On-Line Thermal Balancing Technique for a Large Turbo-Generator

Abstract

In this paper a new technique is proposed to rebalance automatically a large turbo-generator during operation. The sensitivity of the rotor unbalances to thermal asymmetries in the rotor is exploited by mounting some heating elements and using them as actively controlled actuators. The shaft vibrations are measured and used as input signals of the feedback controller. Unbalances thus can be compensated during rotor operation. A theoretical model of the thermo-elastic rotor has been developed and an appropriate closed-loop control system has been designed. The simulation results are verified on a special test rig with digital control allowing for varioius control strategies and various operating conditions.