Integrated Anti-Rotation Piston Ring for Gas Turbine Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Piston rings in gas turbine engines experience spinning or circumferential movement due to vibrations and pressure fluctuations, leading to potential damage to the ring and sealed components.
Innovation Solution
Integration of an anti-rotating feature on the piston ring, extending from its axial surface, which is received within a slot in the non-seal side rail, preventing circumferential movement by ensuring the anti-rotating feature contacts the slot, thus maintaining the ring's position and preventing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If piston ring is maintained in groove by friction only, then device complexity is reduced, but piston ring stability deteriorates due to spinning and circumferential movement
Solution Approach 1:
The piston ring is segmented into a circular body and a separate anti-rotation feature that extends from the axial surface. This segmentation allows the anti-rotation feature to engage with the groove structure while the circular body maintains sealing function, preventing circumferential movement without requiring complete redesign of the piston ring
Solution Approach 2:
The anti-rotation feature is nested within the groove structure, where the feature extending from the axial surface of the circular body is received within the groove. This nesting arrangement allows the anti-rotation feature to be contained within the existing groove geometry while effectively preventing spinning motion
2Stability of the object's composition
If anti-rotation feature is added to piston ring, then piston ring stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-rotation feature is integrally formed with the circular body from a single unitary member, merging the sealing function and anti-rotation function into a single integrated component. This eliminates the need for separate anti-rotation devices while maintaining positional stability
Solution Approach 2:
The piston ring is designed to perform multiple functions: the circular body provides sealing while the integrated anti-rotation feature prevents circumferential movement. This multi-functionality allows a single component to address both sealing and anti-rotation requirements without requiring additional separate parts
3Ease of operation
If frictional retention is used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to damage from spinning
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-rotation feature provides preliminary prevention against spinning motion before damage can occur. By engaging the feature with the groove structure during installation, the design proactively counteracts the harmful spinning effect caused by vibrations and pressure fluctuations, protecting both the piston ring and sealed components
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The anti-rotating feature effectively prevents spinning of the piston ring within the groove, reducing damage to both the ring and the sealed components by enhancing the frictional retention and accommodating thermal expansion.
Implementation Method 1
maintaining the ring's position and preventing damage
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A piston ring (70) for a gas turbine engine (20) includes a circular body (71) having a rectangular cross section with overlapping open free ends (72) and an anti-rotating feature (100) extending from an axial surface (101) of the circular body (71). The anti-rotating feature (100) is integrally formed with the circular body (71) such that the circular body (71) and the anti-rotating feature (100) are formed from a single unitary member.