Turbomachine Sealing Element with Elastic Catch Section
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing turbomachine sealing units face challenges in easy mounting and reliable securing during assembly and transport, often resulting in plastic deformation due to high mounting forces required by conventional support structures with large mounting angles.
Innovation Solution
A sealing element with a support structure featuring a radially inner and outer side, where the retaining element and safeguard are positioned one behind the other, with a catch section having a mounting surface inclined at a smaller angle than the safety angle, and elastically mounted via a spring section, allowing for low mounting force and high securing force, preventing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a large mounting angle is used in the catch section, then a high retaining force is achieved, but a correspondingly large mounting force is required which may result in plastic deformation of the safeguard
Solution Approach 1:
The catch section is made elastically mountable via a spring section, allowing it to dynamically adapt during mounting. The spring section enables the catch section to flex and absorb mounting forces without causing plastic deformation, while still achieving the required retaining force in the mounted state.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting angle is reduced to be smaller than the safety angle, changing the geometric parameters of the catch section. This parameter change allows the retaining force to be achieved without requiring excessively large mounting forces that would cause plastic deformation.
2Ease of operation
If a small mounting angle is used in the catch section, then easy mounting is achieved, but the retaining force may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The spring section provides elastic compliance that allows the catch section to achieve sufficient retaining force through elastic deformation rather than relying solely on a large mounting angle. This dynamic element enables easy mounting with a small angle while maintaining adequate retaining force.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring section is pre-loaded or pre-positioned to provide the necessary retaining force once mounted. This preliminary preparation allows the catch section to deliver sufficient retaining force without requiring a large mounting angle during the mounting process.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the safeguard is rigidly mounted, then structural stability is achieved, but damage to the support structure during mounting cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The spring section transforms the rigid safeguard into a dynamically compliant structure. This allows the safeguard to absorb mounting shocks and variations without transmitting damaging forces to the support structure, while maintaining structural stability in the mounted state.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring section acts as a cushioning element that is already in place before mounting occurs. It absorbs and mitigates mounting shocks and forces, preventing damage to the support structure while ensuring proper installation.
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
Enables easy mounting and reliable securing of the sealing element without damage, optimizing the balance between mounting and retaining forces, ensuring the sealing unit is securely positioned during assembly and transport.
Implementation Method 1
The catch section (58) is elastically mounted on the outer side (34) via a spring section (60)
Data Source
AI summary
A sealing element is described for positioning in a turbomachine, for the self-securing of a sealing element in a mounting position, its support structure having a safeguard which has a springy catch section, whose mounting surface is inclined at a smaller angle in the mounting direction than a securing surface in the opposite direction, a sealing unit, and a turbomachine.