Aircraft Seal Mating Plate Geometry for One-Way Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seal assemblies in aircraft powerplants, such as gas turbine engines, require improvements in installation efficiency and reliability, particularly in the integration of mating plates with stationary seal supports.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a mating plate with asymmetric geometry that facilitates one-way installation, ensuring correct orientation and reducing manufacturing costs, combined with features like chamfered and non-chamfered corners, notches, and grooves for secure mounting and easy disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a symmetric mating plate is used, then manufacturing is simpler, but installation orientation cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The mating plate is designed with asymmetric geometry, featuring a first end with a first geometry and a second end with a second geometry that differs from the first. This asymmetry ensures that the mating plate can only be installed in the correct orientation, as it will not fit when reversed. The asymmetric design resolves the contradiction by prioritizing installation reliability over manufacturing simplicity, as the geometric differentiation is straightforward to manufacture while effectively preventing incorrect installation.
2Reliability
If the mating plate is designed for secure mounting, then installation reliability improves, but disassembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mating plate incorporates distinct geometric features at its ends (first end with first geometry, second end with second geometry) that enable selective engagement. This segmentation allows the plate to be securely mounted in the correct orientation while maintaining the capability for controlled disassembly when properly oriented, resolving the contradiction between mounting security and disassembly ease.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
An assembly (20) includes a rotating seal land (30), a seal element (68), a stationary seal support (34) and a mating plate (82). The seal element (68) axially overlaps, circumscribes and radially sealingly engages the rotating seal land (30). The stationary seal support (34) axially overlaps and circumscribes the rotating seal land (30) and the seal element (68). The stationary seal support (34) includes a support notch (48), a support shoulder (50), a support inner interior surface (52) and a support outer interior surface (54). The support notch (48) projects axially into the stationary seal support (34) from a distal end (36) of the stationary seal support (34) to the support shoulder (50). The support notch (48) projects radially outward away from an axis (28) into the stationary seal support (34) from the support inner interior surface (52) to the support outer interior surface (54). The mating plate (82) is seated in the support notch (40) and mounted to the stationary seal support (34). The mating plate (82) axially contacts the support shoulder (50) and the seal element (68).