Compliant Seal Component Cooling via Plenum End Portions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Compliant seal components in turbomachines degrade due to high operating temperatures, leading to increased leakage and reduced efficiency, as existing cooling methods are ineffective in cooling all portions of the seal, resulting in creep and potential shutdowns for replacement.
Innovation Solution
A compliant seal component design featuring a convoluted portion with end portions that include a plenum, inlet, and outlet holes, where the cooling fluid is directed into the plenum to cool the end portions and discharged to cool adjacent components, with optional turbulators to enhance heat dissipation, effectively regulating leakage and extending the seal's lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If external cooling fluid is supplied to cool the compliant seal component, then the seal component can operate at high temperatures, but the cooling fluid is not effective in cooling portions of the seal component that are in contact with the turbomachine, resulting in creep and degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The compliant seal component is divided into multiple end portions with individual cooling channels. Each end portion has its own inlet and outlet holes, allowing segmented cooling of different contact areas. This segmentation enables targeted cooling delivery to previously inaccessible contact portions, resolving the inadequate cooling issue while maintaining high-temperature operation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Cooling channels act as intermediary pathways between the external cooling fluid source and the end portions of the seal component. These channels transport cooling fluid directly to the contact areas, serving as a mediator that delivers cooling effectiveness to previously inaccessible regions, thereby preventing creep and degradation.
2Reliability
If the compliant seal component is degraded due to inadequate cooling, then leakage control is compromised, but replacing the seal component requires stoppage of the turbomachine, affecting continued operation
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling channels are pre-configured within the seal component structure during manufacturing. Inlet holes, outlet holes, and internal cooling passages are built-in beforehand, enabling immediate cooling effectiveness upon fluid supply. This preliminary preparation prevents degradation before it occurs, maintaining leakage control without requiring shutdowns for maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling fluid flows continuously through the channels and end portions, providing ongoing cooling protection. This continuous cooling action prevents creep and degradation over time, ensuring sustained leakage control and enabling continuous turbomachine operation without planned replacements.
3Reliability
If conventional cooling methods are used, then the structure remains simple, but cooling effectiveness is insufficient for all contact portions
Solution Approach 1:
The seal component incorporates cooling channels with inlet and outlet holes distributed throughout the structure. This porous-like configuration allows cooling fluid to penetrate and cool multiple end portions effectively. The channel network provides comprehensive cooling coverage without requiring complex external cooling systems, achieving high cooling effectiveness with moderate structural complexity.
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 design effectively cools the compliant seal component, reducing degradation and leakage, thereby improving turbomachine efficiency and extending the component's operational life by ensuring consistent cooling of all contact points, even in high-temperature environments.
Implementation Method 1
a first portion of the cooling fluid in the plenum is configured to cool the end portion. The end portion further includes a plurality of outlet holes. The plurality of outlet holes is configured to discharge the first portion of the cooling fluid from the plenum
Data Source
AI summary
A compliant seal component, a turbomachine including such compliant seal component, and an associated method for cooling the compliant seal component disposed in the turbomachine are disclosed. The compliant seal component includes a convoluted portion and a plurality of end portions spaced apart from each other. The plurality of end portions is joined to the convoluted portion. An end portion of the plurality of end portions includes a first section and a second section, the second section defining a plenum. The end portion further includes a plurality of inlet holes and a plurality of outlet holes. The plurality of inlet holes is configured to direct a portion of a cooling fluid to the plenum. The portion of the cooling fluid in the plenum is configured to cool the end portion. The plurality of outlet holes is configured to discharge the portion of the cooling fluid from the plenum.