Segmented Piston Seal Assembly for Limited-Access Large Rotors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional piston seals are unable to be installed on large diameter segmented machines with limited axial access, such as horizontally split turbomachinery, due to their single uniform design, which restricts their application in systems like combined cycle power generation systems.
Innovation Solution
A segmented piston seal design comprising first and second semi-circular sections with locking structures at opposite ends, allowing the sections to be locked together to form a piston seal, reducing pre-load on the rotor and maintaining internal moment continuity across the circumference, enabling installation on horizontally split machines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional single-piece piston seal is used, then the seal provides uniform sealing, but it cannot be installed on large diameter segmented machines with limited axial access
Solution Approach 1:
The piston seal is divided into multiple segments (first semi-circular section and second semi-circular section) that can be assembled together to form a complete seal. This segmentation allows the seal to be installed on large diameter machines with limited axial access, as the segments can be positioned and locked together in place rather than requiring insertion as a single piece.
2Ease of operation
If the piston seal is segmented into multiple sections, then installability is improved, but the internal moment continuity may be disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The locking structures connect the first and second semi-circular sections together to form an integrated piston seal assembly. This merging ensures that the segmented sections work together as a unified structure, maintaining internal moment continuity across the interface between segments while preserving the installation advantages of segmentation.
3Force
If conventional piston seals are used, then the structure is simple, but the pre-load on the rotor is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented design allows for distributed pre-load application across multiple sections rather than a single concentrated force from a uniform ring. This segmentation enables better control and reduction of the overall pre-load on the rotor while maintaining effective sealing through the locked-together sections.
Data Source
AI summary
The subject matter described herein relate to a segmented piston seal system. The segmented piston seal includes a first semi-circular section (FSCS) that includes a first locking structure at opposite ends of the FSCS. The segmented piston seal includes a second semi-circular section (SSCS) that includes a second locking structure at opposite ends of the SSCS. The first and second locking structures are configured to lock the FSCS and the SSCS together to form a piston seal.