Gas Turbine Rotor Disk Seal Ring Radial Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing rotor disk assemblies in gas turbines face challenges in maintaining sealing capability due to thermal expansion and misalignment of adjacent labyrinth arms, leading to potential leakage and loss of sealing effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
The rotor disk assembly incorporates a seal ring system with a receiving groove and rotation prevention pins, where the seal ring is larger than the groove, and the groove is conically shaped with inclined surfaces, allowing the seal ring to expand radially and maintain contact even with radial displacement, ensuring effective sealing between rotor disks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a seal member is inserted into recessed grooves in labyrinth arms to prevent leakage, then sealing capability is improved, but when adjacent disks deform due to thermal expansion and become misaligned, the seal member becomes dislocated or dislodged, causing loss of sealing capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the seal ring expandable through centrifugal force during rotor rotation. The seal ring transitions from a static component to a dynamic one that automatically adjusts its sealing pressure and position based on rotational speed, maintaining contact with the mating surface despite thermal expansion or misalignment of adjacent disks
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by utilizing the centrifugal force generated during rotation to expand the seal ring radially outward. This changes the physical state and dimensions of the seal ring from a relaxed condition during assembly to an expanded, high-pressure sealing condition during operation, enabling it to compensate for misalignment and maintain sealing effectiveness
2Reliability
If the seal ring is made larger than the receiving groove to ensure contact, then sealing capability is improved, but the seal ring must be retained in the groove, requiring additional retention mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing rotation prevention pins that are pre-installed in the rotor disk before the seal ring is placed in the receiving groove. These pins protrude into the groove to prevent the oversized seal ring from rotating, enabling the seal ring to be retained without requiring complex retention mechanisms while maintaining the beneficial oversized design for sealing contact
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 configuration enhances sealing capability and maintains it even under conditions of thermal expansion or torsion, reducing leakage and improving the operational efficiency of the gas turbine by ensuring a consistent seal between rotor disks.
Implementation Method 1
the seal ring is larger than the groove, and the groove is conically shaped with inclined surfaces, allowing the seal ring to expand radially and maintain contact even with radial displacement
Data Source
AI summary
A rotor disk assembly for a gas turbine maintains a sealing capability even though adjacent labyrinth arms are dislocated from each other due to torsion or similar relative movement by thermal expansion or by rotation of the rotor disks of the gas turbine. The rotor disk assembly includes a plurality of rotor disks axially assembled to each other, the plurality of rotor disks including adjacent rotor disks coupled to each other by Hirth parts. Each rotor disk includes two labyrinth arms that extend axially and bilaterally and are located on the rotor disk more radially outward than the Hirth parts, and a first labyrinth arm of the two labyrinth arms having an end surface in which a receiving groove for receiving a seal ring is formed.