Segmented Seal Design for Gas Turbine Thermal Deflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seals in gas turbine engines face challenges with deformation and reduced longevity due to significant relative deflections and elevated temperatures, leading to inefficiencies in sealing effectiveness and wear resistance.
Innovation Solution
A segmented seal design comprising multiple seal sections with retaining rings and compliant seals made from high-temperature materials, allowing for independent rotation and better conformation to component movements, thereby maintaining sealing effectiveness across varying conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a w-seal is used to seal the gas path, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the seal deforms under significant relative deflections and elevated temperatures, reducing its longevity
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is divided into multiple independent seal sections (typically 3-5 segments) that can rotate independently around the retaining ring. This segmentation allows each section to accommodate local deflections and thermal expansions without compromising the overall sealing effectiveness, thereby improving longevity under harsh operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal sections are designed to rotate independently on the retaining ring, providing dynamic adaptability to relative deflections between adjacent turbine components. This dynamic capability allows the seal to maintain contact with the component surfaces while accommodating thermal growth and vibration, preventing deformation and extending service life.
2Strength
If a higher strength material is used to improve deflection capability, then deflection resistance is improved, but temperature capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The seal employs composite construction with a retaining ring made from high-temperature capable material (such as Inconel or other superalloys) and seal sections that can be made from lower strength but adequate temperature-resistant materials. This composite approach allows the critical retaining ring to withstand high temperatures while the seal sections provide the necessary deflection capability through their segmented, rotating design.
3Temperature
If a rope seal is used to achieve high temperature capability, then temperature resistance is improved, but relative flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid rope seal is replaced with segmented sections that can rotate independently. This segmentation restores flexibility and adaptability to the seal system, allowing it to accommodate relative deflections between components while the high-temperature capable material maintains temperature resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The static rope seal is transformed into a dynamic segmented seal where each section can rotate independently on the retaining ring. This dynamic capability provides the necessary flexibility to adapt to relative movements and deflections while maintaining high-temperature capability through appropriate material selection.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a segmented seal design is used to improve adaptability to component movements, then flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional elements are merged into a single integrated retaining ring component that provides radial containment, axial positioning, and rotational support for all seal sections. This merging approach reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies assembly while maintaining the flexibility benefits of the segmented design.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining ring is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides radial containment of seal sections, axial positioning through shoulders or stops, rotational support through bearing surfaces, and preload application. This universal design reduces overall system complexity by consolidating multiple functions into a single element.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates generally to a seal between two circumferential components. The seal comprises a plurality of seal segments disposed adjacent one another by a retaining ring that is at least partially disposed within a cavity formed within each of the plurality of seal segments.