Fault tolerant turbine speed control system
AssigneeGE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
InventorsArthur M Thinguldstad, Mark A. Bergman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A generator is installed on and provides electrical power from a turbine by converting the turbine's mechanical energy to electricity. The generated electrical power is used to power controls of the turbine so that the turbine can remain in use through its own energy. The turbine can be a safety-related turbine in a nuclear power plant, such that, through the generator, loss of plant power will not result in loss of use of the turbine and safety-related functions powered by the same. Appropriate circuitry and electrical connections condition the generator to work in tandem with any other power sources present, while providing electrical power with properties required to safely power the controls.
Claims15
A turbine speed control system comprising:
- a generator installed on a turbine, wherein the generator generates electrical power from the turbine;
- and
- an electrical connection between the generator and at least one of a speed controller for the turbine and a control room flow controller for the speed controller, wherein the electrical connection permits operation of the speed controller and/or control room flow controller with the electrical power.
A method of operating a nuclear power plant, the method comprising:
- installing an electrical generator on a reactor coolant pump turbine so that the electrical generator can generate electricity from the turbine;
- and
- electrically connecting the electrical generator to a controller for the turbine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.