Patent ID: 6543992
Filing Date: 2003-04-08
Classification: F01D,F04D,F15B,G05D

Abstract:
A control arrangement for controlling the size of the gap between first and second components, the control arrangement comprising first magnet means to be provided on the first component, and second magnet means to be provided to on the second component, the first and second magnet means being in magnetic interaction with each other across the gap, and the arrangement further including control means in operative association with the first magnet means to control the size of the gap, variations in magnetic flux or force across the gap causing the first magnet means to cause the control means to effect relative movement of the first and second components to vary the size of the gap, wherein the first magnet means is movable in a first direction to cause the control means to effect relative movement of the first and second components to increase the gap and in a second direction to cause the control means to effect relative movement of the first and second components to decrease the gap, the first and second magnet means being so arranged that relative movement of the first and second components towards each other moves the first magnet means in the first direction, and relative movement of the first and second components away from each other moves the first magnet means in the second direction wherein the control means includes a chamber to receive a force transmission fluid, one wall of the chamber constituting the first component, and the chamber having at least one inlet means and at least one outlet means through which the fluid can pass, wherein the first magnet means is movable to open or close the inlet means, whereby movement of the first magnet means in the first direction opens the inlet means, and the movement of the first magnet means in the second direction closes the inlet means.