Showing papers by "Westinghouse Electric published in 2004"

Cargo lock and monitoring apparatus and process

Abstract: A security apparatus is disclosed which provides for a cargo asset monitoring and tracking capability. The security apparatus may contain a physical locking function which provides a physical deterrent to an attached item such as a shipping drum. A microcontroller is provided within the security apparatus which monitors and coordinates locking/unlocking functions of the security apparatus, monitors an associated sensor to detect alarm conditions, monitors information from an RF transceiver with respect to proximity alerts and monitors information from one or more sensors incorporated within the security apparatus, the sensors providing information which may indicate tampering or damage to the cargo. The security apparatus is able to provide an audible alarm as well as communicate with a remote monitoring station upon detection of an alarm condition. A tracking system and process of monitoring and controlling the security apparatus from a remote location are also disclosed.

Tissue distention device and related methods for therapeutic intervention

Abstract: A device positionable in an opening in a flexible membrane or in the lumen of a vessel having a flexible sidewall. The device distends or biases opposite portions defining the opening or forming the vessel sidewall outwardly in the plane of the device. The outward biasing draws opposing portions of the opening or sidewall inwardly in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the device and into apposition or contact.

Stacked laminate CMC turbine vane

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a robust turbine vane made of stacked airfoil-shaped CMC laminates. Each laminate has an in-plane direction and a through thickness direction substantially normal to the in-plane direction. The laminates have anisotropic strength characteristics in which the in-plane tensile strength is substantially greater than the through thickness tensile strength. Thus, the laminates can provide strength in the direction of high thermal gradients and, thus, withstand the associated high thermal stresses. The laminates are relatively weak in through thickness (interlaminar) tension, but, in operation, relatively low through thickness tensile stresses can be expected. The laminates can be strong in through thickness compression; accordingly, the laminate stack can be held in through thickness compression by one or more fasteners. The CMC material can permit the inclusion of additional features such as cooling passages, ribs, spars, and thermal coatings, without compromising the strength characteristics of the material.

Method and apparatus for measuring on line failure of turbine thermal barrier coatings

Abstract: A method of remotely monitoring the radiant energy (6) emitted from a turbine component such as a turbine blade (1) having a low-reflective surface coating (3) which may be undergoing potential degradation is used to determine whether erosion, spallation, delamination, or the like, of the coating (3) is occurring.

Method of visually inspecting turbine blades and optical inspection system therefor

Abstract: An optical inspection system is for visually inspecting the blades of a turbine at turning gear operation. The inspection system includes an imager for capturing images of the blades, an optical passage coupled to the imager and structured to provide maximum viewing area of the blades through an inspection port in the turbine and an illuminating assembly adapted to illuminate the blades while the imager captures images thereof. A method wherein the captured blade images are inspected for blade defects, is also disclosed.

Vaporization of liquefied natural gas for increased efficiency in power cycles

Abstract: A gas turbine cycle that utilizes the vaporization of liquefied natural gas as a source of inlet air chilling for a gas turbine. The cycle uses regeneration for preheating of combustor air and offers the potential of gas turbine cycle efficiencies in excess of 60%. The systems and methods permit the vaporization of LNG using ambient air, with the resulting super cooled air being easier to compress and/or having fewer contaminants therein. As the air is easier to compress, less energy is needed to operate the compressor, thereby increasing the efficiency of the system. A portion of the vaporized natural gas may be used as the combustion fuel for the gas turbine system, thereby permitting multiple turbines to be operated using a single topping cycle. In alternative embodiments, the vaporization of the LNG may be used as part of a bottoming cycle to increase the efficiencies of the gas turbine system.

Electric flame control using corona discharge enhancement

Abstract: A method of operating a combustor ( 10 ), to provide intimately mixed hot combusted gas ( 44 ) for a gas turbine ( 46 ), includes feeding gaseous oxidant ( 12 ) and gaseous fuel ( 16 ) into the combustor ( 10 ) near a combustion flame ( 28 ) which has a tip end ( 39 ) and a root end ( 29 ), where corona discharge occurs through adjustment of an electric field ( 34 ), and where the corona discharge causes ionized particles ( 36 ) to form and also causes intimate turbulent mixing of the gases.

