Active centering control for static annular turbine flowpath structures
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorJason David Shapiro
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A rotor assembly apparatus that includes a rotatable component and a ring-shroud. The rotatable component is mounted for rotation about a first axis. The ring-shroud defines an inner surface that surrounds the rotatable component and that defines a second axis. A sensing system is configured to monitor the position of the first axis relative to the second axis. A casing surrounds the ring-shroud and an actuation system is configured to move the ring-shroud relative to the casing, in response to the sensing system.
Claims21
A rotor assembly apparatus, comprising:
- a rotatable component mounted for rotation about a first axis;
- a ring-shroud that defines an inner surface surrounding the rotatable component, wherein the inner surface defines a second axis;
- a sensing system configured to monitor the position of the first axis relative to the second axis;
- a casing surrounding the ring-shroud;
- and
- an actuation system configured to move the ring-shroud relative to the casing, in response to the sensing system.
A method for maintaining the relative position of rotatable components and ring-shrouds of a turbine engine, the method comprising the steps of:
- monitoring the relative positions of a rotatable component and a ring-shroud surrounding the rotatable component;
- maintaining at least a minimum clearance between the rotatable component and the ring-shroud;
- and
- moving the ring-shroud as necessary to maintain the minimum clearance.
A method for maintaining the relative position of rotatable components and ring-shrouds of a turbine engine, the method comprising the steps of:
- monitoring the relative positions of a rotatable component and a ring-shroud surrounding the rotatable component;
- maintaining at least a minimum clearance between the rotatable component and the ring-shroud;
- and
- deforming the ring-shroud as necessary to maintain the minimum clearance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.