Systems and methods for monitoring thermal growth and controlling clearances, and maintaining health of turbo machinery applications
First Claim
1. A method of controlling clearance in a turbomachine, comprising:
- providing a closed loop sensed active clearance control system comprising three or more microwave-based sensors disposed adjacent to and opposing one or more components and sub-components of the turbomachine;
determining from a measurement an actual amount of thermal growth on one or more components and said sub-components using said active clearance control system;
determining from a measurement an actual amount of clearance between each of said one or more components and sub-components and a wall adjacent to and opposing said one or more components and sub-components where thermal growth is present using said active clearance control system; and
controlling said amount of clearance based on a difference between a desired amount of clearance and said actual amount of clearance for each of said one or more components and sub-components as determined by said thermal growth using said active clearance control system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for determining thermal growth of motor or engine parts to thereupon control the clearance of motor or engine fan blades is disclosed herein. In addition, a system and method for monitoring the health of a turbine engine, its components and sub-components is also described herein. The system(s) and method(s) described herein permit continuous monitoring during the life of the engine for radial clearances and blade and rotor vibration problems, which will assist in correcting and retaining performance for a longer on-wing time in operation. In addition, inconsistent engine-to-engine performance variations due to component tolerances, engine operation characteristics, and operation during extremes in ambient temperatures can be eliminated or significantly minimized when employing the system(s) and method(s) described herein.
49 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method of controlling clearance in a turbomachine, comprising:
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providing a closed loop sensed active clearance control system comprising three or more microwave-based sensors disposed adjacent to and opposing one or more components and sub-components of the turbomachine;
determining from a measurement an actual amount of thermal growth on one or more components and said sub-components using said active clearance control system;
determining from a measurement an actual amount of clearance between each of said one or more components and sub-components and a wall adjacent to and opposing said one or more components and sub-components where thermal growth is present using said active clearance control system; and
controlling said amount of clearance based on a difference between a desired amount of clearance and said actual amount of clearance for each of said one or more components and sub-components as determined by said thermal growth using said active clearance control system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for monitoring the health of a turbomachine, comprising:
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providing a closed loop sensed active time-of-arrival monitoring system disposed in a wall adjacent to and opposing one or more components and sub-components of the turbomachine;
determining from a measurement a speed of a rotor of a turbine engine of the turbomachine;
determining from said rotor speed an expected time-of-arrival of said one or more components and sub-components using said active time-of-arrival monitoring system;
determining from a measurement an actual time-of-arrival of said one or more components or sub-components at one or more positions using said active time-of-arrival monitoring system;
comparing said actual time-of-arrival with said expected time-of-arrival of said one or more components and sub-components using said active health monitoring system;
determining from said comparison an absence of or a presence of a change in time-of-arrival of said one or more components and sub-components using said active time-of-arrival monitoring system; and
assessing from said comparison the health of said one or more components and sub-components using said active time-of-arrival monitoring system.
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10. A system for controlling clearance in a turbomachine, the system comprising:
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means for determining from a measurement an actual amount of thermal growth on one or more components and said sub-components using said active clearance control system;
means for determining from a measurement an actual amount of clearance between each of said one or more components and sub-components and a wall adjacent to and opposing said one or more components and sub-components where thermal growth is present using said active clearance control system; and
means for controlling said amount of clearance based on a difference between a desired amount of clearance and said actual amount of clearance for each of said one or more components and sub-components as determined by said thermal growth using said active clearance control system. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A turbine engine system, comprising:
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a turbine engine including a case and blades rotatable within said case;
means for determining from a measurement an actual amount of thermal growth on one or more components and said sub-components using said active clearance control system;
means for determining from a measurement an actual amount of clearance between each of said one or more components and sub-components and a wall adjacent to and opposing said one or more components and sub-components where thermal growth is present using said active clearance control system; and
means for controlling said amount of clearance based on a difference between a desired amount of clearance and said actual amount of clearance for each of said one or more components and sub-components as determined by said thermal growth using said active clearance control system. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification