Brush seals for steam turbine applications

US6250640A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• General Electric Company · US

Inventors

• Christopher Edward Wolfe · Schenectady, US
• Norman Arnold Turnquist · Carlisle, US
• Robert Harold Cromer · Johnstown, US
• Osman Saim Dinc · Troy, US
• Lawrence Edward Rentz · Clifton Park, US
• Roger Jordan Carr · Westminster, US
• Joseph Robert Toth · Powder Springs, US
• Edward Arthur Dewhurst · Niskayuna, US
• Frederick George Baily · Ballston Spa, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 17, 1998
• Grant date: Jun 26, 2001
• Expiry date: Aug 17, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F16J15/3288
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A number of sealing segments 20 mounts a brush seal about a rotor. The tips of the brush seal 46 are maintained out of contact with the rotor surface throughout the entire operating range of the turbomachinery. Thus, the increase in temperature resultant from rubs between the bristle tips and the rotor 12 which effectively increase vibrations of the turbomachinery are eliminated. Brush seals are therefore maintained out of contact with the rotor throughout the entire operating range of the turbomachinery and thus do not affect the dynamic behavior of the rotor.