Sealing assembly using spline seal retention and its sealing member

Abstract

To provide a sealing assembly which includes a plurality of sealing members configured to be located circumferentially adjacently to one another between adjacent rotating blade stages in a turbine.SOLUTION: A sealing assembly includes a plurality of sealing members configured to be located circumferentially adjacently to one another between adjacent rotating blade stages in a turbine. The sealing members include axially extending sealing portions having spline seal slots defined in opposing slash faces thereof. The slots are structured to allow insertion of a spline seal into facing slots on adjacent sealing members when the sealing members are in an axially offset position, and to retain the spline seal in the facing slots when the sealing members are moved to an operative axial position. The slots may include spline seal-retaining seats therein to properly position and retain the spline seal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to turbomachinery, and more particularly to a sealing assembly having a spline seal slot that provides for the insertion and retention of a spline seal in a slash face and to its sealing members.

Background Art

[0002] The main flow path of a turbine is designed to confine the primary working fluid as it flows through the turbine over the rotating blade stages of the turbine. One mechanism for confining the primary working fluid includes a sealing assembly, sometimes referred to as a near flow path seal (NFPS), between adjacent rotating blade stages. The sealing assembly interacts with the inner radial surface of the nozzle to prevent the primary working fluid from escaping. The sealing assembly includes a number of sealing members circumferentially disposed about the rotor between adjacent rotating blade stages. Each sealing member provides an axially extending sealing surface between the rotating blade stages that abut one another to prevent the primary working fluid from escaping between the turbine blade rotor stages. One problem with sealing assemblies is providing sufficient sealing between adjacent sealing members. Typically, each sealing member includes a slot defined in its circumferentially facing slash face to receive a spline seal, also known as a feather seal. The spline seal seals the radially outer region from the radially inner region. It is difficult to assemble the spline seal with the sealing member without damaging the spline seal, the sealing assembly, and / or adjacent structures. For example, the position of the sealing member may be adjusted during assembly such that it damages the spline seal. Alternatively, the process of assembling the sealing member may cause the spline seal to be removed or mispositioned. Disassembly of the sealing member may be required to replace or repair a damaged or mispositioned spline seal.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] All aspects, examples, and features described below can be combined in any technically possible way.

[0004] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a sealing member for a sealing assembly comprising a plurality of sealing members configured to be positioned adjacent to one another between adjacent rotating blade stages of a turbine, the sealing member comprising a seal base including a fixing mechanism that operates to fix to an interstage support structure, and an axially extending sealing portion coupled to the seal base, having a first axial end and an opposing second axial end, and a first slash surface and an opposing second slash surface, each slash surface comprising an axially extending sealing portion extending between the first axial end and the opposing second axial end, and a first spline seal slot defined in the first slash surface, through the first axial end of the axially extending sealing portion The seal comprises a first spline seal slot including a first spline seal inlet opening defined in the first slash plane, and a second spline seal slot including a second spline seal inlet opening defined through the first axial end of an axially extending sealing portion, wherein the first spline seal inlet opening in the first slash plane is located at a first radial position different from the second radial position of the second spline seal inlet opening in the second slash plane, and the first and second spline seal slots of adjacent sealing members cooperate to hold a spline seal inside in their operating position.

[0005] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the aforementioned aspects, wherein the first spline seal slot in the first slash plane includes a closed end at the second axial end of the axially extending sealing portion.

[0006] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the preceding aspects, wherein the second spline seal slot in the second slash plane includes a spline seal through-opening defined through the second axial end of an axially extending sealing portion. The spline seal through-opening is radially aligned with the first spline seal slot defined in the first slash plane.

[0007] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the preceding aspects, wherein a first spline seal slot in a first slash plane includes a first spline seal end retaining seat at a first axial end of an axially extending sealing portion and a second spline seal end retaining seat at a second axial end of an axially extending sealing portion, the first axial opening being continuous with the first spline seal end retaining seat, and a second spline seal slot in a second slash plane includes a third spline seal end retaining seat at a second axial end of an axially extending sealing portion.

[0008] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a plurality of first sealing members configured to be positioned adjacent to one another between adjacent rotating blade stages in a turbine, each first sealing member comprising: a first seal base including a first fixing mechanism that operates to fix the sealing member to an interstage support structure; and a first axially extending sealing portion coupled to the first seal base, having a first axial end and an opposing second axial end, and a first slash surface and an opposing second slash surface, each slash surface comprising: a first axially extending sealing portion extending between the first axial end and the opposing second axial end; and a first spline seal slot defined in the first slash surface, defined through the first axial end of the first axially extending sealing portion. The present invention provides a sealing assembly comprising a plurality of first sealing members, each comprising a first spline seal slot including a first spline seal inlet opening, and a second spline seal slot defined in a second slash plane, the second spline seal slot including a second spline seal inlet opening defined through a first axial end of a sealing portion extending in the first axial direction, wherein the first spline seal inlet opening in the first slash plane is located in a first radial position different from the second radial position of the second spline seal inlet opening in the second slash plane, and the first spline seal slots and second spline seal slots of adjacent sealing members cooperate to hold a spline seal inside in the operating position.

[0009] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the aforementioned aspects, wherein the first spline seal slot in the first slash plane includes a closed end at the second axial end of the axially extending sealing portion.

[0010] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the preceding aspects, wherein the second spline seal slot in the second slash plane includes a spline seal through-opening defined through the second axial end of an axially extending sealing portion, the spline seal through-opening being radially aligned with the first spline seal slot defined in the first slash plane.

[0011] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the preceding aspects, wherein the first spline seal slot in the first slash plane includes a first spline seal end retaining seat at the first axial end of the first axially extending sealing portion and a second spline seal end retaining seat at the second axial end of the first axially extending sealing portion, and the first axial opening is continuous with the first spline seal end retaining seat.

[0012] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the aforementioned aspects, wherein the second spline seal slot in the second slash plane includes a third spline seal end retaining seat at the second axial end of the sealing portion extending in the first axial direction.

[0013] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the preceding aspects, wherein a second spline seal inlet opening in the second slash plane is coupled to the rest of the second spline seal slot defined in the second slash plane by a continuous curved slot portion defined in the second slash plane.

[0014] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the preceding aspects, wherein the continuous curved slot portion is circumferentially aligned with a third spline seal end retaining seat at the second axial end of a sealing portion extending in the first axial direction.

[0015] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the preceding aspects, further comprising a spline seal in a spline seal slot of an adjacent sealing member, each spline seal comprising a planar body having opposing ends inclined with respect to the planar body in a relaxed state, at least one of the opposing ends being held in a relaxed state by one of the spline seal end retaining seats.

[0016] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the preceding aspects, wherein a first spline seal inlet opening in the first slash plane is linearly continuous with the rest of the first spline seal slot defined in the first slash plane.

[0017] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the preceding aspects, a second sealing member configured to be positioned adjacent to one of the first sealing members, a second seal base including a second fixing mechanism that operates to fix to an interstage support structure, and a second axially extending sealing portion coupled to the second seal base, having a third axial end and an opposing fourth axial end, a third slash surface and an opposing fourth slash surface, each of the third and fourth slash surfaces comprising a second axially extending sealing portion extending between the third axial end and the opposing fourth axial end, and a third spline seal slot defined in the third slash surface, the third spline seal slot defined through the third axial end of the second axially extending sealing portion The second sealing member further comprises a third spline seal slot including a spline inlet opening, and a fourth spline seal slot defined on a fourth slash surface, the fourth spline seal slot including a fourth spline seal inlet opening defined through the third axial end of a second axially extending sealing portion, wherein the third spline seal inlet opening and the fourth spline seal inlet opening are located at a first radial position different from the second radial position of the second spline seal inlet opening, and one of the third spline seal slots and one of the fourth spline seal slots cooperate to hold a spline seal inside in an operating position with the respective spline seal slots of the adjacent first sealing member.

[0018] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the preceding aspects, comprising a third sealing member configured to be positioned between one of the first sealing members and one of the second sealing members, a third seal base including a third fixing mechanism that operates to fix to an interstage support structure, and a third axially extending sealing portion coupled to the third seal base, having a fifth axial end and an opposing sixth axial end, a fifth slash surface and an opposing sixth slash surface, each of the fifth and sixth slash surfaces comprising a third axially extending sealing portion extending between the fifth axial end and the opposing sixth axial end, and a fifth spline seal slot defined in the fifth slash surface, defined through the fifth axial end of the third axially extending sealing portion The third sealing member further comprises a fifth spline seal slot including a fifth spline seal inlet opening, and a sixth spline seal slot defined on a sixth slash surface, including a sixth spline seal inlet opening defined through the sixth axial end of a third axially extending sealing portion, wherein the fifth and sixth spline seal inlet openings are located at a second radial position relative to the second spline seal inlet opening, and one of the fifth spline seal slots and one of the sixth spline seal slots cooperate to hold a spline seal internally in an operating position relative to the respective spline seal slots of the adjacent first sealing member.

