• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    A rotary machine sealing device includes an electrodynamically suspended seal (50). The electrodynamically suspended seal (50) includes a first member (56) comprising an electrically conductive material and a second member (64) comprising a magnetic material. At least one of the first member (56) and second member (64) is configured to rotate about an axial axis (22). The first element (56) and second element (64) are arranged adjacent to one another. The rotational movement of at least one of the first member (56) and the second member (64) causes a levitation force to repel the first member (56) and the second member (64). The electrodynamically suspended seal (50) further includes a third member (95, 104) adapted to generate a counterforce.
    公开号:CH708636B1
    申请号:CH00099/15
    申请日:2013-07-31
    公开日:2017-10-31
    发明作者:Singh Anurag；Hernandez Sanchez Nestor；Michael Fogarty James
    申请人:Gen Electric；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    Description Background of the Invention The subject matter disclosed herein relates to sealing devices and, more particularly, to sealing devices for rotating machinery, such as e.g. Turbomachinery.
    Turbomachinery generally transfer energy between a rotating element, or rotor, and a fluid. In turbines, energy is transferred from the fluid to the rotor, and in compressors, energy is transferred from the rotor to the fluid. For example, a steam turbine draws heat energy from a pressurized steam to perform work to rotate the rotor or a shaft. The steam may flow through one or more turbine stages to produce electrical power or energy for mechanical drive, such as, e.g. a compressor to produce. While the steam flows through the stages, useful work is done. However, because there are both rotating and stationary parts in the steam turbine, there will be passages through which steam will seep through. Alternatively, there will be a leakage path between the rotating and stationary parts, and this leakage path will be affected by the seal configuration and the radial gap between these parts. In addition, the seals may be subject to wear caused by various conditions, such as e.g. Starting, transitions, malfunctions and shutdowns are caused, resulting in downtime and additional costs for the replacement of the seals. Alternatively, the seals may be designed with increased leakage to increase their life, but with the disadvantage of reduced turbo machine efficiency and performance.
    Brief Description of the Invention [0003] According to the invention, a sealing device for a rotary machine comprises an electrodynamically levitated seal. The electrodynamically suspended seal includes a first element comprising an electrically conductive material and a second element comprising a magnetic material. At least one of the first and second members is configured to rotate about an axial axis. The first and second elements are arranged adjacent to each other. The rotational movement of at least one of the first and second members causes a levitation force, so that the first and second members are repelled from each other. The electrodynamically suspended seal also includes a third element configured to generate a counterforce.
    In one embodiment, the sealing device includes a seal control device configured to adjust a separation distance between the first element and the second element of the electrodynamically levitated seal. The first element comprises an electrically conductive material configured to rotate about an axial axis. The second element is arranged surrounding the rotating element along the circumference. The second element comprises a magnetic material. The rotational movement of the first element causes a levitation force, so that the first and the second element are repelled from each other. The electrodynamically suspended seal includes a third element configured to generate a counterforce.
    According to the invention, a method of sealing a rotating machine comprises surrounding a first element with a second element of an electrodynamically levitated seal. The second element comprises a magnetic material. The method further includes rotating the first member of the electrodynamically suspended seal about the axial axis. The first element comprises an electrically conductive material and the rotation of the first element causes a levitation force such that the first and second elements repel each other. The method further includes providing a third element configured to generate a counterforce that opposes the levitation force and providing an operating distance between the first element and the second element that is greater than a threshold by adjusting at least one of the levitation force or the counterforce or any combination of these.
    BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood upon reading the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters represent like parts throughout the figures, in which: FIG.
    1 shows a longitudinal section of a turbine system according to an embodiment;
    FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of an electrodynamically levitated seal for use in shaft sealing according to an embodiment; FIG.
    3 is a partial perspective view of an electrodynamically levitated seal for use in the tip seal according to one embodiment;
    4 shows a radial cross-sectional view of an electrodynamically suspended seal according to an embodiment; and
    5 is a radial cross-sectional view of an electrodynamically suspended seal during a transient condition according to one embodiment.
