Actuating mechanism for a turbine and method of retrofitting
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsOsman Saim Dinc, Mehmet Demiroglu, Hamid Reza Sarshar, Paul Gladen, Keith Hochhalter
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Abstract
One embodiment of the present invention comprises an actuating mechanism for a turbine comprising a compliant member (meaning at least one compliant member) comprising a series of serpentine folds forming a plurality of fold sections and a central cavity (meaning at least one central cavity) interposed between the adjacent fold sections wherein the compliant member is movable between a first retracted position and a second extended position upon introduction of a pressurized medium into the central cavity and dispersion of the pressurized medium within the serpentine folds.
Claims26
An actuating mechanism disposed in a housing of a turbine, the housing having at least one seal carrier and at least one seal disposed therein, the actuating mechanism comprising:
- a compliant member comprising a series of serpentine folds forming a plurality of fold sections;
- a central cavity interposed between adjacent fold sections;
- and
- an inlet adapted to receive and introduce a pressurized medium into said central cavity during operation of the turbine,
- wherein said compliant member is movable between a first retracted position and a second extended position upon introduction of said pressurized medium into said central cavity and dispersion of said pressurized medium within said serpentine folds, and
- wherein said seal carrier is disposed in a labyrinth seal.
An actuating assembly for a turbine for controlling flow of a fluid medium in a fluid flow path comprising:
- a turbine housing;
- a rotating member disposed adjacent said turbine housing;
- a seal carrier comprising a seal, said seal carrier disposed within said turbine housing;
- a compliant member comprising a series of serpentine folds forming a plurality of fold sections disposed on said seal carrier;
- a central cavity interposed between adjacent fold sections;
- and
- an inlet adapted to receive and introduce a pressurized medium into said central cavity during operation of the turbine,
- wherein said compliant member is movable between a first retracted position and a second extended position upon introduction of said pressurized medium into said central cavity and dispersion of the said pressurized medium within said serpentine folds so as to move said seal carrier and radially position said seal to control said flow of said fluid medium between said seal and said rotating member, and
- wherein said seal carrier is disposed in a labyrinth seal.
An actuating assembly for a turbine for controlling flow of a fluid medium in a fluid flow path comprising:
- a turbine housing;
- a rotating member disposed adjacent said turbine housing;
- a seal carrier comprising a seal, said seal carrier disposed within said turbine housing;
- a compliant member comprising a series of serpentine folds forming a plurality of fold sections disposed on said seal carrier;
- and
- a central cavity interposed between adjacent fold sections,
- wherein said compliant member is movable between a first retracted position and a second extended position upon introduction of a pressurized medium into said central cavity and dispersion of said pressurized medium within said serpentine folds so as to move said seal carrier and radially position said seal to control said flow of said fluid medium between said seal and said rotating member, and
- wherein said seal carrier is disposed in a labyrinth seal.
A method of retrofitting an actuating mechanism in a turbine comprising:
- providing a compliant member comprising a series of serpentine folds forming a plurality of fold sections;
- providing a central cavity interposed between adjacent fold sections;
- providing an inlet adapted to receive and introduce a pressurized medium into said central cavity during operation of the turbine;
- and
- positioning said compliant member between a seal carrier and a turbine housing, wherein said seal carrier is disposed in a labyrinth seal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.