[0019] One aspect of the present disclosure is a method for assembling a plurality of sealing members configured to be adjacent to one another between adjacent rotating blade stages of a turbine, the first being positioning a first sealing member within an interstage support structure at the operating axis position of the plurality of sealing members, wherein the first sealing member includes a first spline seal slot defined on its first slash surface, the first spline seal slot includes a first spline seal inlet opening defined through a first axial end of a sealing portion of the first sealing member that extends in the first axial direction, and the second being positioning a second sealing member within an interstage support structure at an axial offset position from the operating axis position, partially toward the operating axis position of the plurality of sealing members, wherein the second sealing member includes a second spline seal slot defined on its second slash surface, and a second spline The method provides a method comprising: a spline seal inlet opening defined through a second axial end of a second axially extending sealing portion of a second sealing member, wherein the spline seal slots include a second spline seal inlet opening defined through a second axial end of a sealing portion of a second sealing member, the first and second spline seal slots being aligned to receive a spline seal internally at a second axial offset position of the second sealing member; inserting the spline seal into the first and second spline seal slots; and third positioning the second sealing member within an interstage support structure at an operating axial position of a plurality of sealing members, wherein the third positioning includes carrying the spline seal into the first and second spline seal slots and holding the spline seal at an operating axial position of the spline seal in at least one spline seal retaining seat in at least one of the first and second spline seal slots.

[0020] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the preceding aspects, further comprising holding a spline seal at the closed end of a first spline seal slot in a first slash plane at a second axial end of a first axially extending sealing portion.

[0021] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the preceding aspects, further comprising extending a spline seal through a spline seal through-opening defined through a second axial end of a second axially extending sealing portion at an axially offset position, wherein the spline seal through-opening is radially aligned with the first spline seal slot.

[0022] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the preceding aspects, further comprising, in an operating axial position, holding the first seal end of a spline seal in a first spline seal end retaining seat at the second axial end of a first axially extending sealing portion and in a second spline seal end retaining seat at the second axial end of a second axially extending sealing portion, and holding the second seal end of a spline seal in a third spline seal end retaining seat at the first axial end of a first axially extending sealing portion.

[0023] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the preceding aspects, wherein, prior to the first positioning, an initiator sealing member is positioned within an interstage support structure in an operating axis position, the initiator sealing member is configured to be positioned adjacent to the first sealing member, and the initiator sealing member has spline seal slots on its opposing slash surfaces, each having a spline seal inlet opening at the axial end of its axially extending seal portion, each of which is in a first radial position, and the second positioning is repeated for several second sealing members, one of the second sealing members being adjacent to the initiator sealing member, and after the second positioning is repeated, a locking sealing member is positioned in an axial offset position from the operating axis position, only partially toward the operating axis position of the plurality of sealing members, the locking sealing member is positioned between the last of the second sealing members and the initiator sealing member. The locking sealing member is configured such that the locking sealing member has spline seal slots on its opposing slash surfaces, each having an opening at the axial end of a sealing portion extending in the axial direction, and each of the openings has a second radial position different from a first radial position; the spline seals are inserted into both the first and second spline seal slots of the locking sealing member; and the locking sealing member is positioned within the interstage support structure at the operational axial position of the plurality of sealing members, the positioning of the locking sealing member further includes positioning both spline seals within the spline seal slots of the locking sealing member and holding the spline seals at the operational axial position of the spline seals in at least one spline seal retaining seat portion within at least one of the spline seal slots.

[0024] Two or more embodiments described in this disclosure, including those described in this summary section, can be combined to form embodiments not specifically described herein.

[0025] Details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the following description. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

[0026] These and other features of the present disclosure will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of various aspects of the present disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that illustrate various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027] [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram of an exemplary turbomachine in the form of a gas turbine system. [Figure 2] It is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary gas turbine assembly that can be used with the gas turbine system of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a side cross-sectional view of a part of a turbine including a sealing assembly that includes a plurality of sealing members. [Figure 4] It is a perspective view of an exemplary sealing member and a spline seal. [Figure 5] It is a side view of a first slash surface of a sealing member that includes a first spline seal slot. [Figure 6] It is a side view of a second opposing slash surface of a sealing member that includes a second spline seal slot different from the first spline seal slot. [Figure 7] It is an end view of a front axial end of an axially extending sealing portion of a main sealing member. [Figure 8] It is an end view of a rear axial end of an axially extending sealing portion of a main sealing member. [Figure 9] It is an end view of a front end portion of a sealing assembly in a turbine. [Figure 10] It is an end view of a front axial end of an axially extending sealing portion of a starting sealing member. [Figure 11] It is an end view of a front axial end of an axially extending sealing portion of a locking sealing member. [Figure 12]This is an initial positioning perspective view for a method of assembling a sealing assembly including a starting or preceding main sealing member in the operating axis position. [Figure 13] This is a perspective view of the positioning of the sealing member at an axially offset position during the assembly of the sealing assembly. [Figure 14] This is an enlarged perspective view along line 14-14 in Figure 13 showing the interaction of spline seal slots of adjacent sealing members at an axial offset position. [Figure 15] This is a perspective view showing the initial insertion of a spline seal into adjacent sealing members at an axially offset position during the assembly of a sealing assembly. [Figure 16] This is a perspective view of a spline seal fully inserted into an adjacent sealing member at an axially offset position during the assembly of a sealing assembly. [Figure 17] This is an enlarged perspective view along line 17 in Figure 16, showing the interaction between the spline seal and spline seal slot of adjacent sealing members at an axial offset position. [Figure 18] This is an enlarged perspective view along line 18 in Figure 16, showing the interaction between the spline seal and spline seal slot of adjacent sealing members at an axially offset position. [Figure 19] This is a perspective view showing the positioning of the sealing member in the operating axis position during the assembly of the sealing assembly. [Figure 20] Figure 19 is an enlarged perspective view along line 20, showing the position of the spline seal in one of the spline seal slots located in the operating axis direction of the sealing member, with the nearest sealing member removed. [Figure 21] Figure 19 is an enlarged perspective view along line 21, showing the position of the spline seal in one of the spline seal slots located in the operating axis direction of the sealing member, with the nearest sealing member removed. [Figure 22] Figure 19 is an enlarged perspective view along line 22, showing the position of the spline seal in one of the spline seal slots located in the operating axis direction of the sealing member, with the nearest sealing member removed. [Figure 23] This is an enlarged perspective view along line 23 in Figure 19, showing the position of the spline seal in one of the spline seal slots located in the operating axis position aligned axially with the nearest sealing member, with the nearest sealing member removed. [Figure 24] This is a perspective view showing the insertion of the spline seal and positioning of the locking sealant to complete the sealing assembly. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0028] Please note that the drawings in this disclosure are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are intended to illustrate only typical embodiments of this disclosure and should not be considered to limit the scope of this disclosure. In the drawings, similar reference numerals represent similar elements between drawings.

[0029] As a first issue, in order to clearly explain the subject matter of this disclosure, it is necessary to select specific technical terms when referring to and describing relevant mechanical components within turbomachinery. Wherever possible, common industrial terminology will be used and utilized in the same sense as its accepted meaning. Unless otherwise stated, such terminology should be given a broad interpretation consistent with the context of this application and the appended claims. Those skilled in the art will understand that in many cases, certain components may be referred to using several different or overlapping terms. What may be described herein as a single part may include and be referred to in another context as consisting of multiple components. Or, what may be described herein as consisting of multiple components may be referred elsewhere as a single part.

[0030] In addition, several descriptive terms may be used in accordance with the rules of this specification, and it will be useful to define these terms at the beginning of this section. These terms and their definitions are as follows, unless otherwise specified. As used herein, “downstream” and “upstream” are terms that indicate the direction of fluid flow, such as the working fluid through a turbine engine, or the flow of fluid such as air through a combustor, or coolant through one of the turbine's component systems. The term “downstream” corresponds to the direction of fluid flow, and the term “upstream” refers to the direction opposite to the flow (i.e., the direction from which the fluid is flowing).

[0031] In many cases, it is required to describe components positioned at different radial locations with respect to the central axis. The term “radial” refers to movement or position perpendicular to the axis. For example, if a first component is located closer to the axis than a second component, this specification states that the first component is “radially inward” or “inside” the second component. On the other hand, if the first component is located further from the axis than a second component, this specification may state that the first component is “radially outward” or “outside” the second component. The term “axial” refers to movement or position parallel to the axis. Finally, the term “circumferential” refers to movement or position around the axis. It will be understood that such terminology can be applied in relation to the central axis of a turbine.

[0032] In addition, as described below, several descriptive terms may be used in accordance with the rules. The terms “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to indicate the location, order, or importance of any individual component.

