Apparatus and Method for Active Gap Monitoring for a Continuous Flow Machine
AssigneeMTU Aero Engines AG
InventorsStefan Morgenstern, Rudolf Stanka
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for active gap monitoring for a continuous flow machine, in particular an aircraft propulsion device, which has a rotor and a housing which surrounds the rotor forming a rotor gap, is disclosed. The apparatus having a cooling channel which is arranged on the external circumference of the rotor housing and is supplied with cooling air from a plenum. The cross section of the cooling channel decreases from the plenum in the circumferential direction. This ensures homogenous cooling and reduces the weight of the apparatus.
Claims19
1-7. (canceled)
An apparatus for active gap monitoring for a continuous flow machine, in particular an aircraft propulsion device, which has a rotor and a housing which surrounds the rotor forming a rotor gap, with the apparatus having a cooling channel which is arranged on an external circumference of the housing and is supplied with cooling air from a plenum, wherein a cross section of the cooling channel decreases from the plenum in a circumferential direction.
A continuous flow machine, comprising:
- a rotor;
- a housing which surrounds the rotor, wherein the rotor and the housing define a rotor gap therebetween;
- and
- a cooling channel disposed on an external circumference of the housing, wherein a cross section of the cooling channel decreases in a circumferential direction.
A method for controlling a gap between a rotor and a housing in a gas turbine engine, comprising the steps of:
- flowing a cooling air through a cooling channel disposed on an external circumference of the housing, wherein a cross section of the cooling channel decreases from a plenum in a circumferential direction of the housing;
- cooling the housing by the cooling air;
- and
- controlling a length of the gap by the step of cooling the housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.