U.S. patent application number 13/889822 was filed with the patent office on 2014-05-01 for turbine cowling system.
This patent application is currently assigned to GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY. The applicant listed for this patent is GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY. Invention is credited to Anthony Angelo Corratti, Erik Eduardo Lopez Partida, Daniel Ross Predmore, Robert James Sherwood.
Application Number | 20140119886 13/889822 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49447451 |
Filed Date | 2014-05-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140119886 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lopez Partida; Erik Eduardo ;
et al. |
May 1, 2014 |
TURBINE COWLING SYSTEM
Abstract
A steam turbine cowling system is disclosed. The steam turbine
cowling system including: a lower portion configured to be disposed
proximate an inner casing of a steam turbine; and an upper portion
connected to at least one of the lower portion and the inner
casing, the upper portion shaped to be disposed proximate the inner
casing of the steam turbine, the upper portion substantially
defining a flowpath about the inner casing.
Inventors: |
Lopez Partida; Erik Eduardo;
(Clifton Park, NY) ; Corratti; Anthony Angelo;
(South Glens Falls, NY) ; Predmore; Daniel Ross;
(Ballston Lake, NY) ; Sherwood; Robert James;
(Fonda, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY |
Schenectady |
NY |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Schenectady
NY
|
Family ID: |
49447451 |
Appl. No.: |
13/889822 |
Filed: |
May 8, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61720822 |
Oct 31, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
415/108 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F01D 25/26 20130101;
F01D 25/145 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
415/108 |
International
Class: |
F01D 25/26 20060101
F01D025/26 |
Claims
1. A steam turbine cowling system comprising: a lower portion
configured to be disposed proximate an inner casing of a steam
turbine; and an upper portion connected to at least one of the
lower portion and the inner casing, the upper portion shaped to be
disposed proximate the inner casing of the steam turbine and
substantially defining a flowpath about the inner casing.
2. The steam turbine cowling system of claim 1, wherein at least
one of the upper portion and the lower portion is configured as an
insulator about the inner casing.
3. The steam turbine cowling system of claim 1, wherein the lower
portion is permanently connected to the inner casing.
4. The steam turbine cowling system of claim 1, wherein the upper
portion is connected to at least one of the inner casing or a steam
guide in the steam turbine.
5. The steam turbine cowling system of claim 4, wherein the upper
portion is releasably coupled to the inner casing.
6. The steam turbine cowling system of claim 1, wherein the at
least one of the upper portion and the lower portion include a
substantially smooth radially inward facing surfaces.
7. The steam turbine cowling system of claim 1, wherein the upper
portion includes a steam inlet.
8. The steam turbine cowling system of claim 1, wherein the upper
portion is configured to guide a flow toward the lower portion.
9. The steam turbine cowling system of claim 1, wherein the upper
portion and the lower portion substantially enclose the inner
casing and define a flowpath from a top of the inner casing to a
condenser.
10. The steam turbine cowling system of claim 1, wherein the upper
portion is modular.
11. A device comprising: an upper cowling portion shaped to connect
to a lower cowling portion and substantially complement an inner
casing of a steam turbine, the upper cowling portion configured to
be disposed proximate the inner casing of the steam turbine and
substantially define a flowpath about the inner casing.
12. The device of claim 10, wherein the upper cowling portion is
configured as an insulator about the inner casing.
13. The device of claim 10, the upper cowling portion is releasably
coupled to the inner casing.
14. The device of claim 10, wherein the upper cowling portion
substantially encloses a top segment of the inner casing and
defines a flowpath from a top of the inner casing to the lower
cowling portion.
15. The device of claim 10, wherein the upper cowling portion
includes a steam inlet and is configured to guide a flow to the
lower cowling portion.
16. The device of claim 10, wherein the upper cowling portion is
modular and includes a substantially smooth radially inward facing
surface.
17. A steam turbine system comprising: a rotor member; and a stator
member at least partially surrounding the rotor member, the stator
member including: an external casing; an inner casing disposed
within the external casing; and a steam turbine cowling system
disposed between the external casing and the inner casing, the
steam turbine cowling system including: a lower portion configured
to be disposed proximate the inner casing; and an upper portion
connected to at least one of the lower portion and the inner
casing, the upper portion shaped to be disposed proximate the inner
casing of the steam turbine and substantially define a flowpath
about the inner casing.
