US2356721A

US2356721A - Turbine support

Info

Publication number: US2356721A
Application number: US401213A
Authority: US
Inventors: John R Hagemann
Original assignee: Allis Chalmers Corp
Current assignee: Allis Chalmers Corp
Priority date: 1941-07-05
Filing date: 1941-07-05
Publication date: 1944-08-22
Anticipated expiration: 1961-08-22

Description

u 22, E9440v J. R. HAGEMANN 9 3 3 TURBINE SUPPORT Filed July 5, 1941 4 Shets-Sheet 1 1944. 4 J. R. HAGEMANN I 356,71

TURBINE SUPPORT Fild July 5, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 22, 19. J. R. HAGEMANN 2,356,721

TURBINE SUPPORT Filqd July 5, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet s Patented Aug. 22, 1944 TURBINE SUPPORT John R. Hagemann, Milwaukee, Wis, assignor to Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Delaware Application July 5, 1941, Serial No. 401,213

33 Claims.

This invention relates generally to elastic fluid turbine units and more particularly to a structure for supporting high speed units employed for propelling ships and the like.

Expansion and contraction of the turbine elements during varying load conditions necessitates providing supporting means operative to permit expansion movements of the turbine casing without producing undesirable stresses in the associated turbine elements or the supporting framework, and in this connection, it has heretofore been the practice to fix one end of the turbine casing and to movably mount the other end thereof so as to permit free expansion of the casing in an axial direction. In installations in which the turbine spindle is coupled to speed reducing gearing, the usual practice is to fixedly secure the adjacent end of the turbine casing or extensions thereof to the gear casing and to mount the other end of the turbine casing on resilient or slightly flexible supports permitting relatively free longitudinal expansion of the turbine casing while maintaining the turbine spindle in axial alinement with respect to the gearing.

These known constructions require a substantial degree of articulation between the turbine spindle and gearing since the longitudinal expansion movements of the turbine casing causes the free end thereof, which is secured to resilient or slightly flexible supports, to move on an arc and since the extent of the longitudinal expansion movements produced by larg variations in load is sufficient to effect an appreciable movement of the free end of the turbine in a vertical direction. Consequently, although those known constructions have been extensively used with a fair degree of success, particularly with respect to stationary installations of non-condensing units, considerable difliculty has been experienced in connection with the installation and operation of high speed condensing propulsion units.

For example, if in marine installations the con- I, denser is suspended from the turbine casing for same destructive results above mentioned unless a flexible connection is provided between the turbine casing and the inlet portion of the condenser. Furthermore, the suspension of the condenser from a portion of the turbine intermediate its fixed and free ends necessitate that all fluid piping connected with the condenser be provided with extremely flexible connections which materially increases initial and maintenance costs. In addition, the suspension of the condenser in this manner invariablyover-stresses and tends to deform the unsupported portion of the turbine casing and in this connection the usual practice has been to provide an additional resilient supporting means such as springs disposed between the bottom portion of the condenser and the foundation. In fact, the ordinary turbine casing does not have suificient strength after its cover portion has been removed to support the condenser structure and as a result, the condenser structure must be jacked up before the cover can be removed for inspection and repairs.

It is therefore an-object of this invention to provide an improved supporting structure for turbine units which is ideally adapted to maintain the requisite degree of alinement while permitting the free expansion of all parts and which provides a maximum degree of stability.

Another object of this invention i to provide an improved supporting structure for condensing turbine units which will permit the condenser being rigidly connected to and suspended from the turbine casing without the use of an additional supporting means. 1

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved supporting structure for condensing turbine units which will permit the condenser being suspended from the turbine casing and the removal of the cover portion of the casing for inspection and repairs without necessitating the blocking or the jacking up of the condenser.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved supporting structure for con- (lensing turbine units in which the condenser is suspended from the turbine casing and is subjected to the least possible deviation from its reference position.

Still another object of this invention i to provide an improved supporting structure for turbines on which the turbine is completely assembled and permanently secured thereto with all parts in alineinent to provide a substantially rigid unitary structure which can be shipped and readily installed in a minimum space without necessithe appended claims and tating realinement of the turbine spindle with respect to the cylinder.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved method of mounting a turbine on a cradle structure.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved supporting structure for turbines in which opposite intermediate side portions of the turbine casing are permanently secured to the longitudinal side beams of a substantially rigid cradle structure and in which the opposite ends of the turbine casing are supported for movement in an axial direction on the transverse cross beams of the cradle.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved supporting structure for condensing turbines in which opposite side portions of the exhaust section of the turbine are permanently secured to the longitudinal side beams of a substantially rigid cradle structure and in which opposite ends of the turbine casing are supported for movement in an axial direction on the .transverse cross beams of the cradle.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved method of installing a permanently combined turbine and cradle unit.

