US3885822A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic load and vacuum sensitive exhaust hood spray system
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1974-06-21
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Granted: 1975-05-27
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Expires: 1994-06-21
Abstract
Abstract In order to provide temperature control for the exhaust hood region of low pressure turbines, the exhaust hood sprays are activated in response to measured load and steam exhaust pressure. During start-up of the generator, the sprays always are turned on. During normal operation, the status of the sprays depends on the relative amounts of load and vacuum pressure. If the load is less than 10 percent, the sprays are always on, and if the load is greater than 25 percent, they are always off. In the range between 10 and 25 percent load, the status of the sprays depends both upon load and vacuum. In that range, if the vacuum is less than 26 inches Hg., the sprays will be on, and if the vacuum is greater than 28 1/2 inches Hg., they are off. Between 28 1/2 and 26 inches vacuum pressure for the 10 percent to 25 percent load, the status of the sprays depends upon a combination of the two factors.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert Cohen
- 👤 Frank O Burckhalter
- 👤 Michael C Luongo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 21:34
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01D; F01D21/00; F01D25/00; F01D25/30; F01D25/305
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
In a turbine generator system having an exhaust hood on at least one turbine and cooling sprays for said hood, hood spray control apparatus comprising: a. means for measuring the present load of said generator; b. means for measuring the present exhaust vacuum of steam from said turbine; and c. means responsive to the measured present load and to the present measured exhaust vacuum for selectively activating said cooling sprays.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
70 words
In a turbine generator system having an exhaust hood on at least one turbine and cooling sprays for said hood, hood spray control apparatus comprising: a. means for measuring the present load of said generator; b. means for measuring the present exhaust vacuum of steam from said turbine; and c. means responsive to the measured present load and to the present measured exhaust vacuum for selectively activating said cooling sprays.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
78 words
Control apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said means for selectively activating comprises: a. first means for activating said sprays when said present load is below a first predetermined level; b. means for developing a control signal from said present load and said present exhaust vacuum; and c. second means, responsive to said control signal, for selectively activating said sprays whenever said present load and said present exhaust vacuum are respectively within first and second predetermined ranges.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
Control apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein said means for developing a control signal comprises: a. means for developing a first signal directly proportional to exhaust vacuum in said second predetermined range; b. means for developing a second signal inversely proportional to measured load in said first predetermined range; and c. means for combining said first and second signals to yield said control signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
Control apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein said first means for activating comprises: a. a source of a first reference level; and b. means for comparing said present load with said first reference level.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
Control apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein said second means for activating comprises: a. a source of a second reference level; and b. comparator means for comparing said first reference level with said control signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
Control apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein said first predetermined level is substantially equivalent to a ten percent load.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
Control apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein said first predetermined range is substantially between 10 and 25 percent load, and said second predetermined range is substantially between 28 1/2 and 26 inches of mercury.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
98 words
In an electric generator, apparatus for maintaining the exhaust load region of a low pressuRe turbine within specified temperature ranges comprising: a. at least one spray for each exhaust hood for producing a cooling mist in said hood region; b. means for exhausting steam from said turbine to a condenser means, thereby producing a partial vacuum in said hood region; c. means for measuring the vacuum in said hood region; d. means for measuring the present load of said generator; and e. means responsive to the present load and to the measured vacuum for selectively activating said spray.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
98 words
In an electric generator, apparatus for maintaining the exhaust load region of a low pressuRe turbine within specified temperature ranges comprising: a. at least one spray for each exhaust hood for producing a cooling mist in said hood region; b. means for exhausting steam from said turbine to a condenser means, thereby producing a partial vacuum in said hood region; c. means for measuring the vacuum in said hood region; d. means for measuring the present load of said generator; and e. means responsive to the present load and to the measured vacuum for selectively activating said spray.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
70 words
Apparatus as described in claim 8 wherein said means for selectively activating comprises: a. first means for activating said spray when said present load is below a first predetermined level; b. means for developing a control signal from said present load and from measured vacuum; and c. second means for selectively activating said spray whenever said present load and said measured vacuum are respectively within first and second predetermined ranges.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus as described in claim 9 wherein said means for developing a control signal comprises: a. means for developing a first signal inversely proportional to load in said first predetermined range; b. means for developing a second signal directly proportional to vacuum in said second predetermined range; and c. means for combining said first and second signals to produce said control signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as described in claim 9 wherein said first means for activating comprises: a. a source of a first reference level; and b. means for comparing said measured present load with said first reference level.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
