초록 ▼

A rotor and stator assembly having a rotor and a stator with opposing surfaces defining an air bearing and an air dam of an aspirating face seal. In a first embodiment, the air bearing and the air dam are axially offset. In a second embodiment, the rotor has an axially extending protuberance located

A rotor and stator assembly having a rotor and a stator with opposing surfaces defining an air bearing and an air dam of an aspirating face seal. In a first embodiment, the air bearing and the air dam are axially offset. In a second embodiment, the rotor has an axially extending protuberance located radially between the air bearing and the air dam. The axial offset and the protuberance each act to divert the air flow (e.g., compressed gas or combustion gases in a gas turbine or steam in a steam turbine) in a direction transverse to the air flow direction through the air bearing and the air dam, thus isolating the air flows from the air bearing and the air dam which improves seal performance.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A rotor and stator assembly comprising:a) a rotor having a generally longitudinally extending axis, a first air bearing surface, and a first air dam surface, wherein said first air bearing surface is generally annular, generally perpendicular to said axis, and generally p

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A rotor and stator assembly comprising:a) a rotor having a generally longitudinally extending axis, a first air bearing surface, and a first air dam surface, wherein said first air bearing surface is generally annular, generally perpendicular to said axis, and generally planar, and wherein said first air dam surface is generally annular, generally perpendicular to said axis, generally planar, and radially proximate and axially offset from said first air bearing surface; andb) a stator having a second air bearing surface and a second air dam surface, wherein said second air bearing surface is generally annular, generally perpendicular to said axis, generally planar, and spaced apart from and proximate said first air bearing surface, wherein said second air dam surface is generally annular, generally perpendicular to said axis, generally planar, radially proximate and axially offset from said second air bearing, and spaced apart from and proximate said first air dam surface, wherein said first and second air bearing surfaces generally oppose each other and define an air bearing of an aspirating face seal, and wherein said first and second air dam surfaces generally oppose each other and define an air dam of said aspirating face seal.