Methods and apparatuses for real-time rotor balancing for a generator and connected equipment
A generator rotor shaft balancing system is disclosed. The generator rotor shaft balancing system includes a generator that includes a rotor and a rotor shaft. A weight is coupled to the rotor shaft. The weight is dynamically moveable, while the rotor is operating, to facilitate reducing vibrations in the rotor shaft.
1 . A generator rotor shaft balancing system comprising:
a generator including a rotor and a rotor shaft; and
a weight coupled to the rotor shaft;
wherein the weight is dynamically moveable, while the rotor is operating, to facilitate reducing vibrations in the rotor shaft; and
wherein the weight is configured to move eccentrically to different positions about a periphery of the rotor shaft.
2 . The generator rotor shaft balancing system of claim 1 , further comprising a satellite wheel coupled to the rotor shaft such that the satellite wheel moves concurrently with the rotor shaft, and wherein the weight is moveable coupled to the satellite wheel.
3 . The generator rotor shaft balancing system of claim 1 , further comprising a controller couped within a closed-loop control system, wherein the controller receives vibration data from at least one sensor coupled to the rotor shaft and selectively causes the weight to move based on the received vibration data.
4 . The generator rotor shaft balancing system of claim 3 , wherein the controller compares the vibration data to a pre-defined threshold and selectively moves the weight to facilitate reducing vibrations in the rotor shaft.
5 . The generator rotor shaft balancing system of claim 3 , wherein the controller receives the vibration data from a plurality of sensors including at least one of an accelerometer, a velocity sensor, and a proximity sensor.
6 . The generator rotor shaft balancing system of claim 1 , wherein the generator is coupled or connected with a turbine via a gear box and a clutch.
7 . A method of balancing a generator rotor shaft, the method comprising:
coupling a moveable weight to a rotor shaft of a generator assembly;
monitoring vibration within the rotor shaft while the generator assembly is operating;
transmitting vibration data to a controller; and
selectively causing, by the controller, to eccentrically move the weight relative to the rotor shaft to position the weight about a periphery of the rotor shaft, while the generator assembly is operating, to facilitate reducing the vibrations in the rotor shaft.
8 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
coupling a satellite wheel to the rotor shaft such that the satellite wheel moves concurrently with the rotor shaft;
coupling the moveable weight to the satellite wheel; and
selectively moving the moveable weight relative to the satellite wheel and to the rotor shaft to facilitate reducing vibrations in the rotor shaft.
9 . The method of claim 7 , wherein transmitting the vibration data to the controller further comprise transmitting the vibration data to the controller coupled within a closed-loop system.
10 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
comparing, by the controller, the vibration data to a pre-defined threshold; and
causing, by the controller, to selective move the weight to facilitate reducing vibrations in the rotor shaft.
11 . The method of claim 7 , wherein monitoring the vibration within the rotor shaft while the generator assembly is operating further comprises coupling at least one of an accelerometer, a velocity sensor, and a proximity sensor to the rotor shaft.