초록 ▼

An apparatus is provided in a gas turbine engine for eliminating air leakage-induced vibration at natural frequencies in a type of flexible annular seal structure sometimes referred to as a floating fishmouth seal. A floating fishmouth seal has male and female sections arranged to permit axial and r

An apparatus is provided in a gas turbine engine for eliminating air leakage-induced vibration at natural frequencies in a type of flexible annular seal structure sometimes referred to as a floating fishmouth seal. A floating fishmouth seal has male and female sections arranged to permit axial and radial movement and still maintain a sealing relationship. In a preferred form, the apparatus for eliminating air leakage-induced vibration includes two structures that interact with the male and female sections of the fishmouth seal during engine operation. The first structure is an annular leaf spring assembly that presses a radial flange of the male section of the seal against a stationary wall to obtain frictional damping. The second structure is an annular member attached to an outer surface of the female section of the seal forming a closed-in structure to provide stability and damping. The combined effect of the two structures is to increase the operational life of the fishmouth seal.

대표청구항 ▼

In a gas turbine engine having a flexible annular gas seal comprising a female section with an upper annular arm and a lower annular arm, including inner and outer surfaces, said arms being in a gas sealing relationship at one end and diverging from said end to define an annular inlet therebetween;

In a gas turbine engine having a flexible annular gas seal comprising a female section with an upper annular arm and a lower annular arm, including inner and outer surfaces, said arms being in a gas sealing relationship at one end and diverging from said end to define an annular inlet therebetween; and a male section including an annular extension for insertion into said annular inlet in sealing relationship with at least one of said arms thereby forming one end of the annular seal and including a radial flange slideably engaging a radial lip fixed to said engine thereby forming a second end of the annular seal, an improvement for reducing vibration of said seal during engine operation, comprising: (a) an annular spring support structure fixedly mounted within said engine axially adjacent said radial flange; and (b) an array of leaf springs positioned by said spring support structure to press said radial flange against said radial lip thereby providing dry coulomb damping to said seal.