The invention accordingly consists of the various methods and of the various features of construction, combinations ofelements, and arrangements of parts as more particularly set forth in in the detailed description, in which:

Fig; 1 is a side view of a turbine propulsion unit embodying the invention;'

Fig. '2 is a plan view of the unit shown in Fig. 1; I

r Fig. 3 is an end elevation (right hand) of the unit shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the cradle structure; Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the cradle structure shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an end elevation (right hand) of the cradle structure shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. '7 is an end elevation (left hand) of the cradle structure shown in Fig. 4; T

Fig. 8 is a section taken on line VIII-VIII of Fig. 4;

Fig. 9 is a section taken on line IX1'X of Fig. 4;

.Fig. 10 is a partial section taken on line XX of Fig. 1;

Fig. 11 is a detail illustrating the manner in which the casing is supported on the aft bearing pedestal;

Fig. 12 is a detail illustrating the manner in which the forward end of the turbine is supported on the cradle;

Figs. 13 and 14 are sections taken on lines XIIIXIII and XIVX1V, respectively, of Fig. 11;

Fig. 15 diagrammatically illustrates the application of load on the cradle support; and

Fig. 16 shows exaggerated load deflection curves for the cradle and turbine casing.

Referring to the drawings and particularly -Figs. 1,-3, inclusive, it is seen that the invention is illustrated as applied to marine type propulsion unit comprising the reduction gearing I and a turbine 2 coupled with the gearing I and including an ahead section 3, an astern section 4,

u and a common intermediate exhaust portion 5.

The astern and ahead sections are provided with the usual fluid inlet connections 6 and 7, respectively. The gearing I, which operatively connects the turbine 2 with the usual propeller shaft (not shown), is enclosed in a suitable casing 8 which is rigidly secured to the machinery foundation 9 in any suitable manner such as by bolts (not shown). A condenser II has its inlet portion I2 rigidly secured to the exhaust portion 5 of the turbine 2 and the turbine and condenser are supported as a unit on a substantially rigid cradle structure I3 which in turn is rigidly connected with and supported. by the gear casing 8 and by the rigid supporting columns M.

The cradle structure I3, as best seen in Figs. 4-10, inclusive, comprises a pair of parallel side beams I6 each having a wide or deep vertical web II, a bottom flange I8 symmetrical with respect to said web, and a top flange I9 extending from one side of the said web and a pair of longitudinally spaced end or cross beams 2| and 22 of I-shaped cross section. The side beams I6 which are of built up construction, preferably welded, as is indicated in Fig. 10, are arranged with their webs disposed in spaced parallel relation and with their top flanges I9 projecting outward in opposite directions and the cross beams 2I and 22 are disposed in spaced and substantially parallel relation and each cross beam has its opposite end rigidly secured in abutting relation to opposed portions of the webs ll of the side beams I6 adjacent the bottom flanges I8 thereon, as is best seen in Figs. 6 and 7. The connections between the side and cross beams are reinforced by means of the vertically and horizontally disposed

gusset plates

23 and 24, respectively, which have their base and leg edges welded to the contiguous portions of the side and cross beams. A pair of supporting brackets 26 are permanently and rigidly secured, preferably by welding, to opposed portions of the webs I! of the side beams I6 intermediate said crossbeams and intermediate the top portions of said cross beams and the top flanges I9. In other words, the brackets 26 are secured to the webs I! in opposed relation and slightly below the top flanges I9, as is best seen in Figs. 6, 7 and 10. The ends of the side beams I6 which are to be secured to the gear casing 8 are each provided with a transverse flange 2! which is provided with a vertical series of holes 28 for bolting the beams I6 and thereby the cradle I3 to the gear casing 8, as is best shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In addition, the gear casing ends of the beams I6 have reduced Web portions, thereby providing in effect a stepped lower end surface 29 on each beam which is provided with a pad 38 adapted to rest on the bracket 3| secured to the gear casing 8, as is best seen in Fig. 1. The pads 30 and the contiguous portions of the bottom flanges I8 are provided with two series of holes 32 for bolting the beams I6 to the brackets 3|. Thus, it is seen that one end of the cradle is supported on and secured to the gear casing 8 by means of bolts passing through the holes 28 in the flanges 2! and the holes 32 in the bottom flanges I8 and the pads 39. The opposite ends of the beams I6 are also provided with pads 33 and with series of holes 34 for rigidly securing the other end of the beams I6 and thereby the cradle I3 39 and the pads and flange are provided with series of openings AI.

The I-beam supporting columns I4 have their web portions disposed parallel to the web portions ll of the side beams i6 and are rigidly braced against lateral movement by means of a top cross plate 42, the gusset plates 63 secured to the machinery foundation 9 and the lower portions of the columns M, and a pair of diagonal channel shaped bracing members 44. The members 44, which are crossed, have their upper ends rigidly secured to the cross plates 42 and their lower ends rigidly secured to the gusset plates I33 and are further reinforced by a rectangular plate 45 which is rigidly secured to the mid portions of the diagonal members 34, as is clearly indicated in Fig. 3.

