Fluidic actuator for application inside turbomachinery

US8327752B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• General Electric Company · US

Inventors

• Kripa K. Varanasi · Lexington, US
• Shorya Awtar · Ann Arbor, US
• Frederick George Baily · Ballston Spa, US
• Mark Edward Burnett · Buskirk, US
• Farshad Ghasripoor · Berkeley, US
• Imdad Imam · Schenectady, US
• Norman Arnold Turnquist · Carlisle, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 27, 2006
• Grant date: Dec 11, 2012
• Expiry date: Dec 3, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F16J9/064
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Disclosed is an actuator that includes a cylinder having an input port, a piston disposed at least partially inside of the cylinder, and one or more piston rings disposed in a circumferential piston ring groove or grooves. The actuator also includes at least one spring, inserted into the circumferential piston ring groove adjacent to the one or more piston rings and a high pressure side of said piston ring. The spring preloads the one or more piston rings to seal between a low pressure face of the one or more piston rings and a low pressure face of the circumferential piston ring groove. The invention also includes a method for moving an adjustable seal in a radial direction using the piston-ring sealed actuator. The method includes moving the adjustable seal in an axial direction, breaking a primary axial contact between the adjustable seal and a primary sealing face.