18. The steam turbine system of claim 17, wherein the lower portion
is permanently connected to the inner casing and the upper portion
is releasably connected to the inner casing.
19. The steam turbine system of claim 17, wherein at least one of
the upper portion and the lower portion is configured as an
insulator about the inner casing and include a substantially smooth
radially inward facing surface.
20. The steam turbine system of claim 17, further comprising a
condenser operably connected to the stator, wherein the upper
portion and the lower portion substantially enclose the inner
casing and define a flowpath from a top of the inner casing to the
condenser.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 61/720,822 filed on Oct. 31, 2012, and
entitled "TURBINE COWLING SYSTEM", which is incorporated by
reference herein in its entirety.
SCOPE OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a shell for
steam turbine systems. More specifically, the subject matter
disclosed herein relates to a cowling system (e.g., a fabricated
sheet metal shell) for a low pressure inner casing of a steam
turbine system, the cowling system is configured as a thermal
(e.g., heat lagging, insulation, etc.) and flow guide device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Steam turbine shells are components that encompass, for
example, the high pressure (HP), intermediate pressure (IP), and/or
low pressure (LP) sections of the steam turbine. Conventional steam
turbine shells/cowlings include a plurality of components which may
be permanently attached to an inner casing of the turbine. In
practice, this plurality of components aids in insulating the steam
turbine and steam turbine components. As a result of the permanent
connection to the steam turbine and/or the inner casing and the
configuration, orientation, and relation of each of the components
relative to one another; manufacture and assembly of the cowling
about the steam turbine may be a labor intensive process which must
be performed during steam turbine manufacture in order to provide
adequate heat lagging and proper assembly. However, the assembly of
this plurality of components and their permanent attachment to the
steam turbine inner casing may complicate future maintenance
operations and procedures, and lengthen and complicate steam
turbine build and assembly times. Additionally, these multiple
components disposed about the inner casing may interfere and/or
obstruct with portions of a steam flow path about the inner casing
to a condenser of the steam turbine system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0004] A steam turbine cowling system is disclosed. In one
embodiment, a steam turbine cowling system is disclosed, including:
a lower portion configured to be disposed proximate an inner casing
of a steam turbine; and an upper portion connected to at least one
of the lower portion and the inner casing, the upper portion
configured to be disposed proximate the inner casing of the steam
turbine, the upper portion substantially defining a flowpath about
the inner casing.
[0005] A first aspect of the invention includes a steam turbine
cowling system including: a lower portion configured to be disposed
proximate an inner casing of a steam turbine; and an upper portion
connected to the lower portion and the inner casing and configured
to be disposed proximate the inner casing of the steam turbine, the
upper portion substantially defining a flowpath about the inner
casing.
[0006] A second aspect of the invention includes an upper cowling
portion configured to connect to a lower cowling portion and
substantially complement an inner casing of a steam turbine, the
upper cowling portion configured to be disposed proximate the inner
casing of the steam turbine and substantially define a flowpath
about the inner casing.
[0007] A third aspect of the invention includes a steam turbine
having: a rotor member; and a stator member at least partially
surrounding the rotor member, the stator member including: an
external casing; an inner casing disposed within the external
casing; and a steam turbine cowling system disposed between the
external casing and the inner casing, the steam turbine cowling
system including: a lower portion configured to be disposed
proximate the inner casing; and an upper portion connected to at
least one of the lower portion and the inner casing and configured
to be disposed proximate the inner casing of the steam turbine, the
upper portion substantially defining a flowpath about the inner
casing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] These and other features of this invention will be more
readily understood from the following detailed description of the
various aspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings that depict various embodiments of the
invention, in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 a three-dimensional partial cut-away perspective view
of a portion of a turbine according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 shows a three-dimensional perspective view of a
portion of a steam turbine system according to embodiments of the
invention.
[0011] FIG. 3 shows a three-dimensional perspective view of a steam
turbine cowling shell system according to embodiments of the
invention.
[0012] FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of portions of a
multi-shaft combined cycle power plant in accordance with
embodiments of the invention.
[0013] FIG. 5 shows a schematic illustration of portions of a
single-shaft combined cycle power plant in accordance with
embodiments of the invention.
[0014] It is noted that the drawings of the invention are not
necessarily to scale. The drawings are intended to depict only
typical aspects of the invention, and therefore should not be
considered as limiting the scope of the invention. It is understood
that elements similarly numbered between the FIGURES may be
substantially similar as described with reference to one another.
