SEAL DESIGN STRUCTURE AND ACTIVE CLEARANCE CONTROL METHOD FOR TURBOMACHINES

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an improved labyrinth seal design structure and actuation control clearance method for active clearance control and span reduction in turbomachines.SOLUTION: Provided are a labyrinth seal design, an actuation control clearance method, and a method of operating a turbomachine. The labyrinth seal design includes a plurality of features configured to increase and decrease radial clearances in response to relative axial movement between a stationary component and a rotating component. The actuation control clearance method and the method of operating a turbomachine effectively achieve relative motion between the rotating component and the stationary component by using active elements. Axial displacement of the rotating component relative to the stationary component enables an adjustment in a radial clearance at one or more sealing locations between the rotating component and the stationary component to suit a given operating condition of the turbomachine.