Patent ID: 8425180
Filing Date: 2013-04-23
Classification: F01D,F01K,F05D

Abstract:
1. In a steam turbine power plant that includes a rotor train comprising a high-pressure turbine, an intermediate-pressure turbine, and three low-pressure turbines, wherein the three low-pressure turbines include two that comprise a dual-flow low-pressure turbine and a single-flow low-pressure turbine; wherein the high-pressure turbine and the intermediate-pressure turbine are configured such that each substantially balances the thrust force of the other, and wherein the two low-pressure turbines of the dual-flow low-pressure turbine are configured such that each substantially balances the thrust force of the other; and wherein means for extraction of a supply of high-pressure steam from the high-pressure turbine to a cavity disposed forward of the single-flow low-pressure turbine; and wherein the cavity, in the direction toward the single-flow low pressure turbine, is substantially bound by stationary structure that surrounds a shaft of the rotor train; a thrust piston connected to the shaft, wherein the cavity, in the direction away from the single-flow low pressure turbine, is substantially bound by the thrust piston; and wherein the thrust piston is configured to counteract a desired amount of a thrust force generated by the single-flow low-pressure turbine during operation.