Further, in embodiments shown and described with reference to FIGS.
1-5, like numbering may represent like elements. Redundant
explanation of these elements has been omitted for clarity.
Finally, it is understood that the components of FIGS. 1-5 and
their accompanying descriptions may be applied to any embodiment
described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] Aspects of the invention provide for a steam turbine cowling
system. Specifically, the subject matter disclosed herein relates
to a steam turbine cowling system configured to insulate (e.g.,
provide heat lagging, isolate stagnant steam proximate thermal
extreme sections of a steam turbine, separate exhaust steam from
the inner casing, etc.) steam turbine components and act as a flow
guide to the condenser in a steam turbine system, by forming a
flowpath about the inner casing of the steam turbine. The cowling
system may be shaped to isolate steam proximate sections of the
inner casing and may include a smooth surface (e.g., an aerodynamic
surface) formed/shaped to provide a continuous flow surface for
steam flow about the inner casing and to the condenser.
[0016] As described herein, conventional steam turbine shells
include a plurality of components disposed on the inner casing to
insulate turbine components. However, this plurality of components
may complicate and lengthen steam turbine system assembly,
requiring concurrent manufacture and assembly (e.g., customization)
with the steam turbine itself. Additionally, this plurality of
components may impede and/or obstruct steam flow from the top of
the inner casing to a condenser beneath the inner casing. Further,
this plurality of components, as a result of construction and
assembly, may interrupt steam flows about the steam turbine, and/or
contain gaps between them that allow steam to flow there between,
thereby minimizing the insulation capabilities of the
component.
[0017] In contrast to conventional shells for steam turbine inner
casings, aspects of the invention provide for a cowling which is
configured to insulate portions of the steam turbine and form a
flowpath from a top of an inner casing to the condenser. The
cowling includes a set of components disposed substantially about
the inner casing and configured as a flow guide for steam from the
top of the casing. In some embodiments, the cowling includes a set
of detachable components (e.g., an upper half) which may be
disposed about the inner casing in a non-permanent manner, thereby
allowing for technician access to the inner casing.
[0018] In some embodiments, the cowling system includes a lower
portion (e.g., half) connected (e.g., permanently) to the inner
steam turbine casing and an upper portion (e.g., half) disposed
substantially about the inner steam turbine casing and removably
(e.g., detachable, releasably coupled, etc.) connected to a steam
guide and/or the inner casing. In this embodiment, the cowling
system may be disposed substantially proximate (e.g., at a thermal
variation/expansion clearance, as close as limited by geometric
constraints, etc.) the inner steam turbine casing.
[0019] In an embodiment, the cowling system may include a
substantially smooth surface and may be configured to direct flow
outside of an exhaust hood bottom flow plate of the steam turbine.
In one embodiment, the cowling system may be disposed at a distance
relative to the steam turbine inner casing which enables
technicians to access the inner casing (e.g., access to horizontal
joint bolts, turbine components, inner casing disassembly, etc.).
The technical effect of the cowling systems and devices described
herein is to provide thermal insulation (e.g., heat lagging) to
turbine components and to form a flow guide toward a condenser in a
steam turbine system.
[0020] Turning to the FIGURES, embodiments of systems and devices
are shown, which are configured to insulate (e.g., provide heat
lagging) steam turbine components and act as a flow guide to the
condenser by forming a flowpath from the inner casing to the
condenser. Each of the components in the FIGURES may be connected
via conventional means, e.g., via a common conduit or other known
means as is indicated in FIGS. 1-5. Referring to the drawings, FIG.
1 shows a perspective partial cut-away illustration of a gas or
steam turbine 10. Turbine 10 includes a rotor 12 that includes a
rotating shaft 14 and a plurality of axially spaced rotor wheels
18. A plurality of rotating blades 20 are mechanically coupled to
each rotor wheel 18. More specifically, blades 20 are arranged in
rows that extend circumferentially around each rotor wheel 18. A
plurality of stationary vanes 22 extend circumferentially around
shaft 14, and the vanes are axially positioned between adjacent
rows of blades 20. Stationary vanes 22 cooperate with blades 20 to
form a stage and to define a portion of a steam flow path through
turbine 10.