Effects of Thermal Aging on the Mechanical Properties of a Porous‐Matrix Ceramic Composite

Abstract: The present article focuses on changes in the mechanical properties of an all-oxide fiber-reinforced composite following long-term exposure (1000 h) at temperatures of 1000–1200°C in air. The composite of interest derives its damage tolerance from a highly porous matrix, precluding the need for an interphase at the fiber–matrix boundary. The key issue involves the stability of the porosity against densification and the associated implications for long-term durability of the composite at elevated temperatures. For this purpose, comparisons are made in the tensile properties and fracture characteristics of a 2D woven fiber composite both along the fiber direction and at 45° to the fiber axes before and after the aging treatments. Additionally, changes in the state of the matrix are probed through measurements of matrix hardness by Vickers indentation and through the determination of the matrix Young's modulus, using the measured composite moduli coupled with classical laminate theory. The study reveals that, despite evidence of some strengthening of the matrix and the fiber–matrix interfaces during aging, the key tensile properties in the 0°/90° orientation, including strength and failure strain, are unchanged. This strengthening is manifested to a more significant extent in the composite properties in the ±45° orientation, wherein the modulus and the tensile strength each exhibit a twofold increase after the 1200°C aging treatment. It also results in a change in the failure mechanism, from one involving predominantly matrix damage and interply delamination to one which is dominated by fiber fracture. Additionally, salient changes in the mechanical response beyond the maximum load suggest the existence of an optimum matrix strength at which the fracture energy in the ±45° orientation attains a maximum. The implications for long-term durability of this class of composite are discussed.

Method for operating a gas turbine

Abstract: A gas turbine includes a compressor, a combustor, a turbine, and a flow path diverting an excess portion of the compressed air produced by the compressor around the turbine The flow path conducts the excess portion into a turbine exhaust gas flow producing a cooled exhaust gas A method of operating the gas turbine includes opening an inlet guide vane of the compressor to allow the compressor to produce an increased volume of compressed air The increased volume exceeds a volume of compressed air needed to support combustion An excess portion of the compressed air is directed into the exhaust gas to produce a cooled exhaust In a combined cycle power plant, the cooled exhaust from the gas turbine may be used to warm a steam turbine portion to a desired temperature while allowing operation of the gas turbine at a power level that produces exhaust gas at a temperature higher than the desired temperature

Cooling systems for stacked laminate CMC vane

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to various cooling systems for a turbine vane made of stacked ceramic matrix composite (CMC) laminates. Each airfoil-shaped laminate has an in-plane direction and a through thickness direction substantially normal to the in-plane direction. The laminates have anisotropic strength characteristics in which the in-plane tensile strength is substantially greater than the through thickness tensile strength. Such a vane construction lends itself to the inclusion of various cooling features in individual laminates using conventional manufacturing and forming techniques. When assembled in a radial stack, the cooling features in the individual laminates can cooperate to form intricate three dimensional cooling systems in the vane.

In situ combustion turbine engine airfoil inspection

Abstract: A system ( 10 ) for imaging a combustion turbine engine airfoil includes a camera ( 12 ) and a positioner ( 24 ). The positioner may be controlled to dispose the camera within an inner turbine casing of the engine at a first position for acquiring a first image. The camera may then be moved to a second position for acquiring a second image. A storage device ( 30 ) stores the first and second images, and a processor ( 32 ) accesses the storage device to generate a composite image from the first and second images. For use when the airfoil is rotating, the system may also include a sensor ( 40 ) for generating a position signal ( 41 ) responsive to a detected angular position of an airfoil. The system may further include a trigger device ( 42 ), responsive to the position signal, for triggering the camera to acquire an image when the airfoil is proximate the camera.

Cooled gas turbine transition duct

Abstract: A transition duct (40) for a gas turbine engine (10) incorporating a combination of cooling structures that provide active cooling in selected regions of the duct while avoiding cooling of highly stressed regions of the duct. In one embodiment, a panel (74) formed as part of the transition duct includes some subsurface cooling holes (92) that extend under a central portion of a stiffening rib (90) attached to the panel and some subsurface cooling holes (94) that have a truncated length so as to avoid extending under a rib end (45). Effusion cooling holes (88) used to cool a side subpanel (48) of the panel may have a distribution that reduces to zero approaching a double bend region (48) of the panel. An upstream subpanel (76) of the panel may be actively cooled only when the panel is located on an extrados of the transition duct.

