Seal assembly for controlling fluid flow

US9234431B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• SIEMENS ENERGY, INC. · US

Inventors

• Christian Kowalski · Oberhausen, DE
• Fan Zhang · Lake Barrington, US
• Uwe Lohse · Freiberg, DE
• Robert W. Sunshine · Hobe Sound, US
• Burkhard Voss · Pulheim, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 8, 2011
• Grant date: Jan 12, 2016
• Expiry date: May 21, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F05D2300/502
• WIPO field: Engines, pumps, turbines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A seal assembly (50, 60) for a gas turbine engine for controlling air flow between a diffuser (48) and rotor disks comprising first and second annular flange ends (52, 54) and an annular seal mid-section (56) between and operatively connected to the flange ends (52, 54). The first and second annular flange ends (52, 54) abut respective outer frame members (46) of the diffuser, whereby a fluid flow path is formed between the seal assembly (50, 60) and the rotor disks (42). The first and second end flanges (52, 54) are composed of a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion that is substantially the same as a coefficient of thermal expansion of the material of the outer frame members (46). In addition, the material of the seal mid-section (56) has a coefficient of thermal expansion that is different than that of the materials of the annular flange ends (52, 54) and outer frame members (46).