Full Ring Inner Air Seal for Gas Turbine Vane Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing designs for gas turbine engines are costly and complex due to the need for multiple seals and cooling airflow passages, which complicate assembly and do not effectively contain hot gas flow between rotating and stationary components.
Innovation Solution
A turbine section design featuring first and second rotors with rotating seals, a vane assembly with an inner platform and air seal ring, and a ring nut system for secure attachment, along with a lock ring and wire seal for enhanced sealing and cooling airflow management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple seals and cooling airflow passages are used to contain hot gas flow, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sealing functions into a single integrated air seal structure that extends circumferentially about the axis. This full ring inner air seal integrates the sealing surface, cooling air passages, and mounting features into one component, eliminating the need for multiple separate seals and reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining effective hot gas flow containment.
Solution Approach 2:
The air seal structure performs multiple functions simultaneously: it contains hot gas flow between rotating and stationary components, provides cooling air passages for thermal management, and serves as a mounting structure for the vane assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall device.
2Reliability
If multiple seals and cooling airflow passages are used to contain hot gas flow, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sealing functions into a single integrated air seal structure that extends circumferentially about the axis. This full ring inner air seal integrates the sealing surface, cooling air passages, and mounting features into one component, eliminating the need for multiple separate seals and reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining effective hot gas flow containment.
3Reliability
If multiple seals and cooling airflow passages are used to contain hot gas flow, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sealing functions into a single integrated air seal structure that extends circumferentially about the axis. This full ring inner air seal integrates the sealing surface, cooling air passages, and mounting features into one component, eliminating the need for multiple separate seals and reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining effective hot gas flow containment.
Data Source
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AI summary
A disclosed vane assembly includes a vane section formed of a plurality of circumferentially spaced fixed vanes. The vanes extend radially outward from an inner platform and hooked into case. The inner platform includes a mount rail extending radially inwardly from the inner platform. An air seal is attached to the inner platform of the vane section and includes a ring extending circumferentially about the axis. The disclosed air seal includes a plurality of tabs that receive lugs disposed on the mount rail. A ring nut is secured to the air seal and engaged to the mount rail for securing the vane section to the air seal.