Gas Turbine Rotor Hub Seal Assembly with Segmented Lock Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas turbine engines face inefficiencies in the compressor and turbine sections due to airflow leakage, which reduces their overall performance and increases maintenance costs by limiting the effective life of rotor hubs based on seal components.
Innovation Solution
A seal assembly comprising a rotor hub with axially and radially extending projections, a seal ring with knife edges and cooling passages, and a lock ring for secure attachment, which reduces leakage and allows for replacement of seal components without replacing the entire rotor hub, thereby extending the service life and improving efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional seals are used in rotor hubs, then airflow leakage is reduced, but the entire rotor hub must be replaced when seals wear out, increasing maintenance costs
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly is segmented into modular components including the seal ring, lock ring, and retention features that can be independently removed and replaced. The seal ring is retained by the lock ring which engages with the rotor hub, allowing the seal components to be serviced separately from the rotor hub itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal ring and lock ring are designed as disposable or serviceable components that can be removed and replaced when worn, while the rotor hub is recovered and retained. This allows the valuable rotor hub to be preserved while only the consumable seal components are discarded and replaced.
2Reliability
If seals are integrated into the rotor hub, then seal effectiveness is improved, but the service life of the rotor hub is limited by seal component life
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly is divided into separable components where the seal ring can be independently replaced from the rotor hub. The lock ring provides a retained connection that allows the seal ring to be securely mounted yet easily removed for replacement, extending the overall service life of the rotor hub assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal ring is designed as a replaceable, shorter-lived component that can be economically replaced without replacing the entire rotor hub. This allows the rotor hub to have a much longer service life than the seal components themselves.
3Reliability
If the rotor hub is replaced when seals wear out, then seal effectiveness is maintained, but material waste increases and maintenance costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The seal system is segmented into the rotor hub and separate seal components (seal ring and lock ring). This segmentation allows only the seal components to be replaced when worn, preserving the rotor hub material and avoiding unnecessary disposal of functional hub components.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal ring and lock ring are discarded and replaced when worn, while the rotor hub is recovered and retained for continued use. This selective replacement minimizes material waste by preserving the valuable rotor hub material.
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 solution effectively reduces airflow leakage, extends the service life of seal components, and decreases maintenance costs by allowing for the replacement of seal components independently of the rotor hub, enhancing the overall efficiency and performance of the gas turbine engine.
Implementation Method 1
at least one cooling passage that extends through the seal ring
Data Source
AI summary
A gas turbine engine includes a rotor hub that extends along a longitudinal axis of the gas turbine engine and includes a radially outer surface that has a substantially axially extending projection and a substantially radially extending projection. A seal ring includes a body portion and at least one knife edge that extends outward from the body portion. A recess is in the body portion for accepting the axially extending portion of the rotor hub. A lock ring is in abutting contact with the seal ring and the radially extending projection on the rotor hub for securing the seal ring to the rotor hub.