Stiffening system for steam turbine casing

Abstract

A steam turbine casing stiffening system is disclosed. In one embodiment, a steam turbine inner casing stiffening system is disclosed, including: an inner casing segment; and a stiffening member affixed to and extending radially outward from an external surface of the inner casing segment, the stiffening member configured to support at least a portion of the inner casing segment.

1 . A steam turbine inner casing stiffening system comprising:
 an inner casing segment; and   a stiffening member affixed to and extending radially outward from an external surface of the inner casing segment, the stiffening member configured to support at least a portion of the inner casing segment.   
     
     
         2 . The steam turbine inner casing stiffening system of  claim 1 , wherein the stiffening member extends axially along the external surface of the inner casing segment. 
     
     
         3 . The steam turbine inner casing stiffening system of  claim 1 , wherein the stiffening member extends at least partially annularly along the external surface of the inner casing segment. 
     
     
         4 . The steam turbine inner casing stiffening system of  claim 1 , wherein the stiffening member includes an axially extending portion and an at least partially annularly extending portion. 
     
     
         5 . The steam turbine inner casing stiffening system of  claim 1 , wherein inner casing segment includes a steam inlet. 
     
     
         6 . The steam turbine inner casing stiffening system of  claim 5 , further comprising an at least partially radially extending stiffening member disposed about an external surface of the steam inlet. 
     
     
         7 . The steam turbine inner casing stiffening system of  claim 5 , wherein the stiffening member includes an attachment member configured to receive a displacement member for actuating movement of the inner casing segment. 
     
     
         8 . The steam turbine inner casing stiffening system of  claim 1 , wherein the stiffening member extends through an inner surface of the inner casing segment. 
     
     
         9 . A steam turbine inner casing stiffening system comprising:
 an inner casing segment having a first half and a second half; and   a plurality of stiffening members disposed about and extending radially outward from an external surface of the first half or the second half of the inner casing segment, the plurality of stiffening members configured to support at least one of the first half or the second half of the inner casing segment.   
     
     
         10 . The steam turbine inner casing stiffening system of  claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of stiffening members extend axially along the external surface of the first half or the second half of the inner casing segment. 
     
     
         11 . The steam turbine inner casing stiffening system of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the plurality of stiffening members extend at least partially annularly along the external surface of the first half or the second half of the inner casing segment. 
     
     
         12 . The steam turbine inner casing stiffening system of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the plurality of stiffening members include an axially extending stiffening member and an at least partially annularly extending stiffening member. 
     
     
         13 . The steam turbine inner casing stiffening system of  claim 9 , wherein the first half of the inner casing segment includes a steam inlet. 
     
     
         14 . The steam turbine inner casing stiffening system of  claim 13 , further comprising an at least partially radially extending stiffening member disposed about an external surface of the steam inlet. 
     
     
         15 . The steam turbine inner casing stiffening system of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the plurality of axially extending stiffening members disposed about the external surface of the first half includes an attachment member configured to receive a displacement member for actuating movement of the first half of the inner casing segment. 
     
     
         16 . The steam turbine inner casing stiffening system of  claim 9 , wherein one of the plurality of stiffening members extends through an inner surface of the second half of the inner casing segment. 
     
     
         17 . A steam turbine comprising:
 a rotor member; and   a stator member at least partially surrounding the rotor member, the stator member including:
 an external casing; and 
 an inner casing stiffening system disposed between the external casing and the rotor member, the inner casing stiffening system including:
 an inner casing segment; and 
 a stiffening member affixed to and extending radially outward from an external surface of the inner casing segment, the stiffening member configured to support at least a portion of the inner casing segment. 
 
   
     
     
         18 . The steam turbine of  claim 17 , wherein the stiffening member extends axially along the external surface of the inner casing segment. 
     
     
         19 . The steam turbine of  claim 17 , wherein the stiffening member extends at least partially annularly along the external surface of the inner casing segment. 
     
     
         20 . The steam turbine of  claim 17 , wherein the stiffening member include an axially extending portion and an at least partially annularly extending portion.