Turbine Variable Area Vane Feather Seal Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing variable area vane arrangements in turbine engines face challenges in sealing the gaps between rotatable stator vanes and stator vane platforms, leading to gas leakage that reduces engine efficiency and shortens the lifespan of components.
Innovation Solution
A semi-annular seal body with first and second tabs is used to seal the gap between the stator vane platform and the rotatable stator vane, where the seal body extends circumferentially and radially, with the tabs engaging the vane end to move within a seal slot during rotation, effectively reducing gas leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional sealing methods are used at rotatable connections between stator vanes and platforms, then the sealing structure is simple, but gas leakage increases and engine efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal body is designed to dynamically follow the rotating stator vane through tabs that engage with the vane end, allowing the seal to move within a seal slot during rotation. This dynamic configuration maintains continuous sealing contact despite relative motion between components, eliminating gas leakage paths while accommodating rotational movement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If rotatable connections are made between stator vanes and platforms, then vane rotation is enabled for flow control, but sealing difficulty and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly is segmented into distinct functional elements: a seal body for gas barrier function, tabs for mechanical coupling to the rotating vane, and a seal slot for guiding motion. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies manufacturing compared to traditional integrated sealing solutions at rotatable joints.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional seals are used at rotatable connections, then manufacturing is simpler, but gas leakage through connections increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal body acts as an intermediary element between the stationary seal slot and the rotating stator vane. It transfers the sealing function from a fixed connection to a moving interface, maintaining gas tightness while enabling rotation. The tabs serve as intermediaries to couple the seal body to the vane, distributing mechanical loads and ensuring reliable attachment.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for sealing a gap between a stator vane platform including a seal slot, and a rotatable stator vane including a shaft connected to a vane end. The apparatus includes a substantially flat, semi-annular seal body, a first tab and a second tab. The seal body extends circumferentially between a first body end and a second body end, and radially between a radial inner body side and a radial outer body side. The inner body side wraps partially around the shaft, and the outer body side mates with the seal slot. The first tab extends axially from the first body end, and the second tab extends axially from the second body end. The first tab and the second tab engage the vane end and cause the seal body to move within the seal slot during rotation of the stator vane.