Patent · US Expired

Tip clearance control apparatus for a turbo-machine blade

US5203673A · kind A · utility

77Cited by
8References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJan 21, 1992
Grant dateApr 20, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 21, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF01D11/22
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for controlling rotating blade tip clearance in a turbo-machine utilizing conical tipped blades. The apparatus comprises an approximately conical blade ring mounted for axially sliding displacement in the turbo-machine cylinder. The conical blade ring encircles the tips of the rotating blades and forms a blade tip clearance therebetween. The tip clearance is controlled during operation of the turbo-machine by axially displacing the conical blade ring. Piston cylinders, actuated by pressurized fluid extracted from the turbo-machine, are used to displace the blade ring. Springs, adapted to bias the blade ring into a position of increased tip clearance, oppose the piston cylinder so that failure of the piston cylinder will not result in a loss of tip clearance. A blade tip clearance sensor transmits information on the tip clearance to a controller that automatically adjusts the blade ring axial position to continuously maintain the optimum tip clearance by regulating the pressure of the fluid supplied to the piston cylinders.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.