Patent ID: 6443690
Filing Date: 2002-09-03
Classification: F01D,F01K

Abstract:
A steam cooling system comprising:a first high pressure (HP) steam turbine having a straight through configuration; a second intermediate pressure (IP) steam turbine having a straight through configuration positioned adjacent the first HP steam turbine; a common heated steam conduit region positioned between the HP steam turbine and the IP turbine to supply steam substantially simultaneously to the IP steam turbine and the HP steam turbine; a balance piston positioned adjacent the inlet of the second IP steam turbine and between the second IP steam turbine and the first HP steam turbine; a cooling steam conduit having an inlet adjacent the first HP turbine and an outlet adjacent the balance piston for providing a steam cooling path therebetween; and steam pressure controlling means responsive to sensing differences in steam pressures and connected to the cooling steam conduit for controlling cooling steam pressure during cooling steam flow between the first HP turbine and the second IP turbine so that the cooling steam conduit pressure is operationally maintained at a predetermined level greater than the inlet pressure of the second IP turbine.