Gas-buffered seal assembly and method therefor
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
F16J-015/44
F16J-015/40
출원번호
US-0703776
(2003-11-07)
발명자
/ 주소
Ebert,Stephan J.
Goss,James D.
Hicks,Neil G.
McVey,Scott E.
Moharos,Jozsef L.
Nunez,Dean J.
출원인 / 주소
The Boeing Company
대리인 / 주소
Alston &
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
10인용 특허 :
11
초록▼
A gas-buffered brush seal assembly and associated method are provided. The seal assembly includes at least one brush seal that defines an interface with a rotatable member. The seal assembly is configured to deliver a gas to the interface so that the gas at least partially prevents the flow of a flu
A gas-buffered brush seal assembly and associated method are provided. The seal assembly includes at least one brush seal that defines an interface with a rotatable member. The seal assembly is configured to deliver a gas to the interface so that the gas at least partially prevents the flow of a fluid therethrough. In addition, the seal assembly can be adjustable so that the flow of the fluid is controlled by adjusting the flow rate of the gas through the seal assembly.
대표청구항▼
That which is claimed: 1. A gas-buffered brush seal assembly for controlling the flow of a fluid adjacent a rotatable member, the seal assembly comprising: at least one brush seal having a circumferential member and a plurality of elongate members, the circumferential member structured to extend ci
That which is claimed: 1. A gas-buffered brush seal assembly for controlling the flow of a fluid adjacent a rotatable member, the seal assembly comprising: at least one brush seal having a circumferential member and a plurality of elongate members, the circumferential member structured to extend circumferentially around the rotatable member and the elongate members being connected to the circumferential member and structured to extend generally radially inward to define an interface with the rotatable member; and a dispersion ring defining a bore for receiving the rotatable member therethrough and defining a gas passage extending at least partially circumferentially around the bore of the dispersion ring, the dispersion ring being disposed adjacent the at least one brush seal such that the gas passage of the dispersion ring is configured to receive a gas, communicate the gas therethrough, and deliver the gas to the interface of the elongate members and the rotatable member such that the gas at least partially prevents the flow of fluid through the interface, wherein the seal assembly is configured to operate in first and second modes, the first mode being characterized by the gas being delivered at a first flow rate such that the fluid flows through the interface according to a first predetermined rate, and the second mode being characterized by the gas being delivered at a second flow rate less than the first flow rate such that the fluid flaws through the interface according to a second predetermined rate, the second predetermined rate being greater than the first predetermined rate. 2. A seal assembly according to claim 1 wherein the second mode is characterized by the flow of the fluid occurring according to the second predetermined rate when no gas is delivered through the gas passage. 3. A seal assembly according to claim 1 wherein the first mode is characterized by the flow of the fluid being prevented from flowing through the interface such that the first predetermined rate is zero. 4. A seal assembly according to claim 1 further comprising at least two brush seals, the brush seals being configured on opposite sides of the dispersion ring. 5. A seal assembly according to claim 1 wherein the dispersion ring defines a surface directed in the axial direction of the rotatable member and at least one wall member extending from the surface and extending circumferentially around at least a portion of the bore in the dispersion ring, the surface and at least one wall defining the gas passage. 6. A seal assembly according to claim 5 wherein the dispersion ring defines a first wall member at a first radial position on the surface and a second wall member at a second radial position on the surface radially inward of the first wall member, the first wall member defining at least one gap for radial flow of the gas into the gas passage and the second wall member defining at least one gap for radial flow of the gas radially inward from the gas passage. 7. A seal assembly according to claim 1 wherein the dispersion ring is configured to deliver the gas to the interface at a substantially uniform pressure. 8. A seal assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a housing defining a bore for receiving the dispersion ring, the at least one brush seal, and the rotatable member in an axial direction therethrough, the housing defining a gas inlet and an annular space extending circumferentially around the bore and proximate to the dispersion ring, the annular space being fluidly connected to the gas inlet such that the annular space is configured to receive the gas from the gas inlet end deliver the gas to the dispersion ring. 9. A seal assembly according to claim 8 wherein the housing defines a drain for receiving at least one of the fluid and the gas. 10. A seal assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a backup ring disposed opposite the at least one brush seal from the dispersion ring, the backup ring being structured to restrict the axial deformation of at least some of the elongate members. 11. A seal assembly according to claim 1 wherein the at least one brush seal and the dispersion ring are structured to be engaged to prevent relative rotation therebetween. 12. A seal assembly according to claim 1 wherein the elongate members of the at least one brush seal are wire members extending generally radially inward from the circumferentially member. 13. A gas-buffered brush seal assembly for controlling the flow of a fluid adjacent a rotatable member, the seal assembly comprising: a housing defining a bore for receiving the rotatable member extending in an axial direction therethrough, the housing defining a gas inlet; a dispersion ring disposed in the housing, the dispersion ring defining a bore for receiving the rotatable member therethrough and defining a gas passage extending at least partially circumferentially around the bore of the dispersion ring, the gas passage being in fluid communication with the gas inlet of the housing; at least one brush seal disposed in the housing, each brush seal having a circumferential member and a plurality of elongate members, the circumferential member structured to extend circumferentially around the rotatable member and the elongate members being connected to the circumferential member and structured to extend generally radially inward to define a flow restricting interface with the rotatable member; wherein the dispersion ring is configured to receive a gas from the inlet of the housing, communicate the gas through the gas passage, and deliver the gas to and through an interface between the elongate members and the rotatable member such that the gas at least partially prevents the flow of fluid through the seal assembly at the interface, and wherein the seal assembly is configured to operate in first and second modes, the first mode being characterized by the gas being delivered at a first flow rate such that flow of the fluid through the interface is substantially entirely prevented, and the second mode being characterized by the gas being delivered at a second flow rate less than the first flow rate such that flow of the fluid through the interface occurs according to a predetermined rate. 14. A seal assembly according to claim 13 wherein each brush seal is disposed in substantially nonrotatable communication with the housing such that the rotatable member rotates relative to each brush seal. 15. A seal assembly according to claim 13 wherein the second mode is characterized by the flow of the fluid occurring at the second flow rate when no gas is delivered. 