Fail safe valve for an air inleakage monitoring system in a steam turbine

Patent · Tue Jun 20 04:00:00 EDT 1989

OSTI ID:5690487

Twerdochlib, M

This patent describes a fail-safe bypass monitor for measuring the volumetric flow rate of normally low pressure air inleakage evacuated from a steam turbine condenser and exhausted through a segment of vent pipe. The monitor consists of: (a) bypass flowmeter means, positioned between the condenser and the vent pipe segment to receive air from the condenser and to exhaust air through the vent pipe segment, for providing a first signal indicative of volumetric air flow rate from the condenser; (b) a tube having a first end for receiving air flow from the condenser and a second end connected to the vent pipe segment; (c) an inflatable bladder positioned within the tube for sealing off relatively low pressure air flow through the vent pipe segment to divert the air flow to the flowmeter means and for permitting relatively high pressure air flow through the vent pipe segment when air pressure between the condenser and the inflatable bladder exceeds a preselected value; (d) means for providing a second signal when air pressure between the condenser and the inflatable bladder exceeds the preselected value; (e) mechanical means for inflating and deflating the bladder; and (f) control means responsive to the first and second signals for controlling the mechanical means.

• Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA
• Patent Number(s): US 4840063
• OSTI ID: 5690487
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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