[0033] The technical terms used herein are for the sole purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this disclosure. Where used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural unless otherwise specified. Where used herein, the terms “comprise” and / or “comprising” express the existence of the described features, integers, steps, actions, elements, and / or components, but will not be understood to exclude the existence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, actions, elements, components, and / or sets thereof. “Optional” or “optionally” means that the events or circumstances described later may or may not occur, or that the components or elements described later may or may not exist, and this statement includes both instances in which the events or components occur or exist, and instances in which they do not occur or do not exist.

[0034] When an element or layer is referred to as “on top of,” “engaged with,” “connected to,” or “joined with” another element or layer, it may be directly engaged with, connected to, or joined to the other element or layer, or there may be an intervening element or layer. Conversely, when an element is referred to as “directly on top of,” “directly engaged with,” “directly connected to,” or “directly joined with” another element or layer, there may be no intervening element or layer. Other words used to describe relationships between elements should be interpreted similarly (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent to” versus “directly adjacent to.”). As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any combination of one or more of the related enumerated items.

[0035] As described above, the disclosure provides a sealing assembly comprising a plurality of sealing members configured to be positioned circumferentially adjacent to one another between adjacent rotating blade stages in a turbine. Each sealing member includes an axially extending sealing portion having spline seal slots defined on its opposing slash surfaces. The axially extending sealing portions interact to form a complete sealing assembly. The spline seal slots are structured to allow the spline seal to be inserted into the opposing slot on an adjacent sealing member when the sealing member is in an axially offset position, and to hold the spline seal in the opposing slot when the sealing member is moved to the operating axial position. The slots may include spline seal retaining seats internally to properly position and hold the spline seal. The sealing members facilitate the installation of the sealing assembly with the spline seal properly positioned without damaging the spline seal or adjacent structures. The sealing assembly requires no additional parts or tools compared to conventional systems, does not require any other modifications to the turbine, and is therefore applicable to both new and old turbines. A method for assembling the sealing assembly is also described.

[0036] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary turbomachinery 100 in the form of a combustion or gas turbine system. The turbomachinery 100 includes a compressor 102 and a combustor 104. The combustor 104 includes a combustion region 106 and a fuel nozzle assembly 108. The turbomachinery 100 also includes a turbine 110 and a common compressor / turbine shaft 112 (sometimes called a rotor 112). In one embodiment, the GT system 100 is the 7HA.03 engine, which is commercially available from General Electric Company in Greenville, South Carolina. This disclosure is not limited to any particular GT system and can be implemented in connection with other engines, including, for example, other HA, F, B, LM, GT, TM, and E class engine models from General Electric, as well as engine models from other manufacturers. Furthermore, this disclosure is not limited to any particular turbomachinery and can be applied to, for example, steam turbines, jet engines, compressors, turbofans, and the like.

[0037] During operation, air flows through the compressor 102, and compressed air is supplied to the combustor 104. Specifically, the compressed air is supplied to a fuel nozzle assembly 108 integrated with the combustor 104. The assembly 108 is in flow communication with the combustion region 106. The fuel nozzle assembly 108 is also in flow communication with a fuel source (not shown in Figure 1), guiding the fuel and air into the combustion region 106. The combustor 104 ignites the fuel and burns it. The combustor 104 is in flow communication with a turbine assembly 110, where the gaseous thermal energy is converted into mechanical rotational energy. The turbine assembly 110 includes a turbine 111 that is rotatably coupled to a rotor 112 and drives the rotor 112. The compressor 102 is also rotatably coupled to the rotor 112. In exemplary embodiments, there are multiple combustors 104 and fuel nozzle assemblies 108.

[0038] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary turbine assembly 110 of a turbomachinery 100 (Figure 1) that may be used with the gas turbine system of Figure 1. The turbine 111 of the turbine assembly 110 is coupled to the stationary casing 122 of the turbomachinery 100 and includes a nozzle or vane stage 120 axially adjacent to a rotating blade stage 124. The nozzle or vane 126 may be held in the turbine assembly 110 by a radially outer platform 128 and a radially inner platform 130. The rotating blade stage 124 in the turbine assembly 110 is coupled to the rotor 112 by a rotor wheel 138 and includes a rotating blade 132 that rotates with the rotor. The rotating blade 132 may include a radially inner platform 134 (at the root of the blade) coupled to the rotor 112 and a radially outer tip shroud 136 (at the tip of the blade). A sealing assembly 140 is included between the rotating blade stage 124, i.e., between the rotor wheel 138 and the rotating blade 132, and forms a rim seal or other airflow path seal. The sealing assembly 140 can form a rim or outer boundary of the turbine rotor 112 that separates the main working fluid (such as combustion gases) passage from the internal portion of the rotor 112 (including components such as the shaft portion of the rotor 112 and the rotor wheel 138). The sealing assembly 140 is configured to prevent the fluid from moving into or out of the main working fluid passage formed by the blades 132 and nozzle 126.

[0039] Figure 3 shows a partial side cross-sectional view of a turbine 111 including a sealing assembly 140 comprising several sealing members, and Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the sealing member of Figure 3. In one embodiment, the sealing assembly 140 includes several sealing members configured to be positioned adjacent to one another between adjacent rotating blade stages 124 of the turbine 111. As described herein, the sealing assembly 140 includes several different types of sealing members. (Note that the sealing member in Figure 4 is a composite of several different types of sealing members 142, 210, and 212 as described herein.) Some sealing members are provided to initiate the assembly and are therefore called “starting sealing members” 210 (Figures 9 and 10), while others terminate the assembly and lock the sealing member in place and are therefore called “locking sealing members” 212 (Figures 9 and 11). However, as will be discussed later, most sealing members include what is referred to herein as “main sealing members” 142. As described above, the sealing members include spline seal slots on their opposing slash surfaces to allow the spline seal 180 to be inserted and held between adjacent sealing members. The difference between the sealing members is based on the spline seal slots that the sealing member includes on its opposing slash surfaces 170, 172, of the two types of spline seal slots used. As will be described later, the main sealing member 142 includes different spline seal slots, the starting sealing member 210 includes one type of spline seal slot on both slash surfaces, and the locking sealing member 212 includes the other type of spline seal slot on both slash surfaces. All sealing members 142, 210, 212 may be in radial contact with the rotating blade stage 124 and may be radially loaded.

[0040] Continuing to refer to Figures 3 and 4, each sealing member 142, 210, 212 includes one or more generally axially extending portions ("axial sealing portions" or "axially extending sealing portions") 144 coupled to the seal base 162. The axial sealing portion 144 has a first axial end 146 and an opposing second axial end 148. The axial sealing portion 144 also has a first slash surface 170 and an opposing second slash surface 172. Each slash surface 170, 172 extends between the first axial end 146 and the opposing second axial end 148. The slash surfaces 170, 172 face circumferentially to engage with the respective slash surfaces 172, 170 of adjacent sealing members 142, 210, 212, as will be further described herein. For illustrative purposes, the first axial end 146 is shown as the front axial end, and the second axial end 148 is shown as the rear axial end. As described herein, “front” refers to the leading position relative to a reference position along the working fluid flow path, and “rear” refers to the trailing end position relative to a reference position along the fluid flow path, see, for example, the arrow WF indicating the direction of working fluid flow. Hereinafter, the axial ends will be referred to as the front axial end 146 and the rear axial end 148 for clarity. However, it is emphasized that the axial ends and the structures positioned in reference thereto can be switched without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0041] In one embodiment, the axial sealing portion 144 also includes a loading surface 150 (Figure 4) located at or near the front axial end 146 and the rear axial end 148, configured to contact each rotating blade stage 124 and apply an outer radial load. For example, the loading surface 150 is configured to contact an axially projecting shelf portion 152 or other projections extending axially from the rotating blade stage 124. In the example shown in Figure 3, the shelf portion 152 is located on the blade shank or the radially inner platform 134, but the shelf portion 152 can be located at any suitable location, such as a selected location on the rotor wheel 138 and blade 132. In one embodiment, the seal is formed by the contact between the loading surface 150 and the shelf portion 152 located at the front end 146 and / or the rear end 148, and / or by a sealing mechanism such as a load bar or wire seal 154 (Figure 4).

[0042] In one embodiment, the axial sealing portion 144 includes a radial sealing member configured to contact a portion of the nozzle stage 120 (Figure 3). For example, the axial sealing portion 144 may include a plurality of sealing teeth 158 located radially outward from the axial sealing portion 144 and extending radially outward. The sealing teeth 158 are configured to seal against the stator surface of the nozzle stage 120, for example, against an inner nozzle support structure such as a radially inner platform 130 (Figure 3) including an abradable surface 160 (Figure 3).

[0043] The sealing members 142, 210, and 212 also include a seal base 162 that is removablely attachable to an interstage support structure 164, such as a turbine spacer rim structure. In one embodiment, the seal base 162 includes a retaining mechanism 166 that operates to fix the sealing member 142 to the interstage support structure 164. In one embodiment, the seal base 162 includes a retaining mechanism 166 configured to fix the sealing members 142, 210, and 212 to a predetermined position at least substantially radially and tangentially relative to the support structure 164, but to allow axial movement. The retaining mechanism 166 is shown as at least substantially axial dovetail, but the retaining mechanism is not limited in that way. The sealing members 142, 210, and 212 are not limited to the shapes and configurations described herein, and the sealing members 142, 210, and 212, the axial sealing portion 144, the retaining mechanism 166, and / or the seal base 162 can be shaped to any desired form, for example, to reduce weight, deflection, leakage, and / or stress.