16. A seal assembly according to claim 13 further comprising at least two brush seals, the brush seals being configured on opposite sides of the dispersion ring. 17. A seal assembly according to claim 13 wherein the dispersion ring defines a surface directed in the axial direction of the rotatable member and at least one wall member extending from the surface and extending circumferentially around at least a portion of the bore in the dispersion ring, the surface and at least one wall defining the gas passage. 18. A seal assembly according to claim 17 wherein the dispersion ring defines a first wall member at a first radial position on the surface and a second wall member at a second radial position on the surface radially inward of the first wall member, the first wall member defining at least one gap for radial flow of the gas into the gas passage and the second wall member defining at least one gap for radial flow of the gas radially inward from the gas passage. 19. A seal assembly according to claim 13 wherein the dispersion ring is configured to deliver the gas to the interface at a substantially uniform pressure. 20. A seal assembly according to claim 13 wherein the housing defines an annular space extending circumferentially around the bore and proximate to the dispersion ring, the annular space being fluidly connected to the gas inlet such that the annular space is configured to receive the gas from the gas inlet and deliver the gas to the dispersion ring. 21. A seal assembly according to claim 13 further comprising a backup ring disposed opposite the at least one brush seal from the dispersion ring, the backup ring structured to restrict the axial deformation of at least some of the elongate members. 22. A seal assembly according to claim 13 wherein the housing defines a drain for receiving at least one of the fluid and the gas. 23. A seal assembly according to claim 13 wherein the at least one brush seal and the dispersion ring are structured to be engaged to prevent relative rotation therebetween. 24. A seal assembly according to claim 13 wherein the elongate members of the at least one brush seal are wire members extending generally radially inward from the circumferential member. 25. A method for controlling a flow of a fluid through a seal assembly extending circumferentially around a rotatable member, the method comprising: selectively circulating a gas in first and second modes of operation through a gas passage extending at least partially circumferentially around the rotatable member, the first mode being characterized by the gas flowing at a first flow rate through the gas passage and axially through at least one interface formed between the rotatable member and at least one brush seal, the second mode being characterized by the gas flowing at a second flow rate through the gas passage and axially through the at least one interface, wherein the flow of the fluid through the interface is restricted during the first mode according to a first predetermined rate, and the flow of the fluid through the interface is restricted during the second mode according to a second predetermined rate, the first flow rate of the gas through the gas passage being greater than the second flow rate of the gas such that the first predetermined rate of the fluid through the interface is less than the second predetermined rate of the fluid. 26. A method according to claim 25 further comprising selectively terminating the circulation of the gas through the gas passage during the second mode such that the flow of the fluid through the interface during the second mode occurs according to the second predetermined rate. 27. A method according to claim 25 wherein said circulating step comprises circulating the gas at the first flow rate, the first flow rate being sufficiently high to terminate the circulation of the fluid through the interface during the first mode such that the first predetermined rate of the fluid is zero. 28. A method according to claim 25 further comprising providing first and second brush seals on opposite sides of the gas passage such that the brush seals define opposite interfaces, and wherein said circulating step comprises circulating the gas in opposite axial directions through the first and second brush seals. 29. A method according to claim 25 wherein said circulating step comprises circulating the gas radially inward into a dispersion ring defining the gas passage, circumferentially through the gas passage of the dispersion ring, and thereafter axially through the interface of the at least one brush seal. 30. A method according to claim 25 wherein said circulating step comprises delivering the gas to the interface at a substantially uniform pressure. 31. A method according to claim 25 further comprising providing a housing defining a bore for receiving the at least one brush seal, and wherein said circulating step comprises circulating the gas through an inlet defined by the housing. 32. A method according to claim 31 wherein said circulating step comprises circulating the gas through an annular space defined by the housing, the annular space extending circumferentially around the gas passage. 33. A method according to claim 25 wherein said circulating step comprises draining at least one of the fluid and the gas through the housing.
연구과제 타임라인
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
이 특허에 인용된 특허 (11)
William V. Adams ; Christopher D. McCowey ; Leroy A. Waling ; Antonio F. Artiles, Brush seal.
Bagepalli Bharat S. ; Chiu R. Paul ; Cromer Robert Harold ; Crum Gregory Allan ; Dinc Osman Saim,TRX ; Furman Anthony Holmes ; Marks Paul Thomas ; Markytan Rudolf Matthias ; Skinner David Robert ; Tu, Brush seals and combined labyrinth and brush seals for rotary machines.
Korta John (Stoney Creek CAX) Upton Arthur W. (Hamilton CAX) Danko John (Hamilton CAX) Azizullah (Longueuil CAX), Cooling apparatus for a bearing in a gas turbine.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.