Sealing arrangement for rotary machines

Abstract

A rotary adsorption machine (RAM) (26) includes a housing (100) and a rotor (34) configured to rotate within the housing (100) during operation to move plates of the rotor (34). The RAM (26) also includes a seal (1202) configured to removably couple to a plate (1204) to block air flow between the plate (1204) and the housing (100) and be readily detached from the plate (1204).

Description

Attorney Docket No. 1490.0196i SEALING ARRANGEMENT FOR ROTARY MACHINES CROSS-REFERENCE

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 770,517, entitled “SEALING ARRANGEMENT FOR ROTARY MACHINES,” filed March 12, 2025, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 926,013, entitled “SEALING ARRANGEMENT FOR ROTARY MACHINES,” filed November 26, 2025, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a sealing arrangement (e.g., a seal attachment) for sealing between zones of rotary heat exchangers, rotary adsorption machines, and the like.BACKGROUND

[0003] Rotary adsorption machines (RAMs), which are also known as thermal swing adsorption machines, pressure swing adsorption machines, regenerative rotary separators, and the like, are often deployed to recover specific gasses, elements, and / or particulates, such as carbon dioxide. More specifically, RAMs are often deployed for point source carbon capture and / or for direct air carbon capture. In any case, RAMs typically include an adsorbent material, such as activated carbon, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) or zeolite (e.g., hydrated aluminosilicates of alkaline and alkaline-earth metals), in a rotatable rotor.

[0004] Some RAMs include a cylindrical housing section that is configured to circumferentially surround the rotor and to define a plurality of zones through which the rotor can rotate. A plurality of ducts may define passageways into and out of the plurality of zones, and the cylindrical housing section may connect an inlet of each duct of the plurality of ducts to an outlet of each duct of the plurality of ducts. These zones can include an adsorption zone, a desorption zone, and a regeneration zone, which typically operate at different temperaturesAttorney Docket No. 1490.0196i and pressures. Two or more sector plate assemblies may define and / or separate adjacent zones. Meanwhile, in the rotor, radial plates extend between a central hub and an outer shell of the cylindrical section to at least partially define containers within which the adsorbent material is retained.

[0005] During operation of the RAM, a process gas, such as a carbon dioxide laden gas, enters the rotor, and the target gasses, elements, and / or particulates (e.g., carbon dioxide) is / are adsorbed onto the adsorbent material. The rotor then rotates the adsorbed substance into a desorption zone to release the target substance from the adsorbent material so that the target substance can be captured, processed, and / or used. The desorption is caused by a change in pressure and / or a change in temperature (e.g., by passing steam through the rotor and / or through electric heating elements). Because these different zones are capturing and releasing a target substance and operate at different pressures, it is quite important to provide proper seals between the zones to limit or eliminate fluid flow / leakage therebetween.SUMMARY

[0006] Disclosed are sealing techniques for minimizing or eliminating leakage between adjacent zones of a rotary machine, such as a RAM. The present disclosure primarily describes these seal techniques in connection with RAMs, but the sealing arrangements disclosed herein are equally applicable to minimizing or eliminating leakage between adjacent zones of a rotary heat exchanger and like machines. Advantages and features of the sealing techniques of the present application will become evident in view of the drawings and detailed description.

[0007] In some embodiments, a rotary machine is provided. The rotary machine includes a rotor configured to receive a first fluid flow and a second fluid flow and rotate to transfer particles between the first fluid flow and the second fluid flow. The rotor includes a radial plate, and the rotary machine also includes a seal holder coupled to the radial plate and formingAttorney Docket No. 1490.0196i a space extending between the radial plate and the seal holder. The rotary machine further includes a seal configured to be inserted into the space extending between the radial plate and the seal holder to couple to the radial plate.

[0008] In some embodiments, a method of adjusting a seal relative to a radial plate of a rotor of a rotary machine is provided. The rotor is configured to rotate to transfer particles between a first fluid flow and a second fluid flow. The method includes inserting a seal into a space formed between the radial plate and a seal holder coupled thereto and moving the seal holder toward the radial plate to close the space and retain the seal within the space.

[0009] In some embodiments, a sealing arrangement for a rotor of a rotary machine is provided. The rotor is configured to transfer particles between a first fluid flow and a second fluid flow and includes a plate. The sealing arrangement includes a seal holder configured to couple to the plate to form a space between the plate and the seal holder and a seal configured to be inserted into the space. The seal holder is configured to move toward the plate to close the space and retain the seal within the space.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] To complete the description and in order to provide for a better understanding of the present disclosure, a set of drawings is provided. The drawings form an integral part of the description and illustrate implementations of the present disclosure, which should not be interpreted as restricting the scope of the disclosure, but just as an example of how the disclosure can be carried out. The drawings comprise the following figures:

[0011] FIG. l is a schematic view of a combined cycle power plant with a rotary adsorption machine (RAM) formed in accordance with an example implementation. The RAM may implement the sealing techniques of the present application.Attorney Docket No. 1490.0196i

[0012] FIG. 2 is a top, front perspective view of a RAM formed in accordance with an example implementation.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a partially cut-away perspective view of a portion of the RAM of FIG. 2.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a side view of an embodiment of a sealing arrangement for a rotary machine, such as the RAM of FIG. 2, in accordance with an example implementation.

[0015] FIG. 5 is a side view of another embodiment of a sealing arrangement for a rotary machine, such as the RAM of FIG. 2, in accordance with an example implementation.

[0016] FIG. 6 is a side view of yet another embodiment of a sealing arrangement for a rotary machine, such as the RAM of FIG. 2, in accordance with an example implementation.

[0017] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method for attaching and detaching a seal with respect to a seal holder, in accordance with an example implementation.

[0018] FIG. 8 is a detailed view of a further embodiment of a sealing arrangement for a rotary machine, such as the RAM of FIG. 2, in accordance with an example implementation.

[0019] FIG. 9 is a detailed view of still another embodiment of a sealing arrangement for a rotary machine, such as the RAM of FIG. 2, in accordance with an example implementation.

[0020] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a tool for adjusting a seal holder for a rotary machine, such as the RAM of FIG. 2, in accordance with an example implementation.

[0021] FIG. 11 is another perspective view of the tool of FIG. 10, in accordance with an example implementation.

[0022] FIGs. 12A and 12B are each a perspective view of an additional embodiment of a sealing arrangement for a rotary machine, such as the RAM of FIG. 2, in accordance with an example implementation.

[0023] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a seal holder and a plate for a rotary machine, such as the RAM of FIG. 2, in accordance with an example implementation.Attorney Docket No. 1490.0196i

[0024] FIG. 14 is a side perspective view of another embodiment of a seal holder and a plate of a rotary machine, such as the RAM of FIG. 2, in accordance with an example implementation.

[0025] FIGs. 15A and 15B are each a perspective view of a further embodiment of a seal holder and a plate of a rotary machine, such as the RAM of FIG. 2, in accordance with an example implementation.

[0026] FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a method for coupling a seal to a radial plate, in accordance with an example implementation.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Generally, this application is directed to sealing techniques for a rotary machine, such as a rotary adsorption machine (RAM). However, it is important to note that the sealing arrangements / assemblies (e.g., a seal attachment) disclosed herein are also applicable for use in rotary heat exchangers, including low temperature rotary heat exchangers (e.g., those operating at less than 200°C) and cold temperature rotary heat exchangers. Disclosed herein are sealing arrangements to reduce or eliminate the leakage of fluids (gases and / or liquids) between zones of a RAM, a rotary heat exchanger, and the like to increase the effectiveness of such machines.

[0028] At a high-level, a RAM often includes a housing and a rotor configured to rotate within the housing. The RAM is configured to receive respective fluid flows, and rotation of the rotor brings different parts of the rotor into contact with different fluid flows to, for example, transfer a particle between the fluid flows. It is desirable to block fluid flow between the rotor and the housing to isolate the fluid flows from one another (i.e., to prevent or limit leakage) and increase efficiency of operation of the RAM.Attorney Docket No. 1490.0196i

[0029] Thus, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a sealing arrangement / assembly configured to block fluid flow between the rotor and the housing. The sealing arrangement includes a seal configured to couple to a plate of the rotor to block fluid flow between the rotor (e.g., the plate) and the housing. In some embodiments, the sealing arrangement also includes a seal holder configured to couple to the rotor, and the seal is configured to attach to the seal holder to couple to the rotor. The seal holder may include various features to secure to the seal. For example, the seal holder may include a hook portion that at least partially defines a recess / pocket, and the hook portion is configured to flex to open the recess and enable the seal to be inserted into or removed from the recess. That is, the movability / flexibility of the hook portion enables the seal to be attached to or detached from the seal holder. Additionally, the hook portion is configured to urge a seal installed therein toward the rotor to securely retain the seal within the recess and attach the seal to the rotor. As another example, one of the seal holder or the seal may include a tab configured to insert into a slot or channel of the other of the seal holder or the seal for securement (e.g., via a snap fit and / or detent-style connection). In yet another example, the seal holder uses a cam lever configured to impart a compressive force against the seal to retain the seal against the plate. Furthermore, it should be noted that in certain embodiments, the seal may be directly coupled to the plate (e.g., via tabs) without usage of a seal holder.

