Split Seal Ring With Retaining Ring for Gas Turbine Deflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional seals in gas turbine engines face challenges with deformation and failure due to significant relative deflections and elevated temperatures, leading to inefficiencies in fuel burn, performance, and component life, while also struggling with wear resistance in environments of significant relative motion.
Innovation Solution
A seal design comprising a retaining ring and a seal ring made from high-temperature materials, with a radially extending cavity and leg configurations, and optionally coated or sheathed, that maintains contact and sealing effectiveness despite thermal and mechanical changes, using a combination of high-temperature metal alloys, ceramics, or composites, and incorporating features like split designs and rope seals to enhance flexibility and wear resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a w-seal is used to seal the gas path, then sealing performance is improved, but the seal deforms and becomes ineffective under significant relative deflections
Solution Approach 1:
The seal ring is designed with a split configuration that allows it to dynamically adapt to relative deflections between components. The split enables the seal to open and close like a clamp, maintaining sealing contact while accommodating dimensional changes and relative motion between the first and second components.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal utilizes elastic deformation of the seal ring material to change its dimensional parameters. The seal ring is designed to elastically deform under pressure differential, allowing it to conform to the sealing surfaces while maintaining sealing effectiveness under varying thermal and mechanical conditions.
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 a composite structure combining a resilient seal ring material with a retaining ring. The retaining ring provides structural strength to accommodate the seal in high-temperature environments, while the seal ring material provides the necessary elasticity for sealing. This composite approach allows the use of temperature-resistant materials without sacrificing deflection capability.
3Temperature
If a rope seal is used to achieve high temperature capability, then temperature resistance is improved, but flexibility and deflection capability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The split seal ring design provides dynamic flexibility that allows the seal to adapt to relative deflections between components. The split configuration enables the seal to open and close, accommodating dimensional changes while maintaining sealing contact, thereby providing the flexibility that rigid rope seals lack.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the seal is designed to accommodate significant relative motion, then adaptability is improved, but wear resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The seal design introduces a retaining ring as an intermediary structural element that supports the seal ring. The retaining ring absorbs much of the mechanical stress and wear from relative motion, while the seal ring maintains sealing contact. This division of functions protects the sealing surfaces from excessive wear while accommodating relative motion.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates generally to a sliding seal between two components. The sliding seal includes a seal ring including a radially extending base and an axially-extending leg disposed in a seal cavity between first and second components. A retaining ring having a first leg and a second leg defining a cavity therebetween is disposed with a portion of the base and a portion of the first component contained therein, thereby providing loading forces to help the seal ring seal against both the first and second components. One or more rope seals are carried by the seal ring in an embodiment. Other combinations of seal rings, retaining rings, and rope seals are also disclosed.