Seal for a joint or juncture – Seal between relatively movable parts – Brush seal
Reexamination Certificate
2001-12-05
2004-09-07
Miller, William L. (Department: 3677)
Seal for a joint or juncture
Seal between relatively movable parts
Brush seal
C277S413000, C277S929000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06786487
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to rotary machines, and more particularly to an actuated seal for a rotary machine such as steam and gas turbines.
Rotary machines include, without limitation, turbines for steam turbines and compressors and turbines for gas turbines. A steam turbine has a steam path that typically includes, in serial-flow relationship, a steam inlet, a turbine, and a steam outlet. A gas turbine has a gas path which typically includes, in serial-flow relationship, an air intake (or inlet), a compressor, a combustor, a turbine, and a gas outlet (or exhaust nozzle). Gas or steam leakage, either out of the gas or steam path or into the gas or steam path, from an area of higher pressure to an area of lower pressure, is generally undesirable. For example, a gas path leakage in the turbine or compressor area of a gas turbine, between the rotor of the turbine or compressor and the circumferentially surrounding turbine or compressor casing, will lower the efficiency of the gas turbine leading to increased fuel costs. Also, steam-path leakage in the turbine area of a steam turbine, between the rotor of the turbine and the circumferentially surrounding casing, will lower the efficiency of the steam turbine leading to increased fuel costs.
It is known in the art of steam turbines to position, singly or in combination, variable clearance labyrinth-seal segments and brush seals in a circumferential array between the rotor of the turbine and the circumferentially surrounding casing to minimize steam-path leakage. Springs hold the segments radially inward against surfaces on the casing that establish radial clearance between seal and rotor but allow segments to move radially outward in the event of rotor contact. While labyrinth seals, singly or in combination with brush seals, have proved to be quite reliable, their performance degrades over time as a result of transient events in which the stationary and rotating components interfere, rubbing the labyrinth teeth into a “mushroom” profile and opening the seal clearance.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a rotary machine having good leakage control between stationary and rotating components.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention provides an actuated seal assembly for controlling flow in a fluid path in turbomachinery comprising a seal and a seal carrier coupled to the seal. A displacement apparatus is coupled to the seal carrier for positioning the seal so as to control the flow in the fluid path. In addition, a drive system is provided for powering the displacement apparatus.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5002288 (1991-03-01), Morrison et al.
patent: 5603510 (1997-02-01), Sanders
patent: 5630590 (1997-05-01), Bouchard et al.
patent: 5794942 (1998-08-01), Vance et al.
patent: 5971400 (1999-10-01), Turnquist et al.
patent: 6027121 (2000-02-01), Cromer et al.
patent: 6045134 (2000-04-01), Turnquist et al.
patent: 6299077 (2001-10-01), Harmon et al.
patent: 6308958 (2001-10-01), Turnquist et al.
patent: 6343792 (2002-02-01), Shinohara et al.
patent: 6435514 (2002-08-01), Aksit et al.
patent: 6502823 (2003-01-01), Turnquist et al.
Aksit Mahmut Faruk
Demiroglu Mehmet
Dinc Osman Saim
Furman Anthony Holmes
Hopkins James
DiConza Paul J.
General Electric Company
Miller William L.
Patnode Patrick K.
LandOfFree
Actuated brush seal does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Actuated brush seal, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Actuated brush seal will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3255964