The turbine 2 has separable upper and lower casing parts 13 and ll, respectively, and the lower part 4'? has opposite sides of its exhaust portion 5, which are preferably disposed adjacent the flange fcr securing the upper and lower casing parts together, provided with laterally extending supporting projections 48 adapted to engage the opposed brackets 25 on the cradle side beams IS. The astern section of the lower casing part ll has rigidly secured to the end thereof, as best shown in Figs. 8 and 12, a bearing structure 9 for supporting the adjacent shaft portion of the turbine spindle or rotor. The bearing structure 49 includes a removal cover portion 52 and a lower portion 53 which is rigidly secured to the lower casing part 41 to provide in effect a rigid unitary structure. The lower casing portion 53 has its opposite sides provided with laterally extending rigid supporting brackets 54 which are rigidly secured to a pedestal structure comprising a base member 55 which is substantially coextensive with the pad 31 on the cross beam 22 and a pair of laterally spaced upstanding resilient members 51 each of which terminates in a transverse rigid flange 53 adapted to engage and be rigidly secured to a bracket 54. The resilient members 5'! can be flexed, thereby permitting the flanges 58 and the structure supported thereon to move in an axial direction relative the base member 56. The end of the ahead section of the lower casing part 4'5, as is shown in Figs. 2 and 11, is provided with a pair of laterally spaced projections 59 which extend outward from the casing in the axial direction and present parallel supporting surfaces 6i} which lie in a horizontal plane common to the longitudinal axis of the turbine and with another T-shaped projection 5! having its outer edge provided with a pair of laterally spaced pads 62 and an intermediate vertically extending groove 53 adapted to receive a positioning key or lug 64, as indicated in Figs. 11 and 13. The pad portions of the projection are provided with bolt holes 65. A rigid pedestal structure 35 adapted for supporting the ahead section of the turbine casing and the adjacent end of the spindle shaft comprises, as best seen in Figs. 1, 11 and 14, a base member 5? adapted to engage the pads 39 on the cross beam 2! and a spindle shaft bearing carrying portion 68 formed integral with the base member 6? and presenting a pair of laterally spaced supporting surfaces 59 and a pair of laterally spaced pads I! adapted to be disposed in opposed relation with respect to the pads 62 on the T-shaped projection St. The surfaces 69 are provided with tapped bores iii adapted to receive tap bolts 80 which extend through and are of less diameter than the bores 85 provided in the projections 59. This construction, which is conventional, acts to position and limit the movement of the turbine casing relative to the pedestal 66, whereas the key arrangement 64 is adapted to prevent movement of the casing lat.- erally with respect to a vertical plane including the longitudinal axis of the turbine. The pads II are also provided with bolt holes I2 arranged for alinement with the bolt holes in the projection 61. The outer end of the bearing portion 68 and the cover portion I3 therefor are provided with complementary laterally extending portions forming an annular flange I4 adapted to abut and be secured to a similar flange I5 on the coupling casing I5. The base member 61 is provided with bolt holes I! arranged for alinement with the similar holes 4| extending through the pads 39 and the upper flange of the cross beam 2| for securing the pedestal structure 56 thereon. The pedestal structure 66 may be rigidly secured tothe lower casing part fil when desired simply by inserting apertured spacing members 18 between the pairs of spaced

pads

62 and 1| and bolting the structures together as indicated in Fig. 13.

The turbine 2 and the cradle I3 are permanently combined to provide in eifect an integral structure which can be shipped and readily installed as a unit by first bolting the pedestal structure 66 to the projection 6| on the lower half 4'! of the casing and then placing the lower half of the casing between the side beams I6 of the cradle I3 with the projections 48 superimposed on the supporting brackets 26 and with the pedestal structure 66 and the bearing structure 49 overlying and spaced from the

pads

39 and 31 on the cross beams 2i and 22, respectively. The lower half I'I of the turbine casing, including the pedestal structure 66 and bearing structure 49 are thus supported as a unit by the opposed brackets 25 on the side beams 56 and if necessary chocks I9 and 8| (see Fig. 10) are inserted between the projections 48 on the lower half of the casing and said brackets in order to correctly position the said casing portion both laterally and vertically within the cradle structure. When this has been effected, the casing part M is rigidly and permanently secured to the brackets 26 and thereby to the side beams I6 of the cradle I3 by means of the