[0021] In operation, gas or steam 24 enters an inlet 26 of turbine
10 and is channeled through stationary vanes 22. Vanes 22 direct
gas or steam 24 downstream against blades 20. Gas or steam 24
passes through the remaining stages imparting a force on blades 20
causing shaft 14 to rotate. At least one end of turbine 10 may
extend axially away from rotating shaft 12 and may be attached to a
load or machinery (not shown) such as, but not limited to, a
generator, and/or another turbine.
[0022] In one embodiment, turbine 10 may include five stages. The
five stages are referred to as L0, L1, L2, L3 and L4. Stage L4 is
the first stage and is the smallest (in a radial direction) of the
five stages. Stage L3 is the second stage and is the next stage in
an axial direction. Stage L2 is the third stage and is shown in the
middle of the five stages. Stage L1 is the fourth and next-to-last
stage. Stage L0 is the last stage and is the largest (in a radial
direction). It is to be understood that five stages are shown as
one example only, and each turbine may have more or less than five
stages. Also, as will be described herein, the teachings of the
invention do not require a multiple stage turbine.
[0023] Turning to FIG. 2, a three-dimensional exploded perspective
view of a portion of a steam turbine system 100 including a cowling
system 200 is shown according to embodiments. In this embodiment,
steam turbine system 100 includes a base 150 configured to connect
to and/or support an inner casing 190. A cap 140 may be connected
to base 150 and disposed about inner casing 190 forming a
substantially contained steam turbine system 100. Inner casing 190
may include a lower half casing 170 and an upper half casing 160
configured to connect to and/or complement lower half casing 170
and define a flowpath `A` (shown in phantom) substantially
about/through a set of turbine components 174 (e.g., a rotor,
vanes, seals, a flowpath, etc.). In an embodiment, cowling system
200 may be disposed between inner casing 190 and base 150 and cap
140. Cowling system 200 may be disposed substantially about inner
casing 190 and be configured to insulate (e.g., thermally)
components and/or portions of steam turbine system 100. In an
embodiment, cowling system 200 may substantially define a flowpath
192 about inner casing 190 (e.g., between cowling system 200 and
inner casing 190). Flowpath 192 may extend from a top of inner
casing 190 to a condenser disposed in and/or connected to base 150.
In one embodiment, cowling system 200 may be configured as a flow
guide (e.g., a smooth path, an aerodynamic path, etc.) for flowpath
192. Flowpath 192 may include a smooth surface on upper half inner
casing 160 which is shaped to direct steam coming out of/from the
steam path back down to a condenser. In an embodiment, the smooth
surface of flowpath 192 may reduce pressure requirements. In
contrast to conventional shell systems for inner casing segments
(e.g., inner casing 190), the cowling system 200 shown and
described herein provides insulation and defines a flow path 192
about inner casing 190. Additionally, cowling system 200 may
include detachable components (e.g., an upper portion 110).
[0024] In one embodiment, cowling system 200 may include an upper
portion 110 and a lower portion 120 configured to complement one
another and form cowling system 200 about inner casing 190. Upper
portion 110 and/or lower portion 120 may be disposed proximate
inner casing 190 so as to define flowpath 192 there between. In one
embodiment, lower portion 120 may be permanently connected (e.g.,
welded, integrally bolted, etc.) to inner casing 190. Upper portion
110 may be detachably connected (e.g., bolted, releaseably coupled,
etc.) to inner casing 190, flow guides, and/or cap 140. In one
embodiment, upper portion 110 may be modular and/or configured to
be removable for maintenance processes/procedures. In an
embodiment, upper portion 110 and lower portion 120 may be disposed
at a thermal variation clearance (e.g., a safe distance so as to
avoid contact/stress between components as a result of variances in
thermal expansion) relative to inner casing 190. In one embodiment,
upper portion 110 and/or lower portion 120 may be disposed at a
distance relative to inner casing 190 so as to allow/enable
technician access to inner casing 190 and components therein.
