Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
A combined axial flow turbine and exhaust hood comprising: a. an axial flow turbine having last stage buckets adjacent the exhaust from said turbine, b. an exhaust hood including an exhaust duct having an annular opening connected to said turbine adjacent said last stage buckets, said duct having an inner wall positioned approximately at the root of said last stage buckets and an outer wall positioned approximately at the tip of said last stage buckets, said exhaust duct receiving steam in an axial direction at said annular opening and being curved to direct said steam in a radial direction, c. a plurality of first curved vanes positioned in spaced relationship in said exhaust duct between said inner and outer walls thereof for directing the steam in a radial direction at the trailing ends of said vanes, d. a guide ring surrounding said vanes adjacent the trailing ends thereof, e. a plurality of curved secondary vanes positioned in spaced relationship in said guide ring, f. said exhaust hood having a radially extending discharge opening, g. said secondary vanes being curved by varying amounts for directing steam from said first vanes toward said discharge opening.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
193 words
A combined axial flow turbine and exhaust hood comprising: a. an axial flow turbine having last stage buckets adjacent the exhaust from said turbine, b. an exhaust hood including an exhaust duct having an annular opening connected to said turbine adjacent said last stage buckets, said duct having an inner wall positioned approximately at the root of said last stage buckets and an outer wall positioned approximately at the tip of said last stage buckets, said exhaust duct receiving steam in an axial direction at said annular opening and being curved to direct said steam in a radial direction, c. a plurality of first curved vanes positioned in spaced relationship in said exhaust duct between said inner and outer walls thereof for directing the steam in a radial direction at the trailing ends of said vanes, d. a guide ring surrounding said vanes adjacent the trailing ends thereof, e. a plurality of curved secondary vanes positioned in spaced relationship in said guide ring, f. said exhaust hood having a radially extending discharge opening, g. said secondary vanes being curved by varying amounts for directing steam from said first vanes toward said discharge opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said secondary vanes includes a leading end and a trailing end extending at an angle to said leading end and wherein the angle between said leading end and said trailing end is a maximum for the vane positioned between approximately 90° and 110° from the top of said guide ring.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said angle progressively increases from a minimum at the topmost secondary vane to a maximum for the secondary vane positioned between approximately 90° and 110° form the top of said guide ring and progressively decreases to a second minimum at the lowermost secondary vane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the axial length of each of said secondary vanes is a minimum at the radially inner end thereof and increases to a maximum at the radially outer end thereof for diffusing steam flowing over said secondary vanes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said turbine includes a shaft and wherein the trailing end of each of said first vanes is at the same radial distance from the center of said shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the number of said first vanes increases with increase in the ratio between the radius of the tip of said last stage turbine buckets and the radius of the root of said buckets.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said secondary vanes are substantially equally spaced circumferentially about said guide ring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the ratio of radial width of said secondary vanes to the pitch of said secondary vanes is at least 0.86.