US1438488A - Steam turbine - Google Patents

Description

J. F. GREY STEAM TURBINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 15, I921.

Patented Dec. 12, 1922;.

6 SHEETS-SHEET I.

1. F. GREY. STEAM TURBINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 15- 192i.

Patented Dec.12,1922..

, 6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

J. F. GREY. STEAM TURBINE.

APPLICATION FILED lUNE 15, 192].

0, 1 1% 4 8 i l, I Z 1 m 5 6 SHEETSSHEET 3- Patented Dec. 12, 1922.

'1. F. GREY.

- STEAM TURBINE. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 15,192].

Patented Dec. 12, 1922.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

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APPLICATION FILED JUNE 15. 192i.

Patented Dec. 12, 1922.

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E E F EYS J. F. GREY.

STEAM TURBINE.

APPLICATION men JUNE 15, um.

Patented Dec.12 ,1922.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

Patented Dec. 12, 1922.

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JOHN F. GREY, OF NEVJ ORLEANS, LOUISIANA.

STEAM TURBINE.

Application filed .Tune 15,

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN F. GREY, a citizen of the. United States, residing at New Orleans, in the parish of Orleans and State of Louisiana, have invented a new and Improved Steam Turbine, of which the following is a specification.

In general this turbine is of a single wheel type with several compartments, in which the steam, introduced by suitably located nozzles has a continuous forward whirl without a forward outlet, exhausting and relieving of back pressure resistance the front of the surfaces and blades acted upon by suction or molecular adhesion, utilizing in this matter both the momentum and pressure of the steam.

The present invention has for its object to provide an improved turbine of the foregoing character and more particularly to provide certain new and useful improvements on the construction of turbine disclosed in my Patent No. 1,398,114, issued October 11, 1921.

In the drawings is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention and like numerals of reference designate like parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a central vertical longitudinal section. substantially on the line 11 of Figure 4, of the preferred embodiment of my invention.

Figure 2 is a detail perspective view of one of the shearing rings or partition members.

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the courses of the steam in exhausting from the exhaust channel.

Figure 4 is a vertical cross section on substantially the line 4l4t of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of the rotor in longitudinal section, through the inlet chamber, one blade being in position and showing the location of the steps on those blades, the outer surfaces of the steps being tangential to the curvatureof the rotor.

Figure 6 is a detail perspective View of one of the shearing plates with a two part blade riveted thereto.

Figure 7 is a vertical section on substantially the line 7-7 of Figure 4: looking in 1921. Serial No. 477,792.

the direction of the arrow, the steps as on the side plate 10 having the ports 45 being omitted to avoid confusion in the drawing.

Figure 8 is a detail elevation of one of the side plates 6.

Figure 9 is a detail section through one of the pressure channels showing the steps on the bottom, outer and side walls.

Figure 10 is perspective view of the preferred form of rotor.

Figure 11 is a detail perspective view, parts being broken away, of the central unit, one of the side pressure units and one of the side exhaust units of the rotor separated.

Figure 12 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the steam channels of the rotor shown in Figure 10.

Figures 13 and 14 are longitudinal sections at right angles to one another, of one of the steam nozzles.

Figure 15 is a detail perspective view of a modification of the invention in which the pressure channel is narrow and not provided with a shearing partition.

Figure 16 is a diagrammatic view of the steam passages in the rotor shown in Figure 15.

Figure 17 is a. detail perspective view of another modification in which the intermediate pressure channels are dispensed with, the steam passing directly from the central or inlet channels through the exhaust channels at the side.

Figure 18 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the steam passages of the rotor shown in Figure 7.

Figure 19 is a detail perspective view of a portion of another modified rotor in which the intermediate pressure channels are provided with a plurality of shearing partitions.

Figure 20 is a diagrammatic View of the steam passages of the rotor of Figure 19.

Figure 21 is a vertical section through the nozzle chamber of the housing, the rotor being omitted, showing a modified form later specifically described.

Figure 22 is a. central vertical section of another modification of the invention later described.

Figure 23 is a detail section showing how the blades 4 are held between the plates 6.

The invention comprises a rotor of several compartments or units, firmly fastened together, through the center of which passes a shaft 1 for transmission of the power, and to which the rotor is fastened at the hubs 2 which form the extreme ends of the rotor.

