Vane Seal Spring Axial Positioning Gas Turbine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vane seal systems in gas turbine engines face challenges in effectively damping relative movement between non-rotatable vane segments, leading to vibrations and inefficiencies due to inadequate frictional contact and damping mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A vane seal system featuring a seal member with a wave spring or axial spring leg configuration that provides positive location and frictional contact with the sides of pockets, utilizing a carrier with legs and hooked arms to dampen movement, enhancing the sealing efficiency and reducing vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If existing vane seal systems are used without spring positioning, then the device complexity is reduced, but the stability of the seal member position deteriorates leading to vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member incorporates a spring portion that allows dynamic adjustment and positive positioning in the axial direction, enabling the seal member to maintain stable contact with the vane segment while accommodating thermal expansion and operational movements, thereby resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and position stability
Solution Approach 2:
The spring portion acts as an intermediary element between the seal member and the pocket, providing both positioning and damping functions. This intermediary component enables the seal member to maintain stable axial positioning without requiring complex positioning mechanisms, thus resolving the contradiction between device complexity and position stability
2Device complexity
If inadequate frictional contact is used between vane segments, then the device complexity is reduced, but the damping capability deteriorates leading to increased vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member with spring portion serves dual functions: sealing and damping. The frictional contact generated by the spring-loaded seal member against the vane segment automatically provides damping without requiring separate damping components, thus resolving the contradiction between device complexity and vibration reduction
Solution Approach 2:
The spring portion enables controlled frictional contact by adjusting the axial positioning force, thereby optimizing the damping capability. The spring constant and pre-load can be designed to provide adequate friction for damping while maintaining smooth operation, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and vibration control
3Device complexity
If the seal member is not positively located in the axial direction, then the device complexity is reduced, but the sealing efficiency deteriorates due to relative movement
Solution Approach 1:
The spring portion provides dynamic axial positioning of the seal member, allowing it to maintain consistent contact pressure with the vane segment while accommodating thermal and operational movements. This dynamic positioning ensures reliable sealing without requiring complex mechanical positioning mechanisms, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and sealing efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The spring portion serves as an intermediary that mediates between the seal member and the pocket, providing positive axial location through controlled frictional contact. This intermediary mechanism ensures the seal member remains properly positioned for effective sealing while avoiding the need for complex positioning structures, thus resolving the contradiction between device complexity and sealing reliability
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
The proposed vane seal system effectively dampens vibrations and maintains a stable position within the pockets, improving the sealing efficiency and reducing heat collection, thereby enhancing the operational performance of gas turbine engines.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one spring portion is configured to positively locate the seal member in the axial direction in the first and second pockets
Implementation Method 2
the at least one spring portion is in frictional contact with sides of the first pocket and the second pocket such that the at least one spring portion damps relative movement between the first pocket and the second pocket
Implementation Method 3
the at least one spring portion damps relative movement between the first pocket and the second pocket
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A vane seal system includes a non-rotatable vane segment that has an airfoil with a pocket at one end thereof. The pocket spans in an axial direction between forward and trailing sides, with respect to the airfoil, and in a lateral direction between open lateral sides. A seal member extends in the pocket. The seal member includes a seal element and at least one spring portion that is configured to positively locate the seal member in the axial direction in the pocket. A method for positioning the seal member in a vane seal system includes positively locating the seal member in the axial direction in the pocket using the spring portion.