    Detailed Description of the Invention Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below.
    When elements of various embodiments of the present invention are introduced, the articles "one, one, one, the, the, and the said, said," mean that one or more of the elements can be present or can. The terms "comprising", "containing" and "having" are intended to be inclusive and to have the meaning that additional elements other than the listed elements may be present.
    The present disclosure relates to turbomachinery having seals, and more particularly to electrodynamically suspended seals. The turbomachine may e.g. a gas turbine, a steam turbine, a water turbine (for example a Pelton, Francis or Kaplan turbine), a compressor or any other type of rotating machine. The electrodynamically suspended seal may be used as a barrier to limit undesired flow of fluid through the turbomachine. For example, the electrodynamically levitated seal may be used to reduce the leakage of a process fluid from the turbomachinery or to reduce the leakage of process fluid from one portion of the turbomachine to another by reducing the physical radial gap between rotating and sealing portions of the turbomachine , According to the invention, the electrodynamically levitated seal comprises a first element, a second element and a third element. The first element comprises an electrically conductive material and the second element comprises a magnetic material. At least one of the first and second members rotates about an axial axis of the turbomachine. In addition, the first and second elements are disposed adjacent to each other. For example, one of the first and second members may surround the other member along the circumference. The electrodynamically levitated seal is arranged such that the rotational movement of at least one of the first and second members generates a levitation force so that the first and second members are repelled from each other. The third element generates a counterforce to counteract the levitation force so that the first and second elements maintain their positions relative to each other despite the levitation force. The electrodynamically suspended seal may be used to achieve a reduced radial clearance (clearance) between the first and second members as compared to conventional seals. The leakage reductions achieved using the electrodynamically suspended seal result in increased performance of the turbomachine compared to that possible with conventional seals.
    Disclosed embodiments of the electrodynamically suspended seal may be capable of reacting to movement of components of the turbomachine and / or transition states of the turbomachine to help block leakage of fluids. In addition, the electrodynamically levitated seal may be able to block leakage without the use of an active control system because the electrodynamic suspension of the seal is inherently stable. In other words, the relationship between the levitation and counterforce of the electrodynamic seal helps to maintain the distance between the first and second members without having to monitor and / or control the positions of the members, thereby enabling the first and second members is to be arranged in a closer distance to each other. The electrodynamically levitated seal can thus provide improved sealing performance compared to conventional seals. Also, by not using an active control system in certain applications, the electrodynamically levitated seal may consume less energy than actively controlled sealing systems. In other embodiments, a control system with the electrodynamically suspended seal may be used to enhance or control various aspects of the sealing system. The control system can be used, for example, to control the electrical current through electromagnets of the electrodynamically levitated seal, thereby reducing the radial gaps (gaps) between components of the turbomachinery during a variety of operating phases, e.g. Startup, normal operation, shutdown, fault conditions, power dips, speed (or speed) changes, etc., to be adjusted. In other embodiments, the control system used with the electrodynamically suspended seal need not be limited to only these functions. In other words, embodiments of the electrodynamically suspended seal may optionally be used with a variety of control systems that may assist in improving the performance of the sealing system. Further, the superior sealing performance achieved by the electrodynamically suspended seal may allow the turbomachinery to operate without secondary sealing systems, thereby improving the efficiency and performance of the turbomachine and reducing capital expenditures associated with the operation of the turbomachine.
    Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a turbine system 10 or a turbomachine, which may include a variety of components, some of which are not shown for the sake of simplicity. In the following description, reference will be made to a radial direction or axis 4, an axial direction or axis 6 and a circumferential direction 8 with respect to a longitudinal axis 22 of the turbine system 10. In the illustrated
    Embodiment, the turbine system 10 a compressor section 12, a combustion chamber section 14 and a turbine section 16 on. The components of the compressor and turbine sections 12 and 16 are similar to each other. For the sake of brevity, only the components of the turbine section 16 are designated in FIG. 1 and described below. However, these components may also be present in the compressor section 12. The turbine section 16 includes a stationary housing 18 and a rotating member 20 or rotor that rotates about the axis 22. Movable vanes 24 are fixed to the rotating member 20, and stationary vanes 26 are fixed to the stationary housing 18. The movable blades 24 and the stationary blades 26 are alternately arranged in the axial direction 6. There are a variety of possible locations where the electrodynamically suspended seal assemblies 50 may be installed in accordance with various embodiments, such as e.g. a location 28 between a shrouded movable blade 24 and the stationary housing 18, a location 30 between the rotating element 20 and the stationary blade 26, or a sealing location 32 of an end seal between the rotating element 20 and the stationary housing 18 Illustrating the turbine system 10 shown in FIG. 1 similar to a gas turbine engine, the use of the embodiments of the electrodynamically suspended seal assemblies 50 is not limited to only gas turbines. Instead, the electrodynamically suspended seal assembly 50 may be used at any sealing location used in any turbomachinery, such as a turbine engine. in gas turbines, steam turbines, water turbines, compressors or in any other rotary machine can be found.
    The electrodynamically suspended seal assembly 50 described herein has one or more barriers that restrict unwanted flow of fluid through the seal assembly. In particular, by restricting unwanted flow, each segment of the electrodynamically suspended seal assembly 50 is capable of being individually adjusted to reduce leakage. The seal assembly 50 described herein may be used with any suitable rotary machine, such as a rotary press machine. the turbine system 10 of FIG. 1, but not limited to be used. In the illustrated embodiments, the barriers of the electrodynamically suspended seal assembly 50 may reduce axial leakage between the rotating member 20 and the stationary housing 18. In particular, in the embodiments described below, the rotating element 20 rotates relative to the stationary housing 18.
    Fig. 2 is a partial perspective view of one embodiment of an electrodynamically suspended seal 50. Air, fuel, steam, water or other fluids enter an upstream side 52 and exit at a downstream side 54. As shown in FIG. 2, the rotating element 20 rotates about the axis 22. In addition, a first element 56 of the electrodynamically suspended seal 50 is arranged on the rotating element 20. According to the invention, the first element 56 is made of an electrically conductive material. In particular, the electrically conductive material of the first element 56 may be a metal such as e.g. Copper or iron, or any other material that allows for electrodynamic levitation (e.g., alloys with outstanding eddy current induction properties). In the illustrated embodiment, the first member 56 has a plurality of annular strips of the electrically conductive material disposed on a surface of the rotating member 20. The use of copper and similar conductive materials for the first element 56 may be desirable because of its compatibility with the high operating temperatures of the turbine system 10. In further embodiments, the first element 56 may be disposed below the surface of the rotating element 20. In further embodiments, the rotating element 20 may be made partially or in its entirety from the electrically conductive material. As shown in Fig. 2, each of the plurality of strips of the first element 56 has a width 60 and is separated from the other strips by a separation distance 62 between the strips.
