Vibration Damping Apparatus for Gas Turbine Hydrostatic Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines face significant vibration challenges during cold starts, which can damage hydrostatic seals and compromise their sealing effectiveness, especially in extreme temperature environments.
Innovation Solution
A vibration damping apparatus with a different coefficient of thermal expansion than the hydrostatic seal is used, engaging with the seal during cold start-ups to limit vibrations and disengaging at operational temperatures, potentially made from materials like Inconel 718, and featuring various geometric shapes such as annular, oval, or discontinuous loop designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydrostatic seals are used in gas turbine engines, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but vibrations during cold start-up can damage the seals
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration damping apparatus is installed on the hydrostatic seal before the engine starts up. During cold start-up conditions, the apparatus actively dampens vibrations before they can damage the seal, preventing harm in advance while the seal performs its sealing function
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration damping apparatus serves as an intermediary element between the hydrostatic seal and the harmful vibrations. It absorbs and dampens vibrational energy, protecting the seal from direct exposure to damaging vibration forces during cold start-up
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the vibration damping apparatus engages with the shoe during cold start-up, then vibrations are limited, but the apparatus must disengage at operational temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration damping apparatus utilizes changes in physical parameters, specifically thermal expansion, to automatically transition between engaged and disengaged states. As temperature changes during engine operation, the apparatus expands or contracts, naturally engaging during cold start-up and disengaging at operational temperature without complex control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration damping apparatus is designed to automatically engage and disengage based on temperature conditions without external control. The apparatus self-regulates its engagement state through thermal expansion and contraction, eliminating the need for complex actuators or control mechanisms
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 solution effectively dampens vibrations during cold starts, protecting the hydrostatic seals and maintaining sealing effectiveness as the engine reaches operational temperatures, ensuring reduced damage and improved performance.
Implementation Method 1
The vibration damping apparatus is manufactured from a material having a different coefficient of thermal expansion than the shoes
Data Source
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AI summary
A hydrostatic seal and vibration damping apparatus for a gas turbine engine adapted to reduce vibrations during cold engine start-ups is disclosed. In one disclosed configuration, the vibration damping apparatus is comprised of a temperature sensitive control ring having a relatively high coefficient of thermal expansion adapted to expand quickly at relatively low temperatures to protect the hydrostatic seal during such gas turbine engine startups. At operational temperatures, the control ring is adapted to become separated from the hydrostatic seal.