Passive clearance control for a centrifugal impeller shroud

US10704560B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Rolls-Royce Corporation · US

Inventors

• Grace Aker · Indianapolis, US
• Michael Nesteroff · Indianapolis, US
• Mark E. Whitlock · Zionsville, US
• Cassandra Cummings · Indianapolis, US
• Jonathan Acker · Westfield, US
• Younes Khamliche · Carmel, US
• Nathanael Cooper · Avon, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 13, 2018
• Grant date: Jul 7, 2020
• Expiry date: Jan 3, 2039

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F05D2300/50212
• WIPO field: Engines, pumps, turbines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A centrifugal impeller shroud assembly has a dynamically moveable impeller shroud for encasing a rotatable centrifugal impeller and resolving misalignment between the impeller shroud and the rotatable centrifugal impeller. The assembly comprises a static casing, an impeller shroud, a shroud arm, and a thermal member. The shroud arm is coupled between the casing and the impeller shroud. The thermal member is coupled to the impeller shroud and has a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) lower than the CTE of the shroud. The shroud arm comprises a flexible portion configured to flex responsive to a differential pressure across the shroud arm.