Apparatus and method for adjusting a bearing array in a gas turbine aircraft engine

Abstract

An apparatus and method for adjusting a bearing array, specifically for a gas turbine aircraft engine, is disclosed. The bearing array has a first stator-side, or fixed, bearing ring and a second rotor-side, or rotating, bearing ring, where rolling elements are located between the stator-side bearing ring and the rotor-side bearing ring. Transducers are assigned to the stator-side bearing ring to determine the position of the stator-side bearing ring and actuators govern the position of the stator-side bearing ring.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
   
   
       11 . A bearing array, specifically for a gas turbine aircraft engine, having a first stator-side, or fixed, bearing ring and a second rotor-side, or rotating, bearing ring, where rolling elements are located between the stator-side bearing ring and the rotor-side bearing ring, wherein transducers are assigned to the stator-side bearing ring to determine a position of the stator-side bearing ring and actuators are assigned to the stator-side bearing ring to govern the position of the stator-side bearing ring. 
   
   
       12 . The bearing array according to  claim 11 , wherein a combined measurement and actuating element is assigned to the stator-side bearing ring, wherein the measurement and actuating element includes a transducer and an actuator. 
   
   
       13 . The bearing array according to  claim 12 , wherein at least three combined measurement and actuating elements are assigned to the stator-side bearing ring which are arranged equidistant around a circumference of the stator-side bearing ring. 
   
   
       14 . The bearing array according to  claim 11 , wherein the transducers determine the position of the stator-side bearing ring relative to a set position. 
   
   
       15 . The bearing array according to  claim 11 , wherein the actuators govern the position of the stator-side bearing ring relative to a set position. 
   
   
       16 . The bearing array according to  claim 11 , wherein, with aid of the actuators, the stator-side bearing ring is adjustable in two directions both running perpendicular to a rotational axis of the rotor-side bearing ring. 
   
   
       17 . The bearing array according to  claim 11 , wherein the actuators are configured as piezo-ceramic actuators. 
   
   
       18 . The bearing array according to  claim 11 , wherein an actual value determined by the transducers for the position of the stator-side bearing ring is compared with a set value in a control or feedback device, where the control or feedback device generates a control signal for the actuators as a function of the comparison between the set value and the actual value. 
   
   
       19 . The bearing array according to  claim 11 , wherein the stator-side bearing ring is configured as an outer bearing ring and the rotor-side bearing is configured as an inner bearing ring. 
   
   
       20 . The bearing array according to  claim 11 , wherein the actuators are in contact with the stator-side bearing ring through a crowned contact surface and wherein through the comparison of the actual value and the set value the crowned contact surface is kept in contact with the stator-side bearing ring. 
   
   
       21 . A bearing array, comprising:
 a fixed bearing ring including a transducer and an actuator; and   a rotating bearing ring disposed opposite the fixed bearing ring;   wherein the transducer determines a position of the fixed bearing ring and wherein the actuator governs the position of the fixed bearing ring.   
   
   
       22 . The bearing array according to  claim 21 , wherein the transducer provides the position to a control device and wherein the control device compares the position to a desired position. 
   
   
       23 . The bearing array according to  claim 22 , wherein the control device sends a positioning signal to the actuator based on the comparison of the position to the desired position. 
   
   
       24 . The bearing array according to  claim 23 , wherein the actuator governs the position of the fixed bearing ring in response to the positioning signal received from the control device. 
   
   
       25 . The bearing array according to  claim 21 , wherein the actuator includes a contact surface and wherein the actuator governs the position of the fixed bearing ring such that the contact surface remains in contact with the fixed bearing ring. 
   
   
       26 . The bearing array according to  claim 25 , wherein the actuator includes a piezo-ceramic material. 
   
   
       27 . The bearing array according to  claim 21 , wherein the actuator is radially moveable within the fixed bearing ring. 
   
   
       28 . A method for adjusting a bearing array, wherein the bearing array includes:
 a fixed bearing ring including a transducer and an actuator; and   a rotating bearing ring disposed opposite the fixed bearing ring;   and comprising the steps of:   determining a position of the fixed bearing ring by the transducer and governing the position of the fixed bearing ring by the actuator.   
   
   
       29 . The method according to  claim 28 , further comprising the step of providing the position to a control device by the transducer and comparing the position to a desired position by the control device. 
   
   
       30 . The method according to  claim 29 , further comprising the step of sending a positioning signal to the actuator by the control device based on the comparing step.