[0044] The sealing assembly 140 includes a plurality of sealing members 142, 210, 212 arranged opposite each other to form a continuous circumferential sealing member. Each of the sealing members 142, 210, 212 may include a sealing feature for controlling leakage around and / or through a rim seal segment. For example, the sealing feature may include a segment seal 168, such as a spline seal, wire seal, or pin seal, generally extending axially and / or radially, to form a seal between the seal bases 162 of adjacent sealing members 142, 210, 212 to reduce fluid flow between them.

[0045] Figures 4 to 8 show a main sealing member 142 for the purpose of introducing spline seal receiving slots ("spline seal slots", "spline slots") 174, 176. Figure 5 shows a side view of the first slash surface 170 on the same axial sealing portion 144 of an exemplary first main sealing member 142, and Figure 6 shows a side view of the second slash surface 172. That is, Figures 5 and 6 show opposing slash surfaces 170, 172 of the same main sealing member 142. Figure 7 shows an end view of the front axial end 146 of the axial sealing portion 144 of the same main sealing member 142, and Figure 8 shows an end view of the rear axial end 148 of the axial sealing portion 144.

[0046] In a particular embodiment of the main sealing member 142, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, a first stationary slot 174 is defined in the first slash surface 170, and as shown in Figure 6, a second spline seal slot 176 is defined in the second opposing slash surface 172. The slots 174 and 176 are not identical. As described herein, the spline seal slots 174 and 176 cooperate to position the spline seal 180 (Figure 4) internally in the operating axial position (Figures 19 to 23) of adjacent sealing members in order to seal adjacent sealing members together. In addition, the spline seal slots 174 and 176 are structured to allow the spline seal 180 to be inserted into opposing slots 174 and 176 on adjacent sealing members 142, 210, and 212 when the sealing member is in an axially offset position, and to hold the spline seal 180 in the opposing spline seal slots 174 and 176 when the adjacent sealing member is moved to the operating axial position (Figures 19 to 23). Generally, the spline seal slot 174 allows the spline seal 180 to slide into the slot first, and then holds the spline seal 180 inside as the sealing member in which the spline seal is positioned is held stationary, and the adjacent sealing member moves from the axially offset position to the operating axial position. Therefore, the spline seal slot 174 is sometimes referred to herein as the “stationary slot 174” for distinguishing purposes. Generally, the spline seal slot 176 allows for the initial sliding of the spline seal 180, and then, as the sealing member in which the spline seal is positioned moves from an axial offset position to an operating axial position, it allows for adjustment of the position of the spline seal 180 within it. Therefore, the spline seal slot 176 is sometimes referred to herein as the “movable slot 176” for the purpose of distinction. As described herein, the main sealing member 142 includes a stationary slot 174 on one slash surface 170 and a movable slot 176 on the opposing slash surface 172. In contrast, the starting sealing member 210 includes stationary slots 174 on both of its slash surfaces 170, 172, and the locking sealing member 212 includes movable slots 176 on both of its slash surfaces 170, 172.In any case, the slots 174 and 176 may have any desired circumferential dimensions (within pages 5 and 6 of Figures 5 and 6) to allow the spline seal 180 to be seated inside and to prevent circumferential clearance of the spline seal 180 against the slash surfaces 170 and 172. The spline seal 180 and the slots 174 and 176 may also have any desired length, typically similar in length to the positioned axial sealing portion 144.

[0047] As shown in Figure 5, the stationary slot 174 includes a first spline seal inlet opening 182 defined through the forward axial end 146 of the axial sealing portion 144. The first spline seal inlet opening 182 in the first slash surface 170 is linearly continuous with the rest of the stationary slot 174 defined in the first slash surface 170. Similarly, the movable slot 176 includes a second spline seal inlet opening 184 defined through the forward axial end 146 of the axial sealing portion 144. As best shown in Figure 7, the first spline seal inlet opening 182 is at a first radial position R1 distinct from the second radial position R2 of the second spline seal inlet opening 184. The radial positions R1, R2 may have, for example, the axis A of the turbomachinery 100 (Figure 1) as a reference point, or other fixed structures of the turbine 111, as described herein. In the example shown in Figure 7, the second spline seal inlet opening 184 is radially outward of the first spline seal inlet opening 182, i.e., R2 > R1. Figure 6 shows that the second spline seal inlet opening 184 is coupled to the rest of the movable slot 176 defined in the second slash surface 172 by a continuous curved slot portion 186 defined in the second slash surface 172. Thus, the curved slot portion 186 positions the second spline seal inlet opening 184 within the second slash surface 172 at a larger radial position R2, but smoothly transitions to the rest of the movable slot 176 defined in the second slash surface 172 (at the first radial position R1), allowing the spline seal 180 to slide smoothly inside. The remaining portion of the movable slot 176 (downstream of the curved slot portion 186) and all of the stationary slots 174 generally have the same radial position, i.e., a first radial position R1.

[0048] As shown in Figures 5 and 8, the stationary slot 174 in the first slash surface 170 includes a closing end 190 at the rear axial end 148 of the axial sealing portion 144. Thus, the spline seal 180 cannot escape through the rear axial end 148 of the slot 174. In contrast, as shown in Figures 6 and 8, the movable slot 176 in the second slash surface 172 includes a spline seal through-opening 192 defined through the rear axial end 148 of the axial sealing portion 144. The spline seal through-opening ("through-opening") 192 is radially aligned with the first slash surface 170, i.e., the stationary slot 174 defined in the adjacent sealing member. In this way, the spline seal 180 can slide through the through-opening 192 while engaging with the retaining slot 174 and inlet slot 176 of the adjacent sealing member.

[0049] As shown in Figure 4, in certain embodiments, the spline seal 180 may include a planar body 218 having opposing ends ("ends", "seal ends") 194, 195. As will be described later, the ends 194, 195 may act to position and hold the spline seal 180 within slots 174, 176. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the stationary slot 174 in the first slash surface 170 may include a first spline seal end retaining seat ("first seal seat", "seal seat") 196 at the forward axial end 146 of the axial sealing portion 144. The stationary slot 174 may also include a second spline seal end retaining seat ("second seal seat", "seal seat") 198 at the rear axial end 148 of the axial sealing portion 144. As shown in Figure 5, the first spline seal inlet opening 182 is continuous with the first seat 196, i.e., they are connected. As shown in Figure 6, the movable slot 176 in the second slash surface 172 may also include a third spline seal end retaining seat ("third seal seat," "seal seat") 200 at the rear axial end 148 of the axial sealing portion 144. The through opening 192 is continuous with the third seat 200, i.e., they are connected. The front axial end 146 of the second slash surface 172 does not have a spline seal end retaining seat because it includes a curved slot portion 186. Each seal seat 196, 198, 200 includes an enlarged opening that is continuous with its respective slot 174, 176. As will be further described, the seal seats 196, 198 allow the respective ends 194, 195 to seat and be retained internally when the spline seal 180 is installed, and the seal seat 200 allows the end 195 to seat internally when the spline seal 180 is subjected to centrifugal loads during operation. The curved slot portion 186 is circumferentially aligned with the first seal seat portion 196 at the forward axial end 146 of the stationary slot 174 within the axial sealing portion 144.In this way, even if the movement of the front end 194 of the spline seal 180 is restricted when it is in the curved slot portion 186 (i.e., it cannot bend or move radially), the curved slot portion 186 can orient the front end 194 of the spline seal 180 into the seal seat portion 196 in the stationary slot 174 adjacent to the curved slot portion 186. This positioning can occur when the front end 194 is not constrained within the first spline seal inlet opening 182. In this way, although not axially constrained by the curved slot portion 186 in the movable slot 176, the spline seal 180 can be held in slots 174, 176 by the first seat portion 196 in the movable slot 176.

[0050] As described herein, the sealing assembly 140 includes a plurality of sealing members 142 configured to be positioned adjacent to one another between adjacent rotating blade stages 124 (Figure 3) in the turbine 111 (Figure 3). Figure 9 shows an end view of the forward axial end 146 of a portion of the sealing assembly 140 in operation. The illustrated portion of the sealing assembly 140 includes sealing members located where the actual assembly of the sealing assembly 140 begins and ends. In addition to the main sealing member 142, as previously stated, the sealing assembly 140 also includes a second starting sealing member 210 and a third locking sealing member 212. The sealing members 210, 212 are substantially similar to the sealing member 142, except that the type of slots provided inside them is the same on both of their slash faces 170, 172. As further described herein, providing the same slots 174, 176 on both slash faces 170, 172 of the sealing members 210, 212 corresponds to the beginning and end of the assembly of the sealing assembly 140.

