System for controlling the thrust affecting a shaft

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention provides a system for controlling the overall thrust extorted on a rotor. The system includes a chamber that encloses a portion of the rotor. A seal system may seal the chamber and the rotor. A fluid system may provide a pressurized fluid to the chamber and the fluid may oppose the thrust exerted by the rotor. The system may also include a control system configured for monitoring the position of the rotor; and utilizing the pressurized fluid to reduce the overall thrust load.

1 . A system for controlling a thrust load experienced by a rotor, the system comprising:
 a chamber configured for controlling a thrust load on rotor, wherein the chamber encloses a portion of the rotor and comprises a first port and a second port that allow for a fluid to enter and to exit the chamber, wherein the fluid substantially surrounds the portion of the rotor;   a seal system configured for operatively connecting the chamber and the rotor; wherein the first port is located upstream of the seal system and the second port is located downstream of the seal system;   a fluid supply system configured for delivering the fluid to the chamber; and   a controller configured for utilizing the fluid to vary a thrust load.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising: a first valve located upstream of the first port, wherein the first valve allows for the fluid at a first pressure to enter the chamber; and a second valve located downstream of the second port, wherein the second valve allows for the fluid at a second pressure to exit the chamber. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the chamber is positioned adjacent an end of the rotor. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the chamber is positioned adjacent an intermediate location of the rotor. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the fluid comprises a hydraulic fluid. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the fluid supply system comprises an accumulator configured for regulating a pressure of the hydraulic fluid within the chamber. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the accumulator is integrated with an upper limit switch and a lower limit switch, wherein the upper and the lower limit switches are configured for maintaining the hydraulic fluid within a range. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the fluid supply system comprises a supply tank and a pump; wherein after the lower limit switch is triggered the pump operates to replenish the accumulator with the hydraulic fluid; and wherein after the upper limit switch is triggered, a portion of the hydraulic fluid within the accumulator discharges to the supply tank. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the fluid supply system receives the hydraulic fluid from an oil system. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the chamber further comprises: a third port and a fourth port, wherein the third and fourth ports allow the hydraulic fluid to enter and to exit the chamber, wherein the third port is integrated with a third valve and the fourth port is integrated with a fourth valve, and wherein the third and fourth valves are located upstream of the third and fourth ports, respectively. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a blocking valve positioned downstream of the fluid supply system and upstream of the first port and the second port. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the blocking valve comprises: a first position that allows for the fluid to exit the chamber via the second port and return to the fluid supply system; and a second position that allows for the fluid to exit the chamber via the first port and return to the fluid supply system; and wherein the controller determines a position of the blocking valve. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the fluid comprises a pneumatic fluid. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the fluid supply system comprises at least one pressure reducing valve for regulating a pressure of the pneumatic fluid within the chamber. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising a first pressure reducing valve located upstream of the first valve, and a second pressure reducing valve located downstream of the second valve. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , further comprising a third valve located downstream of the first valve, and a fourth valve located upstream of the second valve; wherein the third valve and the fourth valve are operatively integrated by a pneumatic supply header. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising a third pressure reducing valve configured for regulating a supply pressure of the pneumatic fluid. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the third pressure reducing valve is integrated with the pneumatic supply header and is located upstream of the third valve and the fourth valve. 
     
     
         19 . A system for controlling a thrust load acting on a rotor, the system comprising:
 a chamber configured for controlling a thrust load on a rotor of a turbomachine, wherein the chamber encloses a portion of the rotor and comprises a first port and a second port that allows for a hydraulic fluid to enter and to exit the chamber, wherein the hydraulic fluid substantially surrounds the portion of the rotor;   further comprising: a first valve located upstream of the first port, wherein the first valve allows for the hydraulic fluid at a first pressure to enter the chamber; and a second valve located downstream of the second port, wherein the second valve allows for the hydraulic fluid at a second pressure to exit the chamber;   a seal system configured for operatively connecting the chamber and the rotor; wherein the first port is located upstream of the seal system and the second port is located downstream of the seal system;   a hydraulic supply system configured for delivering the hydraulic to the chamber;   an accumulator configured for regulating a pressure of the hydraulic fluid within the chamber; and   a controller configured for determining a current position of the rotor and for utilizing the hydraulic fluid to vary a thrust load.   
     
     
         20 . A system for controlling a thrust load that affects a position of a rotor, the system comprising:
 a chamber configured for controlling a thrust load on a rotor of a turbomachine, wherein the chamber encloses a portion of the rotor and comprises a first port and a second port that allows for a pneumatic fluid to enter and to exit the chamber, wherein the pneumatic fluid substantially surrounds the portion of the rotor;   further comprising: a first valve located upstream of the first port, wherein the first valve allows for the pneumatic fluid at a first pressure to enter the chamber; and a second valve located downstream of the second port, wherein the second valve allows for the pneumatic fluid at a second pressure to exit the chamber;   a seal system configured for operatively connecting the chamber and the rotor; wherein the first port is located upstream of the seal system and the second port is located downstream of the seal system;   a pneumatic supply system configured for delivering the pneumatic to the chamber;   at least one pressure reducing valve for regulating a pressure of the pneumatic fluid within the chamber; and   a controller configured for determining a current position of the rotor and for utilizing the pneumatic fluid to vary a thrust load.