The effect of support grid features on local, single-phase heat transfer measurements in rod bundles

Abstract: Locally averaged heat transfer measurements in a rod bundle downstream of support grids with and without flow-enhancing features are investigated for Reynolds numbers of 28,000 and 42,000 Support grids with disk blockage flow-enhancing features and support grids with split-vane pair flow enhancing features an examined. Grid pressure loss coefficients and feature loss coefficients are determined based on pressure drop measurements for each support grid design. Results indicate the greatest heat transfer enhancement downstream of the support grid designs with disk blockages. In addition, the local heat transfer measurements downstream of the split-vane pair grid designs indicate a region of decreased heat transfer below that of the hydrodynamically fully developed value. This decreased region of heat transfer is more pronounced for the lower Reynolds number case. A correlation for the local Nusselt numbers downstream of the standard support grid designs is developed based on the blockage of the support grid. In addition, a correlation for the local Nusselt numbers downstream of support grids with flow-enhancing features is developed based on the blockage ratio of the grid straps and the normalized feature loss coefficients of the support grid designs. The correlations demonstrate the tradeoff between initial heat transfer enhancement downstream of the support grid and the pressure drop created by the support grid.

Railway vehicle detection

Abstract: A method is disclosed of detecting a railway vehicle, comprising using the time difference between receiving at first and second points a signal sent from the vehicle at a given time to produce an indication of the location of the vehicle.

Wear monitoring system with embedded conductors

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to a system for monitoring the wear of a component. A conductor can be embedded in the component at a depth from a surface of the component. In one embodiment, the conductor can be operatively connected to a power source to form an electrical circuit. The resistance across the conductor can be measured. As the component contacts a second component, the component can begin to wear. Once the wear progresses to the conductor, changes in the measured resistance can result. Thus, an operator can be alerted that the component has worn to a certain point and that service may be needed. Alternatively, impedance can be measured across the conductor. Because the dielectric permeability of the material surrounding the conductor can affect impedance, changes in impedance can occur as the surface material of the component is worn away.

Enhanced Contaminant Desorption Induced by Phosphate Mineral Additions to Sediment

Abstract: Apatite, Ca10(PO4)6(OH,F)2, has been successfully used as a soil amendment at numerous sites to immobilize metals and radionuclides. Such sites commonly contain multiple contaminants; the impact of apatite on these contaminants is expected to vary greatly. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of apatite on nontargeted sediment contaminants. Laboratory batch experiments were conducted under oxidized (several weekly wet/dry cycles) and reduced (water-saturated) conditions with a sediment collected from a wetland contaminated with numerous metals and radionuclides. Apatite additions resulted in the significant (p ≤ 0.05) reduction of porewater Cd, Co, Hg, Pb, and U concentrations. However, apatite additions also resulted in the enhanced desorption of As, Se, and Th. Increases in porewater As and Se concentrations were the result of phosphate competitive exchange and not to the release of these contaminants directly from the apatite, which contained 29 mg kg-1 As and 0.2 mg kg-1 Se. Apat...

Quantification of thorium and uranium sorption to contaminated sediments

Abstract: Desorption tests, using a sequential extraction method, were used to characterize and quantify thorium and uranium sorption to contaminated wetland sediments collected from the Department of Energy's Savannah River Site located in South Carolina. In situ distribution coefficients, or Kd values (Kd = Csolid/Cliquid), were determined. Sequential extraction data were used to assign solid-phase radionuclide concentrations (Csolid) that, by definition, should represent only the reversibly sorbed fraction. A series of selective and sequential extractions was used to determine desorption Kd values. Thorium Kd values ranged from 115 to 2255 ml/g. Uranium Kd values ranged from 170 to 6493 ml/g. Compared to sorption Kd values, these desorption Kd values were appreciably greater because they captured the “aging” process of the radionuclides with the sediment, making the radionuclide more refractory. Compared to nonsite-specific data, these in situ Kd values improved accuracy, were more defensible, and removed unnecessary conservatism for subsequent transport and risk calculations. Additional tests were conducted to provide geochemical information relevant for selecting appropriate remediation technologies for the contaminated site. Thorium and uranium were associated with labile fractions and were not concentrated with the smaller sediment particles. These findings suggest that phytoremediation or heap leaching, and not soil washing, are viable remediation approaches for this site.

