초록 ▼

Brush seals are employed on steam turbine rotors without the risk of causing thermal rotor bowing and without compromising the sealing performance. In one form, a groove in the rotor has an insert in frictional contact with the brush seal. The non-uniform distribution of heat due to frictional conta

Brush seals are employed on steam turbine rotors without the risk of causing thermal rotor bowing and without compromising the sealing performance. In one form, a groove in the rotor has an insert in frictional contact with the brush seal. The non-uniform distribution of heat due to frictional contact between the brush seal and proud portions of the rotor is dissipated within the insert such that adjoining rotor portions are substantially uniformly heated without causing thermal bow. In a further form, a groove or grooves are provided in the rotor surface adjacent to the brush seal and maintain non-uniform heat distribution locally in the rotor without causing thermal bow of the rotor. In another form, a land projects radially outwardly of the rotor surface in contact with the brush seal. The non-uniform distribution of heat due to frictional contact between proud portions of the land and the brush seal dissipates into a uniform distribution of heat in the rotor proper to avoid thermal bowing. In a final form, the brush seal has frictional contact with bucket dovetail or wheel protrusions spaced radially outwardly of the rotor such that non-uniform distribution dissipates into a uniform distribution within the rotor.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] In a steam turbine having a rotor and a non-rotating component about the rotor carrying a brush seal for sealing engagement with the rotor, a method of substantially eliminating bowing of the rotor resulting from circumferentially non-uniform distribution of heat about th

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] In a steam turbine having a rotor and a non-rotating component about the rotor carrying a brush seal for sealing engagement with the rotor, a method of substantially eliminating bowing of the rotor resulting from circumferentially non-uniform distribution of heat about the rotor due to frictional contact between the brush seal and a proud portion of the rotor, comprising inhibiting circumferential non-uniform heat transfer to the rotor generated by frictional contact between the proud portion of the rotor and the brush seal, including providing a groove in the rotor at an axial location corresponding to an axial location of the brush seal and providing an insert in said groove for engaging the brush seal.