Gas Turbine Face Seal Stop Pin Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mechanical face seals in gas turbine engines are cumbersome and expensive to install due to multiple spring guides and coil springs, which can lead to over-compression and damage from limited axial movement restrictions.
Innovation Solution
A gas turbine engine mechanical face seal arrangement featuring guide slots and stop members to limit movement, with spacers providing anti-rotation, axial guidance, and reducing friction and wear, thus protecting the bias spring from over-compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple spring guides and coil springs are used to provide bias force and guide movement, then the seal arrangement can maintain proper sealing contact, but the installation becomes time-consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple spring guides and coil springs into a single integrated spring assembly that provides the necessary bias force while guiding the seal member movement. This merging reduces the number of parts from six to twelve individual components to a single unified structure, significantly simplifying installation while maintaining the sealing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated spring assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides bias force to maintain sealing contact, guides the axial movement of the seal member, and limits the range of motion through built-in stops. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate spring guides and multiple coil springs, reducing installation complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the seal arrangement is allowed to move axially without limits, then the seal member can adjust to maintain sealing contact, but the support and spring may be damaged or over-compressed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates built-in travel limits and stops within the spring assembly that prevent the seal member from moving beyond safe boundaries. These stops are designed in advance to cushion and stop the movement before the spring can be over-compressed or the support damaged, allowing full adjustment range while preventing harmful over-travel.
3Force
If six to twelve coil springs and spring guides are used, then the bias force can be distributed, but the cost and installation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple distributed spring forces into a single integrated spring assembly that provides equivalent or superior bias force distribution. This single assembly replaces six to twelve individual coil springs and spring guides, maintaining proper force distribution while reducing installation time significantly.
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 simplifies the installation process, reduces costs, and ensures proper orientation and protection of the seal arrangement from over-compression, enhancing the robustness and reliability of the seal by eliminating the need for multiple coil springs and spring guides.
Implementation Method 1
A spring is arranged about the guide member between the seal member and the support to provide a bias force that urges the seal member into contact with the seal seat
Implementation Method 2
The seal member includes guide slots that cooperate with a guide member to establish a direction of seal member movement
Implementation Method 3
The guide member includes stops to establish a range of movement of the seal member along the direction of seal member movement
Implementation Method 4
The spacers provide anti-rotation of the seal member, axial travel guidance of the seal member and reduces friction and wear between the seal member and the guide members
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanical face seal arrangement includes a seal member having an annular seal element for sealing against a rotatable seal surface. The seal member includes guide slots that cooperate with the guide member to establish a direction of seal member movement. The guide member includes stops to establish a range of movement of the seal member along the direction of seal member movement.