[0051] As shown in Figure 9, the starting sealing member 210 is configured to be located adjacent to one of the main sealing members 142 (on the left side as shown) and one of the locking sealing members 212 (on the right side as shown). The initial sealing member 210 includes the same structure as the main sealing member 142, except for its slot. As shown in Figure 4, the initial sealing member 210 includes a seal base 162 which includes a retaining mechanism 166 that operates to fix to the interstage support structure 164. The initial sealing member 210 also includes an axial sealing portion 144 coupled to the seal base 162. The axial sealing portion 144 has axial ends 146, 148 and slash faces 170, 172, extending between the axial ends 146, 148. Figure 10 shows an enlarged end view of the front axial end 146 of the starting sealing member 210. Here, stationary slots 174 (as in Figure 5) are provided on both slash surfaces 170, 172, and the slots are mirror images of each other. Thus, as shown in Figure 10, the front axial end 146 of the starting sealing member 210 has two stationary slots 174, both slots containing spline seal inlet openings 182 defined through the front axial end 146 of the axial sealing portion 144. Both openings 182 have a first radial distance R1. That is, in the starting sealing member 210, the spline seal inlet opening 182 (left side in Figure 10) and the spline seal inlet opening 182 (right side in Figure 10) are both at, for example, a first radial position R1. As shown in Figure 7, the first radial position R1 is different from the second radial position R2 of the spline seal inlet opening 184 in the slash surface 172 of the main sealing member 142. As shown in Figure 9, one of the stationary slots 174 (to the left of the starting sealing member 210 as shown) cooperates to hold the spline seal 180 inside in its operating position with the respective stationary slots 174 of the adjacent first main sealing member 142. The other stationary slot 174 (to the right of the starting sealing member 210 as shown) cooperates to hold the spline seal 180 inside in its operating position with the respective movable slots 176 of the adjacent locking sealing member 212.

[0052] Continuing to refer to Figure 9, the locking seal member 212 is configured to be located between one of the main seal members 142 (to its right as shown) and one of the starting seal members 210 (to its left as shown). As shown, the main seal members 142 are assembled in the direction of the fluid flow path, i.e., counterclockwise when viewed from the rear as in Figure 9. In this configuration, the main seal members are to the right of the locking seal member 212 and are the last (last assembled) main seal member 142F. As shown in Figure 4, the locking seal member 212 includes the same structure as the seal members 142, 210, except for its slot. The locking seal member 212 includes a seal base 162 which includes a retaining mechanism 166 that operates to fix to the interstage support structure 164. The locking seal member 212 also includes an axial sealing portion 144 coupled to the seal base 162. The axial sealing portion 144 has front and rear axial ends 146, 148 and slash surfaces 170, 172, and extends between the axial ends 146, 148.

[0053] Figure 11 shows an enlarged end view of the forward axial end 146 of the starting sealing member 210. Here, the movable slot 176 (as in Figure 6) is provided on both slash surfaces 170, 172 as shown in Figure 11, and the slots are mirror images of each other. Thus, as shown in Figure 11, the forward axial end 146 of the locking sealing member 212 has two stationary slots 176, both slots containing a spline seal inlet opening 184 defined through the forward axial end 146 of the axial sealing portion 144. Both openings 184 have, for example, a second radial position R2. That is, in the locking sealing member 212, the spline seal inlet opening 184 (left side in Figure 11) and the spline seal inlet opening 184 (right side in Figure 11) are, for example, at the second radial position R2. As shown in Figure 7, the first radial position R1 is different from the second radial position R2 of the spline seal inlet opening 184 in the main sealing member 142. As shown in Figure 9, one of the movable slots 176 (on the right side of the locking sealing member 212 as shown) cooperates with the respective stationary slots 174 of the adjacent main sealing member 142F (on the right side as shown) to hold the spline seal 180 inside in its operating position. The other movable slot 176 (on the left side of the locking sealing member 212 as shown) cooperates with the respective stationary slots 174 of the adjacent starting sealing member 210 to hold the spline seal 180 inside in its operating position.

[0054] The sealing assembly 140 may also include spline seals 180 within the seal slots 174, 176 of adjacent sealing members 142, 210, 212. As described above, each spline seal 180 includes a planar body 218 having a front end 194 and an opposing rear end 195. As will be further described, at least one of the opposing ends 194, 195 is held in a relaxed state by one of the seal seat portions 196, 198, 200.

[0055] Each sealing member 142, 210, 212 can have any desired circumferential range, such as 5°, 10°, 15°, etc. The number of sealing members 142, 210, 212 may depend on several factors, but are not limited, such as the diameter of the turbine 111, the diameter of the specific blade stage 124 used, and the desired number of sealing members.

[0056] Figures 12–23 illustrate an embodiment of a method for assembling a sealing assembly 140 having multiple sealing members configured to be positioned adjacent to each other between adjacent rotating blade stages 124 (Figure 2) of a turbine 111 (Figure 2). For the purpose of illustrating the assembly of sealing members into the sealing assembly 140, the sealing member first installed in the operating axial position is labeled "A", and subsequent inline sealing members installed are labeled "B". Similarly named parts on each sealing member are also referred to by the "A" or "B" symbol, e.g., forward axial ends 146A, 146B. For illustrative purposes, it is assumed that the assembly proceeds counterclockwise with the turbine 111 viewed from the rear (see the assembly direction arrows (DA) in Figures 9, 12, 13, 15, 16, and 19). It will be recognized that the assembly can also proceed in the opposite direction.

[0057] Figure 12 shows a perspective view of positioning the first sealing member A within the interstage support structure 164 at the operational axis position of multiple sealing members. The "operational axis position" is the position within the interstage support structure 164 where the sealing member remains during the operation of the turbine 111. In certain embodiments, the axially facing surfaces of the sealing member and the holding mechanism 166 of the interstage support structure 164 may be coplanar or close to coplanar at the operational axis position, but this is not required in all cases.

[0058] Embodiments of the present disclosure may include, for example, assembling the main sealing members 142 around an interstage support structure 164 in which the initial sealing member 210 is already in a predetermined position. However, embodiments of the present disclosure may also include assembling the sealing assembly 140 (Figure 3) by first positioning the initial sealing member 210, then sequentially and repeatedly positioning the required number of main sealing members 142, and finally positioning the locking sealing member 212. In Figure 12, the sealing member A initially positioned in the operating axis direction may be either the initial sealing member 210 or a main sealing member 142. If the sealing member A initially positioned within the interstage support structure 164 is the first sealing member to be actually installed, this will be the initial sealing member 210. If the sealing member A initially positioned on the interstage support structure 164 is a post-assembly of the initial sealing member 210 (not shown in this case), this may be any main sealing member 142. That is, one of the main sealing members 142 is positioned next to the initial sealing member 210 (not shown in this case). Subsequently, each subsequent main sealing member 142 is positioned adjacent to the pre-installed main sealing member 142 in the operating axis position until only the locking sealing member 212 needs to be assembled.

[0059] Each sealing member 142, 210, 212 can be positioned in the operating axial position by sliding the retaining mechanism 166 and the interstage support structure 166 together, for example, by sliding the male retaining mechanism 166 axially into the corresponding female opening in the interstage support structure 164. As shown in Figure 12 and subsequent drawings, each sealing member 142, 210, 212 may be axially held in the interstage support structure 164 using any currently known or future-developed retaining member 220, such as retaining pins in slots in the interstage support structure 164 and the seal base 162, but not limited to these. As shown, the sealing member A initially positioned in the operating axial position includes a stationary slot 174A defined in its first slash surface 170A (oriented counterclockwise in Figure 9). The first slash surface 170A includes a stationary slot 174A which includes a spline seal inlet opening 182A defined through the forward axial end 146A of the first axial sealing portion 144A of the sealing member A.

[0060] Figure 13 shows the positioning of the second sealing member B within the interstage support structure 164 at an axial offset position from the operating axis position. The "axial offset position" is a position that is only partially toward the operating axis position of the multiple sealing members. Here, the sealing member B is only partially installed within the interstage support structure 164, and the axially opposing surfaces of the holding mechanism 166 and the interstage support structure 164 are not close to each other on the same plane. The sealing member B includes a movable slot 176 defined in its second slash surface 172. As shown in Figures 6 and 8, the movable slot 176 includes a second spline seal inlet opening 184 defined through the forward axial end 146B (Figure 13) of the second axial sealing portion 144B of the sealing member B.

