Sliding Backing Plate Brush Seal for High-Pressure Bristle Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Brush seals face challenges in maintaining an effective seal at high pressure differentials and withstanding the expansion and contraction of seal cavities, leading to potential damage from clashing components.
Innovation Solution
A brush seal design featuring a sliding backing plate with a support portion and a bristle pack secured at a joint between the top and back plates, where the sliding portion is configured to slide relative to the components, minimizing unsupported bristle length and preventing clashing through a pushing force exerted by the second bristle set and optional slide assist mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a relatively large backing plate gap is used to prevent clashing in active seal cavities, then component damage from clashing is prevented, but bristle support is reduced leading to deformation at high pressures and temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The backing plate is designed to slide dynamically within the seal cavity along the axial direction, adapting its position to cavity expansion and contraction while maintaining optimal bristle support. This dynamic adjustment prevents both clashing and excessive bristle deformation
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding backing plate acts as an intermediary element between the fixed seal structure and the bristles, providing continuous support while accommodating cavity movements. It mediates between the need for gap space and bristle stability
2Stability of the object's composition
If the backing plate is fixed to maintain bristle support, then bristle deformation is prevented, but clashing occurs during seal cavity expansion and contraction
Solution Approach 1:
The backing plate transitions from a fixed structure to a dynamic sliding structure that moves axially within the seal cavity, maintaining bristle support during compression while preventing clashing during expansion through controlled movement
3Reliability
If bristle length is increased to improve sealing at high pressure differentials, then sealing efficiency is improved, but bristle flexibility is reduced and deformation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding backing plate dynamically adjusts the effective bristle support length, allowing longer bristles to maintain contact with the sliding plate during high-pressure conditions while retaining flexibility during normal operation through the plate's axial movement
Data Source
AI summary
A brush seal is provided that includes a top plate, a back plate, and a bristle pack. The bristle pack is secured at a joint between the top plate and the back plate. The bristle pack includes a first bristle set extending from the joint, a second bristle set extending from the joint, and a sliding backing plate. The sliding backing plate includes a sliding portion and a support portion. The sliding portion is disposed contiguous with the second bristle set. The support portion has an inner face and a support face. The inner face is in contact with a distal end of the second bristle set. The support face is configured to support at least a portion of the first bristle set. The sliding backing plate is configured to slide relative to the second bristle set.