Floating Rotor Seal Segments for Turbomachine Leakage Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Leakage or backflow of compressed air or combustion gases in gas turbine engines affects engine component life and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A sealing system with linear seal segments that use pressure delta to maintain a continuous seal between stationary components, utilizing a spring bias member like a wave spring to preload the segments and prevent leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional sealing systems are used in turbomachines, then the structure is simple, but leakage occurs affecting engine component life and efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidsealing system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing system is divided into multiple independent linear seal segments that can move and seal independently. Each segment is positioned within a seal pocket and can respond individually to pressure differentials, allowing the system to maintain effective sealing while accommodating thermal expansion and mechanical tolerances without requiring a complex monolithic sealing structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The linear seal segments are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically adjust their position and sealing force in response to operational conditions. The segments can move within their seal pockets to maintain contact with sealing surfaces under varying pressure differentials, thermal conditions, and mechanical tolerances, thereby maintaining reliable sealing without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a dynamic seal is implemented to prevent leakage, then engine component life and efficiency are enhanced, but the seal must accommodate thermal expansion and mechanical tolerances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidaccommodation of thermal expansion and tolerances

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing system utilizes changes in physical parameters, particularly pressure differentials and thermal conditions, to maintain effective sealing. The pressure delta between the high-pressure and low-pressure sides of the seal drives the linear segments into contact with the sealing surface, while the system is designed to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of components without compromising seal integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If linear seal segments are used to maintain a continuous seal, then leakage is prevented, but the segments require preload from spring bias members

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidspring bias member requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Spring bias members are used to apply preliminary force to the linear seal segments, preloading them into contact with the sealing surface before operational pressure differentials are applied. This preliminary action ensures that the segments maintain continuous contact with the sealing surface throughout the operational range, preventing leakage while reducing the complexity of requiring complex active control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 sealing system effectively prevents leakage, enhancing engine component life and efficiency by maintaining a dynamic seal during operation.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing a spring bias member like a wave spring to preload the segments

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The linear seal segments move dynamically with each respective individual nozzle segment or stationary component to maintain a continuous seal during operation of the gas turbine engine using pressure delta across the linear seal segments to load the linear seal segments against a respective contact surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS20250341168A1Sealing system for a turbomachine

Publication Date: 2025.11.06 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

AI summary

A turbomachine comprises a nozzle segment including an inner shroud defining a bottom surface and a nozzle flange defining a forward side surface and an aft side surface. A floating rotor seal is coupled to the nozzle flange via a carrier flange. The carrier flange includes a forward wall and an aft wall. The nozzle flange is positioned between the forward and aft walls and a flowpath is defined therebetween. A seal pocket is defined in one of the forward wall or the aft wall and is in fluid communication with the flowpath. At least one linear seal segment is partially disposed within the seal pocket. The linear seal segment is configured to form a seal against the nozzle flange or the bottom surface in response to pressurization of the seal pocket via a working fluid in the flowpath.