Interlocking Air Seal Attachment for Low-Profile Turbine Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air seal attachments for gas turbine engines require significant axial and radial space, are time-consuming, and expensive to replace due to complex geometries and machining needs, limiting their efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
An air seal attachment system utilizing axially extending teeth that interlock with a rotating coupling, radially inward tabs to house a retaining ring, and optional pilot arms or shells to prevent movement and leakage, allowing for a low-profile connection that minimizes space usage and simplifies installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional bolted connection or fit and trapped connection is used for air seal attachment, then the air seal can be securely attached to the rotating component, but it requires substantial axial and radial space within the gas turbine engine
Solution Approach 1:
The air seal attachment utilizes a nested structure where the air seal is attached to an intermediate carrier, which in turn is attached to the rotating component. This multi-level nesting allows the air seal to be positioned close to the rotating component while maintaining secure attachment, thereby reducing the overall axial and radial space required compared to traditional direct attachment methods
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from traditional axial attachment methods to a combination of axial and radial attachment features. The intermediate carrier uses both axial engagement with the rotating component and radial engagement with the air seal, creating a three-dimensional attachment structure that efficiently utilizes available space and reduces the footprint in both axial and radial directions
2Reliability
If traditional air seal attachment methods are used, then the air seal can be attached to the rotating component, but it requires additional machining and complex geometries that are time-consuming and expensive to replace
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is segmented into distinct modular components: the air seal, the intermediate carrier, and the rotating component interface. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using simpler processes, and enables the air seal to be quickly replaced by detaching it from the carrier without requiring complex machining or disassembly of the entire assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate carrier serves multiple functions: it provides a mounting interface for the air seal, an attachment interface with the rotating component, and structural support for the assembly. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require complex integrated geometries into a simpler, more manufacturable component that is also easier to replace
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B~3B
AI summary
A gas turbine engine (8) includes an annular coupling (12) and an annular air seal attachment (10). The annular coupling (12) extends along a centerline (C) and has coupling teeth that extend axially rearward (32). The annular air seal attachment (10) includes an air seal (24) at an axially rearward end (20) and air seal attachment teeth at an axially forward end (18) that extend axially forward to interlock with the coupling teeth such that the air seal attachment teeth and the coupling teeth alternate in a circumferential direction.