Claims:WE CLAIM:

1. A yoke for intermediate pressure (IP) valve for advanced ultra- supercritical (AUSC) Turbine fitted in between valve and actuator, wherein the yoke comprises a hollow cylindrical body with valve end flange [101] at one end and actuator end flange [102] at other end with a plurality of fins [103] there between, in which the fins [103] are placed on two longitudinal curved members [104] facing opposite to each other, wherein a gap is maintained between the two longitudinal curved members [104] on both sides thereof circumferentially, in which the hollow cylindrical body with flange at both ends is used for fastening with valve body and actuator from either of ends.

2. The yoke for intermediate pressure (IP) valve for advanced ultra- supercritical (AUSC) Turbine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the longitudinal curved members [104] connect the valve end flange [101] with the actuator end flange [102].

3. The yoke for intermediate pressure (IP) valve for advanced ultra- supercritical (AUSC) Turbine as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the hollow cylindrical body with Finned structure provides the surface area to emit heat from the body resulting in the cooling of yoke for protecting the control system of actuator of intermediate pressure (IP) valve.

4. The yoke for intermediate pressure (IP) valve for advanced ultra- supercritical (AUSC) Turbine as claimed in claims 1-3, wherein a cooling window [105] is provided in the cylindrical body which supports the circulation of air and helps in the reduction in temperature.

5. The yoke for intermediate pressure (IP) valve for advanced ultra- supercritical (AUSC) Turbine as claimed in claims 1-4, wherein the fins [103] are designed that maximum heat is transferred from Yoke [100] to atmosphere in order to reduce the temperature at Actuator end.

6. The yoke for intermediate pressure (IP) valve for advanced ultra- supercritical (AUSC) Turbine as claimed in claims 1-5, wherein the yoke is made of material including steel.
, Description:“A YOKE FOR INTERMEDIATE PRESSURE VALVE FOR ADVANCED ULTRA-SUPERCRITICAL TURBINE”

FIELD OF INVENTION:
[001] The present invention relates to the development of “Yoke” which is to be used in assembly of IP turbine valve to mount the Actuator on it, applicable for AUSC Steam Turbine. This invention in particular is directed to a yoke for intermediate pressure (IP) valve for advanced ultra- supercritical (AUSC) Turbine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
[002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

[003] To achieve the goal of reduction in global warming, a national mission for the development of AUSC technology has been initiated by Government of India (GOI). The Mission objectives include development of advanced high temperature materials, manufacturing technology and design of equipment. The final objective is to successfully install and operate a reliable demonstration AUSC power plant.

[004] During the operation of Turbine, when the high temperature steam enters the IP turbine through IP valve, the temperature of IP valve reaches as high as the working fluid flowing through it. Actuators are used to control the IP valve by means of hydraulic fluid pressure and spring force.

[005] These Actuators are equipped with critical electro-hydraulic components such as solenoid valves, servo valves etc. For proper functioning of actuator, temperature of actuator at coupling end should not exceed 200 degrees Celsius. To meet this requirement actuator cannot be mounted directly on Valves, despite actuators are mounted on a spacing element (Yoke) by means of which temperature at Actuator end could be limited to 200 degrees Celsius.

[006] Thus there exists the need of a Yoke that can fulfill the requirement of AUSC Steam turbine and shield the actuator components from higher temperatures as mentioned. Hence, the present invention has been introduced.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
[007] It is therefore, the primary object of the present invention is to propose a “Yoke” which is to be used for assembly of IP turbine valve to mount the Actuator thereon in AUSC Steam Turbine.

[008] Another object of the present invention is to propose a “Yoke” which can shield the actuator electro hydraulic components from exceeding temperature limit of 200 degrees Celsius.

[009] Yet another object of the invention is to propose a yoke for intermediate pressure (IP) valve for advanced ultra- supercritical (AUSC) Turbine, which obviates shortcomings of the prior art.

[0010] Still another object of the invention is to propose a yoke for intermediate pressure (IP) valve for advanced ultra- supercritical (AUSC) Turbine, which is simple in construction.

[0011] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which a preferred form of the present invention is illustrated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[0012] One or more drawbacks of conventional systems and process are overcome, and additional advantages are provided through the apparatus/composition and a method as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the technicalities of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered to be part of the claimed disclosure.

