System and method for thrust bearing actuation to actively control clearance in a turbo machine
US9593589B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 28, 2014 |
| Grant date | Mar 14, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 21, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16C2360/23
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An actuation system to control clearance in a turbomachine including a shaft bearing including at least one axially displaceable thrust bearing. The axially displaceable thrust bearing configured to axially displace a rotating component relative to a stationary component to control the clearance therebetween. The system further including a plurality of actuators coupled to the at least one axially displaceable thrust bearing and configured to actuate the at least one axially displaceable thrust bearing to control the clearance. The plurality of actuators is configured to deactivate a diametrically opposed actuator in the event of an actuator failure to maintain zero moment. In a topography network, each diametrically opposed actuator pair is coupled to a single control line. In an alternate topography network, alternating actuators are coupled to a single control line. In addition, a method of actuating a thrust bearing to control clearance in a turbomachine is disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.