Turbomachine Rotor Seal Assembly with Leak Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Turbomachinery, such as centrifugal compressors, face challenges in maintaining consistent high performance and long-term durability due to fluid leakage into the rotor, which must be inhibited from escaping to the atmosphere while dealing with varying forces and potential contamination from process fluids.
Innovation Solution
A seal assembly is integrated with a tie bolt structure, utilizing O-rings and a dry fluid seal system to prevent fluid leakage from the rotor to the atmosphere, with a conduit system to guide leaks to a detection area and a pressure-release valve or rupture disc to manage pressure surges, allowing for cost-effective and reliable fluid management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a seal assembly is integrated with the tie bolt structure to prevent fluid leakage, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly is merged with the tie bolt structure by integrating sealing elements (O-rings) directly into the tie bolt components. The first and second O-rings are positioned within grooves formed in the tie bolt, creating a unified structure where the sealing function is combined with the structural tie bolt, thereby preventing fluid leakage without requiring a completely separate sealing system
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing elements are nested within the tie bolt structure. The O-rings are placed in grooves that are part of the tie bolt itself, with the cap enclosing the end portion of the tie bolt. This nested arrangement allows the sealing function to be embedded within the existing structural component, reducing overall complexity while maintaining reliability
2Measurement precision
If a conduit system is added to guide leaks for detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit acts as an intermediary element that intercepts leaked fluid and directs it to a detection area. The conduit is fluidly connected to the chamber and extends to the detection area, serving as a mediator between the leakage source and the detection system, thereby enabling precise measurement of fluid leakage without requiring complex sensing throughout the entire structure
3Reliability
If a pressure-release valve or rupture disc is integrated to manage pressure surges, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure-release valve or rupture disc is pre-installed within the cap structure at a predetermined location. This preliminary placement ensures that when pressure surges occur during operation, the pressure management mechanism is already positioned and ready to activate, preventing catastrophic failures without requiring complex active control systems
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 seal assembly effectively inhibits fluid leakage to the atmosphere, guides leaks for detection, and manages pressure surges, ensuring the turbomachinery's performance and durability by maintaining a sealed environment within the rotor.
Implementation Method 1
The seal assembly may involve a first O-ring circumferentially disposed about the rotor shaft to provide an initial sealing point to fluid
Implementation Method 2
A seal assembly is integrated with a tie bolt structure, utilizing O-rings and a dry fluid seal system to prevent fluid leakage from the rotor to the atmosphere
Implementation Method 3
a pressure-release valve or rupture disc to manage pressure surges
Data Source
AI summary
A compressor rotor for turbomachinery, such as a centrifugal compressor, is provided. Disclosed embodiments include a tie bolt and a rotor shaft that cooperates with the tie bolt to define a chamber therebetween. A seal assembly is positioned to separate the chamber from a first space and a leak detector in fluid communication with the first space and operable to generate a signal indicative of leakage of a fluid from the chamber to the first space.