    As shown in FIG. 2, a second member 64 of the electrodynamically suspended seal 50 may be disposed adjacent the first member 56. The second element 64 of the electrodynamically suspended seal 50 comprises a magnetic material. In particular, the second element 64 may comprise an electromagnet or a permanent magnet. The electromagnet has a ferromagnetic core surrounded by a coil that conducts electric current flow, and the permanent magnet is made of a magnetized material. The second member 64 may include an inner portion 66 disposed between the rotating member 20 and the stationary housing 18. Multiple barriers 68 configured to block an axial flow of fluids through the electrodynamically suspended seal 50 may be connected to the inner portion 66. Examples of barriers 68 include, but are not limited to, brushes, resilient plates, blades, fingers, teeth, clamps, wires, etc. Each of the barriers 68 may be separated from the rotating element 20 by a separation distance 70 (e.g., a distance in the radial direction 4) between the first element 56 and the second element 64. The reduction of the separation distance 70 helps to reduce axial flow (e.g., leakage) through the electrodynamically suspended seal 50. During operation of the turbine system 10, the electrodynamically suspended seal 50 may assist in maintaining the separation distance 70 below a threshold that may be between about 0.025-0.4 mm, 0.075-0.25 mm, or 0.13-0.18 mm can. In certain embodiments, the electrodynamically suspended seal 50 may assist in keeping the separation distance 70 below about 0.13 mm. The separation distance 70 maintained by the electrodynamically suspended seal 50 may be less than what may be obtained using conventional sealing systems, for the reasons described below.
    The second member 64 may further include an outer portion 72 disposed in an opening 74 formed in the stationary housing 18. The outer portion 72 may include components of the electrodynamically suspended seal 50 located farther away from the rotating member 20. For example, an electromagnet 76 may be disposed in the inner portion 66. The electromagnet 76 may include a north pole 78 and a south pole 80. In other embodiments, the positions of north pole 78 and south pole 80 may be reversed. In the illustrated embodiment, an imaginary plane 81 of a magnetic flux of the electromagnet 76 is parallel to the axial axis 6 and the axis 22 of the rotating element 20. In other embodiments, the levitation force between the first and second elements 56 and 64 may be generated even then when the plane 81 of the magnetic flux of the electromagnet 76 is not parallel to the axial axis 6 and the axis 22. As shown in FIG. 2, the wires 82 may be coupled to the electromagnet 76 in the inner portion 66 and guided into the outer portion 72. In particular, the wires 82 may be connected to the terminals 84 located in the outer portion 72. Flexible wires 86 may be used to transmit electrical power from the connectors 88 disposed in the aperture 74 to the connectors 84 disposed in the outer portion 72. In certain embodiments, the flexible wires 86 may be configured as coils to enable the outer portion 72 to move in the radial direction 6 toward or away from the rotating member 20. External wires 90 may be used to connect the connectors 88 to an electrical supply 92 that provides electrical power to the solenoid 76. The components of the outer portion 72 and the electrical supply 92 may be located farther away from the high temperatures of the turbine system 10, and thus may be made of materials other than the inner portion 66 or the first member 56.
    The electrodynamically suspended seal 50 operates on the basis of the principle of electrodynamic suspension. As shown in Fig. 2, the first member 56 of the rotating member 20 rotates with respect to the second member 64 (e.g., the solenoid 76). In other embodiments, the second member 64 may rotate with respect to the first member 56, or both the first and second members 56 and 64 may rotate relative to each other. The relative rotational movement between the first and second members 56 and 64 causes a levitation force such that the first and second members 56 and 64 are expelled from each other. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, when the rotating member 20 (e.g., the first member 56) rotates, it moves in the magnetic field of the solenoid (e.g., the second member 64). The rotation of the rotating element 20 causes eddy currents in a direction which, according to Lenz's rule, counteracts any change in the magnetic field (e.g., by a displacement). The eddy currents cause a magnetic field that is opposite to the magnetic field of the electromagnet 76. In other words, the first element 56 effectively generates a magnetic mirror of the electromagnet 76. When the rotating element 20 rotates at a certain speed, the variable magnetic field in the first element 56 induces a magnetic field that opposes the electromagnet 76. Any change in the rotational speed of the rotating member 20 or the distance between the first and second members 56 and 64 thus affects the levitation force.
