Translating Fluid Coupling for Cooling Gas Turbine Seal Assemblies
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engine seal assemblies experience high thermal stresses and fatigue due to rubbing friction, and existing cooling techniques are not fully effective in mitigating these issues.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a fluid delivery system within the gas turbine engine, comprising a pin with a fluid passage, a seal support assembly, and a seal element with its own fluid passage, which are fluidly coupled to direct coolant fluid through the engine, along with a guide rail and fluid coupling device to facilitate axial and radial movement, ensuring efficient cooling of the seal elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional cooling techniques are used for seal assemblies, then some cooling effect is achieved, but the cooling effectiveness is insufficient to fully mitigate thermal stresses and fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into multiple independent fluid passages: a first fluid passage in the stationary carbon seal element and a second fluid passage in the rotating seal land. This segmentation allows each component to be cooled independently and efficiently, addressing the insufficient cooling effectiveness of conventional techniques while managing thermal loads to improve reliability
Solution Approach 2:
A fluid coupling device acts as an intermediary to transfer coolant fluid from the stationary seal element's fluid passage to the rotating seal land's fluid passage. This intermediary mechanism enables effective cooling of both components through a coordinated fluid delivery system, resolving the contradiction between achieving adequate temperature reduction and ensuring seal assembly durability
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fluid coupling device is added to enable relative movement between components, then adaptability to radial movements is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid coupling device is designed with dynamic capabilities to move radially relative to the translating device, allowing the system to adapt to radial movements and maintain fluid passage alignment. This dynamic design provides the necessary adaptability while integrating smoothly into the existing translating seal assembly structure
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid coupling device serves multiple functions: it couples the fluid passages between stationary and rotating components, accommodates radial movements through relative motion, and maintains coolant flow continuity. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity despite the added adaptability
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
This solution effectively reduces heat-related stresses and degradation of seal elements by circulating coolant through the seal elements, enhancing their durability and performance by managing thermal loads more effectively.
Implementation Method 1
The fluid coupling device is configured with a device fluid passage adapted to direct the fluid from the rail fluid passage to the carrier fluid passage
Implementation Method 2
This solution effectively reduces heat-related stresses and degradation of seal elements by circulating coolant through the seal elements
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly is provided for a gas turbine engine. This gas turbine engine assembly includes a pin, a seal support assembly and a seal element. The pin is configured with a pin fluid passage. The seal support assembly is mated with and slidable along the pin. The seal element is mounted to the seal support assembly. The seal element is configured with a seal element fluid passage that is fluidly coupled with the pin fluid passage through the seal support assembly.