Asymmetric Combustor Seal Alignment Features for Gas Turbine Mist-Proofing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing combustor seals in gas turbine engines face challenges in maintaining alignment and wear pattern matching after reassembly, leading to reduced seal performance and potential need for replacement, which affects engine efficiency and thrust production.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a combustor seal with a plurality of seal alignment features that ensure only one correct orientation for installation, aligning with unique vane shapes and positions, thereby preserving the beneficial wear pattern and preventing misalignment during reassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional combustor seals are used without alignment features, then the seal installation is simple, but the seal alignment and wear pattern matching cannot be maintained after reassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by providing at least one alignment feature on the seal body that corresponds to an alignment feature on the vane. These features are positioned asymmetrically so that they can engage with each other in only one specific orientation, ensuring that the seal can be installed in only one correct position relative to the vane, thereby maintaining precise alignment and wear pattern matching after reassembly.
2Reliability
If the combustor seal is removed and reinstalled without alignment features, then the reassembly process is quick, but the seal may be misaligned leading to reduced performance
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment features on the seal body and vane are designed to automatically guide and constrain the seal into the correct position during reassembly. The interlocking alignment features ensure that when the seal is installed, it self-aligns with the vane without requiring additional alignment tools or procedures, thereby maintaining high reliability while keeping the reassembly process simple.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If multiple alignments are possible without unique positioning, then the installation is more flexible, but the wear pattern matching is lost requiring frequent replacements
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric alignment features ensure that the seal can only be installed in one correct orientation, preserving the beneficial wear pattern between the seal and vane. This unique positioning prevents misalignment that would lead to premature wear and failure, thereby extending the seal's service life while maintaining straightforward installation procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A combustor seal for use between a downstream end of a combustor and a turbine vane includes a seal body and a plurality of seal alignment features. The plurality of seal alignment features projects from the seal body. The seal alignment features are arranged such that there is only one alignment of the combustor seal with the turbine vane.