Rolling Resilient Seal for Gas Turbine Thermal Displacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing resilient seals in gas turbine engines fail due to high temperatures and pressures, combined with relative displacement of components, leading to cracking and fragmentation, which compromises their structural and sealing integrity.

Innovation Solution

A resilient seal configured to undergo pivoting or rolling movement in response to thermal and pressure loads, with features such as annular rings, circumferential corrugations, and damping elements to reduce stress and maintain sealing contact, and optionally including hooks or retainer plates for secure positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional resilient seals (W-seals) are used to seal cavities between adjacent components, then sealing capability is provided, but the seals experience cracking and fragmentation due to high temperatures and pressures combined with relative displacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing integrityVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The seal is designed with a dynamic rolling capability that allows it to rotate about its longitudinal axis in response to relative movement between components. This dynamic behavior transforms the seal from a static resilient element to an active component that adapts to thermal expansion and pressure loads, reducing stress concentrations that cause cracking and fragmentation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The seal configuration changes its operational parameters by transitioning from pure compression deflection to rolling movement. The cross-sectional shape and material properties are optimized to enable this parameter change, allowing the seal to maintain structural integrity while accommodating high temperatures and pressures through rotational motion rather than elastic deformation alone

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If resilient seals are made thin and flexible to accommodate relative movement, then adaptability to thermal expansion is improved, but structural strength decreases leading to cracking and fragmentation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of relative movementVSAvoidresistance to cracking

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The seal utilizes rolling motion as a dynamic mechanism to accommodate relative movement between components. This dynamic adaptation allows thin, flexible seals to maintain strength by distributing stresses through rotational movement rather than relying solely on elastic deformation, thereby preventing cracking and fragmentation while preserving adaptability to thermal expansion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the seal is made resilient and spring-like to maintain contact under pressure, then sealing contact is maintained, but stress concentrations lead to cracking and fragmentation under high temperature and pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing contact maintenanceVSAvoidstress from thermal and pressure gradients

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The seal employs rolling movement as a dynamic stress-relief mechanism that reduces stress concentrations under high temperature and pressure conditions. By rotating about its longitudinal axis, the seal distributes contact stresses along its length rather than concentrating them at fixed points, maintaining reliable sealing contact while mitigating the harmful effects of thermal and pressure gradients

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rolling motion acts as an intermediary mechanism between the seal and the high-stress environment. This motion mediates the interaction between the seal material and the thermal-pressure gradients, transforming direct stress concentration into distributed stress through rotational movement, thereby reducing cracking and fragmentation while maintaining sealing contact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 rolling seal configuration significantly reduces stress and extends the service life of the seal, enhancing sealing integrity and reliability by accommodating thermal expansion and pressure differentials.

Implementation Method 1

the adjacent components can experience relative movement from a static position, for example as a result of thermal expansion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

This type of seal is spring-like and flexible and is able to deflect in response to movement of the components or to pressure loads

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12196086B2Seal for a gas turbine engine

Publication Date: 2025.01.14 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

AI summary

A sealing apparatus for a gas turbine engine includes: a first component; a second component positioned in proximity to the first component such that cavity is defined between the first and second components; a resilient seal disposed in the cavity so as to block gas flow between the first and second components, the resilient seal having a first contact surface contacting the first component and a second contact surface contacting the second component; and wherein the resilient seal is configured so as to produce a rolling movement in response to relative movement of the first and second components.