bolts

82 and 83 and by means of the weld metal 84 as is clearly shown in Fig. 10. The lower half of the casing, when supported in the manner just described may be likened to a beam supported at a point intermediate its ends and therefore the end portions tend to deflect downward. However, turbine casings are comparatively rigid structures capable of maintaining a substantially horizontal position when supported in the manner just described, and therefore there is no necessity for blocking or otherwise supporting the free end portions of the casing which extend in overlying spaced relation with respect to the underlying cross beams 2! and 22, as previously described. The deflection of the lower half d? of the turbine casing when supported as just described and the deflection imparted by the easing portion 41 to the substantially rigid side beams I6 are both infinitesimal and can therefore be represented by the straight line D of Fig. 16. The next step is to place the spindle in the casing portion 41 and since the spindle is supported by the free end portions of the casing, i. e., the pedestal structure and the bearing structure 49, the free end portions of the casing portion 41 will deflect downward toward the cross beams 2| and 22 and the additional weight of the spindle will also cause a slight deflection of the side beams I6. The manner in which the side beams I6 and the lower half 4'! of the casing deflect is indicated and greatly exaggerated, particular reference being had to Fig. 16, by the curves E and F. The free end portions of the lower half of the casing are now disposed in close proximity to the pads on the underlying cross beams and the next step is to insert chocks 86 and 81 between the base members 56, 67 and the pads 31, 39, respectively, as shown in Figs. 11 and 12, and thereby efiect (1) a transfer of load from the free end portions of the lower half of the; turbine casing to the cross beams 2| and 22, and (2) a redistribution of the load on the side beams I6; i. e., load is now applied to the side beams I6 at the three points A, B and C instead of at only one point B. Consequently, the deflection of the free end portions of the lower half of the casing and of the midportion of the side beams I6 is reduced, and it should now be obvious that if the relative rigidity of the side and cross beams of condensing turbine is permanentl combined with the cradle structure I3 in the manner just described, the chocks which are inserted are made to effect alinement of the reference surfaces (see curve G), whereas when the lower half of the casing of a condensing turbine is permanently connected with the cradle structure I3, the chocks are made to effect a non-alinement of the reference surfaces (see curve K) which is sufiicient to compensate for the additional deflection which will be produced by connecting and supporting the condenser from the casing in the manner shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. In this connection it should be noted that the condenser is secured to that intermediate portion of the turbine casing which is permanently connected to the brackets 26 on the side beams 55 and that therefore substantially the entire weight of the condenser is in effect applied to the intermediate portions of the side beams designated B in Fig. 15. denser to the turbine casing causes the side beams I6 to deflect an additional amount indicated by curve H and the free end portions of the casing to assume a correspondtng position indicated by curve I. Therefore, in order to compensate for this additional deflection; i. e., to cause the additional deflection to effect alinement of the reference surfaces as indicated by curve J, the chocks previously inserted should have effected a movement of the ends of the lower half of the casing from the position indicated by curve F to the position indicated by curve K. After the lower half of the turbine casing has been chocked in the manner just described, the base members 56 and Ii! are permanently bolted to the cross beams 2| and 22 and the assembly is completed by properly positioning the upper half 46 of the turbine casing on the lower half thereof and making the joint permanent. The turbine and cradle are now ready for shipment as a unit. The bolts Consequently, the connection of the conrigidly securing the pedestal structure 66 to the projection BI on the lower half of the casing are preferably left in place during shipment.

Regarding the cradle I3, it is necessary to employ side beams which are substantially-rigid vertically and which permit a slight lateral deflection of the portions carrying the brackets 26 in order to allow for the expansion of the turbine casing in a transverse direction with respect to its longitudinal axis. This result is accomplished by providing side beams each having a relatively deep or wide web portion IT, a symmetrical bottom flange I8, and a top flange I9 extending from one side of said web and having a cross sectional area approximately equal to the cross sectional area of the bottom flange I8. This type of side beam construction reduces lateral stiffness to a minimum while preserving substantially the same degree of vertical stiffness as could have been obtained by employing a symmetrical top flange similar to the bottom flange I8. The cross beams 2| and 22 are designed for an appreciable deflection in a vertical direction as compared with the side beams I6 in order to permit the loads to be distributed and the deflections varied by the insertion of chocks in the manner previously described. As a practical example, a marine propulsion unit embodying the invention comprises a low pressure condensing turbine weighing approximately 40,000 pounds and a condenser weighing approximately 80,000 pounds in its wet or normal operating condition. The total load to be supported by the cradle, which is approximately 120,000 pounds, is preferably apportioned to react on the cradle as follows: 95,000 pounds on the brackets 28, 10,000 pounds on the cross beam 22 and 15,000 pounds on the cross beam 2|. In order to permit the above specified load distribution to be readily controlled by the insertion of the

chocks

86 and 87, on the side beams I6 and the cross beams 2| and 22 were designed for full load vertical deflections of 0.006", 0.010 and 0.030", respectively. Obviously, the apportionment of the load need not conform with the above example, since all that is necessary in this connection is to employ cross beams having a relatively small scale as compared with the scale of the side beams; i. e., the load or force required to produce unit deflection of the cross beams should be small as compared with that required to produce unit deflection of the side beams. The necessary length of the side and cross beams is determined by the dimensions of the unit to be supported thereon, and once the size and the weight of the unit have been determined, any one skilled in the art can select side and cross beams having scales which will enable the loads to be distributed and the deflections varied by the insertion of chocks in the manner and for the purpose hereinbefore disclosed.

The combined turbine and cradle are readily installed as a unit on a rigid foundation or other suitable supports simply by inserting a jack screw (not shown) through one of the holes in each of the

pads

30 and 33, placing the cradle on the foundation with the

pads

30 and 33 superimposed with respect to the pads or supporting surfaces provided onsaid foundation (in the illustrated arrangement the pads 30 are superimposed on the brackets 3| carried by the gear case 8 and the pads 33 are superimposed on the top surface provided by the columns It), and then adjusting the jack screws to aline the turbine spindle with the shaft to which it is to be connected by the coupling enclosed in the casing I6. The condenser H is set on jacks in approximately the correct position, preferably before the turbinecradle unit is placed on the foundation or other supports provided therefor, and after effecting the preliminary alinement above mentioned, then alining and securing the inlet portion 52 of the condenser to the exhaust portion of the turbine casing. The condenser is then filled with water equivalent to its wet condition; i. e., with a quantity of water commensurate with the quantity of cooling water and condensate normally present therein, and the jacks supporting the condenser are removed. The condenser is now suspended from and supported solely by the intermediate exhaust portion 5 of the turbine casing and the cradle, turbine and condenser are now combined as a unit, the position of which may be readily adjusted relative to the foundation or other supports and relative to the shaft with which the turbine spindle is to be coupled simply by adjusting the said jack screws (not shown). After proper alinement has been eifected, care having been exercised to avoid distortion of the cradle, permanent chocks or filler pieces 88 are made and inserted between the

pads

39, 33 and the opposed supporting surfaces. The cradle structure is then rigidly secured to the supporting structures by inserting bolts through the

holes

32 and 34 provided in the pads 35! and 33, as is indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, and the jack screws removed. Filler pieces 89 are also made at this time and inserted between the outer face of the flange 21 on the end of each side beam I6 and the opposed upstanding portion of each bracket 31. The flange and bracket are then rigidly secured together by inserting bolts through the holes 28 as is best shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The bolts and the opposing members I8 securing the pedestal structure 65 to the projection El on the lower half of the casing are now removed, thus leaving this end of the casing supported on the pedestal structure 66 for axial movements relative thereto by means of the projections 59, as previously described. The key 54 is preferably made to fit loosely within the groove 63 and after the unit has been installed and secured to the rigid foundation or other suitable supports provided therefor, shims or chocks 9! are then inserted between the side of the key and the side wall of the groove, as indicated in Fig. 13 to obtain the desired degree of snugness. The installation of the unit is then completed by aiflxing and securing the usual stabilizing or tie rods for the condenser and by making the necessary pipe connections for motive fluid, cooling water. condensate, etc. (not shown) It should be particularly noted (1) that this construction permits the condenser to expand freely, (2) that the operation of the turbine effects no appreciable expansion of the cradle structure, since the temperature of the cradle structure, which directly contacts the turbine casing at only two spaced points of relatively small area; i. e., by the engagement of the brackets 26 with the projections 48, remains substantially constant at the ambient temperature (consequently, the fore and aft movement of the'condenser is practically nil), (3) that the longitudinal expansion movements of the turbine casing relative to any one of the pedestal structures is materially reduced since the midportion of the casing is permanently and securely connected with a rigid structure, the side beams I6 (4) that there is no need to jack or block the condenser in the event the cover portion 46 of the turbine casing is removed for inspection and repairs since the condenser is connected to that portion of the casing which in turn is secured to a rigid structure capable of supporting the combined load imparted by the turbine and condenser without appreciable deflection, (5) that the combined turbine and cradle unit can be installed Without removing the upper half of the casing and without effecting realinement of the turbine casing and spindle, (6) that efiecting a redistribution of the load and a variation of the deflections as herein disclosed permits the turbine casing and spindle to be readily and permanently alined in the shop, and ('7) that the space requirements for the installation and operation of a permanently combined turbine and cradle unit are a minimum.

The invention has numerous applications and it should therefore be understood that it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact details of construction herein shown and described, as various modifications within the scope of the appended claims may occur to persons skilled in the art.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A turbine unit comprising a plurality of spaced, substantially rigid supports, a plurality of spaced resilient supports, and a turbine having opposite end portions supported by said resilient supports and having portions of its sides intermediate its said ends fixedly connected with and supported by said rigid supports.

2. A turbine unit comprising a plurality of spaced, substantially rigid supports, a plurality of spaced resilient supports, and a turbine having opposite end portions supported by said resilient supports for axial expansion movements relative thereto and having portions of its sides intermediate its said ends fixedly connected with and supported by said rigid supports.

3. A turbine unit comprising a cradle including longitudinally extending side beams and longitudinally spaced interconnecting cross beams, said cross beams each having a relatively small vertical deflection scale as compared with the corresponding scale of said side beams, and a turbine having opposite end portions supported by midportions of said cross beams and having portions of its sides intermediate its ends rigidly secured to opposed portions of said side beams intermediate the said cross beams.

4. A turbine unit comprising a substantially rigid cradle including spaced longitudinally extending side beams and longitudinally spaced cross beams, a turbine having separable upper and lower casing parts, and said lower casing part having opposite side portions intermediate its ends rigidly and permanently secured to opposed portions of said side beams intermediate said spaced cross beams and having its opposite ends supported by midportions of said cross beams for axial expansion movements relative thereto.

5. A turbine unit comprising a substantially rigid cradle including spaced longitudinally extending side beams and longitudinally spaced cross beams, a turbine having separable upper and lower casing parts, said lower casing part having one end thereof provided with a bearing structure including a resilient portion adapted to be flexed in an axial direction, and said lower casing .part having opposite side portions intermediate its ends rigidly and permanently secured to opposed portions of said side beams intermediate said cross beams and having its bearing structure end rigidly secured to a midportion of one of said cross beams with its other end supported by the midportion of the other of said cross beams for axial movement relative thereto.

6. A turbine unit comprising a substantially rigid cradle including spaced longitudinally extending side beams and longitudinally spaced cross beams, a bearing pedestal structure rigidly secured to a midportion of one of said cross beams, a turbine casing having separable upper and lower parts, said lower casing part having one end thereof provided with laterally spaced portions adapted to rest on said pedestal structure and having its other end provided with a bearing structure including a resilient portion adapted to be flexed in an axial direction, and said lower casing part having opposite side portions intermediate its ends rigidly secured to opposed portions of said side beams intermediate said cross beams and having its bearing structure end rigidly secured to the midportion of the other of said cross beams with the laterally spaced portions on its other end resting on said pedestal structure for axial movement relative thereto.

