MTF Piston Seal Ring Surface Glazing for Low Friction Wear Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Piston seal rings in gas turbine engines experience progressive wear and degradation due to high operation temperatures and vibratory motion, leading to significant friction and wear issues.

Innovation Solution

Surface modification of piston seal rings and interfacing components using laser glazing or flame-induced oxidation treatments to form a glaze layer of oxide particles, reducing friction and enhancing wear resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional piston seal rings are used in high temperature and vibratory motion environments, then the engine can operate, but the seal rings experience progressive wear and significant degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewear resistanceVSAvoidoperation temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary surface modification treatments (laser glazing, laser-induced oxidation, laser-assisted oxide deposition, pulse laser deposition, or flame-induced oxidation) to the piston seal rings before they are installed in the engine. This creates a pre-formed glaze layer of oxide particles on the surface, which provides immediate wear protection from the start of operation, rather than relying on wear to form protective layers over time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent fundamentally changes the surface parameters of the piston seal rings by modifying the surface chemistry and topology through laser or flame treatments. This creates a glaze layer with different physical and chemical properties than the base material, providing enhanced wear resistance and low friction characteristics that enable reliable operation at high temperatures up to 1600°F.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If surface modification treatments are applied to piston seal rings, then wear resistance and friction are improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewear resistanceVSAvoidsurface treatment process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical surface treatment methods with laser-based or flame-based surface modification. These thermal/chemical processes can achieve the desired glaze layer formation more efficiently and with greater precision than mechanical methods, reducing overall process complexity while maintaining or improving wear resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 glaze layer of oxide particles provides low friction and high wear resistance across a wide range of temperatures, improving the endurance and reliability of engine components.

Implementation Method 1

surface modification of piston seal rings and interfacing components using laser glazing or flame-induced oxidation treatments to form a glaze layer of oxide particles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser glazing: Laser

Implementation Method 2

surface modification of piston seal rings and interfacing components using laser glazing or flame-induced oxidation treatments to form a glaze layer of oxide particles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlame-induced oxidation: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentUS12473977B2Methods for surface modification of mid-turbine frame piston seal rings and interfacing components to achieve low friction and high wear resistance

Publication Date: 2025.11.18 RTX CORP

AI summary

The present disclosure provides assemblies, systems and methods for surface modification of piston seal rings and interfacing components. More particularly, the present disclosure provides assemblies, systems and methods for surface modification of mid-turbine frame (MTF) piston seal rings and interfacing components in gas turbine engines to achieve low and/or reduced friction, and/or high and/or improved wear resistance.