Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
An extraction system for extracting steam at a predetermined pressure from a steam turbine apparatus for use within an associated user apparatus in a circumferentially uniform manner, the turbine having a rotor with an axis therethrough with a plurality of arrays of rotating blades thereon, a casing disposed circumferentially about said rotor, a plurality of arrays of stationary blades dependent from the casing and alternately disposed axially between adjacent arrays of rotating blades, the alternating arrays of stationary and rotating blades cooperating to define an annular blade path, the extraction system comprising: an extraction orifice extending circumferentially about the casing, said orifice being disposed axially intermediate an array of rotating blades and the next-axially adjacent array of stationary blades, the orifice having an inlet opening communicating with a throat portion, the throat portion having a dimension that varies from a maximum to a minimum dimension about the circumference of the blade path, an extraction manifold disposed circumferentially about the casing and communicating with the extraction throat, and, an extraction pipe connecting the extraction manifold to the associated user apparatus, the dimension of the throat being sized so that the maximum throat dimension occurs at the point on the circumference of the blade path circumferentially opposite the point of attachment of the manifold with the extraction pipe.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
216 words
An extraction system for extracting steam at a predetermined pressure from a steam turbine apparatus for use within an associated user apparatus in a circumferentially uniform manner, the turbine having a rotor with an axis therethrough with a plurality of arrays of rotating blades thereon, a casing disposed circumferentially about said rotor, a plurality of arrays of stationary blades dependent from the casing and alternately disposed axially between adjacent arrays of rotating blades, the alternating arrays of stationary and rotating blades cooperating to define an annular blade path, the extraction system comprising: an extraction orifice extending circumferentially about the casing, said orifice being disposed axially intermediate an array of rotating blades and the next-axially adjacent array of stationary blades, the orifice having an inlet opening communicating with a throat portion, the throat portion having a dimension that varies from a maximum to a minimum dimension about the circumference of the blade path, an extraction manifold disposed circumferentially about the casing and communicating with the extraction throat, and, an extraction pipe connecting the extraction manifold to the associated user apparatus, the dimension of the throat being sized so that the maximum throat dimension occurs at the point on the circumference of the blade path circumferentially opposite the point of attachment of the manifold with the extraction pipe.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The extraction system of claim 1 in which the radial cross-section of the manifold is, at all circumferential points, greater than the axial area of the extraction orifice.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
105 words
The extraction system of claim 1 wherein: the manifold has a dimension in a plane normal to the axis varying circumferentially within a predetermined range of dimensions from a smallest radial dimension to a largest radial dimension, the smallest radial dimension of the manifold being circumferentially coincident with the maximum dimension of the throat, the largest radial dimension of the manifold being circumferentially coincident with the minimum dimension of the throat, the extraction pipe being connected to the manifold adjacent the circumferential location of the blade path where coincidence between the minimum dimension of the throat and the largest radial dimension of the manifold occurs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The extraction system of claim 3 wherein: a transition region is disposed between the manifold and the extraction pipe, the transition region defining a conical diffusion passage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The extraction system of claim 3 wherein: a diffusing passage is disposed between the throat portion and the manifold, the passage being in fluid communication with both the blade path from which steam is extracted and the manifold.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The extraction system of claim 5 wherein said diffusing passage is a converging-diverging passage.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The extraction system of claim 5 wherein an axis extends through the diffusing passage, the axis being inclined at a predetermined angle relative to the axis of the turbine.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The extraction system of claim 3 wherein: a first baffle member is disposed within the manifold where the manifold communicates with the extraction pipe, the first baffle member extending in a radial plane relative to the axis of the turbine.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The extraction system of claim 3 wherein: a baffle member is disposed in the manifold at the smallest radial dimension thereof, the baffle being disposed in a radial direction relative to the axis of the turbine.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
57 words
The extraction system of claim 3 wherein a plurality of turning vanes are disposed within the manifold at predetermined circumferential locations thereon so as to integrate steam extracted from circumferential portions of the blade path adjacent said vanes with steam taken from other circumferential portions of the blade path without the generation of vortices within the manifold.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The extraction system of claim 8, wherein said first baffle member extends a predetermined distance into the extraction pipe.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
53 words
The extraction system of claim 8, wherein a second baffle member is disposed in the manifold at the smallest radial dimension thereof, and, wherein a second baffle member is disposed in the manifold at the smallest radial dimension thereof, and, wherein said first baffle member extending a predetermined distance into said extraction pipe.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
57 words
The extraction system of claim 12, wherein, a plurality of turning vanes are disposed within the manifold at predetermined circumferential locations thereon so as to integrate steam extracted from circumferential portions of the blade path adjacent said vanes with steam taken from other circumferential portions of the blade path without the generation of vortices within the manifold.