Variable pressure-controlled cooling scheme and thrust control arrangements for a steam turbine

A method of manufacturing of an active thrust control system for a steam turbine comprising:

• providing a layer of thrust pressure control lines on a steam turbine which redirect steam from the steam turbine;
• providing an active thrust pressure controller;
• and
• providing pressure taps in the thrust pressure control lines to regulate a thrust pressure affecting a thrust fitting upon command from the controller.

A control apparatus for actively controlling the thrust on a thrust fitting in a steam turbine comprising:

• an input control line for diverting cold reheat steam from a cold reheat line of a first stage of a steam turbine to a thrust fitting area;
• a first pressure tap connected to the input control line;
• an output control line for returning the cold reheat steam from the thrust fitting area to the cold reheat line;
• a third control line located between the first pressure stage and at least one additional pressure stage;
• a third pressure tap connected to the third control line;
• a second pressure tap connected to the output control line and connected to the third control line;
• a plurality of pressure sensors located in the lines;
• and
• a controller wherein the controller is structured to receive pressure data from the sensors and to actively control the pressure taps to regulate thrust pressure in a thrust fitting area.