Brush Seal Structure for Turbomachine Gap Sealing With Low Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing devices for turbomachines, particularly those with immovable components, suffer from wear and tear due to factors like relative movement, airflow, pressure differences, and vibrations, leading to leakage between pressure chambers.
Innovation Solution
A brush seal comprising a brush element attached to one component and resting against another to form a positive-locking connection, utilizing pressure differentials and angled fiber bundles to create a self-reinforcing seal between immovable components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealing ring is used to seal gaps between immovable components, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but wear and tear increases leading to leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the fundamental parameter of the sealing element from a rigid ring to flexible brush elements. This parameter change allows the sealing mechanism to adapt to minor relative movements and vibrations while maintaining sealing effectiveness, thereby resolving the contradiction between sealing performance and durability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs flexible brush elements instead of rigid sealing rings. The flexibility of the brush elements enables them to conform to surface variations and accommodate minor displacements between components, maintaining reliable sealing over extended service life without the wear problems associated with rigid rings
2Stress or pressure
If a sealing ring is used to seal pressure chambers, then pressure sealing is improved, but the sealing element becomes prone to wear from pressure differences and vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transforms the sealing element from a rigid structure to flexible brush elements, changing the mechanical parameters of the sealing system. This allows the sealing elements to flex under pressure differences and vibrations without suffering wear, thereby maintaining pressure sealing capability while eliminating the harmful wear effect
Solution Approach 2:
The brush elements are designed as simple, replaceable components that can withstand pressure and vibration without wear. Even if individual bristles wear, the overall sealing element remains functional and can be easily replaced, effectively neutralizing the harmful effects of pressure and vibrations
3Temperature
If a sealing ring is used to shield temperature differences, then temperature shielding is improved, but wear from thermal and mechanical factors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material and structural parameters of the sealing element from rigid ring material to flexible brush element materials that can withstand thermal stress. The flexible structure allows thermal expansion and contraction without causing wear, maintaining temperature shielding capability while extending service life under thermal conditions
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 brush seal effectively seals pressure and temperature differences with minimal wear, providing a comprehensive and durable seal even under conditions of minor relative movements.
Implementation Method 1
The brush element is attached or fixed to the first component to form a brush seal and rests against or contacts a sealing surface of the second component in order to seal two pressure chambers of different pressures from each other during intended operation
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a sealing device (10), in particular a sealing device (10) of a turbomachine, comprising at least one brush element (18) for sealing a gap (14) between a first component (16a) and a second component (16b). The first component (16a) and the second component (16b) are rotor components.