Rotor Disc Sealing Device with Segmented Plates

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Solution Overview

Problem

In gas turbines, the engagement of tooth forms between rotor discs often results in leakage gaps, leading to gas leakage and reduced efficiency due to the lack of effective sealing between the facing surfaces of compressor and turbine discs.

Innovation Solution

A rotor disc sealing device comprising a sealing plate with a ring structure and an auxiliary plate is inserted into slots on the facing surfaces of compressor and turbine rotor discs, utilizing a ring-shaped design to seal the leakage gaps and absorb centrifugal forces, thereby preventing gas leakage and enhancing sealing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If tooth forms are engaged between rotor discs to transfer rotational torque, then torque transmission is achieved, but leakage gaps form between the tooth forms allowing gas to leak

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotational torque transmissionVSAvoidgas leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

A sealing device comprising a sealing plate and auxiliary plate is introduced as an intermediary element between the engaged tooth forms of adjacent rotor discs. The sealing plate fits into a groove on one disc while the auxiliary plate fits into a groove on the adjacent disc, creating a sealing barrier that prevents gas leakage through the engagement interface without interfering with torque transmission through the tooth forms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing solution is segmented into two separate components (sealing plate and auxiliary plate) that are respectively installed in grooves on opposing discs. This segmentation allows each plate to independently seal its respective groove while working together to close the leakage path between discs, maintaining torque transmission capability through the engaged tooth forms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If sealing plates are installed in slots of rotor discs to prevent gas leakage, then sealing efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing efficiencyVSAvoidnumber of additional components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing plate and auxiliary plate are designed as thin, plate-like structures that can be easily installed into the grooves of the rotor discs. These thin-film sealing elements provide effective gas sealing while adding minimal structural complexity and mass to the rotor assembly, making them suitable for high-speed rotating applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 device effectively prevents gas leakage between the rotor discs, improving the gas compression and rotation efficiency of the compressor and turbine sections by maintaining a stable sealed state even under centrifugal forces.

Implementation Method 1

a leakage gap may be formed between the tooth forms of the coupled discs, in more detail, in a point where hill and valley parts of the tooth forms meet each other, and gas may leak through the leakage gap

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP3388622B1Rotor disc sealing device, and rotor assembly and gas turbine including the same

Publication Date: 2022.10.12 DOOSAN ENERBILITY CO LTD

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AI summary

A rotor disc sealing device, which seals a leakage gap generated in a space between facing surfaces of rotor discs to be coupled to one another, can include: slots formed in the facing surfaces of the rotor discs; a sealing plate formed of a hard material and inserted into the slots; and an auxiliary plate formed of a soft material and coupled to one side of the sealing plate.