Turbomachine Balancing System Dynamic Clearance Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing balancing systems for turbomachines face a compromise between assembly ease, leakage minimization, and mechanical interference risk, requiring a fixed clearance size that is suboptimal under varying operating conditions.
Innovation Solution
A balancing system with a frustum-shaped balancing body and sealing ring, where the clearance size is dynamically adjusted based on rotation speed, temperature, and pressure, using an adjuster mechanism to maintain optimal clearance during operation, reducing the risk of interference and leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If a small fixed clearance is used between the balancing cylinder and sealing ring, then leakage is reduced, but the risk of mechanical interference increases during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the clearance variable rather than fixed. The adjuster mechanism dynamically adjusts the axial position of the sealing ring to maintain an optimal clearance value that adapts to changing operating conditions such as temperature, pressure, and rotation speed, thereby simultaneously minimizing leakage and preventing mechanical interference
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of clearance from a fixed value to a variable value that can be adjusted based on operating conditions. The adjuster mechanism modifies the axial position of the sealing ring, thereby changing the clearance parameter to optimize performance across different operating states
2Reliability
If a large fixed clearance is used between the balancing cylinder and sealing ring, then mechanical interference is avoided, but leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the clearance dynamic through the adjuster mechanism, which continuously or periodically adjusts the sealing ring position to maintain an optimal clearance value, thereby avoiding the need to use a large fixed clearance that would prevent interference but increase leakage
Solution Approach 2:
The clearance parameter is changed from a large fixed value to a variable value that is optimized for each operating condition, reducing leakage while maintaining reliability
3Ease of manufacture
If a fixed clearance size is used in the balancing system, then assembly is simplified, but performance is suboptimal under varying operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dynamic adjustment capability through the adjuster mechanism, which compensates for the simplicity of fixed assembly by enabling real-time optimization of clearance based on operating conditions such as temperature, pressure, and rotation speed
Solution Approach 2:
The adjuster mechanism enables the system to self-adjust and optimize its own performance by automatically modifying the clearance based on feedback from operating conditions, thereby achieving adaptability without complicating the overall system design
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
This approach allows for continuous optimization of clearance size, minimizing leakage and mechanical interference while maintaining assembly ease, thereby reducing the axial thrust on thrust bearings and improving the rotor-dynamic behavior of turbomachines.
Implementation Method 1
a cylinder of a balance drum, such as for example the ones shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, may change its position and/or its shape and/or its size due to pressures of fluids inside the turbomachine, heating of components of the turbomachine, rotation of a rotor of the turbomachine
Data Source
AI summary
The balancing system has a balancing body to be mounted on a rotor of a turbomachine and a sealing ring to be mounted on a stator of the turbomachine; the sealing ring is arranged around the balancing body so that the balancing body can rotate about a rotation axis, thus there is a clearance between the body and the ring; furthermore, there is an arrangement for changing an axial position of the sealing ring during operation of the turbomachine so that the clearance can be adjusted. The possibility of adjusting clearance during operation of the turbomachine, such balancing system provides a good balancing action with a small leakage and a small risk of mechanical interference at any time during operation of the turbomachine.