Hydrostatic Non-Contact Seal Assembly for Rotor Linkage Gaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rotational equipment faces inefficiencies and high manufacturing costs due to heat generation from contact seals, and non-contact seals are difficult to configure and require frequent replacement upon incidental contact.
Innovation Solution
A non-contact seal assembly with a monolithic full hoop body carrier and linkage, featuring a radially thicker seal portion and hardface, which is configured to accommodate axial passage through the seal and includes a flange connector with a carrier that mounts the base to a fairing, providing enhanced durability and ease of assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a contact seal with a seal element is used, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but heat generation increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact seal system with a non-contact magnetic seal system. The magnetic seal uses magnetic fields to retain seals without physical contact between the rotor and stator, eliminating the friction and heat generation inherent in mechanical contact seals while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
2Loss of energy
If non-contact seals are used, then heat generation is reduced, but configuration difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic seal assembly is divided into separable components including a rotor-mounted magnetic seal component and a stator-mounted magnetic seal component. This segmentation allows each component to be configured and assembled independently, reducing the overall configuration difficulty while maintaining the non-contact sealing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic seal components are designed with flexible magnetic circuits and adjustable configurations that allow them to adapt to different installation requirements. The magnetic fields dynamically adjust to maintain optimal sealing performance, simplifying the configuration process.
3Ease of manufacture
If non-contact seals are used, then heat-related costs are reduced, but replacement frequency increases upon incidental contact
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic seal components utilize composite structures combining magnetic materials, non-magnetic structural materials, and protective coatings. This composite construction enhances the durability and resistance to incidental contact, reducing replacement frequency while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic seal design incorporates protective features and tolerance configurations that anticipate and cushion against incidental contact. The magnetic field provides a protective buffer zone, and the mechanical components are designed with sufficient clearance and protective elements to prevent damage during incidental contact events.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If specialty high temperature materials are used, then component durability is improved, but manufacturing and servicing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing mechanical contact seals with non-contact magnetic seals, the patent eliminates the need for specialty high-temperature materials in the seal components. The magnetic field-based sealing mechanism operates without friction and heat generation, allowing standard materials to be used, thereby significantly reducing manufacturing and servicing costs while maintaining component durability.
Data Source
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AI summary
An assembly is provided for rotational equipment such as a gas turbine engine 10 for an aircraft propulsion system. This assembly includes a stator 52, a rotor 54 and a seal assembly 108. The rotor 54 extends axially along a centerline 12. The rotor 54 includes a linkage 92A, a first rotor disk 90A, and a second rotor disk 90B. The linkage 92A extends axially from the first rotor disk 90A to the second rotor disk 90B. The linkage 92A is removably attached to the second rotor disk 90B. The seal assembly 108 is configured for sealing a gap radially between the stator 52 and the linkage 92A. The seal assembly 108 includes a hydrostatic non-contact seal.