APPARATUS FOR ADJUSTING AXIAL DIRECTION COMPONENT OF CLEARANCE BETWEEN RADIAL INFLOW GAS TURBINE AND TURBINE COVER

摘要

An apparatus for controlling the axial component of the running clearance between a radial inflow turbine and a cooperating turbine shroud. The turbine is fixed to a shaft which is rotatably supported at one end by a frame assembly (11, 31). The shaft and the turbine change in position in the axial direction relative to the shroud with changes in turbine operating temperature. The apparatus comprises a shroud mounting assembly (13), in which the shroud is attached to the mounting assembly, a turbine nozzle assembly (24), which is connected to the shroud mounting assembly, a slidable connection (29) between the turbine nozzle assembly and the frame, providing axial sliding movement, and struts (36) for controlling the axial position of the turbine nozzle assembly relative to the frame. The struts compensate for changes in the turbine axial position and control the relative axial displacement of the shroud. The struts fixedly connect the turbine nozzle assembly to the frame. The struts are positioned to be subjected to temperature changes corresponding to the turbine temperature changes and have a preselected axial length. The struts are also formed from a material having a preselected thermal expansion coefficient.