7. A combined turbine and support adapted to be shipped and to be secured as a unit to a substantially rigid structure comprising a substantially rigid cradle including spaced longitudinally extending side beams and longitudinally spaced cross beams, a turbine having separable upper and lower casing parts, said lower casing part having opposite side portions intermediate its ends rigidly and permanently secured to opposed portions of said side beams intermediate said cross beams and having its opposite ends supported by midportions of said cross beams for axial expansion movements relative thereto, and said side beams each having its under surface provided with a pair of longitudinally spaced pads adapted to mount the cradle on a substantially rigid structure.

8. A combined turbine and support adapted to be shipped and to be secured as a unit to a substantially rigid structure comprising a substantially rigid cradle including spaced longitudinally extending side beams and longitudinally spaced cross beams, a turbine having separable upper and lower casing parts, said lower casing part having opposite side portions intermediate its ends rigidly and permanently secured to opposed portions of said side beams intermediate said cross beams and having its opposite ends supported by midportions of said cross beams for axial expansion movements relative thereto, said side beams each having its under surface provided with a pair of longitudinally spaced pads adapted to mount the cradle on a substantially rigid structure, and jack screws operatively associated with each of said side beams adjacent said pads for adjusting the position of said cradle relative to the supporting structure on which it is to be mounted.

9. A combined turbine and support adapted to be shipped and to be secured as a unit to a substantially rigid structure comprising a substantially rigid cradle including spaced longitudinally extending side beams and longitudinally spaced cross beams, a turbine having separable upper and lower casing parts, said lower casing part having one end thereof provided with a bearing structure including a resilient portion adapted to be flexed in an axial direction, said lower casing part having opposite side portions intermediate its ends rigidly and permanently secured to opposed portions of said side beams intermediate said cross beams and having its bearing structure end rigidly and permanently secured to a midportion of one of said cross beams with its other end supported by the midportion of the other of said cross beams for axial move ment relative thereto, and said side beams each having its under surface provided with a pair of longitudinally spaced pads adapted to mount the cradle on a substantially rigid structure.

10. A combined turbine and sup-port adapted to be shipped and to be secured as a unit to a substantially rigid structure comprising a substantially rigid cradle including spaced longitudinally extending side beams and longitudinally spaced cross beams, a turbine having separable upper and lower casing parts, said lower casing part having one end thereof provided with a bearing structure including a resilient portion adapted to be flexed in an axial direction, said lower casing part having opposite side portions intermediate its ends rigidly and permanently secured to opposed portions of said side beams intermediate said cross beams and having its bearing structure end rigidly and permanently secured to a midportion of one of said cross beams with its other end supported by the midportion of the other of said cross beams for axial movement relative thereto, said side beams having its under surface provided with a :pair of longitudinally spaced pads adapted to mount the cradle on a substantially rigid structure, and jack screws operatively associated with each of said side beams adjacent said pads for adjusting the position of said cradle relative to the supporting structure on which it is to be mounted.

11. A combined turbine and support comprising a substantially rigid cradle including spaced longitudinally extending side beams and longitudinally spaced cross beams, a condensing turbine having separable upper and lower casing parts providing an exhaust section intermediate its ends which terminates in a depending outlet portion adapted for direct connection with a condenser disposed beneath the turbine, and said lower casing part having opposite sides of its exhaust portion rigidly secured to opposed portions of said side beams intermediate said spaced transverse end beams and having its opposite ends supported by midportions of said cross beams for axial movements relative thereto.

12. A combined turbine and support comprising a substantially rigid cradle including spaced longitudinally extending side beams and longitudinally spaced cross beams, a condensing turbine having separable upper and lower casing parts providing an exhaust section intermediate its ends which terminates in a depending outlet portion adapted for direct connection with a condenser disposed beneath the turbine, said lower casing part having opposite sides of its exhaust portion rigidly secured to opposed portions of said side beams intermediate said spaced cross beams and having its opposite ends supported by midportions of said transverse cross beams for axial movements relative thereto, a substantially rigid structure supporting said cradle and to which 'said cradle is rigidly connected, and a condenser rigidly connected to and supported by said outlet portion.

13. A cradle support for turbines comprising a pair of side beams each having a wide vertical web, a bottom flange symmetrical with respect to said web and a top flange extending from one side thereof, said side beams being arranged with their webs in spaced opposed relation and with their top flanges extending in opposite directions, a pair of cross beams each having a relatively narrow vertical web, said cross beams being arranged in spaced and substantially parallel relation and each having its opposite ends rigidly secured to opposed :portions of the webs of said side beams adjacent the bottom flanges thereon, and a pair of supports rigidly secured to opposed portions of the webs of said side beams intermediate said cross beams and intermediate the top portions of said cross beams and the said top flanges.

14. A cradle support for turbines comprising a pair of side beams each having a wide vertical web, a bottom flange symmetrical with respect to said web and a top flange extending from one side thereof and having a cross sectional area approximately equal to the cross sectional area of said bottom flange, said side beams being arranged with their webs in spaced opposed relation and with their top flanges extending in opposite directions, a pair of cross beams each having a relatively narrow vertical web, said cross beams being arranged in spaced and substantially parallel relation and each having its opposite ends rigidly secured to opposed portions of the webs of said side beams adjacent the bottom flanges thereon, and a pair of supports rigidly secured to opposed portions of the webs of said side beams intermediate said cross beams and intermediate the top portions of said cross beams and the said top flanges.