[0030] An example power plant 10 of a type that may incorporate a RAM 26 formed in accordance with the present application is illustrated in FIG. 1. However, to be clear, the power plant 10 of FIG. 1 is merely an example and, in other implementations, RAM 26 may be positioned in any desirable location, e.g., for carbon capture. For example, the power plant 10 generally depicts a combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant, but the RAM 26 could also be positioned / included in a conventional coal powered power plant or any other flue system (e.g., for point source capture). In fact, it is envisioned that the RAM 26 presentedAttorney Docket No. 1490.0196i herein may be configured to capture carbon dioxide from ambient air. That is, the RAM 26 presented herein may be positioned in locations in which carbon dioxide laden gas entering the RAM 26 is ambient air (as opposed to a process effluent).

[0031] That said, in FIG. 1, the power plant 10 includes a gas turbine 16, a Heat Recovery Steam Generator (HRSG) 14, and a generator 18 coupled with a steam turbine 23. Turbines 16 and 23 combine to drive the generator 18 to produce electricity. The steam turbine 23 is connected to a condenser 19 with an intake 20 and exhaust 22. The power plant 10 also includes fans 24a and 24b, which may be used to move air through this system. Meanwhile, a heat exchanger 12 may be positioned adjacent the exhaust of the HRSG 14. As mentioned, in some instances, heat exchanger 12 might be a rotary heat exchanger implementing the sealing techniques of the present application. Although not shown, a power plant utilizing the RAM 26 might also include another heat exchanger to heat the air entering a boiler. For example, such a heat exchanger might heat air entering a boiler with heat from combustion gases expelled from the boiler (while also cooling the gas expelled from the boiler).

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1 and in combination with FIG. 2, which illustrates the RAM 26 of FIG. 1 in further detail, the cooled exhaust gas enters the RAM 26 as a first flow Fl and enters the RAM 26 via a first duct 110. However, to reiterate, exhaust gas is merely one example of gas that may enter the RAM 26 as the first flow Fl. As other examples, the first flow Fl may be a flow of ambient air and / or atmosphere, or a combination of ambient air / atmosphere and an exhaust gas. In any case, when the first flow Fl encounters a rotor 34 included in the RAM 26, adsorptive elements in the rotor 34 can adsorb a specific portion of the first flow Fl (e.g., carbon dioxide). Then, the adsorptive elements in the rotor 34 can carry the adsorbed portion of the first flow Fl through a partial rotation. Meanwhile, a portion of the first flow F 1 that is not captured by the adsorptive elements may exit the RAM 26 as process flow Fl’, e.g., to (or back to) atmosphere, e.g., by way of the heat exchanger 12, where it canAttorney Docket No. 1490.0196i be used to cool exhaust gas. Additionally or alternatively, the process flow F 1 ’ could be fed to a conduit that directs the process flow F 1’ to a downstream processing operation that requires clean gas / air. The area of the rotor 34 aligned with the first flow F 1 may generally be referred to herein as a first zone Z1 (i.e., an adsorptive zone Zl) of the RAM 26.

[0033] As the rotor 34 rotates, it moves the adsorbed portion of the first flow Fl (e.g., carbon dioxide) out of the adsorptive zone Zl (e.g., by rotating the adsorptive elements that have adsorbed the portion of the first flow Fl) and into a second zone Z2 (i.e., a desorption zone Z2) of the RAM 26. In the desorption zone Z2, a second flow F2 is directed into the RAM 26 to cause the adsorptive elements of the rotor 34 carrying the adsorbed portion of the first flow Fl to desorb the adsorbed portion of the first flow Fl. For example, steam may be directed into the RAM 26 as the second flow F2 to create a temperature change that releases carbon dioxide from the adsorptive elements for carbon capture. To illustrate this example, the steam of the second flow F2 emanates from steam turbine operations (e.g., from the condenser 19) in FIG. 1. In any case, the adsorbed portion of the first flow Fl is released into the second flow F2 to generate a flow F2’ exiting RAM 26. By way of example, the flow F2’ may carry carbon dioxide and may be directed to a storage tank, condenser, and / or stripper, e.g., to prevent the carbon dioxide from entering or re-entering the atmosphere (e.g., to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere).

[0034] After adsorptive elements desorb the adsorbed portion of the first flow Fl (e.g., carbon dioxide), the adsorptive elements may move into a third zone Z3 (i.e., a regeneration zone Z3). In the third zone Z3, conditioning air (e.g., driven by fan 24a) may flow through the RAM 26 to “regenerate” the adsorptive elements, entering as flow F3 and exiting as flow F3 ’ (which, may, in some instances, combine with the process flow Fl’ on exiting the RAM 26, as shown in FIG. 1). This conditioning air prepares the adsorptive elements to re-enter the adsorption zone Zl (e.g., by cooling the adsorptive elements) so that the adsorptive elementsAttorney Docket No. 1490.0196i can continue cycling through the three zones of the RAM 26. That is, continued rotation of a particular adsorptive element of rotor 34 through a full 360° rotation within the RAM 26 will cause the particular adsorptive element to adsorb a specific portion of the first flow Fl, desorb the flow component, and regenerate. Thus, a cylindrical rotor 34 full of adsorptive elements will continuously capture a component / portion of a first flow of gas Fl entering the RAM 26.

[0035] However, to be clear, the RAM 26 illustrated in the figures of this application is merely an example, and other implementations may include any number of variations. For example, a RAM 26 formed in accordance with the present application may include any quantity of zones, e.g., to incorporate isolation zones, multiple stages of regeneration, desorption, and / or adsorption, or for any other reason. Additionally or alternatively, the various flows entering and exiting the RAM 26 may emanate from any desirable source or flow to any desirable location, including a source of that flow or another flow (e.g., to recycle flows of fluid). As yet another example, the composition of the various flows can be varied, such as by using a fluid flow other than steam for desorption.

[0036] FIG. 3 illustrates the RAM 26 of FIG. 2 in greater detail by providing a cut-away view of a portion of the RAM 26. FIGs. 2 and 3 are discussed together to describe the RAM 26. At a high-level, the RAM 26 includes a rotor 34 that is rotatable within a housing 100. The housing 100 is specifically designed to enclose and seal against portions of the rotor 34 to help dictate how and where fluid (e.g., gas) will enter, exit, or move with the rotor 34. As mentioned, the RAM 26 presented herein, including the housing 100 and rotor 34, may be particularly suitable for large scale (e.g., industrial) operations. Thus, in at least some instances, the rotor 34 may have a diameter equal to or greater than 20 meters, such as 24 meters, and the housing 100 may be sized accordingly.

[0037] As can be seen in FIG. 3, the rotor 34 includes a central hub 36 and an outer shell 35. Radial plates 37 extend between the central hub 36 and the outer shell 35 and are offsetAttorney Docket No. 1490.0196i from one another to at least partially define containers or openings 40 therebetween. The containers 40 are configured to receive and retain adsorbent material. In at least some implementations, the rotor 34 also includes circumferential plates to subdivide the containers 40. Either way, adsorbent material may be stored and / or installed within the containers 40. For example, adsorbent material may be “dropped down” into the containers 40 to fill the rotor 34 with adsorbent material. In at least some instances, the adsorbent may be formed from any adsorbent now known or developed hereafter that is suitable for adsorbing carbon dioxide, such as activated carbon, MOFs, zeolite(s), or combinations thereof.

[0038] As mentioned, the rotor 34 is configured to continuously rotate around the central hub 36 to move radially aligned containers 40 through a cycle of zones (e.g., through zones Zl, Z2, and Z3). During this rotation, the housing 100 is generally designed to closely conform to the rotor 34 and circumferentially retain gas in the rotor 34. More specifically, a cylindrical section 108 of the housing 100 is designed to closely conform to the outer shell 35 of the rotor 34. Thus, the rotor 34 works in combination with the inlet and outlet ducts and to create pathways along which fluid can axially enter or exit the rotor 34.

[0039] Additionally, sector plates located between the zones of the RAM are equipped with features that facilitate sealing between the zones and minimize or eliminate fluid flow between the zones. FIG. 2 shows an example sector plate 29 positioned between the adsorption zone (Zl) and the regeneration zone (Z3) and above the radial plates 37. In the depicted implementation, a first sector plate 29 separates the adsorption zone Z 1 (generally aligned with the first duct 110) from at least the regeneration zone Z3. A second sector plate (not shown in the figures), similar to and horizontally aligned with the first sector plate 29, is typically disposed below the radial plates 37. The sealing arrangements / assemblies disclosed herein are equally applicable to sealing against a top or bottom surface of a sector plate assembly. Similarly, the sealing arrangements disclosed herein may also be applicable to longitudinallyAttorney Docket No. 1490.0196i extending surfaces extending between the bottom and top sector plates (e.g., vertically extending portions of a sector assembly). With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the aforementioned first and second sector plates may be respectively attached or coupled to top and bottom frame assemblies 300 and 400 of RAM 26. Although not shown in FIG. 2, similar sets of sector plates may be disposed between the adsorption zone (Zl) and desorption zone (Z2) and also between the desorption zone (Z2) and the regeneration zone (Z3).