Control apparatus as described in claim 9 wherein said second means for activating comprises: a. a source of a second reference level; and b. comparator means for comparing said first reference level with said control signal.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of controlling the activation of hood sprays in an electric generator system comprising the steps: a. evaluating the present load on said system; b. evaluating the present exhaust vacuum from the exhaust hood region of said system; c. selectively activating the hood sprays in response to evaluations of the present load and the present vacuum.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of controlling the activation of hood sprays in an electric generator system comprising the steps: a. evaluating the present load on said system; b. evaluating the present exhaust vacuum from the exhaust hood region of said system; c. selectively activating the hood sprays in response to evaluations of the present load and the present vacuum.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method as described in claim 13 wherein said activating step includes: a. energizing the hood sprays when the present load is below a first predetermined level; and b. selectively energizing the hood sprays when the present load and present vacuum are respectively within first and second predetermined ranges.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
55 words
A method as described in claim 14 wherein said step of selectively energizing comprises: a. developing a control signal from said present load and said present exhaust vacuum; b. comparing said control signal with a second predetermined level; and c. energizing the hood sprays when said control signal is at least said second predetermined level.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method as described in claim 15 wherein said step of developing a control signal comprises: a. developing a first signal directly proportional to exhaust vacuum in said second predetermined range; b. developing a second signal inversely proportional to load in said first predetermined range; and c. combining said first and second signals to yield said control signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as described in claim 14 wherein said first energizing step includes: a. developing a first reference level; and b. comparing said present load with said first reference level.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as described in claim 14 wherein said first predetermined level is substantially equivalent to ten percent load.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as described in claim 14 wherein said first predetermined range is substantially between 10 and 25 percent load, and said second predetermined range is substantially between 28 1/2 and 26 inches of mercury.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
83 words
A temperature stablized power generation system comprising: a. a turbine generator havinG high, intermediate, and low pressure segments, at least one segment having an exhaust hood portion and sprays for cooling the region of said exhaust hood portion; b. means for measuring the present load of said generator; c. means for measuring the present exhaust vacuum of steam from said turbine; and d. means responsive to the measured present load and to the present measured exhaust vacuum for selectively activating said cooling sprays.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
83 words
A temperature stablized power generation system comprising: a. a turbine generator havinG high, intermediate, and low pressure segments, at least one segment having an exhaust hood portion and sprays for cooling the region of said exhaust hood portion; b. means for measuring the present load of said generator; c. means for measuring the present exhaust vacuum of steam from said turbine; and d. means responsive to the measured present load and to the present measured exhaust vacuum for selectively activating said cooling sprays.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
78 words
A system as described in claim 20 wherein said means for selectively activating comprises: a. first means for activating said sprays when said present load is below a first predetermined level; b. means for developing a control signal from said present load and said present exhaust vacuum; and c. second means, responsive to said control signal for selectively activating said sprays whenever said present load and said present exhaust vacuum are respectively within first and second predetermined ranges.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
65 words
A system as described in claim 21 wherein said means for developing a control signal comprises: a. means for developing a first signal directly proportional to exhaust vacuum in said second predetermined range; b. means for developing a second signal inversely proportional to measured load in said first predetermined range; and c. means for combining said first and second signals to yield said control signal.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system as described in claim 21 wherein said first means for activating comprises: a. a source of a first reference level; and b. means for comparing said present load with said first reference level.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system as described in claim 21 wherein said second means for activating comprises: a. a source of a second reference level; and b. comparator means for comparing said first reference level with said control signal.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system as described in claim 21 wherein said first predetermined level is substantially equivalent to ten percent load.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system as described in claim 21 wherein said first predetermined range is substantially between 10 and 25 percent load, and said second predetermined range is substantially between 28 1/2 and 26 inches of mercury vacuum.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
106 words
