Method and system for use in cooling a joint flange bolt of a rotary machine

Abstract

A method of cooling at least one joint flange bolt used with a rotary machine includes extracting a working fluid having a first temperature that is lower than an operating temperature at a first joint flange bolt hole. The method also includes diverting a first portion of the extracted working fluid into a first supply hole that is in flow communication with a first clearance gap defined between the first joint flange bolt hole and the joint flange bolt. The method further includes exhausting the first portion of extracted working fluid through a first exhaust hole in flow communication with the first clearance gap, such that the first portion of extracted working fluid flows around the exterior surface of the joint flange bolt. Additionally, the method includes routing the first portion of the extracted working fluid into a first conduit in flow communication with the first exhaust hole.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] The field of the disclosure relates generally to cooling a casing of a rotary machine, and more particularly to a method of cooling a casing joint flange bolt of a rotary machine.

[0002] At least some known rotary machines, including some known steam turbines, are housed within a casing that is generally shaped like a horizontal tube, formed by an upper section and a lower section. In at least some such known rotary machine casings, the section and lower sections of the casing are coupled together along a pair of horizontal joints that extend axially along each side of the generally tubular casing. The upper and lower sections of the casing may each include a flange that extends along each joint and that includes aligned bolt holes defined at several locations in each upper and lower flange. Bolts may be installed in these joint flange bolt holes to couple the casing sections together. The bolts may need to maintain a fastening torque at or above a required level to en...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0016]The exemplary methods and systems described herein overcome at least some of the disadvantages associated with known methods of cooling rotary machine horizontal joint flange bolts. The embodiments described herein provide direct cooling of the joint flange bolts without requiring alteration of the structure of the bolts. More specifically, the horizontal joint flange bolt cooling methods and systems described herein include tapping into a working fluid from a downstream location of the rotary machine and routing it directly through the horizontal joint flange bolt holes farther upstream to cool the bolts disposed therein.

[0017]FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary steam turbine engine 10. While FIG. 1 describes an exemplary steam turbine engine, it should be noted that the joint flange bolt cooling methods and systems described herein are not limited to any one particular type of rotary machine. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the current cooling me...

BACKGROUND

[0001] The field of the disclosure relates generally to cooling a casing of a rotary machine, and more particularly to a method of cooling a casing joint flange bolt of a rotary machine.

[0002] At least some known rotary machines, including some known steam turbines, are housed within a casing that is generally shaped like a horizontal tube, formed by an upper section and a lower section. In at least some such known rotary machine casings, the section and lower sections of the casing are coupled together along a pair of horizontal joints that extend axially along each side of the generally tubular casing. The upper and lower sections of the casing may each include a flange that extends along each joint and that includes aligned bolt holes defined at several locations in each upper and lower flange. Bolts may be installed in these joint flange bolt holes to couple the casing sections together. The bolts may need to maintain a fastening torque at or above a required level to en...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0016]The exemplary methods and systems described herein overcome at least some of the disadvantages associated with known methods of cooling rotary machine horizontal joint flange bolts. The embodiments described herein provide direct cooling of the joint flange bolts without requiring alteration of the structure of the bolts. More specifically, the horizontal joint flange bolt cooling methods and systems described herein include tapping into a working fluid from a downstream location of the rotary machine and routing it directly through the horizontal joint flange bolt holes farther upstream to cool the bolts disposed therein.

[0017]FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary steam turbine engine 10. While FIG. 1 describes an exemplary steam turbine engine, it should be noted that the joint flange bolt cooling methods and systems described herein are not limited to any one particular type of rotary machine. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the current cooling me...

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