[0040] With continued reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, overall, the housing 100 extends from a front 101 to a back 102, from a first side 103 to a second side 104, and from a bottom 106 to a top 105. In the depicted implementation, different streams of fluid enter or exit the RAM 26 in a generally vertical or longitudinal manner (i.e., from the bottom 106 to the top 105, or vice versa). Thus, the housing 100: (a) includes a cylindrical section 108 that circumferentially surrounds the rotor 34; and (b) defines a plurality of ducts at the top 105 and bottom 106 of the RAM 26. Specifically, in the depicted implementation, the RAM 26 includes three ducts that are generally aligned with zones Zl, Z2, and Z3: (1) a first duct 110 generally aligned with the adsorption zone Zl; (2) a second duct 130 generally aligned with the desorption zone Z2; and (3) a third duct 150 generally aligned with the regeneration zone Z3. However, other implementations may include any number of ducts and do not necessarily need to include the same number of ducts and zones.

[0041] In the depicted implementation, the first duct 110 extends from an inlet disposed adjacent the top 105 of the housing 100 to an outlet disposed adjacent the bottom 106 of the housing 100. Meanwhile, the second duct 130 and third duct 150 extend from inlets that are positioned adj acent the bottom 106 of the housing 100 to outlets that are respectively positioned adjacent the top 105 of the housing 100. Thus, the first flow Fl entering the first duct 110 generally flows in a first longitudinal direction (e.g., downwards) while flows F2 and F3 entering ducts 130 and 150 generally flow in an opposite longitudinal direction (e.g., upwards).Attorney Docket No. 1490.0196i As specific examples, the first flow Fl may comprise ambient air and / or a process effluent flowing downwards into the rotor 34 via the inlet of the first duct 110 while the second flow F2 comprises steam flowing upwards into the rotor 34 via the inlet of the second duct 130 and the third flow F3 comprises conditioning air flowing upwards into the rotor 34 via the inlet of the third duct 150.

[0042] In the examples that follow, reference is made to sealing arrangements / assemblies located between the radial plates 37 and the sector plate 29 situated between the adsorption zone (Zl) and the regeneration zone (Z3). It should be appreciated, however, that such sealing arrangements are equally applicable to radial plate / housing interfaces in other locations of the RAM 26, such as between the adsorption zone (Zl) and the desorption zone (Z2), between the desorption zone (Z2) and the regeneration zone (Z3), and / or at other suitable locations that prevent or inhibit leakage between adjacent zones and / or circumferential leakage around a rotor and / or matrix. That is, the sealing arrangements may be implemented at any of the upper and lower ends of the radial plates 37 to seal against one or more other plates located in the RAM 26 but may also be implemented at circumferential sections, axial plates, axial ends of radial plates, etc.

[0043] FIG. 4 is a side view of a sealing arrangement / assembly 500 in which a radial plate 37 of the rotor 34 (see FIGs. 2 and 3) is rotated into alignment with the sector plate 29. An end surface 37a of the radial plate 37 faces an inner surface 29a of the sector plate 29, but the radial plate 37 is offset from the sector plate 29 to form a space 504 therebetween. For this reason, a seal 506 is coupled to the radial plate 37 and extends from the radial plate 37 to the sector plate 29 to occlude the space 504, blocking fluid flow between the sector plate 29 and the radial plate 37 via the space 504. As an example, the sector plate 29 may separate zones Zl and Z3 from one another, and the seal 506 may extend between the zones Zl and Z3 to block fluid flow between the zones Zl and Z3. Consequently, the seal 506 isolates fluid flow within the zonesAttorney Docket No. 1490.0196i Z1 and Z3 to help improve efficiency of operation of a RAM. The rotor 34 is configured to rotate in direction 502, however, so the seal 506 temporarily seals against the sector plate 29 before rotating towards a subsequent sector plate and temporarily sealing against the subsequent sector plate.

[0044] The sealing arrangement 500 includes a seal holder 508 (e.g., a seal attachment) configured to secure the seal 506 to the radial plate 37. Although the illustrated seal holder 508 overlaps with a portion of the radial plate 37, in additional or alternative embodiments, the seal holder 508 overlaps with an entirety (e.g., an entire height, an entire length) of the radial plate 37. The seal holder 508 includes a base portion 510 configured to attach to the radial plate 37, as well as a hook portion 512 configured to receive and retain the seal 506. The base portion 510 may be fixed to the radial plate 37, such as via a weld, an adhesive, a fastener, and the like, and the hook portion 512 may extend from the base portion 510 and over the radial plate 37. Additionally or alternatively, the base portion 510 may be integrally formed with the radial plate 37. In any case, the hook portion 512 extends from the base portion 510 and has a profile to cooperatively define a recess / pocket 514 with the radial plate 37. Importantly, the hook portion 512 is configured to flex relative to the base portion 510 and, thus, the seal 506 can be inserted into or removed from the recess 514.

[0045] More specifically, the hook portion 512 is configured to rotate relative to the radial plate 37 and therefore relative to the base portion 510 to adjust the recess 514. Rotating the hook portion 512 in a first rotational direction 516 away from the radial plate 37 opens the recess 514 (e.g., increases an opening between the radial plate 37 and the hook portion 512 leading to the recess 514, increases exposure of the recess 514, reduces occlusion of the recess 514 via the hook portion 512) to allow the seal 506 to be inserted into and / or removed from the recess 514. In contrast, rotating the hook portion 512 in a second rotational direction 518, opposite the first rotational direction 516, toward the radial plate 37 closes the recess 514 (e.g.,Attorney Docket No. 1490.0196i reduces the opening between the radial plate 37 and the hook portion 512 leading to the recess 514, reduces exposure of the recess 514, increases occlusion of the recess 514 via the hook portion 512) to prevent, or at least discourage, the seal 506 from being inserted into and / or removed from the recess 514.

[0046] In some embodiments, the seal holder 508 is composed of a resiliently flexible material to operate as a biasing member, such as a spring, that enables the hook portion 512 to flex relative to the radial plate 37 and the base portion 510 in the first rotational direction 516 in response to a sufficient amount of force (e.g., a force manually applied by a user). However, absent the sufficient force, the hook portion 512 is urged in the second rotational direction 518. Specifically, the hook portion 512 is biased to close the recess 514 to surround a thickness / width of a retaining portion 524 of the seal 506 installed in the recess 514. Consequently, absent the sufficient force, the hook portion 512 is configured to retain the seal 506 within the recess 514, thereby securing the seal 506 to the radial plate 37.

[0047] By way of example, the hook portion 512 may include a distal end 520 that is urged into contact with the seal 506 to compress the seal 506 against the radial plate 37. This compressive contact may restrict or at least discourage the seal 506 from moving relative to the radial plate 37, such as by translating along the radial plate 37. Compressing the seal 506 against the radial plate 37 may also block or at least discourage movement of the seal 506 in a radial direction 521 along the seal holder 508 and the radial plate 37 to retain the seal 506 within the recess 514. In some implementations, another component, such as an additional plate (e.g., a circumferential plate) coupled to the radial plate 37, is arranged to block movement of the seal 506 in the radial direction 521, such as by extending over a portion of the recess 514, either in addition to or as an alternative to discouraging or preventing such movement with compressive contact.Attorney Docket No. 1490.0196i

[0048] The seal holder 508 may be composed of a metal and / or an elastomeric material. Advantageously, an elastomeric material may produce less heat to reduce wear and / or increase friction to reduce movement of the seal 506 with respect to the seal holder 508 to secure the seal 506 to the radial plate 37.

[0049] In certain embodiments, the seal 506 includes a sealing portion 522 and a retaining portion 524. The retaining portion 524 may be integral with the sealing portion 522 and / or may be a separate component attached (e.g., welded, adhered) to the sealing portion 522. Either way, the retaining portion 524 is configured to be inserted into the recess 514, and the sealing portion 522 is configured to extend at least partially into the space 504 to block fluid flow between the radial plate 37 and the sector plate 29.

[0050] As can be seen in FIG. 4, the retaining portion 524 has an increased thickness or width as compared to the sealing portion 522. For example, the retaining portion 524 may include a convex or extended feature. Thus, in an assembled configuration of the sealing arrangement 500 in which the retaining portion 524 is positioned within the recess 514, the retaining portion 524 extends toward the hook portion 512. For instance, the retaining portion 524 may have a thickness that is larger than the distance between the distal end 520 and the radial plate 37 when the hook portion 512 is in a rest position (due to biasing of the hook portion 512). Thus, the retaining portion 524 will block or prevent the seal 506 from moving in a first axial direction 526 (e.g., perpendicular to the radial direction 521) out of the recess 514, as such movement would cause the retaining portion 524 to abut the distal end 520, which would block further movement of the retaining portion 524 out of the recess 514 and retain the seal 506 within the recess 514.