[0025] In an embodiment, cowling system 200 includes a set of
substantially smooth radially inward facing surfaces 198 which
substantially define flowpath 192 (e.g., act as flow guides). These
substantially smooth radially inward facing surfaces 198 are
dissimilar to the radially inward facing surfaces of conventional
shell structures for inner casing segments, as those conventional
shell structures which include a plurality of components
permanently connected to the inner casing segment may obstruct or
interfere with flow there about. Cowling system 200 may cover all
features and surfaces (e.g., external ribs, protrusions, etc.) of
the inner casing construction. As shown in FIG. 2, upper half
casing 160 and lower half casing 170 include a plurality of steam
flow channels 178, which extend substantially annularly about a
rotor apparatus (omitted for clarity of illustration). That is, the
steam flow channels 178 illustrated in FIG. 2 extend between the
lower half casing 170 and upper half casing 160 so as to provide a
steam flow path along and/or about the flow path A (indicated in
phantom) when the casing segments are adjoined. In contrast to
conventional shell systems, aspects of the invention allow for
flowpath guidance/definition and insulation (e.g., heat lagging) by
cowling system 200 (including, e.g., a detachable upper portion 110
and/or lower portion 120) described herein. For example, as shown
in FIGS. 2-3, cowling system 200 may be disposed about inner casing
190 at a distance which substantially defines flowpath 192 and
provides insulation to steam turbine system 100. Cowling system 200
may include fabricated sheet metal. In an embodiment, steam may
travel about flowpath 192 such that a first portion of steam may
pass from the lower half casing 170 directly down to the condenser
and a second portion of steam may swirl in the upper half casing
160 and then exhaust down to the condenser.
[0026] Turning to FIG. 3, a three-dimensional perspective view of a
steam turbine cowling system 240 is shown according to embodiments
of the invention. In this embodiment, the cowling system 240
includes an upper portion 210 (e.g., an upper half shell configured
to mate with the upper half casing 160 (e.g., inner casing) of FIG.
2), and a lower portion 220 (e.g., a lower half shell configured to
mate with the lower half casing 170 (e.g., inner casing) of FIG.
2). In an embodiment, lower portion 220 may include a channel 250
shaped to surround geometry of the lower half casing 170 (e.g.,
inner casing). Upper portion 210 may include a flow aperture 216
configured to receive and/or complement a flow supply conduit (not
shown for clarity). In one embodiment, upper portion 210 may
include a set of covers 218 shaped to accommodate protrusions in
inner casing 190 construction. Upper portion 210 may include a set
of connectors 212 disposed circumferentially about upper portion
210 and configured to matingly engage inner casing 190 and/or cap
140. Set of connectors 212 may secure and/or orient upper portion
210 about inner casing 190 and adjacent components.
[0027] In an embodiment, lower portion 220 and/or upper portion 210
may include a set of substantially smooth radially inward facing
surfaces 198 which substantially define flowpath 192 about inner
casing 190. Lower portion 220 and upper portion 210 may be
connected at a set of horizontal joints/surfaces 280.
[0028] Turning to FIG. 4, a schematic view of portions of a
multi-shaft combined cycle power plant 500 is shown. Combined cycle
power plant 500 may include, for example, a gas turbine 580
operably connected to a generator 570. Generator 570 and gas
turbine 580 may be mechanically coupled by a shaft 515, which may
transfer energy between a drive shaft (not shown) of gas turbine
580 and generator 570. Also shown in FIG. 4 is a heat exchanger 586
operably connected to gas turbine 580 and a steam turbine 592. Heat
exchanger 586 may be fluidly connected to both gas turbine 580 and
a steam turbine 592 via conventional conduits (numbering omitted).
Gas turbine 580 and/or steam turbine 592 may be connected to
cowling system 200 of FIG. 2 or other embodiments described herein.
Heat exchanger 586 may be a conventional heat recovery steam
generator (HRSG), such as those used in conventional combined cycle
power systems. As is known in the art of power generation, HRSG 586
may use hot exhaust from gas turbine 580, combined with a water
supply, to create steam which is fed to steam turbine 592. Steam
turbine 592 may optionally be coupled to a second generator system
570 (via a second shaft 515). It is understood that generators 570
and shafts 515 may be of any size or type known in the art and may
differ depending upon their application or the system to which they
are connected. Common numbering of the generators and shafts is for
clarity and does not necessarily suggest these generators or shafts
are identical. In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 5, a single
shaft combined cycle power plant 990 may include a single generator
570 coupled to both gas turbine 580 and steam turbine 592 via a
single shaft 515. Steam turbine 592 and/or gas turbine 580 may be
connected to cowling system 200 of FIG. 2 or other embodiments
described herein.
[0029] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and
"the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood
that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this
specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude
the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
[0030] This written description uses examples to disclose the
invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person
skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and
using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated
methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the
claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled
in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope
of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ
from the literal language of the claims, or if they include
equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from
the literal languages of the claims.
* * * * *