The rotor of the turbine receives steam from suitably located and specially designed nozzles 3, which will be further or more fully described; a casing 24 enclosing the rotor through which the nozzles penetrate, and to receive the exhausted steam to be led to the atmosphere or a suitable condenser.

The rotor includes a central unit and side units (Figures 10 and 11) each haying a steam passage or channel.

The central compartmentconstitutes the steam inlet compartment, into which the steam issuing from the suitably located nozzles, in the central part of the casing 24 surrounding the central compartment of the rotor, enters successively between the inlet blades 4t into an annular channel 5 (formed by the annular side plates of the central compartment, the interior surfaces of the inlet blades 4- and a cylindrical band '7 between the annular side plates which forms the bottom of the channel through which the steam issuing from the nozzles circulates in a continuous whirl in the direction of the rotation of the rotor glancing in its course from blade to blade, exhausting by suction the spaces between the outside surfaces of inlet blades, and their enclosing central part 8 of the casing Fig ures 1 and 4), also the front of the stepped surfaces 36 and 3'? of the bottom '7 and sides 6 of the channel 5, Figure 1.

'On the sides of tiis annular channel in the side plates of the central compartment of the rotor are ports or opening 9 (see Figures 1, 4:. 5 and 11) which together with the inner side plates 39 of the side compartments of the rotor, form distributing channels 11 (see Figure 12) through wl ich the steam, deflected laterally by the resistance encountered in glancing from blade to blade in the central annular channel 5, enters and distributes successively into the annular channels 12 and 38 (see Figure 12) of the side compartments of the rotor whirling in the direction of the rotation of the rotor.

The ports 9 have their advanced surfaces 25 inclined toward tie sides or outlets of the openings, while their rear or following walls 26 are square across (see Figures 11 and 12), so that the steam in passing through of the rotor,

the channels 11 will cause a partial vacuum or suction in front of or adjacent to the surfaces 26 to avoid back pressure.

The side or pressure compartments are each composed of two circular plates 39 and 10. The inner plates 39 are little larger in diameter than the plates so as to form small flanges 14 extending above the central compartment of the rotor between which fits, with sufficient clearance for free rotation of the rotor, the central part 8 of the casing 2 1. Between the two side plates of each side compartment of the rotor are channels 12 (called pressure channels) formed by cylindrical rings 4L0 and f1 Figures t, 9 and 11) rings 11 forming the outer surface and rings 10 forming the bottom surface of the channels. The inside surface of the rings L0 and 4.1 are cut in step formation (see Figure 9) and the sides of the channels have also steps 4-2 cut in their surface, the front of which is exhausted of pressure resistance by suction caused by the therein rapidly forward whirling steam entering therein from the distributing chan nels 11.

The outer or exhaust compartments of the rotor, are each composed of two circular plates 10 and 13. On the outer plates 13, the hubs 2 are fastened, through which hubs tie shaft passes and is fastened. Between the tar side plates of each outer or exhaust compartment of the rotor are peripheral blades 15', which together with the exhaust openings 16 form the periphery of these compartments of the rotor. below the peripheral blades 15 and separated from their inner edges are cylindrical rings 17, which to gether with the side plates 10 and 13 and the peripheral blades 15, form the annular channels 38 called exhaust channels of the outer compartments of the rotor. The bottom and sides of the channels stepped at 43 and H as shown in Figures 7 and 12. On the sides of the channels in plates 10 are ports or openings 415 (see Figure 12) communicating with the pressure channels, through which the steam enters the exhaust channels still with velocity and whirling in a forward direction. and expanding out through the openings 16 between the peripheral blades into the exhaust casing, relieving the front surface of the peripheral blades of pressure resistance by the resultant suction.

ln order that the steam entering the annular pressure channels and the annular e haust channels may not be deflected at too great an angle in a lateral direction when entering these channels through the respective side ports. these channels should have a shearing disk 18 (see Figures 2, 4t and 6) located somewhat in advanceof the openings of the channels 11. and ports 45.

All the compartments of the rotor are firmly hcl d together by cross bolts 19 and nuts 2( Through the central part of the casing, the nozzles 3, one or more, penetrate and are placed equally distant around the periphery of the rotor, their number depends on the size of the turbine.

