Segmented Non-Contact Seal Assembly for Low-Stress Annular Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotational equipment seal assemblies for gas turbine engines face challenges in effectively sealing annular gaps between rotors and stationary structures, requiring improved designs to enhance sealing efficiency and reduce internal stress while maintaining manufacturing cost-effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A non-contact seal assembly comprising a plurality of seal shoes, a seal base, and spring elements with resilient biasing elements, where the spring elements connect the seal shoes to the seal base and include mounts and spring beams, with the resilient biasing elements increasing stiffness and biasing the seal shoes to maintain sealing within predetermined design tolerances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional seal assemblies are used to seal annular gaps, then sealing function is provided, but internal stress is high and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly is divided into multiple discrete seal shoes arranged in an annular array, each independently connected to the seal base via spring elements. This segmentation allows each seal shoe to independently accommodate stress and movement, reducing overall internal stress while maintaining effective sealing across the annular gap
Solution Approach 2:
The spring elements provide dynamic flexibility to the seal assembly, allowing the seal shoes to move radially and adjust to operational conditions. This dynamic capability reduces internal stress by accommodating thermal expansion and mechanical movement, while the resilient biasing elements ensure continuous sealing contact
2Strength
If traditional seal assemblies are used to seal annular gaps, then sealing function is provided, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The modular segmented design with standardized spring elements and resilient biasing elements enables efficient manufacturing and assembly. Each seal shoe can be manufactured and tested independently, then assembled into the annular array, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining sealing effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The use of resilient biasing elements with adjustable stiffness parameters allows optimization of the seal performance for different applications. By adjusting the stiffness and pre-load of the spring elements, the seal can be tailored to specific operational conditions without requiring complete redesign, reducing manufacturing costs
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 seals the annular gap between the rotor and stationary structures, reducing internal stress and allowing for the use of less stiff materials, thereby lowering manufacturing costs and improving sealing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A resilient biasing element is radially between and engaged with first and second components of the seal device. The resilient biasing element may be configured to increase a stiffness of the first of the spring elements.
Implementation Method 2
Each of the spring elements is radially between and connects a respective one of the seal shoes and the seal base. A first of the spring elements includes a first mount, a second mount and a spring beam.
Implementation Method 3
The resilient biasing element may be configured to bias a first portion of the first of the seal shoes radially away from the seal base and a second portion of the first of the seal shoes radially towards the seal base.
Data Source
AI summary
A seal device includes a plurality of seal shoes, a seal base, a plurality of spring elements and a resilient biasing element. The seal shoes are arranged around an axis. The seal base circumscribes the seal shoes. Each of the spring elements is radially between and connects a respective one of the seal shoes and the seal base. A first of the spring elements includes a first mount, a second mount and a spring beam. The first mount is connected to a first of the seal shoes. The second mount is connected to the seal base. The spring beam connects the first mount to the second mount. The resilient biasing element is radially between and engaged with first and second components of the seal device, where the first component is configured as or otherwise includes the first mount or the second mount.