    The electrodynamically levitated seal 50 further includes a third member disposed in the stationary housing 18 that generates a counterforce that opposes the levitation force (the third member may, for example, repel the second member 64 against the levitation force). The third element may be a spring 95 or a magnet 104, which may be a permanent magnet or an electromagnet. For example, the spring 95 may assist in biasing the outer portion 72 away from the rotating member 20 against the levitation force. The inherently stable arrangement of the electrodynamically suspended seal 50 achieved by the balance between levitation and counterforce, as described, does not utilize an active control system, thereby reducing capital expenditures, operating expenses, and the complexity of the seal 50. As described below, a controller may be used to alter the current through the solenoid 76 or the electromagnet 104, thereby changing the normal separation distance 70. The controller may, but need not, be used to continuously alter or adjust the separation distance 70 during normal operation of the turbine system 10. For example, the controller may be used to adjust the separation distance 70 during transient conditions (e.g., a greater separation distance 70 during a drive, disturb, or shutdown). As shown in FIG. 2, the electromagnet 104 may be disposed between the outer portion 72 and the connectors 88 in the opening 74 of the stationary housing 18.
    When the electrodynamically suspended seal 50 is operated, a displacement of the rotating element 20 from a normal position may cause the separation distance 70 to be reduced for a short time. This displacement can be counteracted by the levitation force between the first and second members 56 and 64, which causes the second member 64 to move away from the rotating member 20, thereby returning the separation distance 70 to its normal value. Similarly, the separation distance 70 may increase for a short time as the rotating member 20 moves away from the second member 64. The counterforce of the third element (e.g., spring 95 or magnet 104) is opposite to the levitation force and may then cause the second element 64 to move toward the rotating element, thereby returning the separation distance 70 to its normal value. The electrodynamically suspended seal 50 may thus be described as self-adjusting. In other words, the electrodynamically suspended seal 50 assists in maintaining a desired separation distance 70 without external input or control.
    Some variables may be used to adjust the normal separation distance 70 of the electrodynamically suspended seal 50. For example, the amount of electrically conductive material in the first element 56 (e.g., width 60, spacing 62 or thickness) or the magnetic strength of the second element 64 may be varied to adjust the levitation force and thereby the normal separation distance 70. For example, when the second member 64 is a permanent magnet, a magnet having a different magnetic strength may be used to set the normal separation distance 70. Alternatively, when the solenoid 76 is used for the second member 64, the electric current flowing through the coils may be varied to set the normal separation distance 70. In addition, the speed of the rotating element 20 may affect the separation distance 70. The separation distance 70 may decrease, for example, at low speeds and increase at higher speeds. A controller described in detail below may thus be used to counteract this tendency. Further, the magnet used as a permanent magnet or the current flowing through the electromagnet 76 may be selected on the basis of the magnetic field strength corresponding to a desired separation distance 70 for a particular operating speed of the rotating element 20. In addition, the third element (e.g., spring 95 or magnet 104) may be varied to adjust the drag force and thereby the normal separation distance 70. For example, if the third element is the spring 95, the materials or the amount of compression of the spring 95 can be varied. When the third element is a permanent magnet 104, a magnet having a different magnetic strength may be used to set the normal separation distance 70. Alternatively, when the third element is an electromagnet 104, the electric current flowing through its coils may be varied to set the normal separation distance 70.
    In certain embodiments, the electrodynamically suspended seal 50 may include one or more stops 94 configured to assist in preventing the barriers 68 from contacting the rotating element 20. As described above, the electrodynamic beating requires relative rotational movement between the first and second members 56 and 74. During startup and shutdown situations where the rotating member 20 does not rotate at full speed, the levitation force of the electrodynamically suspended seal 50 may be less , The mechanical stops 94 may thus be used during these situations to assist in maintaining the separation distance 70. In other words, the mechanical stops 94 may function as an emergency measure if the electrodynamically suspended seal 50 stops functioning for some reason. The mechanical stops 94 may, for example, be arranged between the outer sections 72 and the stationary housing 18. The location of the mechanical stop 94 can thus help to prevent the outer portion 72 from moving in the radial direction 4 toward the rotating member 20, further than the mechanical stop 94 permits. In other embodiments, an abradable material 97 may be disposed between the first and second members 56 and 64 (e.g., disposed on an external surface of the first member 56). The abradable material 97 may rub off after contact of the first member 56 with the second member 64, which may occur when the electrodynamically suspended seal 50 stops functioning for some reason.
