Rotary machine having spacers for control of fluid dynamics

Abstract

A system includes a rotary machine with a fluid flow path extending along an axis of the rotary machine, a plurality of airfoils disposed about the axis, and a plurality of spacers disposed about the axis. Each spacer of the plurality of spacers is disposed circumferentially between adjacent airfoils of the plurality of airfoils to define a circumferential spacing of the airfoils about the axis.

1 . A system, comprising:
 a rotary machine comprising:
 a fluid flow path extending along an axis of the rotary machine; 
 a plurality of airfoils disposed about the axis; and 
 a plurality of spacers disposed about the axis, wherein each spacer of the plurality of spacers is disposed circumferentially between adjacent airfoils of the plurality of airfoils to define a circumferential spacing of the airfoils about the axis. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the circumferential spacing of the plurality of airfoils is configured to reduce resonant behavior in the rotary machine. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the rotary machine comprises a turbine. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the rotary machine comprises a compressor. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the rotary machine comprises a stator and a rotor, the plurality of airfoils are coupled to the rotor, and the plurality of spacers are coupled to the rotor. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the rotary machine comprises a stator and a rotor, the plurality of airfoils are coupled to the stator, and the plurality of spacers are coupled to the stator. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of spacers have an equal width in a circumferential direction about the axis. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of replacement spacers configured to replace the plurality of spacers, wherein the plurality of replacement spacers have a different width than the plurality of spacers. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of second airfoils and a plurality of second spacers disposed about the axis, wherein each second spacer of the plurality of second spacers is disposed circumferentially between adjacent second airfoils of the plurality of second airfoils to define a second circumferential spacing of the second airfoils about the axis. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the circumferential spacing of the plurality of airfoils is configured to reduce resonant behavior in the rotary machine, and the second circumferential spacing of the plurality of second airfoils is configured to reduce resonant behavior in the rotary machine. 
     
     
         11 . A system, comprising:
 a rotary machine comprising:
 a fluid flow path; and 
 a plurality of segments disposed in an annular arrangement along the fluid flow path, wherein the plurality of segments comprise spacer segments and flow control segments, the flow control segments protrude into the fluid flow path, and each spacer segment is disposed circumferentially between adjacent flow control segments to define a circumferential spacing of the flow control segments. 
   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the circumferential spacing of the flow control segments is configured to reduce resonant behavior in the rotary machine. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the rotary machine comprises a turbine, a compressor, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of segments are stationary, and the flow control segments comprise stationary vanes. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of segments are rotatable, and the flow control segments comprise rotatable blades. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the spacer segments have an equal width in a circumferential direction about the annular arrangement. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , comprising replacement spacer segments configured to replace the spacer segments, wherein the replacement spacer segments have a different width than the spacer segments. 
     
     
         18 . A method, comprising:
 mounting a plurality of airfoil segments in a rotary machine along a fluid flow path; and   spacing the plurality of airfoil segments in a circumferential spacing with a plurality of spacer segments.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , comprising reducing resonant behavior in the rotary machine by adjusting a number of the plurality of airfoil segments and by adjusting a width and number of the plurality of spacer segments. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein mounting comprising removably attaching the plurality of airfoil segments and the plurality of spacer segments in a turbine, a compressor, or a combination thereof.