Segmented Sealing Ring Structure for Turbomachine Leakage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing turbomachines suffer from efficiency reductions due to leaks in cooling and sealing air systems, particularly at the interface of segmented sealing rings where segments abut, leading to increased leakage and reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
A rotor design incorporating a sealing ring with segments that are displaceable relative to each other, featuring recesses and projections that increase flow resistance and form multiple sealing gaps, enhancing the sealing effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If segmented sealing rings are used to seal leaks in the turbomachine, then the sealing ring can adapt to changing cross-sections caused by heating and cooling, but leaks can form in the area where two segments abut each other, leading to a reduction in turbomachine efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing ring is divided into multiple segments that can shift relative to each other, allowing the sealing ring to adapt to thermal expansion and cooling contraction of the turbomachine components while maintaining effective sealing at the segment interfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing ring segments are designed to be dynamically adjustable, enabling them to shift positions in response to changing dimensional conditions caused by thermal effects, thereby maintaining continuous sealing contact without forming leakage paths
2Device complexity
If a single sealing strip is used for sealing, then the structure is simple, but leakage flows can pass through more easily, reducing flow resistance and turbomachine efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing ring is segmented into multiple independent elements that can move relative to each other, creating multiple sealing interfaces that collectively increase flow resistance and reduce leakage while maintaining structural simplicity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the sealing ring segments are designed with specific geometric features (protrusions, recesses, flanks) that create localized high-resistance sealing zones, concentrating the sealing effect where most needed while maintaining overall structural efficiency
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 design significantly reduces leakage, increasing the turbomachine's efficiency by maintaining high flow resistance and minimizing mass flow rate losses.
Implementation Method 1
the first flank of the first projection and the first flank of the second projection are configured, to cause the first segment to collide with the second segment during its initial movement away from the first segment, thus limiting the initial movement
Implementation Method 2
A leakage flow passing through the sealing ring in an axial direction must flow circumferentially, passing over both the first and second projections. This results in high flow resistance for the leakage flow, leading to a low mass flow rate
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a sealing ring (1) for a turbomachine, comprising at least a first segment (2) and a second segment (3), each of which segments have a first longitudinal end (4) with respect to a circumferential direction (31) of the sealing ring (1) and a second longitudinal end (5) with respect to the circumferential direction (31), wherein: the first segment (2) has, in a region of the first longitudinal end (4), a first recess (6) and a first projection (8) having a first flank (10) of the first projection (8), which flank delimits the first recess (6) in the circumferential direction (31), and the second segment (3) has, in a region of the second longitudinal end (5), a second recess (7) and a second projection (9) having a first flank (13) of the second projection (8), which flank delimits the second recess (7) in the circumferential direction (31); and the first segment (2) and the second segment (3) have a coupling state in which the first segment (2) and the second segment (3) are movable relative to one another in the circumferential direction (31) and the first projection (8) is arranged in the second recess (7), the second projection (9) is arranged in the first recess (6), and the first flank (10) of the first projection (8) and the first flank (13) of the second projection (9) are designed to abut one another upon a first movement of the first segment (2) away from the second segment (3) and to thereby limit the first movement.