Turbine Ring Sealing with Angled Elements and Deformable Flanges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Turbine ring assemblies face sealing challenges, particularly with Pi-shaped ring sectors lacking a tub, which prevents the installation of double horizontal seals, leading to leakage issues and reduced efficiency in high-temperature applications.
Innovation Solution
The turbine ring assembly incorporates a design with upstream and downstream annular flanges, radial legs, and sealing tongues and grooves, including additional vertical sealing elements and elastically deformable flanges to enhance sealing efficacy and maintain contact despite temperature variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If Pi-shaped ring sectors without a tub are used, then manufacturing is simplified and density is reduced, but sealing capability deteriorates due to inability to install double horizontal seals
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is divided into multiple independent sealing elements: first and second horizontal sealing tabs, first and second vertical sealing tabs, and multiple angled sealing elements. Each sealing tab is housed in its own groove, creating modular sealing segments that work together to achieve comprehensive sealing without requiring a tub structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing approach transitions from a single-plane horizontal seal to a multi-dimensional sealing system involving horizontal tabs, vertical tabs, and angled elements positioned at different orientations and depths. This multi-dimensional arrangement compensates for the absence of the tub structure while maintaining effective sealing.
2Reliability
If metal ring sectors are used instead of CMC, then sealing may be improved, but temperature resistance and efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The ring sectors utilize ceramic matrix composite (CMC) material that integrates the benefits of both metal and ceramic: the metallic phase provides ductility and toughness while the ceramic phase provides high-temperature resistance. This composite structure enables effective sealing through the multi-tab system while maintaining temperature resistance superior to traditional metals.
3Temperature
If cooling flow is increased for metal turbine ring, then temperature control is improved, but engine performance deteriorates due to main flow reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter from metal to CMC, which fundamentally alters the thermal management requirements. CMC's inherent high-temperature stability eliminates the need for extensive cooling flows, allowing the turbine ring to operate at higher temperatures without compromising structural integrity, thereby improving engine performance.
4Device complexity
If single horizontal seal is used in Pi-shaped sectors, then device complexity is reduced, but leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is divided into multiple independent sealing elements: first and second horizontal sealing tabs, first and second vertical sealing tabs, and multiple angled sealing elements. Each sealing tab is housed in its own groove, creating modular sealing segments that work together to achieve comprehensive sealing without requiring a tub structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing tabs are nested within grooves in the ring sector structure, with horizontal tabs nested in horizontal grooves and vertical tabs nested in vertical grooves. The angled sealing elements are positioned at the intersections of these grooves, creating a nested arrangement where each sealing element is housed within the structural geometry of the ring sector.
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 design achieves a double seal at the base of the ring, reducing leakage and improving the inter-sector seal, ensuring effective air redirection and maintaining contact between sealing tabs, even at high temperatures, thus enhancing the overall sealing efficiency and reducing the risk of leaks.
Implementation Method 1
a first angled sealing element is housed both in the vertical groove present in the upstream leg and in the second horizontal groove, while a second angled sealing element is housed both in the first horizontal groove and in the first vertical groove present in the downstream leg
Implementation Method 2
a first horizontal sealing tab extending along the annular base, the first horizontal sealing tab being housed in a first horizontal groove present in the annular base... a second horizontal sealing tab extending over a part of the annular base above the first horizontal sealing tab, the second horizontal sealing tab being housed in a second horizontal groove present in the annular base
Implementation Method 3
at least one of the flanges of the ring support structure is elastically deformable in the axial direction of the ring
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a turbine ring assembly including a plurality of ring sectors (10) forming a turbine ring (1), and a ring support structure (3) including an upstream ring-shaped flange (32) and a downstream ring-shaped flange (36), each ring sector (10) including a first horizontal sealing tab (21), an upstream vertical sealing tab (22) and a first downstream vertical sealing tab (23). Each ring sector (10) further includes a second horizontal sealing tab (20) above the first horizontal sealing tab (21) in the radial direction of the ring. A first angled sealing element (24) is housed in both a vertical groove (42) in the upstream lug (14) and a second horizontal groove (40), while a second angled sealing element (25) is housed in both a first horizontal groove (41) and a first vertical groove (43) in the downstream lug (16).