[0013] According to this invention, there is provided a yoke for intermediate pressure (IP) valve for advanced ultra- supercritical (AUSC) Turbine fitted in between valve and actuator, wherein the yoke comprises a hollow cylindrical body with valve end flange [101] at one end and actuator end flange [102] at other end with a plurality of fins [103] there between, in which the fins [103] are placed on two longitudinal curved members [104] facing opposite to each other, wherein a gap is maintained between the two longitudinal curved members [104] on both sides thereof circumferentially, in which the hollow cylindrical body with flange at both ends is used for fastening with valve body and actuator from either of ends.
[0014] The longitudinal curved members [104] connect the valve end flange [101] with the actuator end flange [102].

[0015] The hollow cylindrical body with Finned structure provides the surface area to emit heat from the body resulting in the cooling of yoke for protecting the control system of actuator of intermediate pressure (IP) valve.

[0016] A cooling window [105] is provided in the cylindrical body which supports the circulation of air and helps in the reduction in temperature.

[0017] The fins [103] are designed that maximum heat is transferred from Yoke [100] to atmosphere in order to reduce the temperature at Actuator end.

[0018] The yoke is made of material including steel.

[0019] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

[0020] It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.

[0021] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
[0022] The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and processes that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:-
Figure 1 illustrates typical IP Turbine valve assembly showing the Yoke, in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2a, 2b, 2c illustrates typical front view, top view and isometric view of the Yoke, according to the present invention.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
[0023] While the embodiments of the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof have been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.

[0024] The present invention makes a discourse regarding a technology pertaining to an invention directed to a yoke for intermediate pressure (IP) valve for advanced ultra- supercritical (AUSC) Turbine.

[0025] Now, reference may be made to figure-1, wherein a Yoke [100] is fitted in between valve and actuator. Referring to figure 2a, 2b and 2c, the Yoke is mounted on the valve casing with the fasteners including multitude of bolts by inserting them into holes [100A] made on it on both the end flanges [101,102]. The flange matching with valve casing is called valve end flange [101] and flange matching with actuator called actuator end flange [102]. The yoke comprises a hollow cylindrical body with valve end flange [101] at one end and actuator end flange [102] at other end with a plurality of fins [103] there between. The fins [103] are placed on two longitudinal curved members [104] facing opposite to each other. The longitudinal curved members [104] connect the valve end flange [101] with the actuator end flange [102] as best seen in figure 2a. Further, gap is maintained between the two longitudinal curved members [104] on both sides thereof circumferentially.
[0026] Hollow cylindrical body with Finned structure provides the required surface area to emit heat from the body resulting in the cooling of yoke up to desired temperature.
[0027] Thus, the cylindrical body equipped with fins ensures the maximum heat transfer from yoke to atmosphere resulting in the cooling of yoke for protecting the control system of actuator of IP valve.

[0028] As actuators are mounted on yoke body hence they do not heat up as heat gets dissipated through fins and from the other body surfaces of yoke for proper functioning of control system. In the cylindrical body there is a cooling window [105, figure 2c] which supports the circulation of air and helps in the reduction in temperature.

[0029] Thus, said window cut from the cylindrical body ensures the circulation of air as a cooling media for yoke. Also it reduces the heat transfer through conduction from valve end to actuator end.

[0030] The fins [103] are designed in such a way that maximum heat is transferred from Yoke [100] to atmosphere, in order to reduce the temperature at Actuator end.

[0031] Here, the yoke forms a single piece with the integration of its different parts including the longitudinal curved members [104], valve end flange [101], actuator end flange [102]. It can be made of steel without restricting scope of the invention to the same. Thus, other materials readily apparent to a person skilled in the art are understood to be within purview of the invention.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
- Simple in construction;
- Works efficiently;
- User friendly;
- Shields the actuator electro hydraulic components from exceeding temperature limit of 200 degrees Celsius.

WORKING OF THE INVENTION
- Yolk is a separating metallic member between heated valve body and actuator system. Due to conduction yoke gets heated up to dissipate that heat provision of Fins are there and few heat also gets dissipated from the body of yoke. Cooling window given in the body of yoke helps in circulating the air due to natural convection.

[0032] Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the “invention” may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases, it will be recognized that references to the “invention” will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.

[0033] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all groups used in the appended claims.

[0034] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particulars claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogues to “at least one of A, B and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B”.

[0035] The above description does not provide specific details of manufacture or design of the various components. Those of skill in the art are familiar with such details, and unless departures from those techniques are set out, techniques, known, related art or later developed designs and materials should be employed. Those in the art are capable of choosing suitable manufacturing and design details.

[0036] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into other systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as encompassed by the following claims.

[0037] The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended, encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those that are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from applicants/patentees and others.

[0038] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.