Patent ID: 6957945

Claim:
Apparatus ( 10 ) for controlling net thrust in a steam turbine (T) in response to changes in the operating condition of the turbine, the turbine including a thrust bearing (B) positioned between low and intermediate pressure sections (LP, IP) of the turbine and a high pressure section (HP) thereof, the apparatus comprising: sensing means ( 14 ) continuously sensing loads on the thrust bearing; valve means (CV 1 -CV 3 ) for balancing pressures between locations within the high pressure section of the turbine; and, control means responsive to the sensing means sensing a change within the turbine indicative of a significant change in net thrust to activate the valve means and, using only internal pressure within the turbine, adjust the pressure within the high pressure section of the turbine and maintain the net thrust within a predetermined range of thrust and prevent damage to the turbine.