Rotor and wheel cooling assembly for a steam turbine system

Abstract

A rotor and wheel cooling assembly for a steam turbine system includes a rotor operably connected to a plurality of rotating buckets. Also included is a flow diverting member having an inner radius and operably coupled to at least one nozzle stage, wherein the flow diverting member directs flow in at least one direction within the steam turbine system. Further included is a cooling flow dispenser disposed radially outwardly of a portion of the rotor and having at least one aperture, wherein the cooling flow dispenser is operably coupled to the inner radius of the flow diverting member.

1 . A rotor and wheel cooling assembly for a steam turbine system comprising:
 a rotor operably connected to a plurality of rotating buckets;   a flow diverting member having an inner radius and operably coupled to at least one nozzle stage, wherein the flow diverting member directs flow in at least one direction within the steam turbine system; and   a cooling flow dispenser disposed radially outwardly of a portion of the rotor and having at least one aperture, wherein the cooling flow dispenser is operably coupled to the inner radius of the flow diverting member.   
     
     
         2 . The rotor and wheel cooling assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a cooling flow conduit for transferring a cooling substance. 
     
     
         3 . The rotor and wheel cooling assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the cooling flow dispenser is circular and includes an outer radius. 
     
     
         4 . The rotor and wheel cooling assembly of  claim 3 , further comprising a gap defined by the outer radius of the cooling flow dispenser and the inner radius of the flow diverting member. 
     
     
         5 . The rotor and wheel cooling assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the gap receives the cooling substance. 
     
     
         6 . The rotor and wheel cooling assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a first plurality of apertures circumferentially arranged in the cooling flow dispenser, wherein the first plurality of apertures are angled radially inward toward the rotor in a first plane. 
     
     
         7 . The rotor and wheel cooling assembly of  claim 6 , further comprising at least one angled aperture disposed at an angle from the first plane. 
     
     
         8 . The rotor and wheel cooling assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the angle is about 30 degrees. 
     
     
         9 . The rotor and wheel cooling assembly of  claim 6 , further comprising a second plurality of apertures, each of the second plurality of apertures disposed at an angle from the first plane. 
     
     
         10 . The rotor and wheel cooling assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the cooling flow dispenser comprises a first semi-circle for circumferentially surrounding a first half of the rotor. 
     
     
         11 . The rotor and wheel cooling assembly of  claim 10 , further comprising a second semi-circle for circumferentially surrounding a second half of the rotor. 
     
     
         12 . A rotor and wheel cooling assembly for a steam turbine system comprising:
 a rotor operably connected to a plurality of rotating buckets;   a cooling flow conduit for transferring a cooling substance;   a flow diverting member having an inner radius, wherein the flow diverting member includes a ridge for directing flow in at least one direction within the steam turbine system;   a cooling flow dispenser disposed radially outward of a portion of the rotor and having at least one aperture, wherein the cooling flow dispenser is operably coupled to the inner radius of the flow diverting member; and   
       a gap disposed between the inner radius of the flow diverting member and the cooling flow dispenser for receiving the cooling substance from the cooling flow conduit. 
     
     
         13 . The rotor and wheel cooling assembly of  claim 12 , further comprising a plurality of apertures circumferentially arranged in the cooling flow dispenser, wherein the plurality of apertures are angled radially inward toward the rotor in a first plane. 
     
     
         14 . The rotor and wheel cooling assembly of  claim 13 , further comprising at least one angled aperture disposed at an angle from the first plane. 
     
     
         15 . The rotor and wheel cooling assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the angle is about 30 degrees. 
     
     
         16 . The rotor and wheel cooling assembly of  claim 13 , further comprising a second plurality of apertures, each of the second plurality of apertures disposed at an angle from the first plane. 
     
     
         17 . The rotor and wheel cooling assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the cooling flow dispenser comprises a first semi-circle for circumferentially surrounding a first half of the rotor. 
     
     
         18 . The rotor and wheel cooling assembly of  claim 17 , further comprising a second semi-circle for circumferentially surrounding a second half of the rotor. 
     
     
         19 . A rotor and wheel cooling assembly for a steam turbine system comprising:
 a rotor operably connected to a plurality of rotating buckets;   a wheel disposed between the rotor and a turbine bucket;   a cooling flow conduit for transferring a cooling substance;   a flow diverting member having an inner radius and fixedly connected with at least one nozzle stage by at least one hook assembly;   a cooling flow dispenser disposed radially outward of a portion of the rotor and having a plurality of apertures, wherein the cooling flow dispenser is operably coupled to the inner radius of the flow diverting member; and   a gap disposed between the inner radius of the flow diverting member and the cooling flow dispenser for receiving the cooling substance from the cooling flow conduit.   
     
     
         20 . The rotor and wheel cooling assembly of  claim 19 , wherein a first aperture of the plurality of apertures is directed radially inward toward the rotor along a plane, and wherein a second aperture of the plurality of apertures is disposed at an angle to the plane.