Seal Plate Slinger Ring for Cooling in Space-Constrained Seals
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Solution Overview
Problem
In hydrodynamic seal assemblies for gas turbine engines, the limited space surrounding the seal plate poses challenges in effectively positioning lubricant nozzles and directing cooling lubricant to the seal plate, leading to inadequate heat mitigation due to friction-generated heat between the nonrotating and rotating seal elements.
Innovation Solution
A slinger ring with radially extending tabs separated by slots is used to direct lubricant from a radially outward nozzle location radially inward and circumferentially, enhancing cooling efficiency by altering the lubricant flow to reach the seal plate effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cooling lubricant is introduced through channels in the seal plate, then heat mitigation is improved, but space limitations prevent proper positioning of lubricant nozzles and components
Solution Approach 1:
The slinger ring acts as an intermediary component between the lubricant nozzle and the seal plate cooling channels. It receives lubricant from the nozzle and uses centrifugal force to distribute it effectively into the cooling channels, enabling proper lubricant delivery despite space constraints that prevent direct nozzle positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a radial dimension to the lubricant delivery system by positioning the nozzle radially outward from the seal plate and using the slinger ring to redirect lubricant radially inward. This radial arrangement allows lubricant delivery in space-constrained environments where axial or tangential positioning is not feasible.
2Device complexity
If lubricant nozzle is positioned radially outward from the seal plate, then space constraints are satisfied, but lubricant flow direction must be altered to reach the seal plate effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The slinger ring utilizes the dynamic rotation of the seal plate to generate centrifugal force, which dynamically redirects the lubricant flow from the radially outward nozzle position into the cooling channels. The rotating slinger ring converts the static radial flow into a dynamic flow pattern that effectively reaches the seal plate surfaces.
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 slinger ring configuration improves cooling of the seal plate by efficiently directing lubricant into a groove, effectively mitigating heat generation and wear on the sealing surfaces, even in space-constrained environments.
Implementation Method 1
a slinger ring that is adjacent the second axial end of the seal body and has a plurality of radially extending tabs circumferentially separated by a plurality of slots... The tabs of the seal plate are configured to direct lubricant at least partially radially inward into the groove and at least partially in a direction of rotation of the seal plate to cool the seal body
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A seal plate (68, 168, 268) is annular in shape and configured to rotate about a centerline (A). The seal plate (68, 168, 268) includes a seal body (80, 180, 280) having a first axial end (76, 176, 276) forming a sealing surface (81) and a second axial end (78, 178, 278) opposite the first axial end (76, 176, 276), a slinger ring (82, 182, 282) axially rearward of the seal body (80, 180, 280) and having a plurality of radially extending tabs (84, 184, 284) separated by a plurality of slots (86, 186, 286), and a groove (88, 188, 288) between the seal body (80, 180, 280) and the slinger ring (82, 182, 282). The tabs (84, 184, 284) on the slinger ring (82, 182, 282) are configured to direct lubricant at least partially radially inward into the groove (88, 188, 288) and at least partially in a direction of rotation (R) of the seal plate (68, 168, 268) to cool the seal body (80, 180, 280).