HYDROSTATIC NON-CONTACT SEAL WITH VARIED THICKNESS BEAMS
First Claim
1. A non-contact seal assembly, comprising:
- a plurality of seal shoes arranged about a centerline in an annular array, the seal shoes including a first seal shoe extending axially along the centerline between a first shoe end and a second shoe end;
a seal base circumscribing the annular array of the seal shoes; and
a plurality of spring elements, each of the spring elements radially between and connecting a respective one of the seal shoes with the seal base, each of the spring elements comprising a first beam having a first beam thickness and a second beam thickness, where the first and second beam thicknesses are different.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A non-contact seal assembly includes a plurality of seal shoes arranged about a centerline in an annular array. The seal shoes include a first seal shoe extending axially along the centerline between a first shoe end and a second shoe end. A seal base circumscribes the annular array of the seal shoes. The assembly also includes a plurality of spring elements, each of the spring elements radially between and connecting a respective one of the seal shoes with the seal base. Each of the spring elements comprises a first beam having a first beam thickness and a second beam thickness, where the first and second beam thicknesses are different.
12 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A non-contact seal assembly, comprising:
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a plurality of seal shoes arranged about a centerline in an annular array, the seal shoes including a first seal shoe extending axially along the centerline between a first shoe end and a second shoe end; a seal base circumscribing the annular array of the seal shoes; and a plurality of spring elements, each of the spring elements radially between and connecting a respective one of the seal shoes with the seal base, each of the spring elements comprising a first beam having a first beam thickness and a second beam thickness, where the first and second beam thicknesses are different. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A non-contact seal assembly, comprising:
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a plurality of seal shoes arranged about a centerline in an annular array, the seal shoes including a first seal shoe extending axially along the centerline between a first shoe end and a second shoe end; a seal base circumscribing the annular array of the seal shoes; and a plurality of spring elements, each of the spring elements radially between and connecting a respective one of the seal shoes with the seal base, each of the spring elements comprising a first beam and a second beam, where the first and second beams are each geometrically different. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An assembly for rotational equipment with an axial centerline, the assembly comprising:
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a stator structure; a rotor structure; and a seal assembly configured to substantially seal an annular gap between the stator structure and the rotor structure, the seal assembly comprising a hydrostatic non-contact seal device including a plurality of seal shoes, a seal base and a plurality of spring elements; the seal shoes arranged about a centerline in an annular array, the seal shoes sealingly engaging the rotor structure and including a first seal shoe extending axially along the centerline between a first shoe end and a second shoe end; the seal base circumscribing the annular array of the seal shoes, the seal base mounted with the stator structure; and where each of the spring elements is located radially between and connecting a respective one of the seal shoes with the seal base, and each of the spring elements comprises a first beam and second beam where the first and second beams are each geometrically different. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification