Extended Pilot Ring Seal Structure for Carbon Ring Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Carbon seal assemblies in gas turbine engines are prone to damage during assembly, leading to reduced performance and premature maintenance due to chipping of carbon rings when stacked between seal seats.
Innovation Solution
A seal assembly design featuring a front seat with a tapered axial segment and a rear seat with a radial cavity and shelf, which reduces wear and misalignment by guiding the carbon rings into place smoothly, and the use of springs to bias the rings against each other for optimal sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If carbon rings are stacked between seal seats during assembly, then the seal assembly can be formed, but the carbon rings are susceptible to chipping and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a shelf structure that extends radially inward from the seal seat, positioned to support the carbon ring during assembly. This shelf acts as a cushioning element that prevents direct impact between the carbon ring and the hard seal seat surface, thereby preventing chipping and damage while facilitating the assembly process
Solution Approach 2:
The shelf structure serves as an intermediary element between the seal seat and the carbon ring. Instead of the carbon ring directly contacting the seal seat, the shelf mediates the interaction by providing a supportive surface that guides and protects the carbon ring during installation, reducing stress concentrations that cause chipping
2Productivity
If carbon rings are mounted between seal seats, then the seal assembly is complete, but misalignment and wear occur during installation
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf structure acts as a guiding intermediary that directs the carbon ring into proper alignment with the seal seat during assembly. The radial extension of the shelf provides a reference surface that ensures the carbon ring is positioned correctly, preventing misalignment and associated wear while maintaining assembly efficiency
3Device complexity
If carbon rings are stacked axially between seal seats, then the seal assembly can be constructed, but stress and chipping occur during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf structure provides beforehand cushioning support to the carbon ring during assembly, distributing the assembly stress over a larger area rather than concentrating it at the contact point between the carbon ring and seal seat. This prevents chipping while maintaining the axial stacking configuration of the seal assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A seal assembly includes a first and second seats. The first seat includes an axial portion extending circumferentially around a center axis and extending axially from a first end to a second end. A radial portion extends circumferentially around the axial portion and extends radially from the axial portion between the first end and the second end. A cavity is formed in the radial portion and extends circumferentially around the axial portion. A second seat includes a radial segment extending circumferentially around the center axis and extending radially from an inner surface to an outer surface of the radial segment. An axial segment extends circumferentially around the first end of the first seat, and extends axially from the radially segment to a distal end. The axial segment includes a tapered outer surface that tapers radially inward toward the distal end. The distal end is received in the cavity.