초록 ▼

A system for controlling blade tip clearance in a turbine. The system includes a stator including a shroud having a plurality of shroud segments and a rotor including a blade rotatable within the shroud. An actuator assembly is positioned radially around the shroud and includes a plurality of actu

A system for controlling blade tip clearance in a turbine. The system includes a stator including a shroud having a plurality of shroud segments and a rotor including a blade rotatable within the shroud. An actuator assembly is positioned radially around the shroud and includes a plurality of actuators. A sensor senses a turbine parameter and generates a sensor signal representative of the turbine parameter. A modeling module generates a tip clearance prediction in response to turbine cycle parameters. A controller receives the sensor signal and the tip clearance prediction and generates at least one command signal. The actuators include at least one actuator receiving the command signal and adjusts a position of at least one of the shroud segments in response to the command signal.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A system for controlling blade tip clearance in a turbine, the system comprising: a stator including a shroud having a plurality of shroud segments; a rotor including a blade rotatable within said shroud; an actuator assembly positioned radially around said shroud, sai

The invention claimed is: 1. A system for controlling blade tip clearance in a turbine, the system comprising: a stator including a shroud having a plurality of shroud segments; a rotor including a blade rotatable within said shroud; an actuator assembly positioned radially around said shroud, said actuator assembly including a plurality of actuators; a sensor for sensing a turbine parameter and generating a sensor signal representative of said turbine parameter; a modeling module generating a tip clearance prediction in response to turbine cycle parameters; a controller receiving said sensor signal and said tip clearance prediction and generating at least one command signal; said actuators including at least one actuator receiving said command signal and adjusting a position of at least one of said shroud segments in response to said command signal. 2. The system of claim 1 wherein: said at least one command signal includes a plurality of command signals; each of said plurality of actuators receiving a respective command signal to adjust a position of a respective one of said shroud segments. 3. The system of claim 1 wherein: said stator includes an inner casing mechanically coupled to said shroud, said actuator assembly positioned radially around said inner casing. 4. The system of claim 1 wherein: said controller derives an actual turbine parameter in response to said sensor signal; said controller generating said at least one command signal in response to said actual turbine parameter. 5. The system of claim 1 wherein: said modeling module generates said tip clearance prediction in real-time. 6. The system of claim 1 wherein: said modeling module updates a model used for generating said tip clearance prediction in response to environmental changes. 7. The system of claim 1 wherein: said modeling module updates a model used for generating said tip clearance prediction in response to engine degradation. 8. The system of claim 1 wherein: said actuator includes a circumferential screw coupled to a drive mechanism, said command signal being applied to said drive mechanism to control rotation of said circumferential screw. 9. The system of claim 1 wherein: said actuator includes a radial screw coupled to a drive mechanism, said command signal being applied to said drive mechanism to control rotation of said radial screw. 10. The system of claim 1 further comprising: a passive tip clearance control apparatus operating in conjunction with actuators to position at least one of said shroud segments. 11. A method for controlling blade tip clearance in a turbine having a blade rotating within a shroud having a plurality of shroud segments, the method comprising: obtaining a turbine parameter, wherein obtaining the turbine parameter includes receiving a sensed parameter and deriving an actual turbine parameter in response to said sensed parameter; generating a tip clearance prediction in response to turbine cycle parameters; generating at least one command signal in response to said turbine parameter and said tip clearance prediction; providing said command signal to an actuator to adjust a position of at least one of said shroud segments. 12. The method of claim 11 wherein: said at least one command signal includes a plurality of command signals, said providing including providing said command signals to a plurality of actuators to adjust a position of a plurality of said shroud segments. 13. The method of claim 11 wherein: said generating said tip clearance prediction is preformed in real time. 14. The method of claim 11 further comprising: updating a model used for generating said tip clearance prediction in response to environmental changes. 15. The method of claim 11 further comprising: updating a model used for generating said tip clearance prediction in response to engine degradation. 16. A system for controlling blade tip clearance in a turbine, the system comprising: a stator including a shroud having a plurality of shroud segments; a rotor including a blade rotatable within said shroud; an actuator assembly positioned radially around said shroud, said actuator assembly including a plurality of actuators; a sensor for sensing a turbine parameter and generating a sensor signal representative of said turbine parameter; a modeling module generating a tip clearance prediction in response to turbine cycle parameters; a controller receiving said sensor signal and said tip clearance prediction and generating at least one command signal; said actuators including at least one actuator receiving said command signal and adjusting a position of at least one of said shroud segments in response to said command signal, wherein said actuator includes an inflatable bellows in fluid communication with a pump, said command signal being applied to said pump to control pressure of said inflatable bellows.