15. A combined turbine and cradle support comprising a pair of side beams each having a wide vertical web, a bottom flange symmetrical with respect to said web and a top flange extending from one side thereof, said side beams being arranged with their webs in spaced opposed relation and with their top flanges extending in opposite directions, a pair of cross beams each having a relatively narrow vertical web, said cross beams being arranged in spaced and substantially parallel relation and each having its opposite ends rigidly secured to opposed portions of the webs of said side beams adjacent the bottom flanges thereon, a pair of supports rigidly secured to opposed portions of the webs of said side beams intermediate said cross beams and intermediate the top portions of said cross beams and the said top flanges, and a turbine having opposite side portions of its casing intermediate its ends rigidly secured to said supports and having its ends supported by midportions of the said cross beams.

16. A turbine unit comprising a plurality of spaced and substantially rigid beams, a plurality of spaced cross members interconnecting said beams, and a turbine having opposite sides of a portion intermediate its opposite ends fixedly connected with and supported by said beams and having portions of its opposite ends supported by said cross members for longitudinal movements relative to its said intermediate portion.

17. A turbine unit comprising a plurality of spaced, substantially rigid side beams, a turbine having opposite sides of a portion intermediate its opposite ends fixedly connected with and supported by said side beams, and a plurality of spaced cross members interconnecting said side beams, said cross members including parts intermediate their ends supporting portions of the opposite ends of said turbine for longitudinal movements relative to its said intermediate portion.

18. A turbine unit comprising a plurality of spaced, substantially rigid side beams, a condensing turbine having an exhaust portion intermediate its ends terminating in a depending outlet part adapted for direct connection with a condenser disposed beneath the turbine, said turbine having opposite sides of its exhaust portion fixedly and supportingly connected with said side beams, and a plurality of spaced cross members interconnecting said side beams and being provided with parts mounting the end portions of said turbine for longitudinal movements relative to it said outlet part.

19. A turbine unit comprising a plurality of spaced, substantially rigid side beams, a condensing turbine having an exhaust portion intermediate its ends terminating in a depending outlet part adapted for direct connection with a condenser disposed beneath the turbine, said turbine having opposite sides of its exhaust portion fixedly and supportingly connected with said side beams, a plurality of spaced cross members interconnecting said side beams and beingprovided with parts mounting the ends portions of said turbine for longitudinal movements relative to its said exhaust portion, and a condenser rigidly connected to and supported by said outlet part.

20. A combined turbine and support adapted to be shipped and to be secured as a unit to a substantially rigid structure comprising a plu rality of spaced, substantially rigid side beams, a turbine having separable upper and lower casing parts, said lower casing part having opposite side portions intermediate its ends rigidly secured to and supported by opposed portions of said side beams, and a plurality of spaced cross members interconnecting said side beams and providing supports mounting the end portions of said lower casing part for longitudinal movements relative to its said intermediate portion.

21. A combined turbine and support adapted to be shipped and to be secured as a unit to a substantially rigid structure comprising a plurality of spaced, substantially rigid side beams, a condensing turbine having a casing including an exhaust portion intermediate its ends terminating in a depending outlet part adapted for direct connection with a condenser disposed beneath the turbine, said turbine having opposite sides of the exhaust portion of its casing fixedly and supportingly connected with opposed portions of said side beams, and a plurality of vertically flexible cross members interconnecting said side beams and supporting the end portions of said casing for longitudinal movement's.

relative to the exhaust portion thereof, said casing having its end portions vertically deflected with respect to its exhaust portion suflicient distances to compensate for the vertical deflection of said side beams which will be produced by connecting and suspending a condenser from said outlet part.

22. A combined turbine and support adapted to be secured as a unit to a substantially rigid structure comprising a plurality of spaced, substantially rigid side beams, a condensing turbine having a casing including an exhaust portion intermediate its ends terminating in a depending outlet part adapted for direct connection with a condenser disposed beneath the turbine, said turbine having opposite sides of the exhaust portion of its casing fixedly and supportingly connected with opposed portions of said side beams, a plurality of vertically flexible cross members interconnecting said side beams and supporting the end portions of said casing for longitudinal movements relative to the exhaust portion thereof, and means vertically deflecting said end portions relative to said exhaust portion sufiicient distances to compensate for the vertical deflection of said side beams which will be produced by connecting and suspending a condenser from said outlet part.

23. A turbine unit comprising a plurality of spaced and substantially rigid beams, spaced cross members interconnecting said beams, a turbine disposed between said beams with its opposite ends adjacent said cross members, said turbine having opposite sides of a portion intermediate its said ends fixedly connected with and supported by said beams, and means including said cross members mounting the opposite ends of said turbine for longitudinal expansion and contraction relative to its said intermediate portion.