[0051] Put simply, the profile of the retaining portion 524 helps resist unintentional removal of the retaining portion 524 from the recess 514 to secure the seal 506 to the radial plate 37 via the seal holder 508. Additionally or alternatively, the biasing of the hook portionAttorney Docket No. 1490.0196i 512 toward the radial plate 37 may cause the hook portion 512 to contact the retaining portion 524 and compress the retaining portion 524 against the radial plate 37. Thus, the seal holder 508 further restricts movement of the seal 506 relative to the radial plate 37 to secure the seal 506 to the radial plate 37.

[0052] Still referring to FIG. 4, the illustrated seal holder 508 includes a distal segment 528 extending from the hook portion 512 (e.g., the distal end 520). The distal segment 528 extends generally away from the radial plate 37. The distal segment 528 may help with flexing the hook portion 512 relative to the base portion 510. As an example, the distal segment 528 may be readily accessible by a user (e.g., via a finger of the user, via a lever-like tool) to allow the user to apply a force that propagates to the hook portion 512 to drive the hook portion 512 to rotate in the first rotational direction 516 (e.g., to generate a force sufficient to overcome biasing of the hook portion 512).

[0053] In the depicted embodiment, the distal segment 528 extends at an angle 530 relative to the radial plate 37 to provide a gap 532 extending between the distal segment 528 and the radial plate 37. The angling / tapering of the gap 532 helps direct the seal 506 toward the recess 514 when the seal 506 is being inserted into the recess 514. For instance, the retaining portion 524 may be positioned within the gap 532 and moved along a surface of the distal segment 528 and / or a surface of the radial plate 37 in a second axial direction 534 (e.g., perpendicular to the radial direction 521), opposite the first axial direction 526, to apply a sufficient force against the distal segment 528 to move the hook portion 512 in the first rotational direction 516. That is, the retaining portion 524 may be wedged between the distal segment 528 and the radial plate 37 and moved into the recess 514.

[0054] In view of the foregoing features, the sealing arrangement 500 provides a cartridgetype mechanism that simplifies a process of securing the seal 506 to and detaching the seal 506 from the radial plate 37. Advantageously, the seal 506 can be installed or removed on the radialAttorney Docket No. 1490.0196i plate 37 without having to adjust an additional component (e.g., a fastener) during the insertion or removal process. Thus, fewer operational steps may be used to secure the seal 506 to and detach the seal 506 from the radial plate 37. In fact, in at least some instances, a seal may be installed or removed in a single, toolless step (e.g., without tools that install or remove fasteners).

[0055] Additionally, the seal holder 508 may provide increased accessibility that eases installation or removal of a seal 506. By way of example, because the radial plates 37 are positioned adjacent to one another along the direction 502 of rotation, there may not be much space available to access the radial plate 37 at either side 536, 538 (e.g., lateral side) of the radial plate 37 (i.e., within spaces between adjacent radial plates 37). The seal holder 508 (e.g., the hook portion 512), however, may extend only a limited distance at either side 536, 538, and the seal holder 508 enables the seal 506 to be moved in axial directions 526, 534 to insert the retaining portion 524 into and remove the retaining portion 524 from the recess 514. Thus, the seal holder 508 limits the amount in which the seal 506 is to be moved at either side 536, 538, easing installation and removal operations without restricting design considerations for the rotor 34.

[0056] For instance, the seal 506 may be attached to the radial plate 37 by first rotating the radial plate 37 out of alignment with the sector plate 29, thereby increasing accessibility of the hook portion 512, then flexing the hook portion 512 to increase a size of an opening between the hook portion 512 and the radial plate 37 leading to the recess 514, moving the seal 506 in the second axial direction 534 through the opening and into the recess 514, and releasing the seal 506 to close the recess 514. Similarly, the seal 506 may be detached from the radial plate 37 by rotating the radial plate 37 out of alignment with the sector plate, flexing the hook portion 512 to increase the size of the opening leading to the recess 514, and moving the seal 506 in the first axial direction 526 through the opening and out of the recess 514. While the hookAttorney Docket No. 1490.0196i portion 512 is flexed to increase the size of the opening, the seal 506 may be positioned close to or in contact with the radial plate 37 and moved along the radial plate 37 to move through the opening into / out of the recess 514.

[0057] Further still, a significant portion of the seal holder 508 terminates prior to the space 504. By way of example, the distal end 520 is positioned in overlap with the radial plate 37 along an axial direction such that the hook portion 512 terminates before the space 504. In other words, the hook portion 512 is not positioned within a fluid flow path between the radial plate 37 and the sector plate 29. Consequently, a limited amount of fluid flowing between the radial plate 37 and the sector plate 29 impinges against the hook portion 512, thereby enabling the hook portion 512 to maintain its arrangement to secure the seal 506 within the recess 514. Moreover, because the seal holder 508 is positioned on the side 536 facing the direction 502 of rotation of the rotor 34, fluid flows generally against the hook portion 512, toward the radial plate 37, while the rotor 34 rotates. As a result, such fluid flow imparts a force that further moves the hook portion 512 in the second rotational direction 518 to compress the sealing portion 522 against the radial plate 37, thereby increasing securement of the seal 506 within the recess 514. Put another way, positioning the seal holder 508 on a leading side of a radial plate 37 allows fluid flow through the rotor 34 to supplement the biasing force of the hook portion 512, which supplements the compressive force created by the hook portion 512. That said, the seal holder 508 could also be positioned in other positions, including on the trailing side of a radial plate 37.

[0058] FIG. 5 is a side view of a sealing arrangement / assembly 600 in which a radial plate 37 is rotated (e.g., along a direction 602 of rotation) into alignment with the sector plate 29. In this embodiment, a support plate 604 is attached to the radial plate 37, and a seal holder 606 is attached to the support plate 604. The seal holder 606 includes a base portion 608 configured to attach to the support plate 604, as well as a hook portion 610 that cooperatively defines aAttorney Docket No. 1490.0196i recess / pocket 612 with the support plate 604. The seal holder 606 is largely similar to the seal holder 508 and, thus, any description of parts or features of seal holder 508 should be understood to apply to like parts or features of seal holder 606 and, for brevity, the below description focuses on parts or features that differ between the embodiments.

[0059] For example, like seal holder 508, the seal holder 606 is configured to retain a seal 614 within the recess 612 to secure the seal 614 to the radial plate 37 such that the seal 614 extends between the radial plate 37 and the sector plate 29 in an assembled configuration of the sealing arrangement 600. Now, however, the base portion 608 is fixed to the support plate 604, and the hook portion 610 is configured to flex relative to the base portion 608 to adjust the recess 612 to allow the seal 614 to be inserted into and / or removed from the recess 612. Moreover, the hook portion 610 again includes a distal end 616 that is urged into contact with the seal 614 to compress the seal 614, but now against the support plate 604. Again, such compression restricts movement of the seal 614 relative to the radial plate 37, such as translational movement of the seal 614 along the support plate 604. In addition, the seal holder 606 includes a distal segment 618 extending from the hook portion 610 (e.g., the distal end 616) away from the support plate 604 to help the hook portion 610 flex relative to the base portion 608 and help move the seal 614 with respect to the recess 612.

[0060] Among other advantages, the support plate 604 may reduce wear of the radial plate 37. For example, the hook portion 610 (e.g., the distal end 616) may compress the seal 614 against the support plate 604, rather than against the radial plate. Therefore, the support plate 604 absorbs a force imparted by the seal 614 compressed against the support plate 604 to reduce the force transferred to the radial plate 37. Consequently, less force is imparted onto the radial plate 37 to reduce wear of the radial plate 37.

[0061] Additionally, in the depicted embodiment, the support plate 604 includes a curved portion 620 that curves over the radial plate 37 and away from the seal holder 606 (e.g., awayAttorney Docket No. 1490.0196i from the direction 602 of rotation). The curved portion 620 may help reduce wear of the seal 614. For instance, rotation of the radial plate 37 may cause fluid flow against a seal portion 622 of the seal 614 extending between the radial plate 37 and the sector plate 29, which may urge the seal portion 622 to flex in a direction opposite to the direction 602 of rotation (e.g., toward the radial plate 37). The curved portion 620 enables the seal portion 622 to flex while limiting an amount of force imparted from the support plate 604 and / or the radial plate 37 to the seal portion 622. More specifically, the curved portion 620 may prevent the seal portion 622 from impacting a sharp comer of the radial plate 37, which would impart a high concentration of force to the seal portion 622 that could excessively wear the seal portion 622. The sharp comer might also prevent or limit the seal portion 622 from flexing. By comparison, the curved portion 620 allows the seal portion 622 to flex and curl to follow around the curved portion 620. Consequently, the curved portion 620 helps prevent or at least discourage wear resulting from fluid flow against the seal portion 622.

