Apparatus and method for determining the rotor temperature of a steam turbine

Patent 4173869 Issued on November 13, 1979. Estimated Expiration Date:

February 9, 1998. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

3291146

3446224

3561216

3577733

Inventors

Assignee

Westinghouse Electric Corp.

Application

No. 05/876396 filed on 02/09/1978

US Classes:

60/646, Including start up, shut down, cleaning, protective or maintenance procedure415/17, Plural diverse condition responsive (e.g., temperature and pressure, speed and level, etc.)415/47, Temperature or fluid force responsive member60/657, Having apparatus cleaning, sealing, lubricating, purging, standby, or protecting feature702/130Temperature measuring system

Examiners

Primary: Ostrager, Allen M.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Winans; F. A.

International Classes

F01K 13/02 (20060101)
F01K 13/00 (20060101)
F01D 19/00 (20060101)
F01D 19/02 (20060101)
F01D 25/08 (20060101)
F01D 25/10 (20060101)

Abstract

Apparatus and method for automatically determining and indicating that the rotor of a steam turbine has attained a predetermined minimal temperature. Means are utilized for measuring axial dimensional changes of the steam turbine cylinder and rotor due to an increased temperature and summing pertinent axial dimensional changes thereby determining the axial expansion of the rotor which in turn, through known physical properties of the rotor material, corresponds to a temperature increase. This increase of the temperature added to the initial temperature of the rotor provides the total temperature, and upon the total temperature reaching a predetermined value, the steam turbine is available to be brought up to speed and loaded.