Segmented Seal Retaining Assembly for In-Situ Flex Seal Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Turbine systems face challenges in maintaining seals, particularly in hard-to-reach areas, requiring substantial disassembly for seal replacement, leading to lengthy and costly maintenance outages.
Innovation Solution
A seal retaining assembly with a segmented design, featuring a recess and tab structure that allows for axial and circumferential fixation of a flex seal without disassembling the exhaust frame or rotor, using a mechanical fastener to secure the segments and facilitate in-situ replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the exhaust frame, rotor and/or turbine shell are removed to replace the flex seal, then the seal can be replaced, but the maintenance outage becomes long and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining assembly is divided into multiple segments (first segment, second segment, third segment) that can be independently accessed and manipulated. This segmentation allows the flex seal to be replaced by working only on the retaining assembly segments rather than disassembling the entire exhaust frame, rotor, and turbine shell, thereby reducing maintenance outage time and cost.
2Ease of repair
If the exhaust frame, rotor and/or turbine shell are removed to replace the flex seal, then the seal can be replaced, but the maintenance cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining assembly is divided into multiple segments (first segment, second segment, third segment) that can be independently accessed and manipulated. This segmentation allows the flex seal to be replaced by working only on the retaining assembly segments rather than disassembling the entire exhaust frame, rotor, and turbine shell, thereby reducing maintenance outage time and cost.
3Reliability
If the segments are fixed together in radial and axial directions, then the flex seal is securely retained, but the assembly becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining assembly is divided into multiple segments (first segment, second segment, third segment) that can be independently accessed and manipulated. This segmentation allows the flex seal to be replaced by working only on the retaining assembly segments rather than disassembling the entire exhaust frame, rotor, and turbine shell, thereby reducing maintenance outage time and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The segments are coupled together through nested relationships where the second segment is positioned within the first segment and the third segment is positioned within the second segment, with tabs and recesses fitting into one another. This nesting approach provides secure radial and axial retention while maintaining a relatively compact and manageable structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A seal retaining assembly includes a first segment coupled to a first structure. Also included is a recess of the first segment, the recess defined by a first and second wall, the first wall defining a first wall aperture, the second wall defining a second wall aperture. Further included is a second segment having a tab disposed within the recess in fitted contact with the first and second wall to retain the second segment to the first segment in a radial direction, the tab defining a tab aperture, the first and second segment defining an axial gap therebetween, the first wall aperture, the second wall aperture and the tab aperture are aligned to form a passage. Yet further included is a flex seal within the axial gap. Also included is a pin in the passage to fix the second segment to the first segment in axial and circumferential directions.