[0061] Figure 14 shows an enlarged perspective view along line 14 in Figure 13, with the sealing member in an offset axial position. As shown in Figure 13 and especially in Figure 14, the seal slots 174 and 176 are aligned to receive the spline seal 180 internally at the axially offset position of the sealing member B. More specifically, the spline seal inlet opening 184 of the movable slot 176 is at a second radial position R2, but axially forward of the spline seal inlet opening 182A in the sealing member A, which is at a first radial position R1. The remainder of the movable slot 176B within the slash surface 172B in the sealing member B is radially aligned with the stationary slot 174 in the sealing member A. Thus, the spline seal 180 can slide into the spline seal inlet opening 184 of the movable slot 176 and move into the spline seal inlet opening 182 in the sealing member A, despite the different radial positions of the openings 182 and 184. Therefore, the axial offset position is also the position in which a portion of the movable slot 176 located axially downstream from its curved slot portion 186B (the axially offset sealing member B in its installed state) is circumferentially aligned with the spline seal inlet opening 182A of the stationary slot 174A in the already installed sealing member A.

[0062] At this stage, the spline seal 180 can be inserted into the stationary and movable slots 174 and 176. Figure 15 shows a perspective view of sealing members A and B in an axially offset position, with the spline seal 180 beginning to slide into slots 174 and 176. Figure 16 shows a perspective view of sealing members A and B with the spline seal 180 sliding as far as possible into slots 174 and 176 in the axially offset position. Figure 17 shows an enlarged perspective view along line 17 in Figure 16, and Figure 18 shows an enlarged perspective view along line 18 in Figure 16. Both Figures 17 and 18 show the interaction between the spline seal 180 and the seal slots 174 and 176 of the adjacent sealing members A and B in the axially offset position.

[0063] As best illustrated in Figure 17, the spline seal 180 can slide along the curved slot portion 186B into the opening 184B of the movable slot 176B and into the opening 182A of the stationary slot 174A. That is, despite the different radial positions of the openings 182A and 184B, the spline seal 180 slides into the spline seal inlet opening 184B of the movable slot 176B and moves into the spline seal inlet opening 182A within the sealing member A. As shown in Figures 16 and 18, when the spline seal 180 slides within the slots 174A and 176B, it can extend out of the sealing member B through the spline seal through-opening 192B at the rear axial end 148B of the sealing member B. That is, at the axially offset position of the sealing member B, the spline seal 180 (rear end 195) extends through the spline seal through-opening 192B defined through the rear axial end 148B of the axial sealing portion 144B. As described above, the spline seal through-opening 192B is radially aligned with the stationary slot 174A, and this positioning can be achieved. At the same time, as the spline seal 180 slides within the slots 174A and 176B, it slides through the stationary slot 174A within the sealing member A until it contacts its closed end 190A. The spline seal through-opening 192B is radially aligned with the stationary slot 174A, and therefore the rear end 195 of the spline seal 180 can be prevented from moving radially outward into the seal seat portion 198A at the rear axial end 148A of the sealing member A. When the spline seal 180 reaches the closed end 190A of the stationary slot 174A, the sliding of the spline seal 180 stops. That is, the spline seal 180 is held at the closed end 190A of the stationary slot 174A within the first slash surface 170A at the rear axial end 148B of the axial sealing portion 144A.

[0064] Figures 19 to 23 show perspective views after positioning the sealing member B within the interstage support structure 164 in the axial direction of the operation of multiple sealing members. Positioning may include further axial movement of the sealing member B within the interstage support structure 164. As shown in Figure 19, with the sealing member B within the interstage support structure 164 in the axial direction of the operation of multiple sealing members, the sealing member B can be fixed in place by the holding member 220. Figure 20 shows an enlarged perspective view of the rear axial end 148A of the first sealing member A, with the sealing member B removed from the figure. Figure 21 shows an enlarged perspective view of the front axial end 146A of the first sealing member A, with the sealing member B removed from the figure. Similarly, Figure 22 shows an enlarged perspective view of the rear axial end 148B of the second sealing member B, with the sealing member A removed from the figure. Figure 23 shows an enlarged perspective view of the front axial end 146B of the second sealing member B, which is in the axial position of the axial movement, but sealing member A has been removed from the figure.

[0065] As shown in the enlarged perspective views of Figures 20 to 23, the positioning of the sealing member B within the interstage support structure 164 in the operating axis position of the multiple sealing members adjusts the position of the spline seal 180 in the movable slot 176B and, to a lesser extent, in the stationary slot 174A. More specifically, the adjustment of the spline seal 180 relative to the spline seal slots 174A and 176B allows the spline seal to be held in the operating position of the spline seal in at least one spline seal retaining seat portion 196A, 198A, 200A in at least one spline seal slot 174A, 176B. For example, Figures 20 and 22 show the rear end portion 195 of the seal seat portion 198A in the stationary slot 174A and the seal seat portion 200B in the movable slot 176B. As best shown in Figure 22, after the sealing member B has slid to the operating axial position, the rear axial end 148B of the axial sealing portion 144B slides over the rear end 195 of the spline seal 180, i.e., the end 195 moves inward of the rear axial end 146B and exits the spline seal through-opening 192. When this happens, as shown in Figure 20, the end 195 of the spline seal 180 is also held in place at the closed end 190A of the stationary slot 174A, and the spline seal 180 does not move despite the sealing member B moving axially rearward over it (in the direction of arrow WF). As shown in Figure 22, at the operating axial position of the sealing member B, the rear end 195 is no longer constrained within the spline seal through-opening 192. The circumferentially opposed seal seats 198A and 200B are configured such that when the rear end 195 of the spline seal 180 exits the through-opening 192B in the movable slot 176B, the end 195 is subjected to centrifugal force during the operation of the turbine 100 and moves into the seal seats 198A and 200B, thereby sealing the space between the opposing axial sealing portions 144A and 144B. Axial removal of the spline seal 180 from the rear axial ends 148A and 148B of sealing members A and B is prevented by the closing end 190A.Therefore, when centrifugal force is applied in the operating axial position, the end 195 of the spline seal 180 moves into the seal seat 200B at the rear axial end 148B of the axial sealing portion 144B, and into the seal seat 198A at the rear axial end 148A of the axial sealing portion 144A. In this position, the spline seal 180 seals between the adjacent axial sealing portions 144A and 144B.

[0066] On the front end of the spline seal 180, as shown in Figure 23, after the sealing member B is slid to the operating axial position (see arrow WF), the spline seal 180 slides inward along the curved slot portion 186. The curved slot portion 186 is configured to at least partially face the seal seat portion 196A (Figure 21) at the front axial end 146A of the sealing member A in the circumferential direction. As a result, when the sealing member B moves to the operating axial position, the front end 194 of the spline seal 180 slides inward along the curved slot portion 186B and exits through the first spline seal inlet opening 182A defined through the front axial end 146A of the axial sealing portion 144A. As shown in Figure 21, the front end 194 of the spline seal 180 can move into the seal seat portion 196A in the stationary seal 174A, thus preventing the spline seal 180 from being removed from the front axial ends 146A and 146B of the sealing members A and B. As shown in Figure 23, the front end 194 of the spline seal 180 can be placed in a curved slot portion 186B of a movable slot 176B, which is molded to allow the end 194 to move into the seal slot 196A (Figure 21). Thus, the end 194 of the spline seal 180 is held in place by the seat portion 196A at the front axial end 146A of the axial sealing portion 144A, simultaneously with the seal seats 198A, 200B that freely receive the rear end 195 of the spline seal 180 and the closing end 190A that holds the spline seal 180. Thus, the spline seal 180 is held so as not to move axially in any direction. Advantageously, the spline seal 180 is not subjected to any operations during the insertion or positioning of sealing members A, B that would cause damage to the spline seal 180 or any sealing members or any adjacent structures.

[0067] Any form of lubricant can be applied to the slots 174, 176 and / or the spline seal 180 to ensure proper sliding. If the spline seal 180 cannot slide into the slots 174, 176 during the positioning of the sealing member B, a tool such as a flathead screwdriver (not shown) can be inserted between the slash surfaces 170, 172 to push the spline seal 180 into its final position.

[0068] As described above, the positioning of the starting sealing member 210 can be performed before positioning any of the main sealing members 142. In this case, as shown in Figure 12, the method may include positioning the starting sealing member 210 (sealing member A shown in Figure 12) within the interstage support structure 164 at an axial position corresponding to the operating axial position of the plurality of sealing members. As described above, the starting sealing member 210 is configured to be positioned adjacent to the first main sealing member 142 (sealing member B in Figure 12). As described in relation to Figures 4, 9, 10, and 11, the starting sealing member 210 has stationary slots 174 on its opposing slash surfaces 170, 172 and a spline seal inlet opening 182 at the forward axial end 146 of its axially extending seal portion 144. Each of the spline seal inlet openings 182 of the stationary slot 174 has the same radial position as one of the first radial position R1 and the second radial position R2 (as shown in Figure 10).

[0069] As explained in relation to Figures 12 to 23, any number of main sealing members 142 can be sequentially positioned on the interstage support structure 164 together with their respective spline seals 180. That is, the positioning of the sealing members 142 can be repeated as many times as necessary to form the sealing assembly 140, except for the locking sealing member 212.