[0062] The seal 614 also includes a retaining portion 624 integral with and / or attached (e.g., welded, adhered) to the seal portion 622. The retaining portion 624 is configured to be inserted into the recess 612 and has an increased thickness to facilitate retention within the recess 612. For instance, the retaining portion 624 may include an edge 626 (e.g., a chamfer) extending acutely relative to the retaining portion 624 toward the distal segment 618 of the seal holder 606 in the assembled configuration of the sealing arrangement 600. Such an arrangement of the edge 626 may block the retaining portion 624 from being removed from the recess 612. For instance, moving the seal 614 in a first axial direction 628 may cause a point 630 on the edge 626 to abut against the distal end 616, thereby blocking further movement of the retaining portion 624 out of the recess 612 and retaining the seal 614 within the recess 612.Attorney Docket No. 1490.0196i

[0063] In FIG. 5, the sealing arrangement 600 also includes a backing strip 632 to secure the seal holder 606 to the support plate 604, e.g., via welding. The backing strip 632 is positioned against the seal holder 606 and / or the support plate 604 to allow a weld to fully penetrate a gap between the seal holder 606 and the support plate 604 and along the seal holder 606 and the support plate 604, which allows the weld to sufficiently cover the seal holder 606 and the support plate 604 (e.g., instead of moving further away from the seal holder 606 and the support plate 604 via the gap between the seal holder 606 and the support plate 604). Consequently, the backing strip 632 increases a weld surface area covering the interface between the seal holder 606 and the support plate 604 to more securely couple the seal holder 606 and the support plate 604 to one another.

[0064] The illustrated seal portion 622 of the seal 614 includes a tip 634 that reduces wear of both the seal portion 622 and the sector plate 29. In some embodiments, the tip 634 is a separate component attached (e.g., welded, adhered) to the seal portion 622. Additionally or alternatively, the tip 634 may be integral with the seal portion 622. In any case, the tip 634 may be designed to improve the wear of the distal end of the seal portion 622, e.g., due to its shape and / or composition. Additionally or alternatively, the tip 634 may be rounded to prevent or at least discourage the seal 614 from penetrating and / or abrading the sector plate 29 during contact. Thus, the tip 634 helps reduce wear of the sector plate 29, while adequately sealing against the sector plate 29. In certain embodiments, the tip 634 is composed of a material with reduced friction to facilitate moving the seal 614 along the sector plate 29, thereby promoting rotation of the radial plate 37.

[0065] FIG. 6 is a side view of a seal holder 700 (e.g., a modular seal holder). The seal holder 700 includes a base portion 702 and a hook portion 704. At a high-level, the seal holder 700 is largely similar to the seal holders 508 and 606 and, thus any description of parts or features of the seal holder 508 and / or the seal holder 606 should be understood to apply to likeAttorney Docket No. 1490.0196i parts or features of the seal holder 700 and, for brevity, the below description focuses on parts or features that differ between the embodiments. For example, the seal holder 700 is similar to the seal holders 508 and 606 in that the base portion includes an attachment segment 706 configured to attach to a radial plate 37, and the hook portion 704 is shaped to define at least a portion of a recess / pocket 708 configured to receive a seal (e.g., any of the seals 506, 614). The hook portion 704 is configured to flex relative to the base portion 702 to adjust the recess 708 to enable the seal to be positioned in the recess 708 or removed from the recess 708. A distal segment 710 extends from the hook portion 704 to facilitate flexing the hook portion 704 relative to the base portion 702.

[0066] Now, however, the base portion 702 and the hook portion 704 are separate components configured to couple to one another. To this end, the base portion 702 includes a first interface segment 712 and the hook portion 704 includes a second interface segment 714. The interface segments 712, 714 are configured to couple to one another to couple the base portion 702 and the hook portion 704 to one another. By way of example, the interface segments 712, 714 may abut and be fixed to one another. In some embodiments, the interface segments 712, 714 are removably secured to one another via a fastener. In additional or alternative embodiments, the segments 712, 714 are more permanently secured to one another via a weld, an adhesive, or another such permanent coupling (e.g., a rivet).

[0067] Using a base portion 702 that is separate from a hook portion 704 may improve manufacturability of the seal holder 700. For instance, it may be easier to individually manufacture the base portion 702 and the hook portion 704 (e.g., to shape the base portion 702 and the hook portion 704 via metalworking, such as bending) and subsequently couple the base portion 702 and the hook portion 704 to one another than it is to manufacture a seal holder with an integral and contiguous base portion and hook portion. Additionally or alternatively, it may be easier to replace / repair the seal holder. For example, one of the base portion 702 or the hookAttorney Docket No. 1490.0196i portion 704 can be replaced / repaired (e.g., upon sufficient wear thereof) without having to replace / repair the other of the base portion 702 or the hook portion 704. Accordingly, the seal holder 700 may be more easily maintained.

[0068] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method 750 for attaching and detaching a seal with respect to a seal holder for a RAM. The RAM includes a rotor configured to rotate during operation of the RAM. The RAM also includes a sector plate, which separates the RAM into multiple zones configured to receive different fluid flows. The rotor includes radial plates, and rotating the rotor adjusts the position of the radial plates with respect to the sector plate to alternately move each radial plate into and out of alignment with the sector plate. The seal holder and the seal are implemented to at least partially block fluid flow between the radial plate and the sector plate while the radial plate and the sector plate are aligned with one another, thereby isolating the respective fluid flows in the zones from one another and increasing efficiency of the RAM. Specifically, the seal holder is attached to the radial plate, and the seal is configured to attach to the seal holder. To this end, the seal holder includes a base portion attached to the radial plate, as well as a hook portion at least partially defining a recess configured to receive the seal.

[0069] It should be noted that the method 750 may be performed differently than depicted. For example, an additional operation may be performed. Additionally or alternatively, any of the depicted operations may be performed differently, performed in a different order, or not performed.

[0070] At block 752, the hook portion of the seal holder is flexed relative to the base portion to open the recess at least partially defined by the hook portion. For example, the base portion may be fixed to the radial plate, and the hook portion may flex relative to the radial plate. Applying a sufficient force to the hook portion may rotate the hook portion relative to the base portion to increase a size of an opening between the hook portion and the radial plate leadingAttorney Docket No. 1490.0196i to the recess. In some embodiments, the seal holder includes a distal segment extending from the hook portion to facilitate applying the sufficient force to flex the hook portion.

[0071] At block 754, the seal is inserted into the recess at least partially formed by the seal holder. In particular, flexing the hook portion to increase the size of the opening leading to the recess enables the seal to be moved between the hook portion and the radial plate via the opening to insert into the recess. For example, the seal may be positioned in close proximity to the radial plate and moved along the radial plate to be moved through the opening and into the recess. Thus, the seal may be more easily attached to the radial plate despite there being limited space around the radial plate (e.g., between the radial plate and an adjacent radial plate). In some embodiments, the seal includes a retaining portion having an increased thickness, and the retaining portion is positioned within the recess.

[0072] At block 756, the hook portion is released to cause the hook portion to close the recess at least partially formed by the seal holder. For instance, the hook portion may be urged toward the radial plate such that, in absence of a sufficient force applied to the hook portion, the hook portion moves toward the radial plate. Consequently, the hook portion captures the seal within the recess and secures the seal to the radial plate. As an example, the hook portion may compress the seal against the radial plate. In embodiments in which the seal includes a retaining portion, the hook portion may engage the retaining portion to retain the seal within the recess. For example, the hook portion may compress the retaining portion against the radial plate or otherwise be configured to contact the retaining portion and prevent or at least discourage movement of the retaining portion out of the recess. In any case, closing the size of the recess via the hook portion attaches the seal to the radial plate of the rotor, and the seal may reduce fluid flow between the radial plate and the sector plate.

[0073] At block 758, the hook portion is flexed relative to the base portion to open the recess at least partially formed by the seal holder. Consequently, the hook portion does notAttorney Docket No. 1490.0196i compress the seal against the radial plate or capture the seal (e.g., the retaining portion). At block 760, the seal is removed from the recess formed by the seal holder and therefore detached from the radial plate of the rotor. For instance, flexing the hook portion increases a size of the opening between the hook portion and the radial plate, and the seal may be moved in close proximity and along the radial plate to be moved through the opening and out of the recess. Therefore, the seal may also be easily detached from the radial plate despite there being limited space around the radial plate.

[0074] The seal holder enables the seal to be attached to and detached from the rotor without having to use, for example, additional fasteners or specialized tools. In fact, in at least some instances, installation and / or removal can be entirely toolless. Consequently, implementing and removing the seal is eased and improved (e.g., by avoiding coupling / decoupling each individual fastener with respect to the seal).

[0075] Although the examples are directed to sealing arrangements in which a seal holder and seal are implemented to block fluid flow between a radial plate and a sector plate, techniques discussed herein can be applied to block undesirable fluid flow across or around a rotor (e.g., the rotor 34) in other manners.

[0076] FIG. 8 illustrates one example by illustrating a portion of the RAM 26 in greater detail. The housing 100 of the RAM 26 includes an inner structure 1000 about which the rotor 34 rotates. For example, the inner structure 1000 may include a hub. The radial plates 37 of the rotor 34 extend radially outward from the inner structure 1000. A seal holder 1002 (e.g., any of the seal holders 508, 606, 700) may be attached to a proximal end 1003 of at least one of the radial plates 37 to receive a seal (e.g., any of the seals 506, 614) to block fluid flow between the radial plates 37 and the inner structure 1000.

