Hydrostatic Non-Contact Seal Structure Without a Carrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional seal assemblies in rotational equipment require a carrier that occupies valuable radial space, making it desirable to reduce the radial height and weight of the seal assembly.
Innovation Solution
A non-contact seal assembly with a secondary seal device support ring and a second ring structure that is radially adjacent and engaged with the inner radial seal base surfaces, eliminating the need for a dedicated carrier by integrating the seal components directly with the stator structure, using materials like nickel alloy or cobalt alloy, and featuring axially extended seal shoes and spring elements for sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a traditional seal assembly with carrier is used, then the seal assembly is structurally complete and functional, but the radial height and weight increase due to the carrier occupying valuable radial space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the carrier component from the seal assembly, allowing the seal components to be directly contained within the stator structure. This removal of the carrier reduces radial height while the stator structure assumes the containment function, resolving the contradiction between compactness and structural completeness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the containment function previously performed by the separate carrier with the stator structure. The stator structure now serves dual purposes: providing structural support and containing the seal components, thereby reducing overall device complexity and radial dimensions
2Weight of moving object
If a traditional seal assembly with carrier is used, then the seal assembly is structurally complete and functional, but the weight increases due to additional carrier material
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier is extracted from the seal assembly, directly reducing the total weight by eliminating the carrier material. The stator structure assumes the containment role without adding significant weight, thus resolving the contradiction between weight reduction and structural completeness
Solution Approach 2:
The stator structure is given multiple functions: it provides structural support for the rotational equipment and simultaneously serves as the containment structure for the seal components. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate carrier, reducing overall weight while maintaining structural integrity
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
This configuration reduces the radial height and part count of the seal assembly while maintaining effective sealing performance, allowing for a more compact and lightweight design suitable for applications like gas turbine engines.
Implementation Method 1
featuring axially extended seal shoes and spring elements for sealing
Implementation Method 2
Hydrostatic non-contact seal
Data Source
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AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a non-contact seal assembly comprising a plurality of seal shoes (54) arranged about a centerline (22) in an annular array, the seal shoes (54) including a first seal shoe (54) extending axially along the centerline (22) between a first shoe end (70) and a second shoe end (72). The non-contact seal assembly may comprise a seal base (52) circumscribing the annular array of the seal shoes (54), the seal base (52) comprising first, second and third inner radial seal base surfaces (33, 35, 37) where the third inner radial seal base surface (37) is axially between the first and second inner radial seal base surfaces (33, 36) and is radially proximate the centerline (22) with respect to the radially distal first and second inner radial seal base surfaces (33, 35). The non-contact seal assembly may further comprise a plurality of spring elements (56), each of the spring elements (56) radially distal from and connecting to a respective one of the seal shoes (54) and radially proximate the third inner radial seal base surface (37).