24. A turbine unit comprising a plurality of spaced and substantially rigid beams, spaced cross members interconnecting said beams, and a turbine disposed between said beams with its opposite ends adjacent said cross members, said turbine having opposite sides of a portion intermediate its said ends fixedly connected with and supported by said beams, and having its said ends mounted on said cross members for expansion and contraction longitudinally relative to its said intermediate portion.

25. In combination, a cradle structure including a pair of spaced and substantially rigid side beams, a turbine having an exhaust portion intermediate its ends adapted for direct connection with an associated condenser, said turbine having opposite sides of its exhaust partion fixedly and supportedly connected with said side beams, means including said cradle mounting opposite end portions of said turbine for longitudinal movement relative to its said exhaust portion and relative to said side beams, and a condenser rigidly connected to and supported by said ex haust portion.

26. In combination, a cradle structure including a pair of spaced and substantially rigid side beams, a turbine havin an exhaust portion intermediate its ends disposed between said side beams intermediate the ends thereof, a condenser having an inlet portion disposed in opposed connecting relation to the exhaust portion of said turbine, means integrally and fixedly interconnecting said exhaust and inlet portions with opposed intermediate portions of said side beams whereby said turbine and condenser are in effect supported as a unit by said opposed intermediate portions of the side beams, and means including said cradle mounting an end portion of said turbine for longitudinal expansion and contraction relative to its said exhaust portion and relative to said side beams.

27. In combination, a cradle structure including a pair of spaced and substantially rigid side beams, a condenser having an inlet portion disposed between said side beams intermediate the ends thereof, a turbine positioned with its spindle axis extending longitudinally of said side beams and having an exhaust portion intermediate its ends disposed between said side beams in opposed connecting relation to the inlet portion of said condenser, means integrally and fixedly interconnecting said inlet and exhaust portions with opposed intermediate portions of said side beams whereby said condenser and turbine are in effect supported as a unit by said opposed intermediate portions of the side beams, and means comprising a cross-member interconnecting said, side beams and including thereon parts mounting an end portion of said turbine for longitudinal expansion and contraction relative to its said exhaust portion and relative to said side beams.

28. In combination, a cradle structure including a pair of spaced and substantially rigid side beams, a condenser having an inlet portion disposed between said side beams intermediate the ends thereof, a turbine positioned with its spindle axis extending longitudinally of said side beams and having an exhaust portion intermediate its ends disposed between said side beams in opposed connecting relation to the inlet portion of said condenser, means integrally and fixedly interconnecting said inlet and exhaust portions with opposed intermediate portions of said side beams whereby said condenser and turbine are in eflfect supported as a unit by said opposed intermediate portions of the side beams, and means including said cradle mounting opposite end portions of said turbine for longitudinal expansion and contraction relative to its said exhaust portion and relative to said side beams.

29. In combination, a cradle structure including a pair of spaced and substantially rigid side beams, an elongated condenser extending transversely of said side beams and having an inlet portion intermediate its ends disposed between said side beams intermediate the ends thereof, a turbine positioned with its spindle axis extending longitudinally of said side beams and having an exhaust portion intermediate its ends disposed between said side beams in opposed connecting relation to the inlet portion of said condenser, means integrally and fixedly interconnecting said inlet and exhaust portions with opposed intermediate portions of said side beams whereby said condenser and turbine are in effect supported as a unit by said opposed intermediate portions of the side beams, and means including said cradle mounting an end portion of said turbine for longitudinal expansion and contraction relative to its said exhaust portion and relative to said side beams.

30. In combination, a cradle structure including a pair of spaced and substantially rigid side beams, a turbine having an exhaust portion intermediate its opposite ends adapted for direct connection with an associated condenser, a condenser having an inlet portion rigidly connected with the exhaust portion of said turbine, means fixedly and supportedly securing one of said turbine exhaust and condenser inlet portions to opposed intermediate portions of said side beams, and means on said cradle mounting the opposite ends of said turbine for longitudinal expansion and contraction relative to its said intermediate portion and relative to said side beams.

31. In combination, a cradle structure including a pair of spaced and substantially rigid side beams, a turbine having an exhaust portion intermediate its opposite ends adapted for direct connection with an associated condenser, a condenser having an inlet portion rigidly connected with the exhaust portion of said turbine, means fixedly and supportedly securing one of said turbine exhaust and condenser inlet portions to opposed intermediate portions of said side beams, and means on said cradle mounting one of the opposite ends of said turbine for longitudinal expansion and contraction relative to its said intermediate portion and relative to said side beams.

32. In combination, a cradle structure including a pair of spaced and substantially rigid sid-e beams, a condenser having an inlet portion disposed in proximity to portions of said side beams intermediate the ends thereof, a turbine positioned with its spindle axis extending longitudinally of said side beams and having an exhaust portion intermediate its ends disposed in opposed connecting relation to the inlet portion of said condenser, means rigidly connecting said condenser inlet and turbine exhaust portions, means fixedly and supportedly securing one of said condenser inlet and turbine exhaust portions to opposed intermediate portions of said side beams, and means on said cradle mounting one end portion of said turbine for longitudinal expansion and contraction relative to its said exhaust portion and relative to said side beams.

33. In combination, a cradle structure including a pair of spaced and substantially rigid side beams, a condenser having an inlet portion disposed in proximity to portions of said side beams intermediate the ends thereof, a turbine positioned with its spindle axis extending 1ongitu-