Fluid pressure actuated clutch for starting multi-stage turbine

摘要

A fluid pressure actuated clutch for connecting concentric, rotatable shafts in a multi-stage turbine includes a plurality of pivoted pawls mounted on one shaft for engagement with a plurality of gear teeth mounted on the other shaft upon rotation of the pawls by selectively actuatable hydraulic pistons. The pawls are spring biased and/or counterweighted to pivot out of engagement with the gear teeth when the other shaft achieves a rotational speed higher than the one shaft. The device is particularly suited for connecting concentric shafts of high and low pressure stages of turbine plants.