Labyrinth Seal Support Ring for Compressor Erosion Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Erosion damage to the bearing support housing in aircraft cabin air compressors occurs due to foreign object particles bypassing the labyrinth seal and impacting the housing, shortening the service life of the compressor.
Innovation Solution
A seal assembly with a labyrinth seal and a deflector ramp, along with tortuous pathways on the seal support ring, is used to divert airflow leaking through the seal interface radially inwardly and diffuse the tangential component, reducing the impact on the bearing support housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a labyrinth seal is used between the impeller and bearing support housing, then sealing performance is improved, but erosion damage to the bearing support housing occurs due to particles bypassing the seal
Solution Approach 1:
A seal support ring is introduced as an intermediary component between the labyrinth seal and the bearing support housing. This ring intercepts particles that bypass the labyrinth seal and redirects them into tortuous pathways, preventing direct impact on the bearing support housing and eliminating the harmful erosion effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal support ring with tortuous pathways converts the harmful high-velocity particle flow into a beneficial low-velocity diffuse flow. By forcing particles through complex S-shaped or Z-shaped pathways, the kinetic energy is dissipated and the particles are redirected away from critical surfaces, transforming erosion risk into protective flow diffusion.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the seal support ring redirects airflow radially inwardly, then protection of the bearing support housing is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The seal support ring integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides structural support for the labyrinth seal, acts as a particle interception barrier, and creates tortuous flow pathways for redirecting airflow. By merging these functions, the design protects the bearing support housing without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal support ring serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it supports the sealing element, deflects harmful particle-laden airflow away from the bearing support housing, and provides a structural interface between the impeller and housing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate protective components.
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 effectively reduces erosion of the bearing support housing, extending the service life of the compressor by diverting and diffusing airflow, thus protecting the housing from damage.
Implementation Method 1
The deflector ramp is configured to turn an airflow leaking through the seal interface radially inwardly toward the central axis
Implementation Method 2
A plurality of tortuous pathways are formed in a downstream surface of the seal support ring and are configured to diffuse a tangential component of the airflow
Data Source
AI summary
A compressor assembly includes an impeller rotatable about a central axis and a seal assembly. The seal assembly includes a labyrinth seal defining a seal interface with a sealing element of the impeller and a seal support ring into which the labyrinth seal is installed. The seal support includes a deflector ramp fluidly downstream of the seal interface. The deflector ramp is configured to turn an airflow leaking through the seal interface radially inwardly toward the central axis. A plurality of tortuous pathways are formed in a downstream surface of the seal support ring and are configured to diffuse a tangential component of the airflow.