Compliant seal and system and method thereof

US7229246B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• General Electric Company · US

Inventors

• Farshad Ghasripoor · Berkeley, US
• Shorya Awtar · Ann Arbor, US
• Norman Arnold Turnquist · Carlisle, US
• Biao Fang · Clifton Park, US
• Carl Anthony Flecker, III · Loveland, US
• James William Stegmaier · Sharonville, US
• Glenn Herbert Nichols · Mason, US
• James C. Przytulski · Lancaster, US
• Kurt Grover Brink · Mason, US
• Richard Cohen Lykins · Kettering, US
• Jeffrey Reid Thyssen · Delmar, US
• Mahmut Faruk Aksit · Sultangazi, TR

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 30, 2004
• Grant date: Jun 12, 2007
• Expiry date: Jan 14, 2025

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F05D2240/55
• WIPO field: Engines, pumps, turbines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A compliant seal assembly for a rotating machine is provided. The seal assembly includes a static member, a movable member and a biasing member. The static member is rigidly fixed to the machine at its fore and aft ends. The movable portion has a first sealing surface configured to seal against a rotating member and a rear surface, which may be exposed to a fluid pressure to urge the first sealing surface toward a sealing position with the rotating member. The static and the movable members further include sealing surfaces at their fore, aft and end faces to seal against leakage of gas between the static and the movable members. The biasing member is configured to support the movable member on the static member and to urge the movable member away from the sealing position so as to reduce force on the rotating member during contact of the rotating member with the first sealing surface of the movable member.