Blade Tip Clearance Control with Cylinder Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blade tip clearance control systems in gas turbines are prone to failure due to long-time operation fatigue or abrasion of parts, leading to deteriorated compressor performance and potential blade fracturing, especially when the hydraulic clearance control device malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
A blade tip clearance control apparatus that includes a rotor with a thrust collar and thrust bearings, a hydraulic clearance control device with locking mechanisms to restrict movement, and an emergency hydraulic circuit, allowing for dynamic and automatic adjustment of clearance without design changes, ensuring stable operation even in emergency situations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a hydraulic clearance control device is used to dynamically control blade tip clearance, then compressor performance is improved, but the system becomes vulnerable to failure due to long-time operation fatigue or abrasion of parts
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is activated in advance to restrict the movement range of the hydraulic cylinder before failure can occur. This preliminary action prevents the hydraulic cylinder from moving beyond safe limits, thereby protecting against potential control failure due to long-time operation fatigue or abrasion.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism serves as a safety buffer that prevents excessive movement of the hydraulic cylinder. By restricting the movement range beforehand, it cushions against the harmful effects of hydraulic system failure, ensuring the blade tip clearance remains within safe operational limits even when the hydraulic device malfunctions.
2Manufacturing precision
If the hydraulic clearance control device operates continuously to maintain optimal clearance, then blade tip clearance control precision is improved, but the life span of hydraulic components decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous operation, the hydraulic clearance control device operates periodically or on-demand to adjust the blade tip clearance. The locking mechanism maintains the clearance between adjustments, allowing the hydraulic device to remain stationary for extended periods, thereby reducing wear and extending component life span while maintaining control precision when needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the movement range of the hydraulic cylinder is unrestricted to allow full adjustment capability, then clearance adjustment flexibility is improved, but the risk of control failure and blade fracturing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is positioned and activated in advance to establish safe movement limits for the hydraulic cylinder. This preliminary restriction prevents the cylinder from moving beyond predetermined safe ranges, thereby eliminating the risk of blade tip clearance control failure and subsequent blade fracturing while still allowing sufficient adjustment flexibility for normal operational requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus prevents blade tip clearance control failures, enhances operational stability, and extends the life span of hydraulic components by reducing actual operation hours and ensuring safe operation even during hydraulic system malfunctions.
Implementation Method 1
a first hydraulic cylinder for moving any one of the pair of thrust bearings in a forward axial direction and a second hydraulic cylinder for moving the remaining thrust bearing in a backward axial direction
Data Source
AI summary
A blade tip clearance control apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a rotor, a hydraulic clearance control device, and a cylinder locking device. The rotor includes a thrust collar, a pair of thrust bearings axially supporting the thrust collar, and a plurality of radially extending blades. The hydraulic clearance control device includes a first hydraulic cylinder moving any one of the pair of thrust bearings in a forward axial direction and a second hydraulic cylinder moving the other thrust bearing in the reverse axial direction. The cylinder locking device includes a first locking device restricting a forward moving distance of the first hydraulic cylinder and a second locking device restricting a reverse moving distance of the second hydraulic cylinder.