Split packing ring segment for a brush seal insert in a rotary machine

• US 6,550,777 B2
• Filed: 06/19/2001
• Issued: 04/22/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Turnquist, Norman Arnold, Burnett, Mark Edward, Baily, Frederick George
• Primary Examiner(s): Knight, Anthony
• Assistant Examiner(s): HUTTON JR, WILLIAM D
• Application Number:
  US09/883,498
• Publication Number:
  US 20020190474A1
• Time in Patent Office: 672 Days
• Field of Search: 277/355, 277/412, 277/416
• US Class Current: 277/355
• CPC Class Codes: F16J 15/3288 Filamentary structures, e.g. brush seals
• CPC Class Codes: F16J 15/442 segmented

Abstract

A plurality of packing ring segments are provided in a stationary component and about a rotating shaft. Each packing ring segment includes a brush seal insert and a plurality of labyrinth seal teeth along a concave sealing face thereof. Each segment is formed of a pair of components which, in assembly, have a split line through a slot receiving the brush seal insert. The brush seal insert includes a pair of narrow strips or rods welded to outer ends of the bristle pack and is bendable to a range of diameters. By forming forward and backing surfaces defining the slot integral with the components, the width of the bristle slot and the gap between the bristle pack and the forward surface can be readily manufactured and obtained.

Claims

1. A packing ring seal for a component that rotates about an axis, comprising:

an arcuate packing ring segment having a concave sealing surface, said segment forming a portion of said packing ring seal and including first and second discrete arcuate components in axial face-to-face relation to one another and secured to one another, said first and second components having first and second surfaces along respective said faces thereof, said first and second surfaces defining a slot opening through said sealing surface, said slot opening including an axially extending groove in each of said components; and

an arcuate brush seal insert having an arcuate array of bristles disposed between said first and second surfaces, said bristles having tips projecting from said segment along said sealing surface, said brush seal insert including a pair of support strips straddling radial outer ends of the brush seal bristles and at least in part disposed in respective grooves.

2. A packing ring seal according to claim 1 wherein said first and second components engage one another along a plane normal to said axis, said plan passing through one of said surfaces or said slot opening between said surfaces.

3. A packing ring seal according to claim 1, wherein said brush seal insert includes a weld securing said support strips and said bristles to one another.

4. A packing ring seal according to claim 1 wherein at least one labyrinth seal tooth extends from said sealing surface of said segment in spaced axial relation to said brush seal insert.

5. For use in a machine having a component rotatable about an axis, a packing ring comprising:

a plurality of packing ring segments for positioning about said axis, each said segment having an arcuate seal face in opposition to the rotatable component and at least a first arcuate flange extending in an axial direction for cooperation with a support in the machine to retain said segment, each said segment including a first component having a first surface and a second component having a second surface;

a generally T-shaped arcuate slot in said segment, said slot having an axially enlarged base and opening in a generally radial direction away from said base and toward said axis, said slot defined by said first and second surfaces, said first and second surfaces being axially opposed and spaced apart;

a brush seal insert having a base element and a plurality of bristles extending from said base element, said base element securing the bristles in said insert, said insert disposed in said T-shaped slot with said base element received in said axially enlarged base, said bristles extending between said first and second surfaces, said bristles abutting said first surface and spaced apart from said second surface; and

means for securing said first and second components together, with said bristles between said first and second surfaces.

6. A packing ring according to claim 5 wherein said securing means includes fasteners extending between said components at circumferentially spaced locations about said segment.

7. A packing ring according to claim 5 wherein said securing means includes threaded fasteners for securing said first and second components to one another.

8. A packing ring according to claim 5 wherein said first component carries said arcuate flange.

9. A packing ring according to claim 5 wherein said second component carries said arcuate flange.

10. A packing ring according to claim 5 wherein said arcuate seal face includes at least one circumferentially extending labyrinth seal tooth spaced axially from said brush seal insert.

11. A packing ring according to claim 5 wherein said first and second components engage one another along a plane normal to the axis and passing through one of said surfaces or the space between said surfaces.

12. A packing ring according to claim 5 wherein said first component includes a second arcuate flange extending in a direction opposite the first arcuate flange, said second component having a radial extent less than a radial extent of said first component.

13. A packing ring according to claim 5 wherein said base element of said brush seal insert includes a pair of support strips straddling radial outer ends of the brush seal bristles and a weld securing said strips and said bristles to one another.

14. A packing ring according to claim 5 wherein said securing means includes rivets for securing said first and second components to one another.