System for controlling the thrust affecting a shaft

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention provides a system for controlling the overall thrust extorted on a rotor. The system includes a chamber that encloses a portion of the rotor. A seal system may seal the chamber and the rotor. A fluid system may provide a pressurized fluid to the chamber and the fluid may oppose the thrust exerted by the rotor. The system may also include a control system configured for monitoring the position of the rotor; and utilizing the pressurized fluid to reduce the overall thrust load.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to the operation of a turbomachine, and more particularly, to a system for reducing the axial thrust load acting on a turbomachine rotor.Turbomachines, such as steam turbines, gas turbines, and the like, operate in a wide variety of applications, including, but not limited to, power generation and propulsion. As the turbomachine operates, the turbomachine rotor experiences high levels of axial thrust (hereinafter “thrust”, “thrust load”, or the like). A known solution for transferring the thrust load from rotating to stationary components employs thrust bearings, which absorb the thrust load without interfering with the rotation of the rotor and associated components. In general, the level of thrust experienced by thrust bearings varies. Differences in rotor manufacture, and changes in flow path pressure, can produce large fluctuations in the thrust load. Some turbomachines employ large thrust bearings to reduce thes...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present application describes embodiments of a system for controlling a thrust load experienced by a turbomachine rotor. An embodiment of the system may include a chamber that partially surrounds a portion of the rotor (hereinafter “rotor portion”, or the like). This chamber may be substantially filled with a pressurized fluid that does not derive from the turbomachine. The chamber may include a first port and a second port that allow the fluid to flow through the chamber. The system may also include a seal system configured for operatively connecting the chamber and the rotor portion. A controller may determine the position of the rotor portion; and utilize the pressurized fluid to move the rotor in a direction that lessens the thrust load.

Problems solved by technology

Differences in rotor manufacture, and changes in flow path pressure, can produce large fluctuations in the thrust load.

Large thrust bearings require substantial amounts of fluid and experience large friction losses; which may cause excessive power losses and reduce the overall efficiency of the turbomachine.

However, this solution decreases the overall efficiency of the turbomachine.

Images