Abstract:
The present invention provides a flange-mounted condition monitor (30) that can be mounted to an access flange (21) on an access opening (20) on the housing (13) of a generator (10). The condition monitor (30) forms an integral part of the generator (10) and eliminates the need for complex systems of pipes and valves for transferring hydrogen samples from the generator (10) to the condition monitor (30). The flange-mounted condition monitor (30) provides greater sensitivity to overheat conditions, significantly reducing the risk of dangerous hydrogen leaks and eliminating costs associated with installing and maintaining a remote condition monitor and also reducing or eliminating the false alarms associated with water that collects in the piping of a remote condition monitor.
Abstract:
A passive blade vibration monitor sensor for determining an arrival time of a blade of a combustion turbine during operation, the sensor includes an optical lens which receives infrared radiation generated by the blade of the turbine and generates a sensor signal from the received infrared radiation, the sensor signal indicating an arrival time of the blade of the combustion turbine. Target material having an emissivity lower than the emissivity of the blade may be placed on the blade to enhance sensor sensitivity especially in shrouded blade environments.
Abstract:
A method for determining a beat frequency in a vibration sensing system attached to an electrical generator comprises the steps of (a) generating a vibration signal indicative of a vibrational frequency and amplitude of the generator; and (b) obtaining a beat frequency from the vibration signal by storing and processing time interval data representing the time intervals between zero crossings of the vibration signal. A generator 10, optical vibration sensor 12, and computer 14 constitute the vibration sensing system 16. The computer is programmed to analyze the time interval data to obtain the beat frequency.
Abstract:
A brush assembly for providing contact between a grounding brush and a rotating shaft, in which the noncontact time associated with brush bounce is reduced. A brush is provided which is fixed to a pivotable arm, with a bias force applied to the arm, such that when the brush is bounced from a shaft as a result of vibration or shaft wobbling, the bias force will reestablish contact between the brush and shaft. Rolling contact between a negator spring and the arm is also provided for reducing friction associated with contact between the spring and pivotable arm. Due to the reduced friction provided by the rolling contact, and more significantly by the pivotal mounting of the arm to which the brush is fixed, the response of the assembly in reestablishing contact with the shaft is greatly improved.
Abstract:
Both a system and method are provided for detecting and locating a leak in the housing of the steam turbine components of an electric generator of the type that are connected to a vacuum pump that generates a negative pressure to remove air from the steam system, comprising a source of tracer gas for releasing a quantity of gas at potential leak locations on the exterior of the housings, a saturatable tracer gas detector having an inlet port in fluid communication with an outlet of the vacuum pump for detecting a flow of tracer gas associated with a selected minimum leak condition and for generating an electrical signal corresponding to this condition, an electrically controllable butterfly valve located upstream of the inlet port of the tracer gas detector for regulating the amount of tracer gas that flows into the detector, and a control assembly including a microprocessor that is electrically connected to both the tracer gas detector and to the valve for preventing a saturating flow of tracer gas from entering the inlet port of the detector. The system greatly expedites air inleakage inspections of such turbine systems since the tracer gas detector is prevented from becoming saturated with tracer gas, which in the prior art frequently caused the detector to become inoperative for significant periods of time.
Abstract:
A positioning system for a steam turbine element includes a plurality of flex plates which support an inner cylinder of a steam turbine element with the rotating blades of a rotor and the stationary blades of the inner cylinder at a predetermined position. Sensors detect shifting of the rotor within the inner cylinder and provide control signals to a motor which drives the inner cylinder in an axial direction to account for shifting of the rotor.
Abstract:
A vibration sensor 24 is disclosed which uses a piezoelectric crystal 26 to electrically modulate the phase of a laser beam using a phase modulator 28 producing a linearly phase modulated light beam. A DC bias can be provided by a battery 60 while a photocell 64 can provide the DC bias along with a calibration signal. The sensitivity of the sensor 24 can be doubled by passing the light beam through the sensor 24 twice using a reflector 74. By routing optical fibers 20, 22 and 31 carrying a reference beam and a sensing beam along the same physical path mechanical stress effect noise can be removed.
Abstract:
Apparatus and method for aligning and securing a blade vibration sensor about a selectable position along an inner surface of a turbomachine. The apparatus comprises a first rotatable member adapted to eccentrically secure the sensor, a second rotatable member eccentrically coupled to the first member and a ring clamp for mounting the rotatable members on the inner surface. The method includes the steps of securing the sensor to the first member, mounting the rotatable members on the inner surface, rotating the first and second members until the sensor is in a selected position and securing the first and second members against rotation.
Abstract:
A normally closed valve system for sealing off low pressure gas flow through a pipe. The valve comprises an inflatable bladder which blocks relatively low pressure flow through the pipe and permits relatively high pressure flow through the pipe. In one form, the invention comprises a fail-safe bypass monitor and method for measuring air inleakage in a steam turbine. The monitor selectably bypasses low volumetric flow rates from a pipe for measurement and admits flow through the pipe whenever the flow rate exceeds a predetermined value.
Abstract:
Apparatus which provides an indication of gas leakage from the interior of an electric generator into a closed circuit water-cooling system for the generator's stator coils. The closed circuit water-cooling system includes a water tank for degasification with the closed volume above the water level being occupied by a gas of the same type as the generator interior. Sensors are provided for obtaining indications of pressure, temperature and volume of the gas, and from these indications the number of moles of gas in the tank are calculated in periodic time increments. The gas is maintained within certain pressure limits by the addition or venting of gas, and if an addition or venting has taken place from one calculation to a next, a projected value for the number of moles is calculated after the change, had the change not occurred. The difference between the actual and projected value is then added onto subsequent calculated values to obtain a history of gas leakage.