Face Seal Damper for Radial Vibration Control in Gas Turbines
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engine face seals face damage due to excessive axial and radial movement, leading to vibratory modes and potential impact between stationary and rotating components, with existing damping systems being overly complex and expensive.
Innovation Solution
A gas turbine engine component featuring a seal housing with springs to accommodate axial movement and a damper with fingers extending radially inward to engage the seal body, using bearing balls for radial contact to dampen radial movement while allowing axial movement, thereby simplifying the damping mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If air or oil film dampers are used to control seal movement, then radial movement is dampened, but the system becomes overly complicated and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex air or oil film dampers with a simple mechanical spring-loaded damper system. The damper includes a spring that pushes a contact against the seal body, providing radial damping through direct mechanical contact rather than fluid films, thereby simplifying the system while maintaining effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical damper uses simple, inexpensive components (springs and contacts) that can be easily replaced if needed, contrasting with expensive air or oil film damper systems. The spring and contact are basic mechanical elements that are cost-effective and maintainable
2Reliability
If the seal body is constrained to prevent excessive movement, then seal damage is reduced, but axial movement accommodation is impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The damping system is segmented into separate radial and axial components. The spring-loaded contact provides radial damping independently, while the seal body maintains freedom for axial movement through the seal housing, allowing each degree of freedom to be controlled separately
Solution Approach 2:
The damper applies localized radial damping force only where needed through the contact point on the seal body, while leaving other regions free for axial movement. The spring force is directed radially inward, creating localized constraint without global restriction
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 solution effectively dampens radial movement without impeding axial movement, providing a simpler and more compact mechanism compared to air or oil film dampers, reducing the risk of seal damage and operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
at least one spring acting between the seal housing and the seal body to accommodate axial movement of the seal body
Implementation Method 2
each finger includes a contact that engages the seal body to dampen radial movement of the seal body
Implementation Method 3
a damper positioned radially outward of the seal body, wherein the damper comprises a plurality of fingers... to dampen radial movement of the seal body
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A gas turbine engine component includes a static component, a seal body (68) associated with the static component, the seal body (68) having an end surface (70) configured to face a rotating seal seat (62), and a damper (102) positioned radially outward of the seal body (68). The damper (102) includes a contact (116) that engages the seal body (68) to dampen radial movement of the seal body (68) while accommodating axial movement of the seal body (68).