Westinghouse Electric Corporation

Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation

Siemens Energy, Inc.

Siemens Power Generation, Inc.

Joseph David Hurley

Peter Jon Clayton

Albert C Sismour, Jr

Thomas Leonard Schuchart

Dennis Reed Seeley

Melissa A Batis-Carver

Controlling a shaft of a turbine generator, wherein the turbine generator includes a static excitation system and wherein the shaft is being driven in a first rotational direction at a predetermined speed. Controlling the shaft includes detecting a torsional oscillation of the shaft, calculating a control signal based on the torsional oscillation, and using the control signal, controlling an amount of power drawn by the static excitation system from the turbine generator.

Using static excitation system to reduce the amplitude of torsional oscillations due to fluctuating industrial loads

A method for controlling coupling between a first machine including a first rotating shaft having an associated first positional phase angle defined by a first shaft indicia and a second machine including a second rotating shaft having an associated second positional phase angle defined by a second shaft indicia. A rotational speed and rotational angle of the first shaft are monitored, and rotation of the second shaft is controlled by bringing the second shaft to a predetermined rotational speed relative to the first shaft speed. Acceleration of the second shaft is controlled such that the second shaft indicia is within a predetermined angle relative to the first shaft indicia upon the second shaft being brought to the predetermined rotational speed, at which point the first and second shafts are coupled such that the second shaft indicia is within the predetermined angle relative to the first shaft indicia.

Method for controlling coupling of shafts between a first machine and a second machine using rotation speeds and angles

Apparatus for applying torsional vibration to a rotating machine is provided. In one exemplary embodiment the apparatus includes a permanent magnet machine () connected to the rotating machine () and configured to generate a three-phase AC output voltage. A converter () may be coupled to receive the three-phase AC output voltage from the permanent magnet machine to supply a DC load current. An electrical load () (or exciter) may be coupled to the converter to receive the load current. An oscillator () is connected to the converter to provide an oscillation signal for modulating the load current from the converter. Modulated load current causes variable loading of the permanent magnet machine thereby creating an oscillatory torque in the permanent magnet machine (). The oscillatory torque causes torsional vibration in the rotating machine. Various components of the apparatus for applying torsional vibration may be part of a field-deployed power generating system.

Torsional shaker apparatus for inspecting rotatable power generation machinery

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for applying a uniformly-distributed pattern of stripes () on a component () of a large rotary machinery, such as an industrial generator. A method is provided that comprises measuring the circumferential area of the component () with a measuring element (). The precise circumference is indicated and a desired number of pattern segments is determined. The circumference is divided by this number to produce equally spaced segments. This is then transferred to the rotor shaft () by marking on the measuring element () the number of segments and making a copy of the markings onto a second strip (). These strips are then aligned on the circumferential area and cross strips () are placed at each of the segment marks (). The segment areas not covered by the cross strips () are then painted in a color that is optically distinguishable from the non-painted regions. An optical probe () is then able to scan the stripes to detect torsional forces in the rotor shaft.

Apparatus and method for applying optical stripes for torsional detection

An apparatus to detect a breakdown in the insulation of a through-bolt in a laminated generator core is provided. The apparatus provides a ground detection circuit to generate and sense a signal in response to a ground that develops as a result of a breakdown in through-bolt insulation. Preferably, the circuit includes a signal source that generates a signal in response to insulation breakdown and a signal sensor to sense the signal so generated. The apparatus, moreover, can identify which among a plurality of through-bolts has experienced an insulation breakdown. Methods also are provided for detecting a breakdown in through-bolt insulation and identifying which among a plurality of through-bolts has experienced a breakdown in insulation.

Apparatus and related methods for detecting insulation breakdown in insulated through-bolts in power generator

A power generator system ( ) is provided having a power generator ( ) and an exciter ( ) for excitation of the power generator ( ). The exciter ( ) preferably includes a diode wheel ( ). The diode wheel ( ) has an a rotating support structure ( ), a plurality of diodes ( ) mounted to the rotating support structure ( ), and a plurality of a diode support and rupture containment devices ( ) each positioned adjacent a respective one of the plurality of diodes ( ) to support the diode ( ) and contain the diode ( ) within the confines thereof in the event the diode ruptures. Each of the diode support and rupture containment devices ( ) includes a pair of insulative spaced-apart containment members ( ) having the diode ( ) positioned therebetween.

Power generator system having diode support and rupture containment device and associated methods

A synchronous condenser (12) is synchronized with a power system (14) by modifying its rotational speed using a prime mover (18) while controlling the rate of change of rotational speed of the synchronous condenser (FIG. 1). With an open circuit breaker (16), the synchronous condenser (12) is brought to a rotational speed (44) close to a desired synchronizing speed (48). A clutch (20) operates between the prime mover (18) and the synchronous condenser (12) and disengages the prime mover (18) from operation once the synchronous condenser (12) is placed into operation with the power system (14). An excitation voltage is provided to the synchronization condenser (12) for providing an output voltage, which voltage is monitored. The rotational speed of the prime mover (18) is ramped at a desirable rate of change (46) for approaching an acceptable synchronizing speed (50). The rotor speed and system phase angles are monitored for bringing a desirable changing speed close to the synchronizing speed (48). By sensing a signal representative of the rate of change of rotational speed and filtering this sensed signal, a reliable acceleration signal is provided for use by an operator determining when to engage the synchronous condenser (12) with the power system (14). The breaker (16) is then closed when the speed of the synchronous condenser (12) is within the desired range of speeds (50), with a phase angle of the rotor appropriate for placing the synchronous condenser (12) in operation within the power system (14).

Apparatus and method for synchronizing a synchronous condenser with a

An apparatus for detecting speed sensor failure in an overspeed protection device is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a plurality of tachometers having outputs for indicating the speed of rotation of a machine relative to plural setpoints. If the comparison indicates that certain conditions exist, then a sensor failue is indicated. The apparatus may also be employed to detect a failure of, or loss of power to or within, one of the tachometers.

Speed sensor failure detection method and apparatus for an overspeed

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.

System and method for individually testing valves in a steam turbine

A system for detecting and locating a ground fault (34) in the field winding (2) of a machine, in which a DC potential is present across the winding (2) during machine operation and the winding (2) is normally insulated from ground, the system including: a voltage divider (4) connectable in parallel with the winding (2) and having a plurality of tap points spaced apart along the divider (4); a plurality of current paths (6, 8, 14) each connected between a respective tap and a ground connection point (16); a current detector (12) connected in the current paths (6, 8, 14) for providing an indication of the magnitude of current flowing through each path (6, 8, 14); and signal processing circuitry (20, 22, 24) connected to the current detector (12) for providing an indication of the occurrence of a current flow magnitude associated with a ground fault (34) in the field winding (2) and an indication of at least the approximate location of the ground fault (34 ) along the winding (2).

Automatic field winding ground detector and locator

Apparatus and method for detecting torsional vibrations of the shaft of an exciter of a turbine-generator, according to which a permanent magnet generator is connected to be driven by the exciter shaft and has an electrical output for providing an output voltage having a frequency proportional to the rate of rotation of the exciter shaft; and the electrical output is connected to signal processing circuitry serving to derive a signal representative of torsional vibrations experienced by the exciter shaft.

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Casselberry, FL, United States of America

Joseph David Hurley