Method for minimizing the gap between a rotor and a housing

Abstract

A method for minimizing the gap between a rotor, particularly a rotor vane, and a housing, particularly a housing of a turbine, wherein the gap between rotor and housing is adjustable is provided. The method includes displacing rotor and housing with respect to one another, to provide a simple way of minimizing the gap between rotor and housing. An output signal from a structure-borne sound monitoring system assigned to the rotor and / or housing is taken as a metric for the size of the gap and thus for setting a minimum gap.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is the US National Stage of International Application No. PCT / EP2013 / 064901 filed Jul. 15, 2013, and claims the benefit thereof. The International Application claims the benefit of German Application No. DE 102012213016.0 filed Jul. 25, 2012. All of the applications are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.FIELD OF INVENTION[0002]The invention relates to a method for minimizing the gap between a rotor, especially a rotor blade, and a housing, especially a housing of a turbine, wherein the gap between rotor and housing can be adjusted, especially by displacement of the rotor and the housing in relation to each other. It also relates to a turbine, especially a gas turbine, comprising a rotor, especially a rotor blade, and a housing, wherein the gap between rotor and housing can be adjusted by means of an adjusting device, especially by displacement of rotor and housing in relation to each other.BACKGROUND OF I...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention aims to provide a simple and cost-effective method to minimize the gap between the rotor and housing in a turbine. This is done by using acoustic detection of vibrations generated by blade tips hitting the housing. The system uses non-invasive sensors that can be attached in the outer regions of the housing. This allows for accurate and easy adjustment of the minimum gap between the rotor and housing, resulting in improved efficiency and power output of the turbine. The invention also has environmental benefits with reduced fuel and emissions levels.

Problems solved by technology

In order to achieve a high level of efficiency, the gap between blade tip and housing is to be minimal, however, since fluid flows through the gap past the rotor blades and therefore does not contribute to energy generation.

These methods which are known from the prior art, however, necessitate a high equipment cost or are not very accurate so that in practice only a displacement of the rotor by a fixed, predetermined length is frequently applied.

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