plant shutdown. A second source of steam is available to provide steam under these conditions and a control system for controlling the steam input into the deaerator is shown. Under conditions of falling pressure, if a certain rate is exceeded, the second source of steam is input into the deaerator to maintain adequate pressure for stable operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David J. Ahner, Philippe J. Dupin
  • Patent number: 4813237
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for making up feed water for a power station having a steam circuit with a steam turbine /3/ and a feed water circuit with a turbine condenser /5/. The apparatus comprises aregulated multi-stage adiabatic evaporator/5/ produces distillate from raw water for making up the feed water. The heating inlet /8/ of the evaporator /15/ is connected to the stream circuit through an ejector /14/. The distillate outlet /36/ of the evaporator /15/ providing distillated water, is connected to the feed water circuit at the turbine condenser /5/ or after it through water delivering means /19, 20/.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Assignee: Energiagazdalkodasi Intezet
    Inventors: Laszlo Szucs, Istvan Szabo, Istvan Papp, Jozsef Csaszni, Gyula Lengyel, Pal Resch, Emod Sigmond, Peter Kardos
  • Patent number: 4811566
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing liquid entrained by steam flow through crossunder piping in a turbine installation. The apparatus includes an insert, housed within the piping, having a diverging inlet portion and a substantially cylindrical outlet portion of equal inside diameter as the piping. In such manner, the insert and its housing form an annular-shaped collection chamber from which liquid is removed by a drain pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: George J. Silvestri, Jr., Homer G. Hargrove