General Electric Company

Nicolas Antoine

Rahul Jaikaran Chillar

Ezio Pena

Adil Ansari

Erwing Calleros

Jean-louis Vignolo

Prabhakaran Saraswathi Rajesh

Jose-Quintino Da-Costa

Embodiments of the invention can provide systems and methods for adjusting clearances in a turbine. According to one embodiment, there is disclosed a turbine system. The system may include one or more turbine blades, a turbine casing encompassing the one or more turbine blades, a thermoelectric element disposed at least partially about the turbine casing, a cooling system in communication with the thermoelectric element, and a controller in communication with the cooling system and the thermoelectric element. The controller may be operable to control the expansion or contraction of the turbine casing by heating or cooling at least a portion of the turbine casing with the thermoelectric element and by adjusting the cooling system such that a clearance between the one or more turbine blades and the turbine casing is adjusted.

Systems and methods for adjusting clearances in turbines

Embodiments of the invention can provide systems and methods for adjusting clearances in a turbine. According to one embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a turbine system. The system may include one or more turbine blades; a turbine casing encompassing the one or more turbine blades; and a thermoelectric element disposed at least partially about the turbine casing, wherein the thermoelectric element expands or contracts the turbine casing by heating or cooling at least a portion of the turbine casing, thereby adjusting a clearance between the one or more turbine blades and the turbine casing.

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Belfort, France

Nicolas Antoine