In-frame repair of gas turbine components

Abstract: A method for in-frame repairing of a thermal barrier coating ( 12 ) on a gas turbine component includes cleaning a desired surface portion ( 10 ) of the component without removing the component from the gas turbine. The method also includes roughening the surface portion in-frame, applying a bond coat ( 68 ) to the surface portion in-frame, and applying a ceramic topcoat ( 70 ) to the bond coat, in-frame. A system ( 28 ) for cleaning the surface portion in-frame includes an abrasive media ( 34 ) having a state change characteristic occurring at a temperature lower than an operating temperature of the gas turbine so that the abrasive media changes from a solid state to another state allowing the media to exit the gas turbine during operation. The system also includes an abrasive media sprayer ( 36 ) to direct a spray of the abrasive media at the desired surface portion.

Nonintrusive method for the detection of concealed special nuclear material

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus for detecting concealed fissile, fissionable or special nuclear material in an article, such as a shipping container, is provided. The article is irradiated with a source of fast neutrons, and fast neutrons released by the fissile or fissionable material, if present, are detected between source neutron pulses. The method uses a neutron detector that can detect and discriminate fast neutrons in the presence of thermal neutrons and gamma radiation. The detector is able to process high count rates and is resistant to radiation damage, and is preferably a solid state neutron detector comprised of silicon carbide.

Serial train communication system

Abstract: A serial train communication system employs a pair of ultrasonic transceivers oppositely mounted at each end of a railway car. Each ultrasonic transceiver is coupled to a controller and to an independent power source. The controller is further coupled to various apparatuses installed on the railway car and is capable of controlling operation thereof. A command signal sent from a locomotive cab travels between railway cars enabling control of various apparatuses of such railway cars and status signals from such apparatuses may be sent back to a locomotive cab event recorder. The controller and the power source may be attached to the railway car or to any such apparatus. In another embodiment, a single ultrasonic transceiver is installed within an air brake pipe enabling communication within a mixed railway car configuration.

Optical viewing system for monitoring a wide angle area of interest exposed to high temperature

Abstract: The present invention comprises a wide angle lens optical viewing system for the non-destructive monitoring of a high temperature area of interest with a confined space access, in particular, in a gas turbine engine. A novel cooling scheme is claimed that functions to cool the wide angle lens. Further, a method of monitoring an annular combustor region in the gas turbine via the optical viewing system is presented.

Cooling system for an airfoil vane

Abstract: A turbine vane for a turbine engine having a cooling system in inner aspects of the turbine vane. The cooling system includes one or more vortex forming chambers proximate to the intersection of an airfoil forming a portion of the turbine vane and an endwall to which the airfoil is attached. The intersection of the airfoil and the endwall may include a fillet for additional strength at the connection. The vortex forming chambers receive cooling fluids from cooling injection holes that provide a cooling fluid supply pathway between the cooling air supply cavity and the vortex forming chambers. The cooling fluids may be exhausted through one or more film cooling holes. The film cooling holes may exhaust cooling fluids proximate to the fillet to reduce the temperature of the external surface of the fillet and surrounding region.

Results of testing various natural gas desulfurization adsorbents

Abstract: This article presents the results of testing many commercially available and some experimental sulfur adsorbents. The desired result of our testing was to find an effective method to reduce the quantity of sulfur in natural gas to less than 100 ppb volume (0.1 ppm volume). An amount of 100 ppb sulfur is the maximum limit permitted for Siemens Westinghouse solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). The tested adsorbents include some that rely only on physical adsorption such as activated carbon, some that rely on chemisorption such as heated zinc oxide, and some that may use both processes. The testing was performed on an engineering scale with beds larger than those used for typical laboratory tests. All tests were done at about 3.45 barg (50 psig). The natural gas used for testing was from the local pipeline in Pittsburgh and averaged 6 ppm volume total sulfur. The primary sulfur species were dimethyl sulfide (DMS), isopropyl mercaptan, tertiary butyl mercaptan, and tetrahydrothiophene. Some tests required several months to achieve a sulfur breakthrough of the bed. It was found that DMS always came through a desulfurizer bed first, independent of adsorption process. Since the breakthrough of DMS always exceeds the 100 ppb SOFC sulfur limit before other sulfurs were detected, an index was created to rate the adsorbents in units of ppm DMS × absorbent bed volume. This index is useful for calculating the expected adsorbent bed lifetime before sulfur breakthrough when the inlet natural gas DMS content is known. The adsorbents that are included in these reports were obtained from suppliers in the United States, the Netherlands, Japan, and England. Three activated carbons from different suppliers were found to have identical performance in removing DMS. One of these activated carbons was operated at four different space velocities and again showed the same performance. When using activated carbon as the basis of comparison for other adsorbents, three high-performance adsorbents were found that removed about 100 to 150 times as much DMS as activated carbon before breakthrough.