[0077] The housing 100 of the RAM 26 further includes an outer wall 1004 surrounding (e.g., circumferentially surrounding) a perimeter of the rotor 34. For instance, at least a portionAttorney Docket No. 1490.0196i of the outer wall 1004 may be positioned radially outward of the rotor 34 and / or may interconnect top and bottom sector plates of the RAM 26. In the depicted embodiment, the outer wall 1004 includes an outer plate 1006 extending in overlap with a portion of the rotor 34, such as a distal end of the radial plates 37. A seal holder 1002 may additionally or alternatively be coupled to the rotor 34 to receive a seal to block fluid flow between the outer wall 1004 and the rotor 34.

[0078] As an example, a seal holder 1002 may be coupled to a distal end 1008 of at least one of the radial plates 37 of the rotor 34 and extend (e.g., axially extend) between the rotor 34 and the outer plate 1006. The seal attached to the seal holder 1002 may block fluid flow between the radial plates 37 and the outer plate 1006 to inhibit fluid flow between the radial plates 37 and the outer plate 1006. This may prevent or inhibit leakage between adjacent zones of the RAM 26 while also preventing or inhibiting circumferential leakage around a side of the rotor 34.

[0079] Furthermore, the rotor 34 includes distal plates 1010 attached to the distal end 1008 of the radial plates 37 and extending between adjacent radial plates 37. A seal holder 1002 may be coupled to one of the distal plates 1010 and be configured to receive a seal that extends (e.g., axially extends) between the rotor 34 and the outer plate 1006 to inhibit fluid flow between the rotor 34 and the outer plate 1006. Additionally or alternatively, the seal holder 1002 may be coupled to a dedicated component (e.g., a seal carrier bar) that is positioned outward of the distal plates 1010 and be configured to receive a seal that extends (e.g., axially extends) between the rotor 34 and the outer plate 1006 to inhibit fluid flow between the rotor 34 and the outer plate 1006. Again, this may prevent or inhibit leakage between adjacent zones of the RAM 26 while also preventing or inhibiting circumferential leakage around a side of the rotor 34.Attorney Docket No. 1490.0196i

[0080] FIG. 9 illustrates another example of the implementation of the seal holder 1002 by illustrating another portion of the RAM 26 in greater detail. The housing 100 of the RAM 26 includes the outer wall 1004, which includes an axial plate 1020 positioned radially outward of the rotor 34, such as beyond a circumference of the rotor 34, between top and bottom sector plates, and / or extending along at least a portion of the outer shell 35 (e.g., a circumference of the outer shell 35) of the rotor 34. In the illustrated embodiment, the radial plates 37 of the rotor 34 and / or radially extending flanges extend radially beyond the outer shell 35 such that the distal end 1008 of a radial plate 37 or of a radially extending flange extends (e.g., radially extends) between the outer shell 35 and the axial plate 1020 when the radial plate 37 is aligned with the axial plate 1020. A seal holder 1002 may be attached to the distal end 1008 and be configured to receive a seal that blocks fluid flow between the radial plates 37 and the axial plate 1020. Alternatively, the seal holder 1002 may be installed in similar locations even if the radial plates 37 do not protrude / extend as shown.

[0081] Furthermore, although the seal holders discussed herein are primarily disclosed as being attached to a rotor (e.g., a radial plate), in some embodiments, a seal holder (e.g., any of the seal holders 508, 606, 700, 1002) may additionally or alternatively be attached to another component of the RAM. For example, a seal holder may be attached to the sector plate 29, the inner structure 1000, the outer plate 1006, and / or the axial plate 1020 and be configured to receive a seal configured to block fluid flow between the rotor 34 and the housing 100 to prevent or inhibit leakage around a side of the rotor 34.

[0082] As discussed, any of the seal holders (e.g., any of the seal holders 508, 606, 700, 1002) discussed herein can be adjusted without tools to install a seal in the seal holder. That being said, any of the seal holders discussed herein can additionally or alternatively be adjusted using a tool, which may ease installation of a seal. FIGs. 10 and 11 illustrate an arrangement in which a tool is used to adjust (e.g., open) a seal holder.Attorney Docket No. 1490.0196i

[0083] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a tool 1100 coupled to a seal holder 1102 and configured to flex the seal holder 1102. In particular, the tool 1100 includes a handle 1104, a hook segment 1105 extending from the handle 1104, and a base segment 1106 extending from the handle 1104. The hook segment 1105 includes a first distal end 1108, and the base segment 1106 includes a second distal end 1110. While the tool 1100 is attached to the seal holder 1102, the second distal end 1110 is adjacent to or in contact with a radial plate (not shown) to which the seal holder 1102 is attached.

[0084] Meanwhile, the illustrated seal holder 1102 includes a base portion 1112 configured to couple to and / or extend along a radial plate (not shown), as well as a hook portion 1114 extending from the base portion 1112 and defining a recess / pocket 1115 configured to receive and retain a seal (not shown) to couple the seal to the radial plate. The base portion 1112 and the hook portion 1114 may be integral with one another or separate components coupled to one another. The hook portion 1114 includes a distal segment 1116, which has mounts 1118 spaced apart along the distal segment 1116. Each mount 1118 includes an aperture 1120 configured to receive the first distal end 1108 of the tool 1100 to couple the tool 1100 to the seal holder 1102.

[0085] FIG. 11 is another perspective view of the tool 1100 coupled to the seal holder 1102 at one of the mounts 1118. A force exerted on the handle 1104 in a first direction 1150 propagates along the tool 1100 to the distal ends 1108, 1110 to produce a force imparted on the first distal end 1108 in a second direction 1152 and a force imparted on the second distal end 1110 in a third direction 1154. The force imparted on the second distal end 1110 in the third direction 1154 causes the second distal end 1110 to contact the radial plate (or a component, such as a support plate, attached to the radial plate) to block further movement of the second distal end 1110. This fixed position of the second distal end 1110 provides leverage that increases the force imparted onto the first distal end 1108 in the second direction 1152.Attorney Docket No. 1490.0196i

[0086] The force imparted onto the first distal end 1108 in the second direction 1152 transmits to the hook portion 1114 of the seal holder 1102 to urge the hook portion 1114 to move in the second direction 1152 relative to the base portion 1112 attached to the radial plate. That is, a sufficient force imparted in the first direction 1150 at the handle 1104 flexes the hook portion 1114 away from the radial plate, thereby opening the recess 1115 to enable a seal to be positioned within the recess 1115. In contrast, the hook portion 1114 is urged toward the radial plate such that, absent the sufficient force imparted in the first direction 1150 at the handle 1104, the hook portion 1114 moves to close the recess 1115, which may retain the seal within the recess 1115 and couple the seal to the radial plate.

[0087] The tool 1100 can enable the hook portion 1114 to flex more easily, such as compared to applying a force directly onto the first distal end 1108 of the seal holder 1102, to ease installation of a seal to the radial plate. Indeed, the tool 1100 enables the hook portion 1114 to flex even for a seal holder 1102 with a distal segment 1116 having a limited length of extension, which may reduce accumulation of water / debris on the seal holder 1102 and reduce material consumption to manufacture the seal holder 1102. That is, limiting the length of extension of the distal segment 1116 may reduce direct access to (e.g., user contact with) the hook portion 1114 for imparting a force that opens the recess 1115. However, the tool 1100 helps apply a sufficient amount of force to flex the hook portion 1114 despite the reduced direct accessibility of the hook portion 1114.

[0088] Various other features may be used to attach a seal to a plate, such as a radial plate, of a rotor. FIGs. 12A, 12B, 13, 14, 15A, and 15B provide further examples of possible arrangements. FIG. 12A is a front perspective view of a sealing arrangement 1200 in which a seal 1202 is attached to a plate 1204 (e.g., a radial plate) of a rotary machine, such as the RAM 26. A seal holder 1206 is attached to the plate 1204. For example, a base 1208 of the seal holder 1206 may be mounted to the plate 1204 (e.g., via fasteners and / or a mounting), and aAttorney Docket No. 1490.0196i flap 1210 of the seal holder 1206 extends distally from the base 1208 to form a gap 1212 between the plate 1204 and the flap 1210. The seal 1202 is configured to be inserted into the gap 1212, such as into abutment with the seal holder 1206 mounted to the plate 1204.

[0089] The seal holder 1206 further includes cam levers 1214 attached to the flap 1210, which are adjustable to selectively retain the seal 1202 within the gap 1212. In particular, each cam lever 1214 includes a cam 1216 coupled to the flap 1210, a rod (not shown) extending through the flap 1210, the seal 1202, and the plate 1204, as well as a handle 1218 coupled to the cam 1216 at a pivot 1220. The rod is configured to block the seal 1202 from moving in axial directions 1219 along the plate 1204. To this end, the seal 1202 includes slots 1221 that are each configured to receive the rod while the seal 1202 is inserted into the gap 1212.

