Double-Angled Brush Seal for Non-Parallel Turbine Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brush seals in gas turbine engines are limited to sealing against single or parallel surfaces, requiring multiple seals to address non-parallel surfaces, which increases complexity and potential leak paths.
Innovation Solution
A brush seal arrangement with angled bristles that can seal against two non-parallel surfaces, allowing a single seal to engage both surfaces by angling the bristles to form an angle between about 90° and 170°, reducing the need for multiple seals and minimizing leak paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple seals are used to seal against non-parallel surfaces, then sealing coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brush seal is designed with bristles angled at a specific angle (θ) between 0° and 45° relative to the radial direction, enabling a single seal to effectively seal against two non-parallel surfaces (radial and axial surfaces) simultaneously. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple separate seals while maintaining comprehensive sealing coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the sealing functions for radial and axial surfaces into a single brush seal component. The angled bristle configuration allows the same brush seal to contact and seal against both the radial surface and the axial surface, combining what would traditionally require separate sealing components.
2Reliability
If multiple seals are used to seal against non-parallel surfaces, then sealing completeness is improved, but potential leak paths increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple sealing functions into a single brush seal with angled bristles, the invention reduces the number of interfaces and potential leak paths between separate seal components. The unified design ensures continuous sealing coverage while minimizing opportunities for leakage.
3Device complexity
If a single brush seal is used, then device complexity is reduced, but sealing capability against non-parallel surfaces is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The bristles are configured with a specific local angle (θ) between 0° and 45° relative to the radial direction, creating local geometric variation that enables the single brush seal to adapt to and seal against non-parallel surfaces. This local angular configuration provides the versatility needed to seal against both radial and axial surfaces while maintaining a simple single-seal design.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameter of the bristle orientation angle to enable the brush seal to function against non-parallel surfaces. By setting the bristle angle θ between 0° and 45°, the seal gains the capability to contact multiple surfaces with different orientations, expanding its sealing versatility without increasing complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A brush seal (130; 330; 430; 530) includes a first plate (146; 346) and a second plate (140; 340). A plurality of bristles (132; 232; 332; 532) have a first end (134; 234; 334; 434; 534) and a second end (136; 236; 336; 436; 536). The plurality of bristles are arranged between the first and second plates such that the first and second ends extend beyond the first and second plates. The first end is arranged at an angle (138) relative to the second end.