Gas flow diverter

Abstract

A gas flow diverter receives large volumes of hot gases from a gas turbine into a chamber in which is a pivotally mounted blade adapted to close either the outlet port to a heat recovery steam generator or the outlet port to the stack. Each port is surrounded by an open channel, the two side walls of each of which are provided with an exposed seal arranged one beyond the other. One or both surfaces of the blade is insulated, the insulated surface(s) being covered with steel cladding and the uncovered surface being a stainless steel membrane adapted to resist corrosion from the hot gases. The steel cladding is connected through insulation to the underlying structure in a manner permitting but confining the expansion of the cladding. The blade's border is provided with first and second marginal ledges adapted, respectively, when the blade is in a closed position to engage a different one of the two exposed seals bordering an outlet port, thus establishing the channel as a closed passageway surrounding the closed port which may be further sealed against leakage by discharging sealing air into it. The blade is shifted between its two operative positions by means of a reversible drive including toggle joints connected to the blade by a unit which is shiftable in response to forces exerted by the expanding or contracting toggle joints. During blade movement the sealing air is cut off and its passageway into the chamber closed against the escape of hot gases.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.