Gas Turbine Intersegment Seal with Jet Holes and Wire Thrust

Solution Overview

Problem

Gas turbines face performance and efficiency issues due to leakage between arcuate components, particularly at end gaps where traditional seals fail to effectively seal, exacerbated by manufacturing and assembly tolerances and thermal movement.

Innovation Solution

A seal assembly with intersegment seal segments featuring jet holes and channels for wire disposition, where pressurized air creates thrust to seal end gaps, accommodating machining and assembly tolerances, and allowing for independent movement of seal segments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional straight horizontal seal slots are used, then assembly is simplified and manufacturing is easier, but sealing effectiveness at end gaps deteriorates due to leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidsealing effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The seal is divided into multiple segments that can be independently positioned and adjusted. Each segment can be separately installed in the seal slot, allowing for tolerance accommodation while maintaining effective sealing at end gaps through proper segment arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An intermediary sealing structure is introduced at the end gaps between seal segments and the slot ends. This intermediary element fills the gap space and provides the necessary sealing function, mediating between the simple straight slot design and the requirement for effective end gap sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If seal segments are made longer to reduce end gaps, then sealing effectiveness improves, but manufacturing precision requirements worsen due to tighter tolerance demands

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidmachining tolerance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The seal is divided into multiple segments that can be independently positioned and adjusted. Each segment can be separately installed in the seal slot, allowing for tolerance accommodation while maintaining effective sealing at end gaps through proper segment arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring the entire seal to be perfectly precise, the design accepts partial end gaps at segment ends and compensates with the intermediary sealing structure. This allows manufacturing with relaxed tolerances while still achieving adequate overall sealing performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Adaptability or versatility

If arcuate components are designed with expansion gaps, then thermal expansion accommodation is improved, but leakage increases at the gaps between components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal expansion accommodationVSAvoidgas leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The seal assembly is designed to be dynamic rather than fixed, allowing the seal segments to move independently within the slot to accommodate thermal expansion of the arcuate components. The intermediary sealing structure maintains sealing effectiveness while permitting the necessary movement for thermal accommodation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

An intermediary sealing structure is introduced at the end gaps between seal segments and the slot ends. This intermediary element fills the gap space and provides the necessary sealing function, mediating between the simple straight slot design and the requirement for effective end gap sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 significantly reduces leakage by effectively sealing end gaps, improving gas turbine performance and efficiency, as demonstrated by leakage data plots showing a prominent drop in leakage with varying wire diameters.

Implementation Method 1

One or more of the plurality of seal segments including at the one or more end regions a plurality of jet holes and a channel having a wire disposed therein, wherein the intersegment seal provides sealing of one or more end gaps defined proximate the one or more end regions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressurized air flow: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS10138747B2Seal assembly to seal end gap leaks in gas turbines

Publication Date: 2018.11.27 GE INFRASTRUCTURE TECH LLC

AI summary

Various embodiments include gas turbine seals and methods of forming such seals. In some cases, a turbine includes: a first arcuate component adjacent to a second arcuate component, each arcuate component including one or more slots having a seal assembly disposed therein. The seal assembly including an intersegment seal including a plurality of seal segments defining one or more end regions. One or more of the plurality of seal segments including at the one or more end regions a plurality of jet holes and a channel having a wire disposed therein, wherein the intersegment seal provides sealing of one or more end gaps defined proximate the one or more end regions in response to the thrust of a flow of pressurized air through the plurality of jet holes.