The nozzles 3 are to be long when a high pressure is to be used, their steam entrances 21 t iinating in divergent out-let ends 22, as theentrance space between the inlet blades is narrow and does not admit of a single cylindrical. or square nozzle; the nozzles should be partitioned so as to form a row of separate nozzles with square areas, see Figures 13 and 14-) this has a tendency for a higher steam speed, by avoiding the internal pressure limiting the steam velocity. The length of the parallel part 2i of the nozzles depends on the steam pressure to be used; the object is, that the resistance in the parallel part 21 of the nozzles reduces tie steam pressure sufficiently, so that when entering the divergent part 22, it is enabled to expand entirely before leaving the nozzle outlet 23 to the pressure medium existing between the inlet blades and their surrounding casing; the resistance in the parallel ends of the nozzles has a tendency to superheat the steam by the friction, and consequently increase the volume of the steam and decrease the amount of weight of flow. As there is a tendency to create more or less of a vacuum between the outer surfaces of the inlet blades and their surrounding stationary casing band, due to the'suction caused by the rapidity of flow, (into which partial vacuum the steam coursing in the inlet channel would expand and dissipate part of its pressure), the casing band surrounding the inlet blades should form the bottom of a channel 32 (see Figures 1 and 4E) and have side openings 33, to communicate with the exhaust casing. The bottom of this channel 32'has nozzle shaped openings 46 through which the steam enters into the lower pressure medium existing between the blade surfaces and the stationary central channel band. and balances the pressure in the inlet channel, thus preventing a dissipation of pressure in said inlet channel and at the same time utilizing the momentum of the steamentering through these nozzle openings. The inlet blades should have their outer surface stepped as at l7 (see Figure so that the entering steam from the nozzles does not exert a back pressure on the blades the moment they pass the nozzle area, then any pressure exerted on the outside surface of the blades would be toward the center of the rotor, and the front of the stepped surface be cleared by suction of back pressure.

The rotor can also be constructedwithout the central casing band 8 as shown in 1? are 22 but in that case the outside surface of the inlet blades would have to carry the resistance of whirl against the pressure existing in the exhaust casing, and the outer surface of the inlet blades should be smooth so as to offer the least resistance in the whirl. I

The nozzles receive the supply of steam from the main 2? through lateral ducts 28 in which are shut off valves or control valves 29. The nozzles are supported in casings 30 which are in communication with the steam ducts 28, suit-able drain cocks 31 being provided where desired.

The steam connection with the nozzles shown in Figure l is a preferred construction but, especially for low pressure turbines where short nozzles are to be used, they can be arranged as shown in Figure 21 to receive steam from a common compartment enclosing the nozzles.

The turbine can be governed by any well known governor in present use and the ex-- haust steam may be led off from the haust casing to the exhaust pipe 85 into atmosphere or into a suitable condenser (not shown). V

In its function this turbine differs from others by the absence of sudden steam impacts and deflections from moving to stationary surfaces and vice versa; also the steam pressure below the atmospheric pressure is caused to act by the suction of the rapidly forward whirling steam exhausting the front surface area of the steps of pressure resistance, thus creating an un balanced force pushing the rotor in a forward direction, and in this manner utilizing the latent heat energy of the steam wit out the aid of a condenser; the steam exhausting from the rotor by expanding backward and out etween the peripheral blades of the exhaust channels at an angle of 180 degrees from the direction of the steam entering the rotor. As the steam still has 'a pressure of about 15 pounds absolute in the exhaust casing the turbine can be staged in combination with a low pressure turbine in connection with a condenser for still greater steam economy.

In the claims where 1' refer to the peripheral stepped surfaces li desire it understood that these surfaces may be formed either by a continuous stepped band as indicated in Figure 7 or by means of stepped blades as indicated for instance in Figure 1.

What I claim is: V

1. In a rotary motor, a rotor comprising a shaft, a drum on said shaft having a fluid inlet channel, a set of pressure channels, and a set of reaction or exhaust channels, peripheral blades for the inlet channel, peripheral steps in the pressure channels, peripheral blades in the exhaust channels, steam passages between the respective channels, a casing enclosing the rotor and having provision for receiving the exhaust steam from the reaction channel, means introducing steam into the inlet channel through spaces between the adjacent blades to pass around the inlet channel and from thence into and around successive pressure a central and side steam channels and exhaust channels, the surfaces of said channels and blades that are engaged by the steam being stepped.

