US 8,939,709 B2 · Clearance control for a turbine

Abstract

A system for operating a turbine includes a rotating component and a non-rotating component separated from the rotating component by a clearance. A first actuator is connected to the non-rotating component, and the first actuator comprises a shape-memory alloy. A method for operating a turbine includes sensing a parameter reflective of a clearance between a non-rotating component and a rotating component and generating a parameter signal reflective of the clearance. The method further includes generating a control signal to at least one actuator based on the parameter signal and moving at least a portion of the non-rotating component relative to the rotating component to change the clearance.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A turbine, comprising:

an outer shroud segment fixed to a casing, the outer shroud segment having a forward end, an aft end, an outer portion fixed to the outer casing and an inner portion;
an inner shroud segment disposed proximate to the inner portion, the inner shroud segment having a first end, a second end and an inner surface, the first end pivotally connected to the outer shroud proximate to the forward end;
a rotatable blade having a tip portion, the tip portion radially separated from the inner surface to form a clearance therebetween;
and
an actuator extending radially inwardly from the outer shroud segment and in contact with the inner shroud segment at one end of the actuator proximate to the second end of the inner shroud segment,

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Clearance control for a turbine

Life of this patent

Clearance control for a turbine

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10