Gas Turbine Engine Generator System with Torsional Damping Coupling

• US 20120214605A1
• Filed: 02/21/2011
• Published: 08/23/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Snook, Daniel David, Sommerlatte, Klaus Werner
• Application Number:
  US13/031,287
• Publication Number:
  US 20120214605A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 464/68.41
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 15/10 Adaptations for driving, or combinations with, electric generators
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 7/36 Power transmission arrangements between the different shafts of the gas turbine plant, or between the gas-turbine plant and the power user F02C3/107 - F02C3/13 and F02C7/32 take precedence; couplings for transmitting rotation F16D; gearing in general F16H
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2260/96 Preventing, counteracting or reducing vibration or noise
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 15/1215 Leaf springs, e.g. radially extending
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 15/16 using a fluid or pasty materialF16F9/53, F16F15/13157 take precedence; devices connecting input and output members F16D

Abstract

The present application and the resultant patent provide a gas turbine engine generator system. The gas turbine engine generator system may include a turbine, a generator, and a shaft. The turbine drives the generator via the shaft. A torsional damping coupling may be positioned about the shaft so as to limit the transmission of torque to the turbine during a generator based fault event.

Claims

1. A gas turbine engine generator system, comprising:

a turbine;

a generator;

wherein the turbine drives the generator via a shaft; and

a torsional damping coupling positioned about the shaft.

2. The gas turbine engine generator system of claim 1, wherein the torsional damping coupling comprises an inner part and an outer part.

3. The gas turbine engine generator system of claim 2, wherein the torsional damping coupling comprises a spring set positioned between the inner part and the outer part.

4. The gas turbine engine generator system of claim 3, wherein the spring set comprises a plurality of springs and a plurality of oil chambers.

5. The gas turbine engine generator system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of torsional damping couplings.

6. The gas turbine engine generator system of claim 1, wherein the torsional damping coupling limits a transmission of torque from the generator to the turbine.

7. The gas turbine engine generator system of claim 6, wherein the torsional damping coupling limits the transmission of torque from the generator to the turbine caused by a fault event.

8. The gas turbine engine generator system of claim 1, wherein the torsional damping coupling comprises an oil based damper.

9. The gas turbine engine generator system of claim 1, wherein the torsional damping coupling comprises a spring based damper.

10. A method of operating a gas turbine engine generator system, comprising:

positioning a torsional damping coupling about a shaft between a generator and a turbine;

driving the generator by the turbine via the shaft;

generating torque in the generator during a fault event; and

damping a transmission of torque from the generator to the turbine by the torsional damping coupling.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of damping a transmission of torque from the generator to the turbine by the torsional damping coupling comprises oil based damping.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of damping a transmission of torque from the generator to the turbine by the torsional damping coupling comprises creating hydraulic friction.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of damping a transmission of torque from the generator to the turbine by the torsional damping coupling comprises spring based damping.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of damping a transmission of torque from the generator to the turbine by the torsional damping coupling comprises bending a plurality of spring.

15. A gas turbine engine generator system, comprising:

a turbine;

a generator;

wherein the turbine drives the generator via a shaft; and

a torsional damping coupling positioned about the shaft;

wherein the torsional damping coupling comprises an inner part and an outer part separated by a spring set.

16. The gas turbine engine generator system of claim 15, wherein the spring set comprises a plurality of springs and a plurality of oil chambers.

17. The gas turbine engine generator system of claim 15, further comprising a plurality of torsional damping couplings.

18. The gas turbine engine generator system of claim 15, wherein the torsional damping coupling limits a transmission of torque from the generator to the turbine caused by a fault event.

19. The gas turbine engine generator system of claim 15, wherein the torsional damping coupling comprises an oil based damper.

20. The gas turbine engine generator system of claim 15, wherein the torsional damping coupling comprises a spring based damper.