Seal Runner Flow Restriction for Turbine Seal Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engine seals face challenges in maintaining effective cooling and oil containment at high-speed conditions due to increased temperatures, which affects lubrication and seal performance.
Innovation Solution
A seal runner with internal passages that include a restriction mechanism, such as a resilient member and damper, adjusts cooling fluid flow rates in response to engine speed, reducing fluid flow at high speeds to enhance heat absorption and cooling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cooling fluid flow rate is increased to improve cooling efficiency at high-speed conditions, then seal temperature is reduced, but oil containment capability deteriorates due to excessive fluid flow disrupting lubrication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a dynamic flow control mechanism where a resilient member (spring) and damper assembly automatically adjust the cooling fluid flow rate through the seal runner passages based on rotational speed. At high speeds, centrifugal force moves the damper to restrict flow; at low speeds, the spring bias maintains higher flow. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by providing optimal cooling at high speed without excessive flow disruption, and adequate cooling at low speed without compromising oil containment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the flow rate parameter of cooling fluid dynamically based on engine operating conditions. By using the resilient member and damper mechanism, the system adjusts the flow rate parameter to match the thermal demands at different rotational speeds, ensuring adequate cooling at high speed while maintaining oil containment by reducing flow at appropriate moments.
2Reliability
If cooling fluid flow rate is restricted to maintain oil containment, then lubrication is preserved, but cooling efficiency deteriorates at high-speed conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient member and damper assembly create a dynamic system where flow restriction is applied selectively based on rotational speed. The spring provides a baseline bias that allows adequate flow at low speeds, while the damper's centrifugal movement at high speeds provides additional restriction only when needed. This dynamic control maintains oil containment while preventing excessive temperature rise at high speed.
3Device complexity
If a fixed restriction mechanism is used to control cooling fluid flow, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to varying engine conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control mechanism is designed to be self-regulating based on engine operating conditions. The resilient member (spring) and damper assembly automatically adjust the cooling fluid flow rate in response to rotational speed changes without external control systems. The spring-bias and centrifugal force interaction creates a self-adjusting mechanism that adapts to varying engine conditions while maintaining relatively simple construction.
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 solution effectively improves cooling efficiency and maintains seal durability by optimizing fluid flow according to engine conditions, ensuring adequate lubrication and oil containment during high-speed operations.
Implementation Method 1
the restriction comprises a resilient member
Implementation Method 2
the damper moves from an initial position to a restricted position to reduce a flow rate of fluid flowing through the at least one internal passage in response to the engine condition
Data Source
AI summary
A gas turbine engine component includes a first member, a second member rotatable relative to the first member about an axis, and a seal assembly that includes a seal supported by the first member and a seal runner that rotates with the second member relative to the seal. The seal runner includes at least one internal passage to direct cooling fluid flow through the seal runner. A restriction is associated with the at least one internal passage to restrict flow through the at least one internal passage in response to an engine condition.