Leaf Seal Spring with Multi-Wall Stress Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional leaf sealing arrangements in gas turbine engines experience material fatigue due to the use of checkmark springs, which reduces their effectiveness in maintaining a seal between adjacent stationary components.
Innovation Solution
A sealing assembly that includes a leaf seal and a spring with multiple walls, where the spring exerts axial force on the leaf seal, distributing deflection across multiple bends and walls to reduce stress and extend service life, and is constructed from materials like nickel or cobalt alloys.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If checkmark springs are used to push the leaf seals against the sealing surfaces, then the sealing function is achieved, but material fatigue occurs reducing the service life
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is divided into multiple walls (first spring wall, second spring wall, third spring wall, fourth spring wall) with multiple bends connecting them. This segmentation distributes the mechanical stress across multiple structural elements rather than concentrating it in a single checkmark configuration, thereby reducing material fatigue and extending service life while maintaining the sealing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring design transitions from a conventional two-dimensional checkmark shape to a three-dimensional multi-wall structure with radial and axial extensions. The second spring wall extends radially outward, the third spring wall extends axially away, and the fourth spring wall extends radially inward, creating a complex spatial configuration that distributes stress more effectively across multiple dimensions.
2Device complexity
If a simple spring structure is used, then the device complexity is low, but the stress concentration causes material fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is divided into multiple walls (first spring wall, second spring wall, third spring wall, fourth spring wall) with multiple bends connecting them. This segmentation distributes the mechanical stress across multiple structural elements rather than concentrating it in a single checkmark configuration, thereby reducing material fatigue and extending service life while maintaining the sealing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring design transitions from a conventional two-dimensional checkmark shape to a three-dimensional multi-wall structure with radial and axial extensions. The second spring wall extends radially outward, the third spring wall extends axially away, and the fourth spring wall extends radially inward, creating a complex spatial configuration that distributes stress more effectively across multiple dimensions.
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 sealing assembly effectively reduces material fatigue, enhancing the durability and longevity of the sealing mechanism by distributing stress and maintaining a secure seal between stationary components in high-temperature environments.
Implementation Method 1
a spring for exerting axial force on the first side of the leaf seal. The spring includes a first spring wall coupled to the first static gas turbine wall. A second spring wall extends radially outward from the first spring wall. A third spring wall extends axially away from the second spring wall. A fourth spring wall extending radially inward from the third spring wall and includes a radially inner end. The radially inner end of the fourth spring contacts the first side of the leaf seal between the first position and the second position.
Data Source
AI summary
A gas turbine sealing assembly includes a first static gas turbine wall, a second static gas turbine wall, and a leaf seal having a first side and a second side. The first static gas turbine wall contacts the second side at a first position, and the second static gas turbine wall contacts the second side at a second position. A spring exerts force on the first side. The spring includes a first spring wall coupled to the first static gas turbine wall. A second spring wall extends radially outward from the first spring wall. A third spring wall extends axially away from the second spring wall. A fourth spring wall extends radially inward from the third spring wall and includes a radially inner end. The radially inner end of the fourth spring wall contacts the first side of the leaf seal between the first position and the second position.