Patent US4222708A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4222708A
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Method and apparatus for reducing eccentricity in a turbomachine
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1978-06-26
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Granted: 1980-09-16
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Expires: 1998-06-26
Abstract
Abstract An inherent eccentricity between the rotor bearings and the stator shroud is reduced by intentionally fabricating into each of a pair of frame annuluses, outer and inner surfaces which are relatively eccentric, and then rotating the annuluses with respect to each other until the inherent eccentricity is substantially offset. A method is provided to determine the optimum relative rotational positions as a function of the measured inherent eccentricity, and restrictions in the number of possible rotational positions are considered.
Inventors
- 👤 Samuel H. Davison
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 19:29
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01D; F01D25/00; F01D25/24; F01D25/26; F01D25/265; F01D25/243; F01D25/28; F05; F05D; F05D2230/00; F05D2230/60; F05D2230/64; F05D2230/644; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S403/00; Y10S403/07
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
An improved turbomachine structure of the type having a bearing supported rotor and a surrounding frame supported shroud which is susceptible to eccentricity with respect to the bearing wherein the improvement comprises: (a) a first frame element having outer and inner annular surfaces with centers that are relatively radially offset by a first predetermined distance; (b) a second frame element having outer and inner annular surfaces with centers that are relatively radially offset by a second predetermined distance; and (c) means for relatively rotating said first and second frame elements to selected positions so as to substantially reduce any existing eccentricity between the shroud and the bearing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
An improved turbomachine structure of the type having a bearing supported rotor and a surrounding frame supported shroud which is susceptible to eccentricity with respect to the bearing wherein the improvement comprises: (a) a first frame element having outer and inner annular surfaces with centers that are relatively radially offset by a first predetermined distance; (b) a second frame element having outer and inner annular surfaces with centers that are relatively radially offset by a second predetermined distance; and (c) means for relatively rotating said first and second frame elements to selected positions so as to substantially reduce any existing eccentricity between the shroud and the bearing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
An improved turbomachine structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and second predetermined distances are substantially equal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
An improved turbomachine structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and second frame elements are telescopically interconnected.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
An improved turbomachine structure as set forth in claim 3 wherein said first frame element inner annular surface has substantially the same center as said second frame element outer annular surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
An improved turbomachine structure as set forth in claim 3 wherein said first frame element outer annular surface and said second frame element inner surface have centers which are offset in the same direction from the center of said first frame element inner annular surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
An improved turbomachine structure as set forth in claim 5 wherein said first and second predetermined distances are substantially equal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
An improved turbomachine structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first frame element comprises a low pressure shroud support element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
An improved turbomachine structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said second frame element comprises a low pressure nozzle support element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
128 words
In a turbomachine structure of the type having a bearing supported rotor and a surrounding frame supported shroud which is susceptible to eccentricity with respect to the bearing, a method of reducing such eccentricity comprising the steps of: (a) fabricating a first frame element with outer and inner annular surfaces whose centers are relatively radially offset by a first predetermined distance; (b) fabricating a second frame element with outer and inner surfaces whose centers are relatively radially offset by a second predetermined distance; (c) assembling said first and second frame elements in a stationary structure which interconnects the bearing and shroud; and (d) rotating said first and second frame elements to selected circumferential positions so as to substantially reduce any existing eccentricity between the shroud and the bearing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
128 words
In a turbomachine structure of the type having a bearing supported rotor and a surrounding frame supported shroud which is susceptible to eccentricity with respect to the bearing, a method of reducing such eccentricity comprising the steps of: (a) fabricating a first frame element with outer and inner annular surfaces whose centers are relatively radially offset by a first predetermined distance; (b) fabricating a second frame element with outer and inner surfaces whose centers are relatively radially offset by a second predetermined distance; (c) assembling said first and second frame elements in a stationary structure which interconnects the bearing and shroud; and (d) rotating said first and second frame elements to selected circumferential positions so as to substantially reduce any existing eccentricity between the shroud and the bearing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as set forth in claim 9 wherein said first and second predetermined distances are substantially equal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as set forth in claim 9 wherein said first and second frame elements are assembled in adjoining relationship.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as set forth in claim 9 and including the step, after assembly, of measuring the eccentricity of the shroud with respect to the bearing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as set forth in claim 9 wherein said first and second frame elements are assembled such that the radial offset of said first frame element is in the opposite direction from the radial offset of said second frame element.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as set forth in claim 12 and including the step of determining the circumferential positions of said first and second frame elements that would offset the measured eccentricity.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as set forth in claim 14 and including the step of circumferentially rotating said first and second frame elements to the nearest possible positions to those determined to be offsetting.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-09-16 | 1984-03-17 | 1984-09-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-09-16 | 1988-03-17 | 1988-09-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-09-16 | 1992-03-17 | 1992-09-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |