Snap-In Spring Seal Assembly for Turbine Gap Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas turbine engine turbine flow path seals, such as arcuate leaf seals, are prone to damage during assembly, ineffective at smaller radii, and require complex mounting arrangements, leading to leakage issues and reduced engine efficiency due to the use of bleed air for cooling.
Innovation Solution
A sealing assembly featuring a snap-in annular spring seal with a radially inner first seal end spring-loaded in a U-shaped or V-shaped slot of a first turbine component, and a radially outer second seal end connected via an axially aftwardly opening conical section, which exerts sealing forces on both the first and second turbine components, reducing the need for complex assembly and minimizing leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If arcuate leaf seals are used to seal gaps between turbine nozzles and shrouds, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but assembly complexity increases and damage risk during assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is divided into a body portion and a lip portion, where the body is inserted into a groove and the lip extends to provide sealing contact. This segmentation allows the seal to be installed in a simple groove without complex mounting arrangements while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal body is nested within a groove in the turbine nozzle or shroud, with the lip extending outward to provide the sealing function. This nested configuration simplifies the mounting arrangement by eliminating the need for separate mounting hardware while maintaining reliable sealing.
2Reliability
If arcuate leaf seals are used to seal gaps between turbine nozzles and shrouds, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the seal is prone to damage during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The groove in which the seal body is inserted provides protective support before the seal is fully installed and operational. This pre-positioned support structure prevents pinching and damage during the assembly process by providing a controlled insertion path and initial support.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal is designed as a flexible lip that can deform during installation and operation. This flexibility allows the seal to accommodate assembly variations and thermal expansion without breaking, while maintaining its sealing function throughout the assembly process and operation.
3Reliability
If arcuate leaf seals are used, then sealing of gaps is achieved, but the seals are ineffective at smaller radii less than ten inches
Solution Approach 1:
The seal design allows for changes in geometric parameters such as the groove dimensions and lip profile to accommodate smaller radii. By adjusting these parameters, the same basic seal concept can be effectively applied to both large and small radius applications, eliminating the ten-inch radius limitation.
4Reliability
If W-seals and C-seals are used in cavities formed by interfacing hardware, then sealing is provided, but assembly forces can damage the seals and seals can be inadvertently left out
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is merged with the structural groove feature. The groove that provides structural support also serves as the mounting feature for the seal, eliminating the need for separate mounting hardware and reducing the risk of seals being left out during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove structure provides self-aligning and self-retaining features for the seal during assembly. The seal naturally seats into the groove and is retained by its geometry, eliminating the need for additional assembly forces or complex mounting procedures that could cause damage or omission.
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 sealing assembly effectively seals gaps between turbine components, reduces assembly damage risks, and enhances engine efficiency by minimizing the use of bleed air, while being durable and adaptable to smaller radii, thus improving overall turbine performance.
Implementation Method 1
a radially inner first seal end spring-loaded in a U-shaped or V-shaped slot of the first turbine component
Implementation Method 2
a radially outer second seal end connected via an axially aftwardly opening conical section, which exerts sealing forces on both the first and second turbine components
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a sealing assembly for a turbine of a gas turbine engine includes a first turbine component having a first surface and a second surface positioned aft of the first surface. The first turbine component, in turn, defines a slot positioned between the first surface and the second surface. Furthermore, the sealing assembly includes a second turbine component positioned aft of the first turbine component such that the first component and the second component define a gap therebetween. Additionally, the sealing assembly includes a seal configured to seal the gap defined between the first turbine component and the second turbine component. The seal includes a first portion positioned within the slot such that the first portion exerts a sealing force on the second surface of the first component. Moreover, the seal further includes a second portion that exerts a sealing force on the second component.