Compensating ring for a rotary machine

Claim 1

In a rotary machine having an inner casing coaxially aligned within an outer casing to provide an annular space therebetween, the space being pressurized under operating conditions whereby the adjacent walls of the two casings are moved apart due to thermal growth and pressure expansion, the improvement comprising a centering ring positioned within the annular space for supporting the two casings in coaxial alignment about a common axis as the casings move apart, the ring including an annular axial extending resilient beam coaxially aligned with the casings, two end members supporting the beam in a deflected condition therebetween whereby the end members are securely seated in holding contact against one of the adjacent casing walls, the beam being arranged to react uniformally when unloaded in a direction towards the other adjacent casing wall, and an annular reaction pad centrally located along the axial length of the beam on a side opposite to that upon which the beam is seated upon the end members and being arranged to move into holding contact against said other adjacent wall casing to deliver a uniform holding force thereupon to hold the two casings in centered alignment as they move away from each other during periods of thermal growth and pressure expansion.