Device for determining running gaps in compressors of gas turbine engines

Abstract

Device for determining running gaps in compressors of gas turbine engines, in particular between a rotating sealing fin of an inner air seal and a sensor element arranged on a seal carrier, characterized in that: - the sealing fin has indentations at several circumferential positions, - at least one capacitive probe is arranged on the seal carrier, which is aligned with the sealing fin, - the capacitive probe is connected to a capacitive probe driver, wherein a periodic alternating signal can be generated during a relative movement between the sealing fin and the probe, in particular during rotation of the sealing fin, the signal peaks of which are caused by the indentations, - wherein an amplitude of the signal peaks is a measure of the radial distance between the sealing fin and the probe, - and wherein the probe has a circumferentially varying extent in the axial direction, in particular a trapezoidal or tapered geometry.- such that the width of the signal peaks provides information about the axial position of the sealing fin relative to the probe, - wherein the device is designed to take the information about the axial position into account to correct any tilting or axial misalignment of the probe due to installation tolerances, so that a corrected measurement of the running gap can be determined.