초록 ▼

A steam piston balance means for a turbine engine comprises, in one form, a pressure chamber and means for supplying steam to the chamber to apply a force to walls of the chamber. The chamber is defined, in part, by an inner surface portion of a member connected and rotating with a portion of a thru

A steam piston balance means for a turbine engine comprises, in one form, a pressure chamber and means for supplying steam to the chamber to apply a force to walls of the chamber. The chamber is defined, in part, by an inner surface portion of a member connected and rotating with a portion of a thrust bearing whereby pressure force applied on the inner surface in turn applies a tractor force on the thrust bearing.

대표청구항 ▼

A gas turbine engine system comprising a source of steam at a first pressure; an axially flow gas turbine engine having, in series along an operating fluid flowpath, compressor means, combustion means, and turbine means having a plurality of turbine stages, the engine including a rotor supported axi

A gas turbine engine system comprising a source of steam at a first pressure; an axially flow gas turbine engine having, in series along an operating fluid flowpath, compressor means, combustion means, and turbine means having a plurality of turbine stages, the engine including a rotor supported axially by at least one rotor thrust bearing; and means to introduce steam into the engine, wherein: the engine includes a tractor steam piston balance means connected with the thrust bearing for relieving at least a portion of axially rearward force from the thrust bearing, the steam piston balance means comprising: (a) a pressure chamber having a rotating inner surface defined by at least a portion of a first member which is connected and rotating with the rotor, a non-rotating second member spaced apart from said inner surface, and sealing means between said rotating inner surface and said non-rotating second member said rotating inner surface being disposed generally axially forward of said non-rotating second member; (b) means for supply the steam to said pressure chamber and against said inner surface to apply an axially forward pressure force on said inner surface and, in turn, an axially forward, tractor force on said thrust bearing; and (c) means for introducing steam from said pressure chamber into a selected portion of the operating fluid flowpath downstream of the compressor means, the fluid in the flowpath at the selected portion being at a second pressure less than the first pressure.