A temperature stabilized power generation system comprising: a. a turbine generator having high, intermediate, and low pressure segments, at least one of said segments having an exhaust hood portion; b. at least one spray for each exhaust hood for producing a cooling mist in said hood region; c. means for exhausting steam from said turbine to a condenser means, thereby producing a partial vacuum in said hood region; d. means for measuring the vacuum in said hood region; e. means for measuring the present load of said generator; and f. means responsive to the present load and to the measured vacuum for selectively activating said spray.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
106 words
A temperature stabilized power generation system comprising: a. a turbine generator having high, intermediate, and low pressure segments, at least one of said segments having an exhaust hood portion; b. at least one spray for each exhaust hood for producing a cooling mist in said hood region; c. means for exhausting steam from said turbine to a condenser means, thereby producing a partial vacuum in said hood region; d. means for measuring the vacuum in said hood region; e. means for measuring the present load of said generator; and f. means responsive to the present load and to the measured vacuum for selectively activating said spray.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
71 words
A system as described in claim 27 wherein said means for selectively activating comprises: a. first means for activating said spray when said present load is below a first predetermined level; b. means for developing a control signal from said present load and from measured vacuum; and c. second means for selectively activating said spray whenever said present load and said measured vacuum are respectively within first and second predetermined ranges.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
63 words
A system as described in claim 28 wherein said means for developing a control signal comprises: a. means for developing a first signal inversely proportional to load in said first predetermined range; b. means for developing a second signal directly proportional to vacuum in said second predetermined range; and c. means for combining said first and second signals to produce said control signal.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system as described in claim 28 wherein said first means for activating comprises: a. a source of a first reference level; and b. means for comparing said measured present load wIth said first reference level.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system as described in claim 28 wherein said second means for activating comprises: a. a source of a second reference level; and b. comparator means for comparing said first reference level with said control signal.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as described in claim 28 wherein said first predetermined level is substantially equivalent to a ten percent load.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system as described in claim 28 wherein said first predetermined range is substantially between 10 and 25 percent load, and said second predetermined range is substantially between 28 1/2 and 26 inches of mercury vacuum.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of operating a generator system having a plurality of turbine generator segments, at least one of which has associated exhaust hood and hood spray apparatus, comprising the steps of: a. successively starting up and loading said generator; b. energizing the sprays during startup; c. evaluating the present load on said system; d. evaluating the present exhaust vacuum from the exhaust hood region of said system; e. selectively activating the hood sprays in response to evaluations of the present load and the present vacuum.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of operating a generator system having a plurality of turbine generator segments, at least one of which has associated exhaust hood and hood spray apparatus, comprising the steps of: a. successively starting up and loading said generator; b. energizing the sprays during startup; c. evaluating the present load on said system; d. evaluating the present exhaust vacuum from the exhaust hood region of said system; e. selectively activating the hood sprays in response to evaluations of the present load and the present vacuum.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method as described in claim 34 wherein said activating step includes: a. energizing the hood sprays when the present load is below a first predetermined level; and b. selectively energizing the hood sprays when the present load and present vacuum are respectively within first and second predetermined ranges.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
55 words
A method as described in claim 35 wherein said step of selectively energizing comprises: a. developing a control signal from said present load and said present exhaust vacuum; b. comparing said control signal with a second predetermined level; and c. energizing the hood sprays when said control signal is at least said second predetermined level.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method as described in claim 36 wherein said step of developing a control signal comprises: a. developing a first signal directly proportional to exhaust vacuum in said second predetermined range; b. developing a second signal inversely proportional to load in said first predetermined range; and c. combining said first and second signals to yield said control signal.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as described in claim 35 wherein said first energizing step includes: a. developing a first reference level; and b. comparing said present load with said first reference level.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as described in claim 35 wherein said first predetermined level is substantially equivalent to ten percent load.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as described in claim 35 wherein said first predetermined range is substantially between 10 and 25 percent load, and said second predetermined range is substantially between 28 1/2 and 26 inches of mercury vacuum.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as described in claim 35 wherein said first predetermined range is substantially between 10 and 25 percent load, and said second predetermined range is substantially between 28 1/2 and 26 inches of mercury vacuum.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-26 | 1978-11-25 | 1979-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-26 | 1982-11-25 | 1983-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-26 | 1986-11-25 | 1987-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |