Electric heating for turbomachinery clearance control powered by hybrid energy storage system

A bi-directional clearance control system, comprising:

• a power electronics;
• a heating element;
• a valve assembly;
• and
• a controller in electronic communication with the power electronics and the valve assembly, wherein the controller is configured to:
• send a first control signal to the power electronics for varying an electric current supplied to the heating element to cause an outer structure to move in a first radial direction;
• and
• send a second control signal to the valve assembly for varying a cooling air flow supplied to the outer structure to cause the outer structure to move in a second radial direction, the first radial direction is opposite the second radial direction;
• receive an electrical current value currently being supplied to the heating element;
• receive a current valve position;
• determine a current blade tip clearance value based upon the electrical current value and the current valve position.

A method for active bi-directional control of an outer structure of a gas turbine engine, comprising:

• sending, by a controller, a first control signal to a converter of a power electronics for varying an electric current supplied to a heating element to cause the outer structure to move in a first radial direction;
• and
• sending, by the controller, a second control signal to a valve assembly for varying a cooling air flow supplied to the outer structure to cause the outer structure to move in a second radial direction;
• wherein the first radial direction is opposite the second radial direction.

A bi-directional clearance control system, comprising:

• a power electronics comprising a converter;
• a heating element;
• a valve assembly;
• and
• a controller in electronic communication with the power electronics and the valve assembly, wherein the controller is configured to:
• send a first control signal to the converter of the power electronics for varying an electric current supplied to the heating element to cause an outer structure to move in a first radial direction;
• and
• send a second control signal to the valve assembly for varying a cooling air flow supplied to the outer structure to cause the outer structure to move in a second radial direction, the first radial direction is opposite the second radial direction.