Bearing rotor thrust control

US10830092B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• General Electric Company · US

Inventors

• Kyle Robert Snow · Loveland, US
• Andrew Michael Tompkins · Cincinnati, US
• Andrew Michael Watson · Cincinnati, US
• Philip Joseph Ogston · Blue Ash, US
• Christopher Michael Thompson · Sharonville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 7, 2018
• Grant date: Nov 10, 2020
• Expiry date: Nov 4, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02T50/60
• WIPO field: Engines, pumps, turbines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Rotor thrust balancing systems for turbomachines and methods of using the same are generally disclosed. For example, a rotor thrust balancing system for a turbomachine, wherein the turbomachine defines a centerline extending the length of the turbomachine. The system includes a rotating drive shaft, a thrust bearing, and a first waveguide sensor. The rotating drive shaft couples a turbine section and a compressor section of the turbomachine. The thrust bearing supports the rotating drive shaft of the turbomachine. The thrust bearing includes a plurality of ball bearings, an inner race coupled to the rotating drive shaft, and an outer race coupled to a fixed structure. The first waveguide sensor is coupled to the outer race at a first end of the waveguide sensor. The waveguide sensor communicates a vibrational frequency from the thrust bearing to a second end of the waveguide sensor.