    In certain embodiments, a controller 96 may be used to control the solenoid 76 or the solenoid 104 of the third element via the electrical power supplied by the electrical supply. In particular, the controller 96 may be used to adjust the separation distance 70 between the rotating member 20 and the barriers 68 of the second member 64. For example, the controller 96 may receive a signal 98 from a sensor 100 (e.g., a proximity sensor) disposed between the rotating member 20 and the stationary housing 18. The sensor 100 may provide an indication of the separation distance 70. To adjust the separation distance 70, the controller 96 may send an output signal 102 to the electrical supply 92 to adjust the magnetic flux of the solenoid 76. For example, to increase the separation distance 70 (eg, above the threshold to help prevent unwanted contact between components), the controller 96 may be used to increase and / or increase the electrical power supplied to the solenoid 76 to increase the levitation force to reduce the counterforce to reduce the electric power supplied to the electromagnet 104. In other embodiments, to reduce the separation distance 70 (eg below a threshold to help reduce leakage), the controller 96 may be used to reduce the electrical power supplied to the solenoid 76 to reduce the levitation force and / or to increase the level Counterforce to increase the electromagnet 104 supplied electrical power. The controller 96 may, but need not, be used to adjust the solenoid 76 during operation of the turbine system 10. For example, the electrodynamically suspended seal 50 may continuously maintain the separation distance 70 in response to transients of the turbine system 10, and the controller 96 may be used to adjust the normal separation distance 70 maintained by the electrodynamically suspended seal 50. For example, the controller 96 may specify a greater separation distance 70 during start-up of the turbine system 10 and then reduce the separation distance 70 once the turbine system 10 has reached a stable operating condition. The controller 96 may also adjust the separation distance 70 by means of the solenoid 76 or the solenoid 104 during normal operation to achieve a different amount of leakage or efficiency. Again, in certain embodiments, the electrodynamically suspended seal 50 maintains the separation distance 70 continuously as the turbine system 10 transitions from startup to normal operation.
    Fig. 3 shows a partial perspective view of an electrodynamically suspended seal 120 which may be used for tip sealing. As shown in Fig. 3, a movable blade 24 (e.g., a bucket of the compressor section 12 or a bucket of the turbine section 16) may rotate about the axis 22 of the turbine system 10. In certain embodiments, the moving blades 24 may include a blade tip cover 122 to cover the edges of the moving blades 24. In the illustrated embodiment, the blade tip cover 122 includes the first member 56. The blade tip cover 122 has, in particular, strips of the electrically conductive material, such as the first element 56. In other embodiments, the entire blade tip cover 122 may be made of the electrically conductive material. As shown in Fig. 3, a plurality of tips 124 (e.g., teeth or other types of barriers) may be connected to the blade tip cover 122 to assist in impeding axial flow through the turbine system 10. The barriers 68 of the second member 64 may be disposed in the gaps between the tips 124 in a staggered arrangement to help create a tortuous path for the fluid flowing through the turbine system 10. In addition, the barriers 68 may be disposed directly opposite each of the strips of the second member 56. Otherwise, the electrodynamically suspended seal 120 is similar to that shown in FIG.
