Split Seal Ring Tab Axial Movement Gas Turbine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing annular seals in gas turbine engines, such as W-seals, degrade due to high temperatures and wear from significant relative motion, and prior heat shield designs are prone to failure, leading to potential leaks and reduced seal longevity.
Innovation Solution
A seal assembly featuring a split ring seal with a radially extending tab that restricts axial movement, forming a restricted flow channel with shelves on adjacent components, which helps center the seal and prevent axial movement, thereby protecting the primary seal from high temperatures and wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If W-seals are used to seal cavities between components subjected to high pressures and temperatures, then the seal can withstand high pressures, but the seal degrades from exposure to high temperatures and wear from significant relative motion
Solution Approach 1:
A secondary seal is introduced as an intermediary component between the primary W-seal and the hot gas path. This secondary seal acts as a mediator that absorbs the harmful thermal and mechanical effects, protecting the primary seal from direct exposure to high temperatures and wear, thereby resolving the contradiction between pressure resistance and seal longevity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing system is divided into two separate sealing components: a primary W-seal for main cavity sealing and a secondary seal for protecting the primary seal. This segmentation allows each seal to be optimized for its specific function, with the secondary seal handling thermal and wear exposure while the primary seal maintains pressure sealing.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If heat shields are used to reduce high temperature exposure and wear to W-seals, then temperature exposure and wear are reduced, but the heat shield designs are still prone to failure
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary seal is designed as a flexible resilient component that can deform and adapt to thermal expansion and mechanical stresses. This flexibility allows the secondary seal to maintain its protective function under high temperature and pressure conditions without failing, unlike rigid heat shield designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary seal's material properties and geometric parameters are specifically selected to withstand high temperature and pressure environments. By changing the material parameters (temperature resistance, elasticity) and geometric parameters (thickness, shape) of the secondary seal, it can effectively protect the primary seal while maintaining reliability under extreme conditions.
3Reliability
If a secondary seal is added to protect the primary seal, then the primary seal is protected from high temperatures and wear, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary seal is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the primary seal from thermal exposure, prevents wear, blocks gas leakage paths, and accommodates thermal expansion. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving comprehensive seal protection.
Data Source
AI summary
An annular ring for sealing a flow includes an inner ring and a tab. The tab extends radially and is configured to restrict axial movement of the seal.