System and method for adjusting rotor-stator clearance
AssigneeROLLS-ROYCE plc
InventorPeter R Bates
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and system for adjusting the clearance between a stator member and the tip of a rotor member in a rotor apparatus. The system comprises a position adjustment mechanism for adjusting the radial position of the stator member to any one of at least two and preferably three different radial positions. The system further comprises a variable pressure chamber having a first pressure state and a second pressure state. The system is arranged for applying a force for maintaining the stator member in either one of said at least two radial positions when said chamber is in said first pressure state and for allowing the position adjustment mechanism to adjust the radial position of the stator member between said at least two positions when the chamber is in said second pressure state.
Claims16
A system for adjusting the clearance between a stator member and the tip of a rotor member in a rotor apparatus;
- the system comprising:
- a position adjustment mechanism for adjusting the radial position of the stator member relative to an axis of the rotor apparatus to any one of at least two different radial positions;
- said position adjustment mechanism being operable when said rotor apparatus is in operation;
- and
- a variable pressure chamber having a first pressure state and a second pressure state;
- the system is arranged for applying a force for maintaining the stator member in either one of said at least two radial positions when said chamber is in said first pressure state and for allowing the position adjustment mechanism to adjust the radial position of the stator member between said at least two positions when the chamber is in said second pressure state,
- wherein the position adjustment mechanism comprises a first member and a second member, the second member being located radially outward from the first member and being physically separate from and movable relative to the first member, the system being arranged such that when the variable pressure chamber is in the first pressure state said force pushes the first and second members together, and when the variable pressure chamber is in the second pressure state said force is reduced, eliminated or reversed, and
- wherein either the first or second member comprises a rotable cam, whereby the radial position at which the stator member is supported can be adjusted by rotating said cam.
A method of adjusting the clearance between a stator member and the tip of a rotor member in a rotor apparatus;
- the method comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a position adjustment mechanism for adjusting the radial position of the stator member relative to an axis of the rotor apparatus to any one of at least two different radial positions;
- b) providing a variable pressure chamber having a first pressure state and a second pressure state;
- the system being configured such that it applies a force maintaining the stator member in either one of said at least two radial positions when the chamber is in said first pressure state and allows adjustment of the radial position of the stator member when the variable pressure chamber is in said second pressure state;
- c) operating the rotor apparatus so that the rotor member rotates;
- d) putting the variable pressure chamber in the first pressure state and supporting the stator member in a first radial position;
- e) changing the pressure of the variable pressure chamber from the first pressure state to the second pressure state;
- f) when the chamber is in the second pressure state using the position adjustment mechanism to change the radial position at which the stator member is supported from said first radial position to a second radial position;
- g) returning the pressure of the variable pressure chamber from the first pressure state to the second pressure state while maintaining the stator member in the second radial position;
- wherein the position adjustment mechanism comprises a first member and a second member, the second member being located radially outward from the first member and being physically separate from and movable relative to the first member, the method comprising the steps of generating a force pushing the first and second members together when the variable pressure chamber is in the first pressure state, and reducing, eliminating or reversing said force when the variable pressure chamber is in the second pressure state, and
- wherein either the first or second member comprises a rotable cam and wherein in step f) the radial position at which the stator member is supported is adjusted by rotating said cam.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.