Movable Seal Assembly for Gas Turbine Transition Duct Leakage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional seal assemblies for gas turbine engines fail to effectively prevent fluid leakage between adjacent transition ducts, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage from thermal growth and frictional forces.

Innovation Solution

A seal assembly comprising a first seal member affixed to the outlet portion of one transition duct and a second movable seal member that can transition between non-sealing and sealing positions, nested within a circumferentially extending channel, to block leakage gaps between adjacent transition ducts, reducing fluid leakage and minimizing thermal growth-induced forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional fixed seal assembly is used between transition ducts, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it fails to effectively prevent fluid leakage and cannot accommodate thermal growth

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidseal assembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The seal assembly incorporates a movable second seal member that can transition between retracted and extended positions. This dynamic component allows the seal to adapt to thermal growth and maintain sealing effectiveness under varying operating conditions, resolving the contradiction between reliability and static simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The seal assembly is divided into multiple independent components: a first seal member affixed to the transition duct and a second seal member that moves independently within a channel. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while accommodating thermal expansion, improving sealing reliability without requiring complete redesign of the entire assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of energy

If a movable seal member is added to improve sealing, then fluid leakage is reduced, but the device complexity increases and installation becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid leakageVSAvoidinstallation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The second seal member is nested within a channel of the first seal member, allowing it to move freely while maintaining a compact structure. This nesting arrangement reduces the overall space requirement and simplifies the assembly process, counteracting the increased complexity from adding a movable component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The channel structure acts as an intermediary that guides and constrains the movement of the second seal member. This intermediary component facilitates the movement of the seal member while maintaining proper alignment and sealing contact, making the system easier to manufacture and install despite the added functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If the seal assembly is made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then manufacturing is easier, but it cannot accommodate thermal growth and frictional forces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidthermal growth accommodation

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The seal assembly allows for changes in the position and configuration of the second seal member in response to thermal growth and operational conditions. This parameter adaptability enables the rigid first seal member to maintain structural integrity while the movable second seal member compensates for dimensional changes due to heat.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3058181B1Seal assembly for a gap between outlet portions of adjacent transition ducts in a gas turbine engine

Publication Date: 2017.06.28 SIEMENS AG

Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B

AI summary

A seal assembly for sealing a circumferential leakage gap between outlet portions of first and second adjacent transition ducts in a gas turbine engine includes a first seal member affixed to the outlet portion of the first transition duct and a second seal member movable with respect to the first seal member. The second seal member is positionable in a non-sealing first position and a sealing second position. While in the first position, the second seal member is circumferentially spaced from the outlet portion of the second transition duct. While in the second position, the second seal member extends across the leakage gap and creates a seal with the outlet portion of the second transition duct to substantially prevent leakage through the leakage gap.