Seal Damper Assembly for Gas Turbine Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engine injection assemblies experience dimensional variation, structural deflection, thermal growth, and vibration, leading to wear at mounting interfaces, reduced part life, and non-uniform performance due to displacement and vibration.
Innovation Solution
A seal damper assembly is introduced, comprising a seal housing, a sliding seal, and a damping member, which is positioned between the seal housing and the sliding seal to absorb shock, vibration, and displacement, thereby reducing wear and extending the life of injection assembly components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the injection assembly is rigidly mounted to maintain dimensional stability, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the assembly cannot accommodate thermal growth and vibration, leading to increased stress and reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The injection assembly incorporates a damper assembly with a sliding seal that allows controlled movement between the injection assembly and fuel nozzle. This dynamic mounting accommodates thermal growth and vibration while maintaining sealing, resolving the contradiction between rigid mounting for precision and flexible mounting for reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The damper assembly changes the physical state of the connection from rigid to semi-rigid by introducing a sliding mechanism. This allows the system to adapt to parameter changes such as thermal expansion and vibration while maintaining functional performance
2Reliability
If the injection assembly is allowed to move freely to accommodate thermal growth and vibration, then reliability is improved, but dimensional variation and displacement increase, reducing manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding seal acts as an intermediary element between the injection assembly and fuel nozzle. It permits controlled movement to accommodate thermal growth and vibration while maintaining a sealed connection, thus preserving both reliability and dimensional stability
3Reliability
If damping components are added to reduce vibration and displacement, then reliability and part life are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damper assembly performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides damping to reduce vibration, maintains sealing through the sliding seal, and accommodates thermal growth. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while improving reliability
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 damper assembly effectively dampens displacement and vibration of engine components, reducing wear and enhancing the operational longevity and performance consistency of gas turbine engine components.
Implementation Method 1
a damping member, which is positioned between the seal housing and the sliding seal to absorb shock, vibration, and displacement
Data Source
AI summary
A seal damper assembly includes a seal housing, a sliding seal, and a damping member. The seal housing is disposed on a case assembly that is disposed about an engine component. The seal housing has a base and a wall that axially extends from the base. The base and the wall define a cavity. The sliding seal is received within the cavity. The damping member is received within the cavity and is disposed between the wall and the sliding seal.