Method and system for active tip clearance control in turbines

A method for controlling blade tip clearance in a turbine having a blade rotating within a shroud having a plurality of shroud segments, the method comprising:

• obtaining a turbine parameter, wherein obtaining the turbine parameter includes receiving a sensed parameter and deriving an actual turbine parameter in response to said sensed parameter;
• generating a tip clearance prediction in response to turbine cycle parameters;
• generating at least one command signal in response to said turbine parameter and said tip clearance prediction;
• providing said command signal to an actuator to adjust a position of at least one of said shroud segments.

A system for controlling blade tip clearance in a turbine, the system comprising:

• a stator including a shroud having a plurality of shroud segments;
• a rotor including a blade rotatable within said shroud;
• an actuator assembly positioned radially around said shroud, said actuator assembly including a plurality of actuators;
• a sensor for sensing a turbine parameter and generating a sensor signal representative of said turbine parameter;
• a modeling module generating a tip clearance prediction in response to turbine cycle parameters;
• a controller receiving said sensor signal and said tip clearance prediction and generating at least one command signal;
• said actuators including at least one actuator receiving said command signal and adjusting a position of at least one of said shroud segments in response to said command signal, wherein said actuator includes an inflatable bellows in fluid communication with a pump, said command signal being applied to said pump to control pressure of said inflatable bellows.