    4 shows an axial cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the electrodynamically suspended seal 50. As shown in FIG. 4, the electrodynamically suspended seal 50 surrounds the rotating element 20. In addition, the electrodynamically suspended seal 50 has a plurality of segments 138 which enclose the surrounding rotating element20. As described below, the use of the segments 138 in the electrodynamically suspended seal 50 of the gasket 50 can help better cope with deviations in the circumferential direction 8 about the axis 22. For example, the electrodynamically suspended seal 50 may include a first pair 140 of segments 138, a second pair 142 of segments 138, and a third pair 144 of segments 138. As shown in FIG. 4, the segments 138 of each of the pairs 140, 142, and 144 are disposed diametrically opposite each other about the axis 22. The magnetic strength of each pair 140, 142 and 144 may be approximately the same. In other embodiments, the number of segments 138 in the electrodynamically suspended seal 50 may be greater or less than that shown in FIG. 4. Each of pairs 140, 142 and 144 of segments 138 may be controlled independently of the other pairs. In other words, each of the pairs 140, 142 and 144 can be synchronized. Thus, each of the segments 138 of the electrodynamically suspended seal 50 may function independently of all other segments 138 of the seal 50.
    5 shows an axial cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the electrodynamically suspended seal 50 operating during a condition (e.g., startup, shutdown, or transient condition) of the turbine system 10. In particular, the rotating element 20 may rotate in such a way as to produce an ellipsoidal shape 160 that is separated from the normal position of the rotating element 20 by a separation distance 162. Such an ellipsoidal shape 160 of movement of the rotating element 20 may occur during certain transient conditions of the turbine system 10. As shown in FIG. 5, each pair of segments 140, 142, and 144 may independently move to maintain the separation distance 70 between the ellipsoidal mold 160 and the electrodynamically suspended seal 50. For example, For example, the third pair 144 may move farther away from the normal position of the rotating member 20 in response to the ellipsoidal shape 160. In contrast, the first and second pairs 140 and 142 may move less than the third pair 144.
    As described above, according to the invention, the electrodynamically suspended seal 50 has a first element 56 and a second element 64. The first element 56 comprises an electrically conductive material and the second element 64 comprises a magnetic material. In certain embodiments, the first element 56 may be disposed on the rotating element 20 of the turbine system 10, and the second element 64 may be disposed in the stationary housing 18. In other embodiments, the first element 56 may be disposed in the stationary housing 18, and the second element 64 may be disposed on the rotating element 20. The electrodynamically suspended seal 50 is configured such that relative rotation between the first and second members 56 and 64 creates a levitation force such that the first and second members 56 and 64 repel each other. The levitation force is counteracted by the counterforce of the third member (e.g., the spring 95 or the magnet 104) so that the electrodynamically suspended seal 50 maintains the separation distance between the first and second members 56 and 64. The electrodynamically suspended seal 50 is thus self-adjusting. In certain embodiments, the controller 96 may be used to adjust the separation distance 70 between the rotating member 20 and the barriers 68 of the second member. The electrodynamically suspended seal 50 operates continuously to maintain the separation distance 70 with or without any active control by the controller 96. The electrodynamically suspended seal 50 may thus consume less electrical energy than conventional actively controlled sealed systems. In addition, the electrodynamically suspended seal 50 may be capable of maintaining a smaller separation distance 70 than conventional sealing systems due to its inherently stable arrangement which reacts to dislocations immediately without using an active control system. The use of the electrodynamically suspended seal
    权利要求:
    Claims (14)
    [1]
    50 in the turbine system 10 (or other rotation system) may therefore help to improve efficiency, reduce maintenance costs, and reduce the capital expenditures associated with the turbine system 10 (or other rotary machine). This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including the creation and use of any devices or systems, and carrying out any incorporated methods belong. claims
    A rotary machine sealing apparatus comprising: an electrodynamically levitated seal (50) comprising: a first member (56) comprising an electrically conductive material; a second member (64) comprising a magnetic material, wherein at least one of the first member (56) and second member (64) is configured to rotate about an axial axis (22), the first member (56 ) and the second member (64) are disposed adjacent to each other and wherein the rotational movement of at least one of the first member (56) and the second member (64) causes a levitation force such that the first member (56) and the second member (64) be rejected from each other; and a third element configured to generate a counterforce to counteract the levitation force.