2. In a rotary motor, a rotor, a casing within which said rotor operates, said rotor having annular steam circulating channels with inclined peripheral steam directing surfaces arranged in step formation to cause a partial vacuum or suction at the advance or stepped end of the surfaces, means for delivering steam into the inlet channel to circulate through the several channels in a continuously forward direction, the side walls and bottom of said channels being stepped.

3. In a rotary motor wherein is provided a casing, a rotor within the casing having separated one from another by longitudinal partitions having passageways, and means for delivering steam into thecentral channel, said casing adapted to receive the exhaust steam from the rotor, an annular ring carried by the casing surrounding the central channel and provided with ports in communication with the exhaust chamber of the casing.

4-. In a rotary motor, a rotor having a steam inlet channel and additional annular channels at the sides of the inlet channel, inclined peripheral blades extending across the inlet channel and located a distance from the bottom wall of the channel, similarly located blades in certain of the additional channels, said drum having partitions between the several channels with openings from one channel to the adjacent channel, a housing in which the drum rotates, at least one steam introducing nozzle for delivering the steam into the inlet channel with velocity, said housing having an ex haust passage for exhausting steam to atmosphere and means for effecting communication between the exhaust channel of the casing and the periphery of the steam inlet channel.

5. In a rotary motor, a rotor having a steam inlet channel and additional annular channels at the sides of the inlet channel, inclined peripheral blades extending across the inlet channel and located a distance from the bottom wall of the channel, similarly located blades in certain of the additional channels, said drum having partitions between the several channels with openings from one channel to the adjacent channel, a housing in which the drum rotates, at least one steam introducing nozzle for delivering the steam into the inlet channel with velocity, said housing having an exhaust passage for exhausting steam to atmosphere and means for effecting communication between the exhaust channel of the casing and the periphery of the steam inlet channel, the intermediate channels each being closed at its periphery by an annular 1 ieeass ring having stepped steam engaging surfaces.

6. In a rotary motor, a rotor having a steam inlet channel and additional annular channels at the sides of the inlet channel, inclined peripheral blades extending across the inlet channel and located a distance from the bottom wall of the channel, similarly located blades in certain of the additional channels, said drum having partitions between the several channels with openings from one channel to the adjacent channel, a housing in which the drum rotates, at least one steam introducing nozzle for delivering the steam into the inlet channel with velocity, said housing having an exhaust passage for exhausting steam to atmosphere, means for effecting communication between the exhaust channel of the easing and the periphery of the steam inlet channel, the intermediate channels each being closed at its periphery by an annular ring having stepped steam engaging sur faces, and the side and bottom walls of said steam channels of the rotor being stepped.

7. In steam turbines, a rotor comprising at least a central and two side units, each unit having an annular steam channel with peripheral stepped surfaces in the channels, ducts bet-ween the respective units, the side units having exhaust outlets, means to admit steam into the central unit between the blades thereof, avhousing for the rotor, the steam engaging walls of the several channels being stepped.

8. In steam turbines, a rotor comprising at least a central and two side units, each unit having an annular steam channel with peripheral stepped surfaces in the channels, ducts between the respective units, the side units having exhaust outlets, means to admit steam into the central unit between the blades thereof, a housing for the rotor, the steam engaging walls of the several channels being stepped, certain of said channels having shearing partitions, the steam engaging surfaces of which are stepped.

9. In steam turbines, a rotor comprising at least a central and two side units, each unit having an annular steam channel with peripheral stepped surfaces in the channels, ducts between the repective units, the side units having exhaust outlets, means to admit steam into the central unit between the blades thereof, a housing for the rotor, the steam engaging walls of the several channels being stepped, such housing having provision for effecting communication between the exhaust compartment of said housing and the periphery of said central unit of the rotor.

10. In steam turbines, a rotor comprising at least a central and two side units, each unit having an annular steam channel with peripheral stepped. surfaces in the channels,

gaging surfaces of Which are stepped, such housing having provision for effecting com munication between the exhaust compart- 10 ment of said housing and the periphery of said central unit of the rotor.

5N0. F. GREY.

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