Back to results
US 2010/0247283 A1Published application
Method and apparatus for clearance control
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsPhilip L. Andrew, James M. Fogarty
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system, in certain embodiments, includes a magnetic actuator configured to adjust a radial clearance between a housing and rotary blades via translational movement along a rotational axis. The system includes a controller configured to engage the magnetic actuator to adjust the radial clearance in response to feedback.
Claims20
A turbine engine, comprising:
- a turbine housing configured to guide a flow of combustion gases;
- a plurality of blades coupled to a shaft inside the turbine housing;
- and
- a magnetic actuator coupled to the shaft and configured to magnetically translate the shaft along an axis of the shaft to increase and decrease a radial clearance between the turbine housing and the plurality of blades.
1 more element
A system, comprising:
- a magnetic actuator configured to adjust a radial clearance between a housing and rotary blades via translational movement along a rotational axis;
- and
- a controller configured to engage the magnetic actuator to adjust the radial clearance in response to feedback.
A method of operating a turbine, comprising:
- positioning a shaft of the turbine linearly toward a first position configured to increase a clearance between rotary components coupled to the shaft and a stationary housing surrounding the shaft;
- gradually increasing a rotational speed of the shaft;
- and
- magnetically translating the shaft toward a second position configured to decrease the clearance between the rotary components and the housing surrounding the shaft.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.