Carbon Seal Spring Carrier for Easier Turbine Seal Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
In gas turbine engines, replacing carbon seals requires disassembling the entire bearing compartment to access the seal assembly, which is cumbersome and risks losing springs from the carbon seal assembly due to lack of visibility during the process.
Innovation Solution
A spring-loaded seal assembly with a spring carrier that connects springs to the seal support, allowing the seal carrier to be removed and reattached without losing the springs, eliminating the need for full compartment disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the carbon seal assembly is bolted to the bearing compartment before assembly, then the seal assembly is securely positioned, but the entire bearing compartment must be disassembled to replace the carbon seal
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly is segmented into modular components: the seal carrier with carbon seal can be independently removed from the bearing compartment without disassembling the entire compartment. The spring carrier remains attached to the bearing compartment while the seal carrier is separately serviceable.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal carrier is extracted as a separate serviceable component from the bearing compartment assembly. This allows the carbon seal to be replaced by removing only the seal carrier rather than disassembling the entire bearing compartment.
2Ease of repair
If the carrier is removed from the carbon seal assembly to replace the seal, then the seal can be replaced, but the springs may fall out of place and are difficult to reposition
Solution Approach 1:
The spring carrier and seal carrier are segmented as separate functional units. The spring carrier remains attached to the bearing compartment and holds the springs in place, while the seal carrier with the carbon seal can be independently removed and reinstalled without disturbing the springs.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring carrier acts as an intermediary structure that retains the springs in a fixed position on the bearing compartment. This intermediary structure allows the seal carrier to be removed and reinstalled without the springs falling out of place, as the springs remain anchored to the spring carrier.
3Ease of repair
If blind repositioning of the carrier is required, then the seal can be replaced, but the operation becomes very difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly is segmented into a spring carrier portion that remains installed and a seal carrier portion that can be independently removed and reinstalled. This segmentation allows visual confirmation of spring positions while enabling easy seal replacement without time-consuming blind repositioning.
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
Facilitates easier and more efficient replacement of carbon seals by keeping springs in place during reassembly, reducing the time and effort required for maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
A spring is disposed between the annular seal support and the annular seal carrier
Data Source
AI summary
A seal assembly for a turbine engine extends along a center axis and includes a seal support and a seal carrier configured to translate relative the seal support. A seal is connected to the seal carrier and a spring is disposed between the seal support and the seal carrier. A spring carrier is disposed between the spring and the seal support. A first end of the spring is connected to the spring carrier and the spring carrier is connected to the seal support. The spring includes a second end disposed opposite the first end of the spring. The second end of the spring contacts the annular seal carrier.