Patent · US Expired

Methods and apparatus for maintaining rotor assembly tip clearances

US7165937B2 · kind B2 · utility

23Cited by
42References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 6, 2004
Grant dateJan 23, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 16, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T29/49323
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method enables a gas turbine engine to be assembled. The method comprises coupling a rotor assembly including a plurality of circumferentially-spaced rotor blades downstream from, and in flow communication with, a compressor, coupling a casing assembly circumferentially around the rotor assembly such that a clearance is defined between an inner shroud surface of the casing assembly and the rotor blade tips, and coupling a clearance control system to the casing assembly to facilitate maintaining the clearance between the casing assembly and the rotor blade tips, wherein at least a portion of an external surface of the clearance control system is formed with a textured pattern that facilitates increasing the clearance control closure capability during engine operation.

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