Aerodynamic Seal Assemblies for Turbo-Machinery

• US 20120223483A1
• Filed: 03/04/2011
• Published: 09/06/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GE Infrastructure Technology, LLC (GE Vernova, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Wolfe, Christopher, Fang, Biao, Bidkar, Rahul Anil
• Granted Patent: US 9,145,785 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 277/301
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 11/025 Seal clearance control; Floating assembly; Adaptation means to differential thermal dilatations
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 11/04 using sealing fluid, e.g. steam

Abstract

The present application provides an aerodynamic seal assembly for use with a turbo-machine. The aerodynamic seal assembly may include a number of springs, a shoe connected to the springs, and a secondary seal positioned about the springs and the shoe.

Claims

1. An aerodynamic seal assembly for use with a turbo-machine, comprising:

a plurality of springs;

a shoe connected to the plurality of springs; and

a secondary seal positioned about the plurality of springs and the shoe.

2. The aerodynamic seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the shoe faces a rotating component.

3. The aerodynamic seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of springs comprises a plurality of bellows.

4. The aerodynamic seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of springs comprises a plurality of folds.

5. The aerodynamic seal assembly of claim 1, further comprising a top piece connected to the plurality of springs and the secondary seal.

6. The aerodynamic seal assembly of claim 5, wherein the top piece is attached to a stationary component.

7. The aerodynamic seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of springs comprises a first width and the shoe comprises a second width and wherein the first width is less than the second width.

8. The aerodynamic seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of springs and the secondary seal comprise a nickel based or a nickel-chrome based alloy.

9. The aerodynamic seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the shoe comprises a convergent wedge like shape.

10. The aerodynamic seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the secondary seal comprises a plate like shape.

11. A method of sealing between a stationary component and a rotating component, comprising:

rotating a shoe in a first direction;

rotating a secondary seal in a second direction so as to contact the shoe;

maintaining the shoe in an equilibrium position during aerostatic operation; and

moving the shoe away from the rotating component during aerodynamic operation.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of blocking a flow of fluid therethrough.

13. An aerodynamic seal system for use with a turbine engine, comprising:

a stationary component;

a rotating component; and

a plurality of seal assemblies positioned about the stationary component and facing the rotating component;

each of the plurality of seal assemblies comprising a shoe with a convergent shape.

14. The aerodynamic seal system of claim 13, wherein the plurality of seal assemblies defining an intersegment gap therebetween such that each seal assembly may move independently of the other seal assemblies.

15. The aerodynamic seal system of claim 13, wherein each of the plurality of seal assemblies comprises a plurality of springs connected to the shoe.

16. The aerodynamic seal system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of springs comprises a plurality of bellows.

17. The aerodynamic seal system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of springs comprises a first width and the shoe comprises a second width and wherein the first width is less than the second width.

18. The aerodynamic seal system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of springs comprises a nickel based or a nickel-chrome based alloy.

19. The aerodynamic seal system of claim 13, wherein each of the plurality of seal assemblies comprises a secondary seal positioned about the shoe.

20. The aerodynamic seal system of claim 19, wherein the secondary seal comprises a plate like shape.