Woodward 9904-803

The WOODWARD 9904-803 is primarily used in industrial settings that employ small to medium steam turbines for mechanical drive or power generation, especially where:

  • High Speeds are Present: Turbines operating at or around 4000 rpm.
  • Higher Work Output is Needed: To operate larger or stiffer turbine control valves.
  • Speed Droop Control is Desired: For load sharing or applications tolerant of slight speed variation with load changes.
  • Mechanical-Hydraulic Simplicity: A preference for a self-contained, robust mechanical governor over electronic systems.
  • Lever-Based Speed Adjustment: Where operators manually adjust the speed setpoint via a lever, for example, during startup or load changes.
  • Counterclockwise Rotation: The turbine’s mechanical drive interface requires CCW rotation for the governor.
التصنيف:

الوصف

The WOODWARD 9904-803 is a mechanical-hydraulic speed droop governor specifically designed for steam turbines. It is a part of the TG-17L (Lever) series and is configured for high-speed applications, typically up to 4000 rpm. This model features counterclockwise (CCW) drive shaft rotation and a speed setting adjusted via a lever mechanism. It is also ATEX certified, making it suitable for hazardous environments.


 

WOODWARD 9904-803: Mechanical-Hydraulic Speed Droop Governor (TG-17L, 4000 rpm, CCW Rotation)

 

The WOODWARD 9904-803 is a robust, self-contained control device crucial for the reliable operation of small to medium-sized steam turbines. It’s particularly well-suited for applications where stable speed control with a defined droop characteristic is sufficient, rather than precise constant-speed (isochronous) operation. Its “Lever” designation indicates a specific mechanical interface for speed setting.

 

Product Overview

 

The 9904-803 operates as a mechanical-hydraulic governor. It continuously senses the turbine rotor speed and compares it to an internal setpoint. Based on this comparison, it precisely adjusts the turbine’s governor valve to regulate the inlet steam flow, thereby controlling the turbine’s speed.

  • Product Type: Mechanical-Hydraulic Speed Droop Governor
  • Manufacturer: Woodward
  • Series: TG-17L (Lever-operated)
  • Application: Small to medium steam turbines (e.g., driving pumps, compressors, generators).
  • Key Feature: Speed droop control (not isochronous).
  • Rated Speed: Designed for operation up to 4000 rpm.
  • Speed Setting Mechanism: Lever-operated (manual adjustment).
  • Drive Shaft Rotation: Counterclockwise (CCW) rotation.
  • Output: 23.7 N·m (17.5 ft-lb) rotary output. (The TG-17 series offers higher work output than the TG-13 series).
  • Environmental Certification: ATEX certified (suitable for potentially explosive atmospheres).
  • Rated Speed @ 2° Droop: 3910 rpm (a specific configuration point for droop).

 

Detailed Product Description

 

The WOODWARD 9904-803 provides a reliable and cost-effective solution for steam turbine speed control. It’s part of the well-established TG-17 governor series, known for its higher work output compared to the TG-13 series, and offers specific configurations for different speed ranges and mechanical interfaces.

Here’s a breakdown of its features and how it functions:

  • Mechanical-Hydraulic Operation: This governor is a self-contained unit. It senses turbine speed using an integrated driveshaft-driven ball head assembly. An internal, driveshaft-driven oil pump generates the necessary hydraulic pressure (1379 kPa / 200 psi for TG-17 governors, higher than TG-13’s 1034 kPa / 150 psi) to create the force required to move and control the turbine’s governor valve. This mechanical-hydraulic design makes it inherently robust and minimizes reliance on external electronic components for its core speed sensing and actuation.
  • Speed Droop Control: The 9904-803 operates on a speed droop principle. This means that as the load on the turbine increases, its speed will slightly decrease (or “droop”) proportionally. This characteristic is often desirable in applications where load sharing among multiple prime movers is needed, or where a slight, predictable speed variation under load changes is acceptable.
  • Direct Turbine Connection: The governor directly couples to the steam turbine’s rotor or an auxiliary shaft to sense the turbine’s speed. Its rotary output terminal shaft directly connects to the turbine’s governor valve, precisely controlling the inlet steam flow.
  • High-Speed Capability (4000 rpm): A key characteristic of the 9904-803 is its suitability for turbines operating at higher rotational speeds, up to 4000 rpm. This makes it ideal for a broader range of industrial steam turbine applications that demand faster rotational speeds.
  • Lever-Operated Speed Setting: The “L” in TG-17L and the part number imply that the speed setpoint is adjusted via a mechanical lever. This provides a simple and direct method for operators to change the desired turbine speed, often preferred for manual, on-the-fly adjustments.
  • Counterclockwise (CCW) Rotation: The 9904-803 specifically features a counterclockwise drive shaft rotation and output shaft rotation. This is a critical mechanical specification for ensuring compatibility with the turbine’s interface.
  • Higher Work Output: As a TG-17 series governor, it offers a higher work output of 23.7 N·m (17.5 ft-lb), enabling it to control larger or more demanding turbine valves compared to the TG-13 series (which provides 16 N·m / 12 ft-lb).
  • Rugged Construction and ATEX Certification: Built for demanding industrial environments, these governors feature robust construction and a self-contained sump. The ATEX certification confirms its suitability for use in potentially explosive atmospheres common in industries like oil & gas, petrochemical, and power generation.

In essence, the 9904-803 provides a reliable, robust, and higher-work-output solution for steam turbine speed control, particularly for high-speed applications where a mechanical-hydraulic, lever-operated governor with counterclockwise rotation is required.


 

Technical Specifications (General)

 

Parameter Value
Product Type Mechanical-Hydraulic Governor
Manufacturer
Series TG-17L (Lever-operated)
Control Mode Speed Droop Control
Nominal Speed 4000 rpm (designed for applications up to this speed)
Rated Speed @ 2° Droop 3910 rpm
Speed Setting Method Lever-operated
Drive Shaft Rotation Counterclockwise (CCW)
Output Torque 23.7 N·m (17.5 ft-lb) rotary output
Output Terminal Shaft Counterclockwise rotation
Internal Oil Pressure 1379 kPa (200 psi)
Power Source Self-contained (driven by turbine shaft, internal oil pump)
Environmental Cert. ATEX certified
Construction Robust, weatherproof, self-contained sump
Applications Steam turbines driving pumps, compressors, generators
Reference Woodward documentation for TG-17L series governors (e.g., Industrial Products Catalog 25182)

 

Typical Applications

 

The WOODWARD 9904-803 is primarily used in industrial settings that employ small to medium steam turbines for mechanical drive or power generation, especially where:

  • High Speeds are Present: Turbines operating at or around 4000 rpm.
  • Higher Work Output is Needed: To operate larger or stiffer turbine control valves.
  • Speed Droop Control is Desired: For load sharing or applications tolerant of slight speed variation with load changes.
  • Mechanical-Hydraulic Simplicity: A preference for a self-contained, robust mechanical governor over electronic systems.
  • Lever-Based Speed Adjustment: Where operators manually adjust the speed setpoint via a lever, for example, during startup or load changes.
  • Counterclockwise Rotation: The turbine’s mechanical drive interface requires CCW rotation for the governor.
  • Common Applications:
    • Pumps: Controlling steam turbines that drive process pumps.
    • Compressors/Turboexpanders: Regulating the speed of steam turbines used to drive compressors in various industrial processes.
    • Generators: Controlling the speed of steam turbines connected to generators for power generation, often in parallel with other power sources.
    • Fans: Managing steam turbines that power large industrial fans in power plants or other heavy industries.