Patent Publication Number: US-4257233-A

Title: Fastening arrangement especially for a turbine and a condenser

Description:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a fastening device and more specifically relates to a fastening device for a turbine and a condenser. 
     Various proposals have already been made both for fastening a turbine and a condenser as well as for the connection of the turbine and condenser together. The best-known and most used forms of construction have the turbine rigidly supported on a foundation table. The condenser is likewise rigidly supported but independently from the turbine on a building foundation. A flexible connection is provided between both machine parts in an arrangement as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,881,443 of Warren B. Flanders, filed on Oct. 11, 1932. 
     It is especially disadvantageous in these well known arrangements that the foundation parts cannot be spring-supported. Furthermore, an especially heavy foundation is required having a relatively large space requirement since the atmospheric load must be completely absorbed by the foundation. 
     In other known arrangements, turbine/condenser fastenings have been designed in which the turbine is connected rigidly to the condenser such as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,369,668 of Oscar Junggren, filed on Feb. 22, 1921. In such construction, however, the disadvantage appears that the dynamic loads act reciprocally on the machine elements. Furthermore, the practical embodiment of such an arrangement is relatively expensive. 
     It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a fastening arrangement for a condenser and a turbine in which the atmospheric load does not have to be absorbed by the foundation and wherein a simple space-saving foundation configuration is possible. 
     The abovementioned object and others are solved according to the present invention in that the turbine and the condenser are fastened to a common foundation table. The foundation table is then spring-supported by supports of a carrying structure. 
     The advantage of such an arrangement according to the present invention is more particularly to be seen in that all the forces of the turbine and the condenser are transmitted to the foundation table. The forces are all absorbed by the table with no forces resulting from the vacuum or partial vacuum acting on the spring elements of the foundation table. 
     Furthermore, the condenser can be supported in bearings in recesses of the foundation table so as to slide axially. 
     Such an arrangement makes it possible for the turbine and the condenser to use the same fastening mechanism. 
     According to further possible forms of construction of the fastening device, the bearings may be cast rigidly in the foundation table. Thermal expansion may be absorbed by the condenser jacket. The condenser may be suspended so as to slide axially on the foundation table or the condenser can be spring-supported. 
     A particular advantage results from the above-mentioned form of construction in which the bearings are cast rigidly in the foundation table. This advantage is that, in the opening of the foundation table for the condenser to turbine connection, a smooth recess can be provided whereby a flexible connection between the turbine and the condenser projects inward in the exhaust space. 
     According to the forms of construction in which the condenser is suspended so as to slide axially on the foundation table or so as to be spring-supported, it is advantageous that the completely assembled condenser can be both fastened on the foundation table and connected to the turbine in a simple manner. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like elements bear like reference numerals and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a fastening arrangement according to the present invention for a turbine and a condenser; 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the fastening arrangement of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a view of a portion of another fastening arrangement according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a view of a portion of still another fastening arrangement according to the present invention; and 
     FIG. 5 is a view of a portion of yet still another fastening arrangement according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to FIG. 1, a turbine 1 has a condenser 2 fastened to an exhaust space 3 of the turbine. The turbine and condenser are mounted by a plurality of bearings 5,5&#39; on a foundation table 6. The table 6 is spring-supported by a plurality of springs 7 on a plurality of supports 8. The supports 8 are part of another supporting structure (not shown). 
     With reference now to FIG. 2, the bearings 5 for the condenser 2 may be cast rigidly in the foundation table 6. Thermal stresses which occur are absorbed by a condenser jacket 9 which is connected to the bearings 5. The flexible connection 4 provided between the turbine 1 and the condenser 2 is then passed into the exhaust space 3. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, one or more recesses 10 are provided in the foundation table 6. The bearings 5 of the condenser 2 are fastened to the foundation table 6 within the recesses while the bearings 5&#39; of the turbine 1 are arranged on the upper side of the foundation table 6. The flexible connection 4 between the turbine 1 and the condenser 2 also projects into the recess 10. The bearing 5 of the condenser 2 is arranged in this embodiment so that axial shifts of the condenser 2 can be absorbed. 
     With reference now to FIG. 4, the bearing 5 of the condenser 2 is fastened on the underside of the foundation table 6. The bearing 5&#39; is again fastened on the upper side of the foundation table 6. The flexible connection 4, however, is again arranged within the recess 10 of the foundation table 6. 
     A still further possible construction of the fastening arrangement is evident from FIG. 5. In this embodiment, the condenser 2 is suspended on the foundation table 6 such that six supporting springs 11 (only one of which is illustrated) are arranged circumferentially about the condenser 2 between the bearings 5 and the foundation table 6. The springs 11 are connected by respective spring shackle bolts 12 with respective catch springs 13 which are arranged in the recesses 10. In this way, telescopic shock courses of the turbine and condenser can be limited. Such an arrangement enables an extensive decrease in vibration excitation occurring between the foundation table 6 and the condenser 2 with a dynamic load. 
     The principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the present invention have been described in the foregoing specification. The invention which is intended to be protected herein, however, is not to be construed as limited to the particular forms disclosed, since these are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Variations and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention.