Variable vane seal and washer materials

• US 6,264,369 B1
• Filed: 01/29/1999
• Issued: 07/24/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Hester, David B., Mesing, Thomas C., Bowen, Wayne R.
• Primary Examiner(s): ESTREMSKY, SHERRY LYNN
• Application Number:
  US09/239,639
• Time in Patent Office: 907 Days
• Field of Search: 384/300, 384/299, 384/298, 384/909, 384/908, 384/911
• US Class Current: 384/300
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 17/162 for axial flow, i.e. the vanes turning around axes which are essentially perpendicular to the rotor centre line F01D17/167 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/023 especially adapted for elastic fluid pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/083 especially adapted for elastic fluid pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2230/31 Layer deposition
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2300/432 PTFE [PolyTetraFluorEthylene]
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2300/434 Polyimides, e.g. AURUM
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2300/603 Composites; e.g. fibre-reinforced
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 384/908 Nylon or polytetrafluorethylene
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 384/911 including fiber
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49297 Seal or packing making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49668 Sleeve or bushing making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4967 Nonmetallic
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49702 Lubricating
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/12035 Fiber, asbestos, or cellulose in or next to particulate component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/12049 Nonmetal component

Abstract

A multi-layer seal and washer that provide a seal between a vane stem and a casing in a turbine engine are disclosed. The seal and washer are fabricated from materials such as Teflon fibers and glass fibers and are impregnated with a polyimide resin. The seal and washer are durable and have a low coefficient of friction.

Claims

1. A bearing element comprising:

a plurality of layers, a first of said layers formed from a plurality of materials comprising at least one of Teflon fibers, glass fibers, carbon fibers, and combinations thereof, a second of said layers formed from a single material; and

at least one polyimide resin impregnating said layers.

2. A bearing element in accordance with claim 1 wherein said glass fibers are coated with a sizing material comprising at least one of an epoxy coating, a silane coating, and combinations thereof.

3. A bearing element in accordance with claim 2 wherein each said layer comprises a woven mat of said plurality of material fibers.

4. A bearing element in accordance with claim 2 wherein each said layer comprises a braided mat of said plurality of material fibers.

5. A bearing element in accordance with claim 2 wherein said plurality of layers are plasma etched.

6. A bearing element in accordance with claim 2 wherein said sizing material further comprises Teflon powder.

7. A bearing element in accordance with claim 1 wherein said at least one polyimide resin further comprises Teflon powder.

8. A bearing element in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a coating including a polyimide resin comprising at least one of a Teflon powder, MoS2particles, and combinations thereof.

9. A bearing element in accordance with claim 1 wherein said plurality of layers further comprises a first layer comprising a woven mat of Teflon fibers and glass fibers, a second layer comprising a woven mat of glass fibers, and a third layer comprising a woven mat of Teflon fibers and glass fibers.

10. A bearing element in accordance with claim 1 wherein said bearing element comprises at least one of a washer and a seal.