Apparatus and method for determining the best position for inner and outer members in a rotary machine
AssigneeTransalta Utilities Corporation
InventorsBryan P. McLaughlin, Douglas W. Vanner
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of determining the best position for an inner member relative to an outer member within a rotary machine requires the inner and outer members to be rotated relative to one another. The spacing between the inner and outer members at at least one location along the length of the rotary machine is detected generally continuously over at least one complete revolution. The detected spacing is then processed to determine the best position for the inner member relative to the outer member. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.
Claims26
A method of determining the best position for an inner member relative to an outer member within a rotary machine comprising the steps of:
- (a) rotating the inner and outer members relative to one another through at least one revolution;
- (b) obtaining a series of measurements through said at least one revolution representing the spacing between at least one location on said inner member and a plurality of angularly spaced locations on said outer member;
- (c) obtaining a series of measurements through said at least one revolution representing the spacing between at least one location on said outer member and a plurality of angularly spaced locations on said inner member;
- (d) processing said measurements between said at least one location on said inner member and said plurality of angularly spaced locations on said outer member to determine a best center for said outer member;
- and
- (e) processing said obtained measurements between said at least one location on said outer member and said plurality of angularly spaced locations on said inner member to determine a best center for said inner member, said best position for one of said inner and outer members relative to the other of said inner and outer members comprising a position wherein said best center for said inner member intersects said best center for said outer member.
An apparatus for determining the best position for an inner member relative to an outer member within a rotary machine, said apparatus comprising:
- at least one sensor mounted to said inner member to detect the spacing between said inner member and a plurality of angularly spaced locations on said outer member;
- at least one sensor mounted to said outer member to detect the spacing between said outer member and a plurality of angularly spaced locations on said inner member;
- and
- a processor to process said detected spacings and determine therefrom a best position for said inner member relative to said outer member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.