Segmented Seal Element for Turbine Rotor Blade Leakage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current rotor assemblies in gas turbine engines experience fluid leakage through mechanical joints between rotor blades and rotor disks, which reduces equipment performance.

Innovation Solution

A seal assembly is introduced, comprising a platform seal and an elongated seal element that radially and laterally abuts against the rotor disk and rotor blade mounts, respectively, to fill and seal the gaps between the rotor blades and rotor disk, utilizing a tortuous trajectory and angularly offset segments to effectively engage with the rotor assembly components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a mechanical joint (dovetail interface) is used to mount rotor blades to the rotor disk, then the rotor assembly can be assembled and operated, but fluid leakage occurs through the joint

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidfluid leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The seal element is divided into multiple segments (first segment, second segment, third segment) that are angularly offset from each other. These segmented seals work together to block fluid leakage paths through the mechanical joint, with each segment addressing specific leakage regions around the rotor blade mount.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A seal element is introduced as an intermediary component between the rotor blade mount and the rotor disk lug. This seal element fills the gap between the mechanical joint surfaces and prevents fluid from leaking through, acting as a mediator that eliminates the harmful leakage effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of energy

If the seal element follows a tortuous trajectory with angularly offset segments, then fluid leakage is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid leakageVSAvoidseal element configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The seal element extends in multiple dimensions: radially (to engage the rotor disk surface), axially (along the rotor blade mount), and circumferentially (with angularly offset segments). This multi-dimensional configuration creates an effective seal barrier while managing the complexity through systematic spatial arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3851634B1Seal element for sealing a joint between a rotor blade and a rotor disk of a turbine engine

Publication Date: 2022.12.28 RTX CORP

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AI summary

A rotor assembly (30) is provided for a piece of rotational equipment. This rotor assembly (30) includes a rotor disk (32), a rotor blade (34) and a seal element (112). The rotor disk (32) is configured to rotate about a rotational axis (36). The rotor blade (34) includes an airfoil (56), a platform (58) and a mount (60) attaching the rotor blade (34) to the rotor disk (32). The seal element (112) is seated in a groove of the rotor disk (32). The seal element (112) is configured to sealingly engage the platform (58) and the mount (60).