Self-Adjusting Device for Controlling the Clearance Between Rotating and Stationary Components of a Thermally Loaded Turbo Machine

• US 20130101391A1
• Filed: 09/17/2012
• Published: 04/25/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ansaldo Energia Switzerland AG
• Original Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd. (Alstom SA)
• Inventors: Szwedowicz, Jaroslaw Leszek, Mozharov, Alexey, Boettcher, Jonas, Schiedeck, Florian
• Granted Patent: US 9,963,988 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 415/12
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 11/00 Preventing or minimising internal leakage of working-fluid, e.g. between stages sealings in general F16J ; sealing arrangements for transition ducts of combustor cans F01D9/023
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 11/18 using stator or rotor components with predetermined thermal response, e.g. selective insulation, thermal inertia, differential expansion
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 11/22 by mechanically actuating the stator or rotor components, e.g. moving shroud sections relative to the rotor
• CPC Class Codes: F03G 7/065 using a shape memory element
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2300/505 Shape memory behaviour
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/60 Efficient propulsion technologies, e.g. for aircraft

Abstract

A self-adjusting device (25) for controlling the clearance (C), especially in the radial direction, between rotating and stationary components (21, 23) of a thermally loaded turbo machine, changes clearance (C) in a linear and/or non-linear way during transition of the machine between standstill and steady-state operation. Simple and effective control can be achieved, even in the case of a nonlinear variation of the clearance during transitional operation, by the self-adjusting device (25) including at least two different driving elements (A, B) to move the rotating and fixed components (21, 23) relative to each other in order to change the clearance (C) between them, and by the different driving elements (A, B) being configured to be activated at different times during the transition of the machine.

Claims

1. A self-adjusting device useful for controlling the clearance between rotating and stationary components of a thermally loaded turbo machine, which clearance changes in a non-linear way during transition of the machine between standstill and steady-state operation, the self-adjusting device comprising:

at least two different driving elements configured and arranged to move the rotating and fixed components relative to each other and to change said clearance when positioned in said machine, wherein the at least two different driving elements are configured and arranged to be activated at different times during said transition of the machine.

2. A self-adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein:

the clearance runs through a minimum (C_pp) during transition of the machine between standstill and steady-state operation; and

one of the at least two different driving elements is configured and arranged to reduce a distance between said rotating and stationary components when activated, and another of the at least two different driving elements is configured and arranged to increase a distance between said rotating and stationary components when activated.

3. A self-adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein the at least two different driving elements are configured and arranged to be automatically activated when a predefined activation temperature is reached.

4. A self-adjusting device according to claim 3, wherein the at least two different driving elements have the same activation temperature but are arranged within the self-adjusting device such that they reach their activation temperature at different times during said transition of the machine.

5. A self-adjusting device according to claim 3, wherein the at least two different driving elements have different activation temperatures and are arranged within the self-adjusting device such that they are exposed to the same temperature conditions during the transition of the machine.

6. A self-adjusting device according to claim 1, the self-adjusting device is configured and arranged to cause movement of the rotating and stationary components relative to each other in the radial direction, the axial direction, or both directions.

7. A machine comprising:

a self-adjusting device according to claim 1; and

said rotating and stationary components, which comprise rotating blades, stationary vanes, or both, said rotating blades and/or stationary vanes comprising respective blade or vane tips and associated heat shields arranged opposite to the respective blade or vane tips, and wherein the self-adjusting device is drivingly connected to at least one of said associated heat shields.

8. The machine according to claim 7, wherein the self-adjusting device is connected directly to at least one of said associated heat shields.

9. The machine according to claim 7, further comprising a mechanical transmission, and;

wherein the self-adjusting device is connected by said mechanical transmission to at least one of said associated heat shields.

10. A machine according to claim 7, wherein the machine is a compressor or gas turbine.

11. A self-adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein said at least two different driving elements are configured and arranged to deform in an elastic, super-elastic, or pseudo-elastic manner above a threshold value of temperature, pressure, or mechanical loading.

12. A self-adjusting device according to claim 11, wherein said at least two different driving elements comprise a bimetal system, a shaped memory alloy (SMA) system, or both,

13. A self-adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein said at least two different driving elements are configured and arranged to directly sense a temperature at the turbo machine and to be activated when said sensed temperature reaches their activation temperature.

14. A self-adjusting device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a temperature sensor configured and arranged to sense a temperature at the turbo machine; and

an activation mechanism or circuit in communication with said temperature sensor, said activation mechanism or circuit being configured and arranged to activate said at least two different driving elements when said sensed temperature reaches said activation temperature.

15. A self-adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein the at least two different driving elements are configured and arranged to store and release potential energy.

16. A self-adjusting device according to claim 15, wherein the at least two different driving elements each comprise a spring.

17. A self-adjusting device according to claim 15, further comprising:

return springs configured and arranged to act in at least one direction opposite to a direction of movement of the at least two different driving elements.

18. A self-adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one of the rotating and stationary components to be moved is moveably supported in a support, and wherein the at least two different driving elements are configured and arranged to act between said at least one of the rotating and stationary components to be moved and said support.