Cooling system for a seal for turbine vane shrouds

Abstract: A seal for sealing a seal groove in a shroud of a turbine vane. The seal may include a cooling system configured to pass cooling fluids through a cooling fluid supply port in a shroud, through a cooling system in which the cooling fluids contact the shroud and the seal, and exhaust the fluids through a gap between adjacent turbine vanes. The seal may include an elongated cooling channel for channeling cooling fluids from a supply to an exhaust channel at a first end. The cooling system may remove heat from the turbine vane shroud, the seal, and other related components, thereby reducing the likelihood of premature failure.

Zero-Valent Iron Removal Rates of Aqueous Cr(VI) Measured Under Flow Conditions

Abstract: The rates of Cr(VI) removal from the aqueous phase by zero-valent iron, Fe(0), was measured under flow conditions. The intent of this work was to generate removal rate coefficients that would be applicable to the Reactive Well Technology, a groundwater remediation technology that replaces the sand in a filter pack of a conventional well with a reactive material, such as Fe(0). Dissolved Cr(VI) concentration, dissolved O2 concentration, and Eh data indicated that Cr(VI) removal from the aqueous phase was mass-transfer limited. All pseudo-first-order regression fits to the data were significant (P≤0.05), however, they did not capture many of the salient aspects of the data, including that the removal rate often decreased as contact time increased. As such, application of these rate coefficients to predict long-term Cr(VI) removal were compromised. The rate coefficients measured under flow conditions were comparable to those measured previously under batch conditions with significantly greater solution:solid ratios. Between the range of 20 and 100 wt-% Fe(0) in the column, there was little measurable change in the reaction kinetics. Thus, it may be possible to include sand into the reactive filter packs in the event it is necessary to increase filter pack porosity or to decrease the accumulation of secondary reaction products that may lead to filter pack plugging. Background water chemistry (0.2 M NaHCO3, distilled water, and a carbonate-dominated groundwater) had only marginal, if any, effects on reaction rate coefficients. The reaction rates measured in this study indicated that an Fe(0) filter pack could be used to lower Cr(VI) concentrations by several orders of magnitude in a once-through mode of operation of the Reactive Well Technology.

Component having wear coating applied by cold spray process

Abstract: A component ( 10 ) including a substrate material ( 12 ) and a wear alloy coating ( 14 ) applied to the substrate by a cold spray process. Particles of the wear alloy coating material ( 16 ) are directed toward a target surface ( 18 ) of the substrate at a velocity sufficiently high for the particles to deform and to adhere to the target surface. The size and/or composition of the particles may be varied during the cold spray process to produce a coating with a varying property across the depth of the coating. Particles of the wear alloy material may be applied by cold spraying along with particles of a second material such as a lubricant or a ceramic material. For Group 5 hard facing materials, the size and distribution of the embedded carbide nodules may be controlled by controlling the selection of the carbide particles being sprayed. The cold spray process permits a wear alloy coating to be applied proximate a brazed joint or over a directionally stabilized or single crystal material without degrading the underlying material.

Seal usable between a transition and a turbine vane assembly in a turbine engine

Abstract: A seal usable to seal a transition in a can-annular combustion system of a turbine engine to a turbine vane assembly to direct exhaust gases through the turbine vane assembly. The seal may be formed from an elongated body extending along an outer edge of the transition and having first and second edges. The first edge of the seal may be attached to the transition, and the elongated body may extend away from the transition edge and contact a portion of the turbine vane assembly. The elongated body may flex during use without yielding or otherwise deforming.