[0090] The handle 1218 is configured to rotate relative to the cam 1216 around an axis 1222 via the pivot 1220 to transition between an open position and a closed position. Rotating the handle 1218 to the closed position imparts a force against the seal 1202, thereby compressing the seal 1202 against the plate 1204 and / or against a support plate 1224 to retain the seal 1202 within the gap 1212. For example, in the closed position, the handle 1218 may urge the cam 1216 against the flap 1210 to compress against the seal 1202, thereby capturing the seal 1202 to secure the seal 1202 to the plate 1204. Transitioning the handle 1218 toward the open position causes the handle 1218 to release pressure on the flap 1210 and / or retract the cam 1216 away from the seal 1202. For instance, a biasing member (not shown) may urge the cam 1216 away from the seal 1202. Consequently, the cam lever 1214 does not compress against the seal 1202, thereby enabling the seal 1202 to be removed from the gap 1212 and detached from the plate 1204. In other embodiments, however, the cam lever 1214 may create compression while moving from an open position to a closed position in any desirable manner.

[0091] Such an embodiment may help readily secure and detach the seal 1202 with respect to the plate 1204. By way of example, the handle 1218 may be easily rotated (e.g., via aAttorney Docket No. 1490.0196i manually applied force) to enable or block movement of the seal 1202 within the gap 1212. Additionally, the handle 1218 may be easily controlled to adjust securement of the seal 1202 to the plate 1204. This may reduce certain complications, such as pinch points, that may exist for arrangements in which securing a seal to a plate is not easily controllable.

[0092] Additionally, such an embodiment may enable any suitably sized seal 1202 to be positioned and secured within the gap 1212. For instance, the gap 1212 may be sized to accommodate seals 1202 having different thicknesses, and the cam levers 1214 may be configured to compress (e.g., by adjusting the handles 1218) the flap 1210 against each seal 1202, regardless of the thickness of the seal 1202, to retain the seal 1202 within the gap 1212. Therefore, the illustrated embodiment may allow for more flexible implementation of seals 1202, such as to readily secure a seal 1202 having a particular thickness within the gap 1212.

[0093] FIG. 12B is a rear perspective view of the sealing arrangement 1200 illustrating rods 1250 of the cam levers 1214 extending through the flap 1210, the seal 1202, and the plate 1204. A respective nut 1252 is coupled to each rod 1250 to retain the rods within the flap 1210, the seal 1202, and the plate 1204, thereby securing the cam levers 1214 to the flap 1210, the seal 1202, and the plate 1204. The cam 1216 is also coupled to and movable along the rod 1250. Consequently, rotating the handle 1218 to the closed position moves the cam 1216 along the rod 1250 toward the nut 1252 to compress the seal 1202 against the plate 1204 and / or against a support plate 1224. Rotating the handle 1218 to the open position causes the cam 1216 to be urged away from the nut 1252 along the rod 1250 to reduce compression of the seal 1202 against the plate 1204 and / or against a support plate 1224. Although the illustrated cam levers 1214 utilize nuts 1252, the cam levers 1214 may use different components / features, such as a pin, a latch, and so forth, in additional or alternative embodiments to secure to the flap 1210, the seal 1202, and the plate 1204.Attorney Docket No. 1490.0196i

[0094] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a sealing arrangement 1300 in which a seal holder 1302 is configured to attach to a plate 1304. In particular, grooves or channels 1306 are formed into the plate 1304, such as near a distal end 1308 ofthe plate 1304. Meanwhile, the seal holder 1302 includes a base 1310 and tabs 1312 extending from the base 1310 to define a receptacle 1314. Respective ledges 1316 extend inwardly from the tabs 1312 into the receptacle 1314.

[0095] The seal holder 1302 is configured to be secured to the plate 1304 by inserting the distal end 1308 of the plate 1304 into the receptacle 1314, such as until the distal end 1308 abuts the base 1310 of the seal holder 1302. Such positioning also places the ledges 1316 within the channels 1306. Consequently, the tabs 1312 engage the plate 1304 to secure the seal holder 1302 to the plate 1304. For instance, the ledges 1316 may abut surfaces 1318 of the distal end 1308 to block the distal end 1308 of the plate 1304 from being moved out of the receptacle 1314.

[0096] The tabs 1312 are configured to move toward and away from one another to adjust an opening size of the receptacle 1314. For instance, moving the tabs 1312 away from one another may increase the opening size of the receptacle 1314 to enable the distal end 1308 to be inserted into or removed from the receptacle 1314. In some embodiments, the tabs 1312 are movable away from one another with a manually applied force. In one example, each tab 1312 may include a distal tip 1320 extending away from the receptacle 1314, and a user may apply a force onto the distal tips 1320 to move the tabs 1312 away from one another. Additionally or alternatively, the seal holder 1302 includes inner surfaces 1322 that each extend from one of the ledges 1316 to a corresponding tab 1312 and are sloped such that moving the distal end 1308 of the plate 1304 against the inner surfaces 1322 imparts a force onto the inner surfaces 1322 to move the tabs 1312 away from one another, thereby enabling the distal end 1308 to be inserted into the receptacle 1314.Attorney Docket No. 1490.0196i

[0097] Furthermore, the tabs 1312 may be biased toward one another. For instance, the seal holder 1302 may be composed of a resiliently flexible material, such as a plastic and / or metal, in which moving the tabs 1312 away from one another elastically deforms the seal holder 1302. Therefore, absent a sufficient force moving the tabs 1312 away from one another, the tabs 1312 may be urged toward one another to reduce the opening size of the receptacle 1314. Consequently, the tabs 1312 may close to compress against the plate 1304 while the distal end 1308 of the plate 1304 is positioned within the receptacle 1314, thereby abutting the ledges 1316 against the surfaces 1318 and capturing the distal end 1308 within the receptacle 1314 to secure the seal holder 1302 to the plate 1304. However, applying sufficient force to the tabs 1312 overcomes the urging of the tabs 1312 toward one another to increase the opening size of the receptacle 1314 and enable the distal end 1308 to be removed from the receptacle 1314, thereby enabling the seal holder 1302 to be detached from the plate 1304.

[0098] Aspects of the sealing arrangement 1300 may also be applied to secure other components of a different sealing arrangement to one another. For example, a seal holder may be secured to a seal in the manner shown in FIG. 13. Modifications of the arrangement of FIG.13 should also be considered within the scope of the present application, though modifications may not realize each and every advantage of the arrangement shown in FIG. 13.

[0099] As an example of a modification to the arrangement of FIG. 13, FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a seal holder 1400 configured to couple to a plate 1402 (e.g., a radial plate). The seal holder 1400 includes a base 1404 and tabs 1406 extending from the base 1404. A ledge 1408 extends from each tab 1406 to define a gap 1410 between the ledge 1408 and the base 1404. Meanwhile, the plate 1402 includes slots 1412 configured to receive the tabs 1406. Specifically, moving a tab 1406 into a slot 1412 inserts a portion 1414 of the plate 1402 into the gap 1410, which causes the ledge 1408 to extend over the portion 1414 of the plate 1402. Consequently, the ledge 1408 and the base 1404 capture the portion 1414 of the plate 1402Attorney Docket No. 1490.0196i within the gap 1410, thereby securing the seal holder 1400 to the plate 1402. The seal holder 1400 may then be used to secure a seal (not shown) to the plate 1402.

[0100] The illustrated seal holder 1400 includes surfaces 1416 that are each sloped from a ledge 1408 to a tab 1406. The sloping of the surface 1416 may guide the portion 1414 into the gap 1410, such as by compressing the ledge 1408 toward the tab 1406 to enable the tab 1406 to pass through the slot 1412. In certain embodiments, a sufficient force may be applied to remove the tab 1406 from the slot 1412. For instance, a sufficient force may compress the ledge 1408 toward the tab 1406 to provide adequate clearance for the tab 1406 to pass through the slot 1412. However, the base 1404 may be composed of a sufficiently resilient material, such as a plastic and / or metal, such that absent the sufficient force compressing the ledge 1408 toward the tab 1406, the ledge 1408 may be urged away from the tab 1406 (e.g., to extend over the portion 1414 to secure the seal holder 1400 to the plate 1402).

[0101] Aspects of the arrangement of FIG. 14 may also be applied to secure other components of a different sealing arrangement to one another. For example, a seal holder may be secured to a seal in the manner shown in FIG. 14. Modifications of the arrangement of FIG.14 should also be considered within the scope of the present application, though modifications may not realize each and every advantage of the arrangement shown in FIG. 14.

[0102] FIGs. 15A and 15B each provide an example arrangement in which a plate 1500 (e.g., a radial plate) is attached to a seal holder 1502 using features discussed herein. With reference to FIG. 15 A, in which the plate 1500 and the seal holder 1502 are separate from one another, the illustrated seal holder 1502 includes a base 1504, as well as tabs 1506 extending from the base 1504. Respective ledges 1508 extend outward from the tabs 1506 to define gaps 1510 between each ledge 1508 and the base 1504 of the seal holder 1502. The plate 1500 includes a slot 1512 configured to receive the tabs 1506 such that the ledges 1508 extend overAttorney Docket No. 1490.0196i the plate 1500 to position and capture the plate 1500 within the gaps 1510, thereby securing the plate 1500 to the seal holder 1502.

