Gas Turbine Seal Assembly for T-Junction Chute Gap Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas turbine seals fail to effectively seal the T-junctions between intersecting seal segments, leading to chute leakage that negatively impacts performance and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A seal assembly comprising a segmented seal with shim seals having geometric bump-outs disposed at the T-junctions to prevent gas flow through chute gaps, utilizing a design that allows for deformation and flexibility to accommodate thermal movement and assembly constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If planar seal segments are used in T-junction configurations, then the seal assembly can be manufactured and assembled, but chute gaps form at the intersections causing gas leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly is divided into multiple seal segments that can be independently manufactured and assembled. Each seal segment is a discrete component that fits into slot segments, allowing for modular assembly while creating T-junction configurations that require additional sealing at intersections.
Solution Approach 2:
A filler element is introduced as an intermediary component at the T-junctions between seal segments. This filler element fills the chute gaps that form between adjacent seal segments, preventing gas leakage while maintaining the modular segmented seal design.
2Reliability
If the seal assembly is made rigid to maintain seal integrity, then sealing effectiveness improves, but the ability to accommodate thermal movement and assembly variations decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly incorporates flexible elements that allow it to dynamically adapt to thermal movement and assembly variations. The flexible material can deform and flex to maintain sealing contact under different thermal conditions while still providing effective sealing at T-junctions.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal assembly uses materials and designs that change their physical parameters in response to thermal conditions. The flexible material can alter its dimensions and stiffness characteristics based on temperature changes, allowing the seal to maintain integrity across varying thermal environments.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the seal assembly is made flexible to accommodate thermal movement, then adaptability improves, but the precision of sealing at T-junctions decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly uses segmented construction with discrete seal segments that can be precisely positioned in slot segments. This segmentation allows for precise control of seal positions while the flexible material between segments accommodates thermal movement without compromising the precision of the sealing interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The filler element acts as an intermediary that bridges the seal segments at T-junctions. This intermediate component provides a precise sealing surface at the critical junction points while the flexible seal material can deform around it to accommodate thermal movement, maintaining both precision and adaptability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A first arcuate component adjacent (28) to a second arcuate component of a gas turbine (10), each arcuate component including a slot including one or more slot segments located in an end face and a seal assembly disposed in the slot. The seal assembly including a plurality of seal segments (62A, 62B) forming at least one T-junction where a first seal segment intersects a second seal segment and at least one shim seal (64A, 64B, 64C). The plurality of seal segments define at least one chute gap (66, 68). The at least one shim seal disposed in a slot proximate the at least one T-junction of the plurality of seal segments. The at least one shim seal positioned on a sidewall of the second seal segment and extending a partial length of the sidewall. The at least one shim seal seals the at least one chute gap to prevent a flow therethrough of a gas turbine hot gas path flow.