Silicone Rubber Seal for Gas Turbine Guide Vane Leakage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas turbine engine seals between guide vanes require complex structures and assembly techniques, which are inefficient in preventing air leakage as the fan size increases and bypass ratio grows, necessitating a simpler and more effective sealing solution.
Innovation Solution
A static guide vane seal using silicone rubber is designed with a strap portion secured to the platform underside and a bulb with a hole, providing an effective seal by abutting the platform edges, potentially reducing leakage and assembly complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex seal structures are used to prevent air leakage between guide vanes, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible seal element made of elastomeric material that is bonded to the platform surface. This flexible membrane structure effectively seals the gap between adjacent guide vanes while maintaining a simple overall design. The elastomeric material deforms to conform to the gap variations, providing reliable sealing without requiring complex mechanical structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal element is designed as a simple, replaceable component that can be easily manufactured and installed. Rather than using complex permanent sealing structures, the patent uses a straightforward bonded elastomeric seal that can be replaced if needed, simplifying both the initial design and maintenance procedures.
2Reliability
If complex seal structures are used to prevent air leakage, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but assembly techniques become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The seal element is pre-bonded to the platform surface during manufacturing, creating a ready-to-install sealing component. This preliminary bonding action simplifies the final assembly process, as the seal is already in position and does not require complex assembly procedures during engine assembly.
3Productivity
If fan size increases to deliver more bypass flow, then bypass ratio is improved, but air leakage prevention becomes more critical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies sealing specifically at the critical locations where gaps exist between guide vanes in the compressor and fan sections. Rather than attempting to seal the entire engine, the solution focuses on the specific local areas where air leakage occurs, providing effective prevention while maintaining the benefits of the increased fan size and bypass ratio.
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 silicone rubber seal effectively limits air leakage between guide vanes, enhancing the efficiency of air utilization in the compressor section by simplifying the sealing mechanism and reducing assembly complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a seal (82) having a strap portion (86) secured to a platform underside (79) and having a bulb (84) with a hole
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~5
AI summary
A seal for use with a static guide vane of a gas turbine engine has a strap member extending to a generally cylindrical bulb. The bulb forms a diameter, and is spaced a distance defined between an end of the strap remote from the bulb, to a point on the bulb furthest from the end. A ratio of the diameter to the distance is between 0.2 and 0.5. A static guide vane and a gas turbine engine are also disclosed.