[0070] Figure 24 shows a perspective view of positioning the locking sealing member 212. Positioning of the locking sealing member 212 is performed after the last of the main sealing members 142F (see also Figure 9) has been positioned within the interstage support structure 164. That is, positioning of the locking sealing member 212 is performed after several main sealing members 142 have been repeatedly positioned within the assembly sealing assembly 140, except for the locking sealing member 212. Figure 24 shows that the locking sealing member 212 is positioned in an axial offset position for inserting the spline seals 180A and 180B before positioning the locking sealing member 212 within the interstage support structure 164 in an axial position corresponding to the operating axis positions of the multiple sealing members (see Figure 9). As described above, the locking sealing member 212 is configured to be positioned between the last of the main sealing members 142F and the starting sealing member 210. As described above, the locking sealing member 212 has a movable slot 176 on both of its opposing slash faces 170, 172. As shown in Figure 11, each of the spline seal inlet openings 184 at the forward axial end 146 of the axially extending seal portion 144 has the same radial position as the other of the first radial position R1 and the second radial position R2 (shown in Figure 11) in the starting sealing member 210. Here, since the starting sealing member 210 has a stationary slot 174 having the first radial position R1 (Figure 10), each of the spline seal inlet openings 184 at the forward axial end 146 of the axially extending seal portion 144 has the second radial position R2 (Figure 11). In this way, the locking sealing member 212 has its first slash surface 170 having a movable slot 176 that can engage with the stationary slot 174 in the last of the first slash surfaces 170 of the main sealing member 142F. The second slash surface 172 having a movable slot 176 can engage with a stationary slot 174 in the second slash surface 172 of the starting sealing member 210.

[0071] When the spline seals 180A and 180B are in an axially offset position between the last of the main sealing members 142F and the starting sealing member 210, they can be inserted into the movable slots 176 of the locking sealing member 212. More specifically, spline seal 180A can be inserted into the movable slot 176 defined on the second slash face 172 of the locking sealing member 212 and into the fitted stationary slot 174 defined on the first slash face 170 of the last of the main sealing members 142F. Similarly, spline seal 180B can be inserted into the movable slot 176 defined on the first slash face 170 of the locking sealing member 212 and into the fitted stationary slot 174 defined on the second slash face 172 of the starting sealing member 210.

[0072] Once inserted, the locking sealing member 212 may be positioned within the interstage support structure 164 in the axial direction of the operation of the multiple sealing members, as shown in Figure 9. The positioning aligns both spline seals 180A and 180B within the seal slots 176 of the locking sealing member 212. In addition, the positioning holds the spline seals 180A and 180B in their operating positions in at least one of the spline seal slots 174 and 176, i.e., at at least one seal seat portion 196, 198, 200 of the locking sealing member 212, the last main sealing member 142F, and / or the starting sealing member 210. Thus, both spline seals 180A and 180B are held in their operating positions as spline seals between adjacent sealing members, as described in relation to Figures 12 to 23. As shown in Figure 9, the positioning of the locking sealing member 212 completes the rim of the sealing assembly 140, and thus completes the sealing assembly 140.

[0073] The main sealing member 142 is described herein as including a stationary slot 174 on a first slash surface 170 and a movable slot 176 on an opposing second slash surface 172, but it will be recognized that the slot positions can be switched. That is, the main sealing member 142 includes a stationary slot 174 on the second slash surface 172 (facing clockwise in Figure 9, not counterclockwise as shown) and a movable slot 176 on the opposing first slash surface 170 (facing counterclockwise in Figure 9, not clockwise as shown). When this option is used, the starting sealing member 210 includes movable slots 176 on both of its slash surfaces 170, 172, and the locking sealing member 212 includes stationary slots 174 on both of its slash surfaces 170, 172, corresponding to the switch.

[0074] The spline seal 180 can be removed from between the axial sealing portions 144A and 144B by reversing the process described. Here, a tool can be used to move the end 194 radially out of slot 196A so that the end 194 can slide through the spline seal inlet opening 182A defined through the forward axial end 146A of the first axial sealing portion 144A of sealing member A. In addition, a tool can be used to move the end 195 radially so that the end 195 can slide through the spline seal through-opening 192B in the rear axial end 146B of sealing member B. Once the spline seal ends 194 and 195 are positioned in this manner, the axial sealing portion 144B can be slid over the spline seal 180 from its axial operating position, and the spline seal 180 can be slid out of the stationary slot 174 and the movable slot 176. This process can be repeated for each sealing member.

[0075] Embodiments of the present disclosure enable the easy assembly of a sealing assembly with the spline seal properly positioned, without damaging the spline seal, sealing member, or adjacent structure. The sealing assembly requires no additional parts compared to conventional systems, requires no other modifications to the turbine, and is therefore applicable to both new and old turbines.

[0076] The drawings above illustrate some of the relevant processes according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In this regard, each drawing or block in the flowchart of the drawings represents a process related to an embodiment of the described method. It should also be noted that in some alternative embodiments, the actions described in the drawings or blocks may occur in a different order than shown in the drawings, or may actually be performed substantially simultaneously or in reverse order, depending on the relevant actions, for example. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize that additional blocks describing the processes may be added.

[0077] Throughout this specification and the claims, the approximation language used herein may be applied to modify any quantitative expression that may vary to a reasonable extent without altering the fundamental function of the expression. Thus, values ​​modified by terms such as “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially” are not limited to the exact value specified. In at least some examples, the approximation language may correspond to the precision of the instrument used to measure the value. Herein, and throughout this specification and the claims, limitations on ranges are interchangeable and / or substitutable, and unless the context or wording specifically indicates otherwise, such ranges are identified and include all subranges encompassed therein. “About,” applied to a particular value within a range, may indicate + / - 10% of the stated value, unless applied to the values ​​at both ends and particularly dependent on the precision of the instrument used to measure the value.

[0078] All corresponding structures, materials, actions, and equivalents of all elements of means-plus-function or step-plus-function in the following claims are intended to encompass all structures, materials, or actions for performing that function in combination with any other specifically claimed elements. The descriptions in this disclosure are presented for illustrative and explanatory purposes and are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the forms disclosed herein. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure. These embodiments have been selected and described in order to best illustrate the principles and practical applications of this disclosure and to enable other those skilled in the art to understand the various embodiments of this disclosure with various modifications to suit specific intended uses. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 100 Turbomachinery, GT system, turbine 102 Compressor 104 Combustor 106 Combustion Region 108 Fuel Nozzle Assembly 110 Turbine Assembly 111 Turbine 112 Compressor, turbine shaft, turbine rotor 120 nozzle stages, vane stages 122 Static casing 124 rotation blade stages 126 Nozzles, vanes 128 Radial Outer Platform 130 Radial Inner Platform 132 Rotating Blades 134 Radial Inner Platform 136 Radial outer tip shroud 138 Rotor Wheel 140 Assembly Enclosure Assembly 142 Main sealing member, first sealing member 142F Main sealing member 144 Axial sealing portion, axially extending sealing portion 144A First axial sealing portion 144B Second axial sealing portion 146 Front end, first axial end, front axial end 146A Front axial end 146B Front axial end, rear axial end 148 Rear end, second axial end, rear axial end 148A Rear axial end 148B Rear axial end 150 Loading surface 152 Shelf 154 Road bar or wire seal 158 Seal teeth 160 Abradable Surface 162 Seal base 164 Interstage support structure 166 Interstage support structure, male mold retention mechanism 168 Segment Seal 170 First slash face 170A First slash surface 172 Second slash face 172B Slash Face 174 Mating stationary slot, spline seal receiving slot, spline seal slot, first stationary slot 174A Spline seal slot, stationary slot, stationary seal 176 spline seal receiving slot, second spline seal slot, moving slot, inlet slot, stationary slot 176B Spline seal slot, transfer slot 180 Spline Seal 180A Spline Seal 180B Spline Seal 182 First spline seal inlet opening 182A Spline seal inlet opening 184 Second spline seal inlet opening 184B Spline seal inlet opening 186 Continuous curved slot section 186B Curved slot section 190 Closed end 190A Closed end 192 Spline seal through opening 192B Spline seal through opening 194 Front end, spline seal end, end 195 Rear end, spline seal end, end 196 First spline seal end retaining seat, first seal seat 196A Seal seat portion, first spline seal end retaining seat portion 198 Seal seat portion, second spline seal end retaining seat portion 198A Seal seat, spline seal retaining seat 200 Seal seat portion, third spline seal end retaining seat portion 200A Spline seal retaining seat 200B Seal Seat 210 Starting sealing member, first sealing member, second starting sealing member 212 Locking sealing member, third locking sealing member 218 Planar body 220 Retaining member A axis, first sealing member B. Second sealing member R1: First radial distance, first radial position R2 Second radial position DA Assembly Direction Arrow WF Arrow

Claims

1. A plurality of sealing members (142, 210, 212) for a sealing assembly (140) configured to be positioned adjacent to each other between adjacent rotating blade stages (124) of a turbine (111), wherein each of the plurality of sealing members (142, 210, 212) is A seal base (162) including a fixing mechanism (166) that operates to fix to the interstage support structure (164), An axially extending sealing portion (144) coupled to the seal base (162), wherein the axially extending sealing portion (144) has a first axial end (146) and an opposing second axial end (148), and a first slash surface (170) and an opposing second slash surface (172), and each of the first and second slash surfaces (170, 172) extends between the first axial end (146) and the opposing second axial end (148) of the axially extending sealing portion (144), A first spline seal slot (174) defined in the first slash surface (170), the first spline seal slot (174) including a first spline seal inlet opening (182) defined through the first axial end (146) of the axially extending sealing portion (144), A second spline seal slot (176) defined in the second slash surface (172), the second spline seal slot (176) including a second spline seal inlet opening (184) defined through the first axial end (146) of the axially extending sealing portion (144) and It is equipped with, The first spline seal inlet opening (182) is located at a first radial position (R1) that is different from the second radial position (R2) of the second spline seal inlet opening (184), The first spline seal slot (174) and the second spline seal slot (176) of adjacent sealing members (142, 210, 212) cooperate to hold the spline seal (180) inside them in their operating positions. Multiple sealing members (142, 210, 212).