    [2]
    2. Sealing device according to claim 1, wherein the third element comprises a spring (95), an electromagnet or a permanent magnet (104).
    [3]
    A sealing device according to claim 1, wherein a separation distance (62) between the first member (56) and the second member (64) is maintained below 0.13 mm by applying at least one of the levitation force, the counterforce, or a combination thereof is adjusted.
    [4]
    4. Sealing device according to claim 1, wherein the first element (56) comprises annular strips of electrically conductive material.
    [5]
    A sealing device according to claim 1, comprising an abradable material (97) disposed between the first member (56) and the second member (64), the abradable material (97) being adapted to contact upon contact to rub off the first element (56) and the second element (64).
    [6]
    A sealing device according to claim 1, comprising a mechanical stop (94) arranged to prevent contact of the first member (56) with the second member (64).
    [7]
    A sealing device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: seal control means (96) arranged to adjust a separation distance (62) between the first member (56) and the second member (64).
    [8]
    A sealing device according to claim 7, wherein the seal control means (96) is arranged to apply a first electrical current through a first electromagnet (76) of the first separation element (56) to the second element (64) to adjust the separation distance (62) first element (56) or a second electrical current through a second electromagnet of the third element.
    [9]
    9. A sealing device according to claim 8, wherein the seal control means (96) is arranged to increase the first electric current to increase the levitation force or to reduce the second electric current to reduce the counteracting force to the first element (56) and the second Move element (64) away from each other when the separation distance (62) between the first element (56) and the second element (64) decreases below a threshold.
    [10]
    A sealing device according to claim 9, comprising a proximity sensor (100) arranged to detect the separation distance (62) between the first element (56) and the second element (64) and a signal representative of the separation distance (62). 62) between the first member (56) and the second member (64) is for the seal control means (96) to produce, wherein the proximity sensor (100) between the first member (56) and the second member (64) is arranged ,
    [11]
    11. A sealing device according to claim 9, wherein the second member (64) comprises a plurality of pairs of seal members, each of the pair of seal members comprising a first seal member and a second seal member disposed opposite each other about the axial axis (6), and wherein the seal control means (FIG. 96) is arranged to independently adjust the separation distance between the first member (56) and each of the plurality of pairs of seal members.
    [12]
    A method of sealing a rotary machine by means of a sealing device according to any preceding claim, comprising: surrounding a first member (56) with a second member (64) of an electrodynamically suspended seal (50), the second member (64) engaging comprising magnetic material; Rotating the first member (56) of the electrodynamically levitated seal (50) about the axial axis (22), wherein the first member (56) comprises an electrically conductive material and wherein the rotation of the first member (56) causes a levitation force, so that the first member (56) and the second member (64) are repelled from each other; Providing a third element configured to generate a counterforce to counteract the levitation force; and providing a margin of operation between the first member (56) and the second member (64) greater than a threshold by adjusting at least one of the levitation force or force, or any combination thereof.
    [13]
    13. The method of claim 12, including preventing a contact between the first member (56) and the second member (64) using a mechanical stop (94) coupled to the second member (64), increasing a first electrical Current through a first electromagnet (76) of the second element (64) or reducing a second electric current through a second electromagnet of the third element or a combination of these.
    [14]
    14. The method of claim 12, including sensing the operating distance using a proximity sensor (100) disposed between the first member (56) and the second member (64).
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    DE112013003808T5|2015-04-23|
    US9322478B2|2016-04-26|
    US20140035231A1|2014-02-06|
    WO2014022520A1|2014-02-06|
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    法律状态:
    2017-03-15| NV| New agent|Representative=s name: GENERAL ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY GMBH GLOBAL PATENT, CH |
    2019-02-28| PL| Patent ceased|
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    US13/563,711|US9322478B2|2012-07-31|2012-07-31|Seal system and method for rotary machine|
    PCT/US2013/052947|WO2014022520A1|2012-07-31|2013-07-31|Seal system and method for rotary machine|
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