Seal Retainer Assembly for Compact Low-Stress Seal Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seal assemblies for rotational equipment, such as gas turbine engines, face challenges in achieving a compact form and reducing internal stresses within seal elements, which affects their performance and longevity.
Innovation Solution
A seal assembly design featuring a seal carrier, seal element, and retainer that utilize a retainer sleeve and lip to securely engage the seal element, with an anti-rotation feature and spring element to bias the seal element, reducing internal stresses and allowing for a more compact configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional seal assembly designs are used, then the seal element can be secured to the seal carrier, but the assembly size is large and internal stresses are high
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is positioned within the seal carrier structure, with the seal element nested between the retainer and seal carrier. This nested arrangement allows compact packaging of multiple components in a confined space, reducing overall assembly volume while maintaining proper component relationships and stress distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal assembly is divided into distinct functional segments: the seal carrier providing structural support, the retainer providing sealing and positioning functions, and the seal element providing the actual sealing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall size while managing stresses effectively.
2Reliability
If the seal element is securely engaged to the seal carrier, then sealing performance is maintained, but internal stresses within the seal element increase
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer acts as an intermediary component between the seal carrier and seal element. It provides a compliant interface that secures the seal element while distributing engagement forces, preventing direct rigid contact that would concentrate stresses on the seal element.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer material and geometric parameters are selected to provide appropriate compliance and stress distribution. By changing the mechanical parameters of the retaining structure, the system achieves secure engagement while maintaining acceptable stress levels in the seal element.
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 design effectively secures the seal element while minimizing internal stresses, leading to improved performance and extended lifespan of the seal assembly, and allows for a more compact form that can be applied to various rotational equipment.
Implementation Method 1
The assembly may also include a spring element axially engaged with and between the seal carrier and the static structure. The spring element may be configured to bias the seal element axially away from the static structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
An assembly (20) is provided for rotational equipment. This assembly (20) includes a seal carrier (84), a seal element (48) and a retainer (86). The seal carrier (84) is configured with a receptacle (106). The seal element (48) is seated in the receptacle (106). The retainer (86) is configured to secure the seal element (48) to the seal carrier (84). The seal element (48) is arranged radially between the seal carrier (84) and the retainer (106).