Heating systems for external surface of rotor in-situ in turbomachine

Abstract

Heating systems for a rotor in-situ in a turbomachine are provided. In contrast to conventional systems that merely heat from an external turbine casing, embodiments of the disclosure heat the rotor. In one embodiment, a heating system includes a heating element to heat a portion of an exterior surface of the rotor. In another embodiment, the heating system may include a heating element(s) at least partially positioned within the rotor, and the rotor including the heating system. Each embodiment may include a controller to control operation of the heating element(s).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A heating system for a rotor in-situ in a casing of a turbomachine, the heating system comprising:
 a first heating element configured to heat at least a portion of an external surface of the rotor in-situ in the casing of the turbomachine; and   a controller for controlling operation of the first heating element.   
     
     
         2 . The heating system of  claim 1 , further comprising a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of the at least a portion of the external surface of the rotor and wherein the controller controls operation of the heating element based on the sensed temperature. 
     
     
         3 . The heating system of  claim 1 , wherein the heating element includes an induction heating coil positioned adjacent the at least a portion of the external surface of the rotor. 
     
     
         4 . The heating system of  claim 1 , further comprising a susceptor member surrounding the at least a portion of the external surface of the rotor, the susceptor member having the heating element therein. 
     
     
         5 . The heating system of  claim 4 , wherein the heating element includes at least one of: a resistance heater and an induction heater. 
     
     
         6 . The heating system of  claim 5 , wherein the temperature sensor is in or on the susceptor member. 
     
     
         7 . The heating system of  claim 6 , further comprising a seal pack adjacent the rotor for sealing a portion of the casing with the rotor, and wherein the temperature sensor is in or on the seal pack. 
     
     
         8 . The heating system of  claim 1 , wherein the heating element includes a plurality of heating elements, each heating element configured to heat a different axial position of the rotor, and
 wherein the controller controls operation of each of the plurality of heating elements.   
     
     
         9 . The heating system of  claim 1 , further comprising a heating blanket configured to heat an exterior of the casing. 
     
     
         10 . The heating system of  claim 1 , further comprising a turning gear for rotating the rotor during the heating. 
     
     
         11 . The heating system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller further controls flow of a working fluid into the turbomachine.