Non-Contacting Dynamic Seal With Wave Spring Vibration Damping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional non-contacting dynamic seals in gas turbine engines are sensitive to engine vibrations, leading to fatigue and reduced sealing effectiveness and durability due to vibrational waves in the inner and outer beams.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a wave spring with at least three antinodes, made of cobalt or nickel alloy, between the inner and outer beams or between the shoe and the beams, which compresses and slides to dissipate vibration energy, thereby damping vibrations and extending the seal's lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional non-contacting dynamic seals are used, then sealing function is provided, but the seal is sensitive to engine vibrations causing fatigue and reduced durability
Solution Approach 1:
A wave spring is introduced as an intermediary damping element between the inner and outer beams of the seal. The wave spring absorbs and dissipates vibrational energy through its unique wave-shaped structure, preventing vibrations from directly affecting the seal components. This mediator reduces vibration sensitivity while maintaining the seal's structural integrity and durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The wave spring converts harmful vibrational energy into beneficial damping effects. By allowing controlled deformation of its wave structure during vibration, the spring dissipates energy through internal friction and material hysteresis, transforming the harmful vibrational forces into heat and reducing the overall vibration amplitude that would otherwise cause fatigue.
2Reliability
If wave spring is added to damp vibrations, then durability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wave spring is constructed from a thin, flexible strip of material formed into a wave pattern. This flexible structure provides effective vibration damping through its ability to deform and absorb energy, while the thin-film construction minimizes the added mass and structural complexity compared to more rigid damping mechanisms.
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 wave spring effectively dampens vibrations in the seal components, enhancing the durability and sealing effectiveness of the non-contacting dynamic seal by dissipating energy through friction, thus reducing fatigue and maintaining the seal's performance over time.
Implementation Method 1
The wave spring may be configured to slide against at least one of the inner beam or the outer beam in response to a vibration in the non-contacting dynamic seal
Implementation Method 2
The first wave spring may be configured to damp vibrations in the first beam and the second beam
Implementation Method 3
a wave spring with at least three antinodes, made of cobalt or nickel alloy, between the inner and outer beams or between the shoe and the beams, which compresses and slides to dissipate vibration energy
Data Source
AI summary
A seal for a gas turbine engine includes a full hoop outer ring, a shoe coupled to the full hoop outer ring via an inner beam and an outer beam, and a wave spring in contact with at least one of the inner beam or the outer beam.