Leaf Spring Flap Seal Arrangement for Turbomachine Thermal Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing arrangements for turbomachines, particularly gas turbines, face challenges in effectively sealing gaps between components, especially under thermal movements and in maintaining efficient assembly and operation.
Innovation Solution
A sealing arrangement featuring a pivotably mounted flap and a leaf spring with V or U-shaped legs, which is designed to partially or temporarily seal annular gaps around the machine axis, utilizing a common component for both sealing and structural support, and incorporating positioning elements for improved kinematics and assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealing arrangement uses a flap and leaf spring to seal gaps between components, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sealing flap and leaf spring into an integrated assembly where the leaf spring serves both as a mounting structure and as the actuating mechanism. The first leg of the leaf spring forms a bearing surface for the flap, while the second leg provides pre-tensioning, merging multiple functions into a single component system that reduces overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The leaf spring performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides pre-tensioning force, forms a bearing surface for the flap, acts as a mounting structure, and compensates for thermal movements. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby improving sealing effectiveness while managing device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the sealing arrangement is designed to compensate for thermal movements, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flap is designed to be movable relative to the first component, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position in response to thermal expansion or contraction of the sealed components. The leaf spring provides flexible pre-tensioning that maintains sealing contact despite these movements, enabling the system to adapt to thermal changes without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.
3Ease of manufacture
If the projection of the contact area lies within the bearing surface, then ease of manufacture is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The leaf spring is pre-tensioned during assembly to establish the correct positioning and contact forces before the sealing arrangement enters service. This preliminary action ensures that the flap is properly aligned and contacted by the first component, reducing the need for high-precision manufacturing tolerances while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
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 solution enhances the operational behavior of turbomachines by effectively separating fluid spaces, compensating for thermal movements, and simplifying assembly and disassembly, while providing a stable and compact sealing mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a pre-tensioning force is exerted by the leaf spring in a state here referred to without limitation of generality as an assembly state, in which the flap and the second component do not contact each other
Implementation Method 2
relative movements between the first and second components, especially those caused by thermal expansion, to be at least partially compensated
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a sealing arrangement for a turbomachine, in particular a gas turbine, having a first component (10A, 10B), a second component (20), a flap (30) for sealing a gap between the first and second components, and a leaf spring with a first leg (41) and a second leg (42), wherein in an assembly state in which the flap and second component do not contact each other, a projection of a contact area (11) of the first component (10A, 10B) against which the first leg (41) via the flap (30), perpendicular to a contact line (K) through at least two contact points of the first leg (41) with the flap (30) at least partially within a bearing surface (A) of the first component (10A, 10B) against which the second leg (42) of the prestressed leaf spring is supported.