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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

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

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6429356
This patent describes a method for sealing off a normally low pressure gas flow through a segment of pipe with an inflatable bladder, the bladder being selectably connected in fluid communication with either a gas source or a vent by means of a two position valve, the method comprising the steps of: (a) securing the bladder along the interior or a tube; (b) positioning a first end of the tube for receiving gas flow; (c) connecting a second end of the tube to the pipe segment; (d) positioning the valve to place the bladder in fluid communication with the gas source; (e) inflating the bladder to a predetermined pressure which blocks relatively low pressure gas flow through the tube to the pipe segment and which permits relatively high pressure gas flow through the pipe segment; and (f) collapsing the bladder when gas flow pressure in the tube exceeds a preselected value.
Assignee:
Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA
Patent Number(s):
US 4787408
OSTI ID:
6429356
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English