Method and system for controlling distortion of turbine case due to thermal variations

US6691019B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• General Electric Company · US

Inventors

• Charles Erklin Seeley · Niskayuna, US
• Ramanath Iyer Ramakrishnan · Niskayuna, US
• James Claeys · Anderson, US
• Martel Alexander McCallum · Simpsonville, US
• Anthony Constantine Thermos · Greer, US
• Hsin-Pang Wang · Rexford, US
• Weiping Wang · Palo Alto, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 21, 2001
• Grant date: Feb 10, 2004
• Expiry date: Jul 15, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F05D2270/44
• WIPO field: Engines, pumps, turbines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A method for controlling distortion of a turbine case (“case”) includes measuring a temperature distribution for the case that includes thermal gradients. The method further includes modeling thermal stresses on the case induced by the thermal gradients, calculating an out of roundness index (“index”) resulting from the thermal stresses, and comparing the index with at least one distortion limit to determine whether the case has a satisfactory or an unsatisfactory index. The temperature distribution is controlled for an unsatisfactory index to produce the satisfactory index. A system for controlling distortion of the turbine case includes a thermal measurement system, for measuring the temperature distribution, and a computer configured for modeling the thermal stresses, calculating and comparing the index with the distortion limit, and controlling the temperature distribution for an unsatisfactory index to produce the satisfactory index.