2. A plurality of sealing members (142, 210, 212) according to claim 1, wherein the first spline seal slot (174) in the first slash surface (170) includes a closed end (190) at the second axial end (148) of the axially extending sealing portion (144).

3. A plurality of sealing members (142, 210, 212) according to claim 1, wherein the second spline seal slot (176) in the second slash surface (172) includes a spline seal through-opening (192) defined through the second axial end (148) of the axially extending sealing portion (144), and the spline seal through-opening (192) is radially aligned with the first spline seal slot (174) defined in the first slash surface (170).

4. The first spline seal slot (174) in the first slash surface (170) includes a first spline seal end retaining seat (196) at the first axial end (146) of the axially extending sealing portion (144), and a second spline seal end retaining seat (198) at the second axial end (148) of the axially extending sealing portion (144), and the first spline seal inlet opening (182) is continuous with the first spline seal end retaining seat (196). The second spline seal slot (176) in the second slash surface (172) includes a third spline seal end retaining seat (200) at the second axial end (148) of the sealing portion extending in the axial direction. A plurality of sealing members (142, 210, 212) according to claim 1.

5. A sealing assembly (140), wherein the sealing assembly (140) is A plurality of first sealing members (142) configured to be positioned adjacent to one another between adjacent rotating blade stages (124) within the turbine (100, 111). It is equipped with, and each of the plurality of first sealing members (142) is A first seal base (162) includes a first fixing mechanism (166) that operates to fix the first sealing member (142) to the interstage support structure (164), A first axially extending sealing portion (144) coupled to the first seal base (162), wherein the first axially extending sealing portion (144) has a first axial end (146) and an opposing second axial end (148), and a first slash surface (170) and an opposing second slash surface (172), and each of the first and second slash surfaces (170, 172) extends between the first axial end (146) and the opposing second axial end (148) of the first axially extending sealing portion (144), A first spline seal slot (174) defined in the first slash surface (170), the first spline seal slot (174) including a first spline seal inlet opening (182) defined through the first axial end (146) of the first axially extending sealing portion (144), A second spline seal slot (176) defined in the second slash surface (172), the second spline seal slot (176) including a second spline seal inlet opening (184) defined through the first axial end (146) of the first axially extending sealing portion (144) and It is equipped with, The first spline seal inlet opening (182) is located at a first radial position (R1) that is different from the second radial position (R2) of the second spline seal inlet opening (184), The first spline seal slot (174) and the second spline seal slot (176) of the adjacent first sealing member (142) cooperate to hold the spline seal (180) inside in the operating position. Encapsulation assembly (140).

6. The sealing assembly (140) according to claim 5, wherein the first spline seal slots (174, 176) in the first slash surface (170) include a closed end (190) at the second axial end (148) of the first axially extending sealing portion (144).

7. The sealing assembly (140) according to claim 5, wherein the second spline seal slot (176) in the second slash surface (172) includes a spline seal through-opening (192) defined through the second axial end (148) of the first axially extending sealing portion (144), and the spline seal through-opening (192) is radially aligned with the first spline seal slot (174) defined in the first slash surface (170).

8. The sealing assembly (140) according to claim 5, wherein the first spline seal slot (174) in the first slash surface (170) includes a first spline seal end retaining seat (196) at the first axial end (146) of the first axially extending sealing portion (144) and a second spline seal end retaining seat (198) at the second axial end (148) of the first axially extending sealing portion (144), and the first spline seal inlet opening (182) is continuous with the first spline seal end retaining seat (196).

9. The sealing assembly (140) according to claim 8, wherein the second spline seal slot (176) in the second slash surface (172) includes a third spline seal end retaining seat (200) at the second axial end (148) of the first axially extending sealing portion (144).

10. The sealing assembly (140) according to claim 9, wherein the second spline seal inlet opening (184) in the second slash surface (172) is coupled to the remaining portion of the second spline seal slot (176) defined in the second slash surface (172) by a continuous curved slot portion (186) defined in the second slash surface (172).

11. The sealing assembly (140) according to claim 10, wherein the continuous curved slot portion (186) is circumferentially aligned with the first spline seal end retaining seat portion (196) of the first axial end (146) of the first axially extending sealing portion (144).

12. The sealing assembly (140) according to claim 8, further comprising spline seals (180) in spline seal slots (174, 176) of adjacent first sealing members (142), each spline seal (180) including a planar body (218) having opposing ends (194, 195) inclined with respect to the planar body (218) in a relaxed state, and at least one of the opposing ends (194, 195) being held in the relaxed state by one of the first and second spline seal end retaining seats (196, 198).

13. The sealing assembly (140) according to claim 12, wherein the first spline seal inlet opening (182) in the first slash surface (170) is linearly continuous with the rest of the first spline seal slot (174) defined in the first slash surface (170).

14. The sealing assembly (140) A second sealing member (210) is configured to be positioned adjacent to one of the first sealing members (142). It further comprises the second sealing member (210), A second seal base (162) including a second fixing mechanism (166) that operates to fix to the interstage support structure (164), A second axially extending sealing portion (144) coupled to the second seal base (162), wherein the second axially extending sealing portion (144) has a third axial end (146) and an opposing fourth axial end (148), and a third slash surface (170) and an opposing fourth slash surface (172), and each of the third and fourth slash surfaces (170, 172) extends between the third axial end (146) and the opposing fourth axial end (148) of the second axially extending sealing portion (144), A third spline seal slot (174) defined in the third slash surface (170), the third spline seal slot (174) including a third spline seal inlet opening (182) defined through the third axial end (146) of the second axially extending sealing portion (144), A fourth spline seal slot (174) defined in the fourth slash surface (172), the fourth spline seal slot (174) including a fourth spline seal inlet opening (182) defined through the third axial end (146) of the second axially extending sealing portion (144) and It includes, The third spline seal inlet opening (182) and the fourth spline seal inlet opening (182) are located at the first radial position (R1) which is different from the second radial position (R2) of the second spline seal inlet opening (184), One of the third spline seal slot (174) and the fourth spline seal slot (174) cooperates to hold a spline seal (180) inside at the operating position with respect to the respective second spline seal slots (176) of the adjacent first sealing member (142). The sealing assembly (140) according to claim 5.

15. The sealing assembly (140) A third sealing member (212) is configured to be positioned between one of the first sealing members (142) and the second sealing member (210). It further comprises the third sealing member (212), A third seal base (162) including a third fixing mechanism (166) that operates to fix to the interstage support structure (164), A third axially extending sealing portion (144) coupled to the third seal base (162), wherein the third axially extending sealing portion (144) has a fifth axial end (146) and an opposing sixth axial end (148), and a fifth slash surface (170) and an opposing sixth slash surface (172), and each of the fifth and sixth slash surfaces (170, 172) extends between the fifth axial end (146) and the opposing sixth axial end (148) of the third axially extending sealing portion (144), A fifth spline seal slot (174) defined in the fifth slash surface (170), the fifth spline seal slot (174) including a fifth spline seal inlet opening (184) defined through the fifth axial end (146) of the third axially extending sealing portion (144), A sixth spline seal slot (176) defined in the sixth slash surface (172), the sixth spline seal slot (176) including a sixth spline seal inlet opening (184) defined through the sixth axial end (148) of the third axially extending sealing portion (144) and It includes, The fifth spline seal inlet opening (184) and the sixth spline seal inlet opening (184) are located at the second radial position (R2) of the second spline seal inlet opening (184), The fifth spline seal slot (174) and one of the sixth spline seals (180A, 180B) cooperate to hold the spline seal (180) inside at the operating position relative to the respective first spline seal slots (174) of the adjacent first sealing member (142). The sealing assembly (140) according to claim 14.

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