Fluid-Cooled Seal Land Passages for Interface Heat Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seal land designs in rotational equipment, such as gas turbine engines, face challenges in maintaining durability due to increased temperature from rubbing friction with carbon seal elements, as conventional cooling fluid passage designs often concentrate cooling in intermediate regions rather than directly at the interface.
Innovation Solution
A seal land with a configuration of fluid passages featuring an inner and outer passage segment, where the outer passage segment extends along a non-straight, radial and circumferential trajectory, providing enhanced cooling directly at the interface with the carbon seal element, and potentially formed through additive manufacturing or drilling, to effectively manage thermal energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional cooling fluid passage designs are used, then the seal land can be cooled, but the cooling is concentrated in intermediate regions far from the interface, reducing cooling effectiveness at the critical sealing surface
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling passages are configured with varying trajectories including radial and circumferential components, allowing different regions of the seal land to receive targeted cooling. The passages extend closer to the sealing interface in critical areas while maintaining appropriate spacing in other regions, creating non-uniform local cooling quality that matches the thermal distribution pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling passages utilize three-dimensional trajectories within the seal land body, moving from simple radial or axial configurations to complex paths that combine radial, axial, and circumferential components. This dimensional approach allows the cooling fluid to reach previously inaccessible regions near the sealing interface while distributing cooling across multiple spatial dimensions.
2Temperature
If cooling passages are positioned closer to the seal interface, then cooling effectiveness improves, but the risk of fluid leakage and contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling passages are strategically positioned at different distances from the seal interface depending on the local thermal requirements. In regions where cooling is most critical, passages extend closer to the interface, while in other areas they maintain greater distance, creating a graduated cooling strategy that balances effectiveness with reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling passage system is divided into multiple segments or zones with different trajectories and proximity to the seal interface. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each zone - some segments can be positioned closer for maximum cooling while others remain farther away for reliability, with all segments working together as an integrated system.
3Temperature
If complex non-straight-line trajectories are used for cooling passages, then cooling distribution is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The complex three-dimensional trajectories of the cooling passages are achieved by incorporating multiple dimensional components (radial, axial, and circumferential) that can be manufactured using standard machining operations. Rather than requiring complex curved paths, the design uses combinations of straight-line segments in different dimensions, which are easier to manufacture while still achieving the desired cooling distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling passages are constructed from multiple linear segments rather than continuous curved paths. Each segment can be drilled or machined independently using standard equipment, and the segments are connected at junction points within the seal land. This segmented approach simplifies manufacturing while maintaining the ability to direct cooling fluid along complex overall trajectories.
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 cooling efficiency by directing fluid close to the seal land surface, reducing operating temperatures and improving durability by distributing thermal energy effectively across the seal land.
Implementation Method 1
A first of the fluid passages includes an inner passage segment and an outer passage segment fluidly coupled with the inner passage segment. The outer passage segment may be disposed axially adjacent the annular seal land surface... This configuration enhances cooling efficiency by directing fluid close to the seal land surface, reducing operating temperatures
Data Source
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AI summary
A seal land includes a seal land body that extends circumferentially about an axis and radially between an inner seal land side and an outer seal land side. The seal land body is configured with a plurality of fluid passages arranged about the axis. A first of the fluid passages includes an inner passage segment and an outer passage segment fluidly coupled with the inner passage segment. The inner passage segment extends along a first trajectory within the seal land body towards the outer passage segment. The outer passage segment extends along a second trajectory within the seal land body away from the inner passage segment and towards the outer seal land side. The second trajectory is different than the first trajectory and includes a radial component and a circumferential component.