Single-Piece Air Seal Ring with Locking Nut for Gas Turbine Vane
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing designs for gas turbine engines are costly and complex due to the structures required for sealing interfaces and cooling air passages, which complicate assembly and increase costs while failing to effectively contain hot gas flow.
Innovation Solution
A turbine section with first and second rotors featuring rotating seals, a single-piece air seal ring, and a ring nut secured by a biasing member, which provides a bayonet fastening configuration to simplify assembly and enhance sealing, including a lock ring for securing the relative position between the ring nut and air seal, and multiple seals for effective sealing and cooling airflow management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional sealing structures with multiple components are used, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and assembly cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sealing components into a single integrated air seal structure that includes a center rail, forward wall, aft wall, and locking mechanism as one piece. This merging eliminates the need for separate sealing elements and reduces assembly steps while maintaining effective sealing between the rotor and stator platforms.
Solution Approach 2:
The air seal structure performs multiple functions simultaneously: it seals the gap between rotating and stationary platforms, defines cooling airflow passages, provides structural support, and incorporates self-locking and circumferential positioning features. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed in the turbine assembly.
2Reliability
If traditional sealing structures with multiple components are used, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating multiple sealing and structural functions into a single air seal component, the patent reduces the total number of parts that need to be manufactured, inventoried, and assembled. This consolidation lowers manufacturing costs despite the complexity of the individual integrated structure.
3Temperature
If cooling air passages are defined by separate structures, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air seal structure integrates cooling air passage definition into its geometry, with the center rail, forward wall, and aft wall forming enclosed passages that direct cooling air between the rotor and stator platforms. This eliminates the need for separate cooling duct structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The air seal simultaneously provides sealing functionality and defines cooling airflow paths, combining two previously separate functions into one component. This multi-functionality reduces structural complexity while maintaining effective cooling.
Data Source
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AI summary
A vane assembly has a vane including an inner platform with a mount rail extending radially inwardly toward an engine center axis. An air seal is attached to the inner platform. The air seal has a single-piece ring extending circumferentially about the engine center axis. A ring nut secures the air seal to the inner platform. A biasing member cooperates with the ring nut and air seal to seal fore and aft locations on the vane.