[0103] For instance, moving the tabs 1506 toward one another may provide sufficient clearance to move the ledges 1508 through the slot 1512. Additionally or alternatively, the seal holder 1502 includes respective surfaces 1514 that extend from the tabs 1506 to the ledges 1508. The respective surfaces 1514 are sloped such that positioning the plate 1500 against the respective surfaces 1514 (e.g., to initiate insertion of the tabs 1506 into the slot 1512) imparts a force against the respective surfaces 1514 to move the tabs 1506 toward one another, thereby enabling the tabs 1506 to move through the slot 1512. Further, the seal holder 1502 is composed of a sufficiently resilient material such that absent a sufficient force to move the tabs 1506 toward one another, the tabs 1506 are biased away from one another, which may position the ledges 1508 over the plate 1500 to secure the seal holder 1502 to the plate 1500.

[0104] FIG. 15B illustrates the plate 1500 attached to the seal holder 1502. In particular, the tabs 1506 of the seal holder 1502 extend into the slot 1512 of the plate 1500 such that the ledges 1508 of the seal holder 1502 extend over the plate 1500. Consequently, the plate 1500 is secured to the seal holder 1502.

[0105] Aspects of the arrangement of FIGs. 15A and 15B may also be applied to secure other components of a different sealing arrangement to one another. For example, a seal holder may be secured to a seal that may be directly secured to a plate in the manner shown in FIG.15. Modifications of the arrangement of FIG. 15 should also be considered within the scope of the present application, though modifications may not realize each and every advantage of the arrangement shown in FIG. 15.

[0106] FIG. 16 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method 1600 for coupling a seal to a radial plate. It should be noted that the method 1600 may be performed differently than depicted. For example, an additional operation may be performed. Additionally orAttorney Docket No. 1490.0196i alternatively, any of the depicted operations may be performed differently, performed in a different order, or not performed.

[0107] At block 1602, a seal holder is coupled to a radial plate to form a space between the seal holder and the radial plate. In some embodiments, the seal holder is coupled to the radial plate via a fastener. In additional or alternative embodiments, the seal holder is coupled to the radial plate via a tab and receptacle / slot / opening interface. In further embodiments, the seal holder is coupled to the radial plate using a weld and / or an adhesive.

[0108] At block 1604, a seal is inserted into the space between the seal holder and the radial plate. At block 1606, the seal holder is moved toward the radial plate to close the space and retain the seal within the space, thereby coupling the seal to the radial plate. In some embodiments, the seal holder is configured to bias toward the radial plate. Thus, the seal holder is released to move toward the radial plate to capture a portion of the seal and / or compress against the seal, thereby retaining the seal in the space. Additionally or alternatively, a cam lever is inserted through the radial plate and the seal holder, and the cam lever is adjusted to compress the seal holder and the radial plate toward one another to retain the seal in the space.

[0109] A similar method may be performed to decouple the seal from the radial plate. Specifically, the seal holder is moved away from the radial plate to open the space between the seal holder and the radial plate. As an example, a force may be imparted to overcome biasing of the seal holder toward the radial plate to move the seal holder away from the radial plate. As another example, a cam lever is adjusted to reduce compression of the seal holder and the radial plate toward one another. Instead, a biasing member positioned on the cam lever may bias the seal holder and the radial plate away from one another to open the space. Moving the seal holder and the radial plate away from one another to open the space enables the seal to be removed from the space and decoupled from the radial plate. Such a mechanism of coupling the seal to the radial plate and decoupling the seal from the radial plate may be performedAttorney Docket No. 1490.0196i without an additional tool, such as a fastener, thereby easing adjustment of the seal with respect to the radial plate.

[0110] Any other suitable combination of features, such as tabs having different geometries (e.g., different ledge configurations), different techniques of coupling, and / or implementation to different components, may be utilized. Regardless, such features may provide greater securement of the components, such as by restricting movement therebetween.[oni] Overall, the RAM implementations provided herein achieve at least the advantages described herein. However, to be clear, while the application utilizes specific implementations to describe the RAM, as well as the advantages thereof, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown. Instead, it will be apparent that various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the disclosure and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. In addition, various features from one of the implementations may be incorporated into another of the implementations.

[0112] It is also to be understood that the sector plate described herein, or portions thereof may be fabricated from any suitable material or combination of materials, such as metals or synthetic materials including, but not limited to, plastic, rubber, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof. It is also intended that the present disclosure cover modifications and variations of this concept. For example, it is to be understood that terms such as “left”, “right”, “top”, “bottom”, “upper”, “lower”, “front”, “rear”, “side”, “height”, “length”, “width” “interior”, “exterior,” “inner”, “outer” and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points of reference and do not limit the present disclosure to any particular orientation or configuration.

[0113] Finally, when used herein, the term “comprises” and its derivations (such as “comprising”, etc.) should not be understood in an excluding sense, that is, these terms should not be interpreted as excluding the possibility that what is described and defined may includeAttorney Docket No. 1490.0196i further elements, steps, etc. Meanwhile, when used herein, the term “approximately” and terms of its family (such as “approximate”, etc.) should be understood as indicating values very near to those which accompany the aforementioned term. That is to say, a deviation within reasonable limits from an exact value should be accepted, because a skilled person in the art will understand that such a deviation from the values indicated is inevitable due to measurement inaccuracies, etc. The same applies to the terms “about” and “around” and “substantially”.

Claims

Attorney Docket No. 1490.0196i CLAIMS1. A rotary machine, comprising:a rotor configured to receive a first fluid flow and a second fluid flow, wherein the rotor is configured to rotate to transfer particles between the first fluid flow and the second fluid flow, and the rotor comprises a radial plate;a seal holder coupled to the radial plate and forming a space extending between the radial plate and the seal holder; anda seal configured to be inserted into the space extending between the radial plate and the seal holder to couple to the radial plate.

2. The rotary machine of claim 1, comprising a cam lever configured to extend through the space, wherein the cam lever is configured to compress the seal holder and the radial plate toward one another to retain the seal in the space.

3. The rotary machine of claim 2, wherein the cam lever comprises a handle configured to rotate to compress the seal holder and the radial plate toward one another to compress against the seal positioned in the space.

4. The rotary machine of claim 2, wherein the cam lever comprises a biasing member configured to urge the seal holder and the radial plate away from one another to open the space.

5. The rotary machine of claim 2, wherein the seal comprises a slot configured to receive the cam lever.Attorney Docket No. 1490.0196i 6. The rotary machine of claim 1, comprising a sector plate separating the first fluid flow and the second fluid flow from one another, wherein the seal extends from the radial plate toward the sector plate while removably coupled to the seal holder to block the first fluid flow and the second fluid flow from flowing toward one another.

7. The rotary machine of claim 1, wherein the seal holder comprises a hook portion defining a recess, and the hook portion is configured to move away from the radial plate to open the recess to receive a portion of the seal via movement of the seal through the space.

8. A method of adjusting a seal relative to a radial plate of a rotor of a rotary machine, the rotor being configured to rotate to transfer particles between a first fluid flow and a second fluid flow, and the method comprising:inserting a seal into a space formed between the radial plate and a seal holder coupled thereto; andmoving the seal holder toward the radial plate to close the space and retain the seal within the space.

9. The method of claim 8, comprising a cam lever extending through the space, wherein moving the seal holder toward the radial plate comprises adjusting the cam lever to move the seal holder toward the radial plate.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein adjusting the cam lever to move the seal holder toward the radial plate comprises rotating a handle of the cam lever.Attorney Docket No. 1490.0196i 11. The method of claim 9, comprising adjusting the cam lever to cause the seal holder to move away from the radial plate.

12. The method of claim 11, comprising a biasing member urging the seal holder and the radial plate away from one another, and adjusting the cam lever causes the biasing member to release to move the seal holder and the radial plate away from one another.

13. The method of claim 9, comprising:moving the seal holder away from the radial plate to open the space; and removing the seal from the space while the seal holder is moved away from the radial plate.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the seal comprises a slot, and inserting the seal into the space causes the cam lever to extend into the slot.

15. The method of claim 8, comprising coupling the seal holder to the radial plate.

16. A sealing arrangement for a rotor of a rotary machine, the rotor being configured to transfer particles between a first fluid flow and a second fluid flow, the rotor comprising a plate, and the sealing arrangement comprising:a seal holder configured to couple to the plate to form a space between the plate and the seal holder; anda seal configured to be inserted into the space, wherein the seal holder is configured to move toward the plate to close the space and retain the seal within the space.Attorney Docket No. 1490.0196i 17. The sealing arrangement of claim 16, wherein the seal holder comprises:a base configured to couple to the plate; anda flap extending from the base to form the space between the flap and the plate.

18. The sealing arrangement of claim 17, comprising a cam lever configured to move the flap toward the plate to close the space.

19. The sealing arrangement of claim 18, wherein the cam lever comprises:a rod configured to extend through the flap and the plate;a cam configured to abut the seal holder;a nut configured to abut the plate; anda handle configured to rotate to move the cam toward the nut to move the seal holder toward the plate.

20. The sealing arrangement of claim 16, wherein the seal holder is configured to move away from the plate to open the space and enable the seal to be removed from the space.

Images