Abstract: A brush seal for use with a housing and sealing a high pressure area from a low pressure area is provided. In an embodiment, the brush seal includes a retainer and a plurality of bristles. The retainer is comprised of a thermally-sensitive material having a thermal expansion rate. The bristles are connected to and extend from the retainer. In an embodiment, the retainer is not fixedly connected to the housing, and the thermal expansion rate of the retainer is greater than the thermal expansion rate of a portion of the housing adjacent the retainer. In another embodiment, a joint associated with a plurality of bristles is permitted to move into a headspace provided above the joint. A method for making a control-gap brush seal assembly for use in connection with a shaft is also disclosed.

Abstract: A self centering, floating brush seal assembly for a machine housing including a seal channel disposed circumferentially about a rotating shaft. The seal channel is typically configured to accommodate a ring seal. The ring seal is removed and a radially floating brush seal is installed in the seal channel but the brush seal is not fixed to the machine housing. The typical brush seal includes a front plate, a back plate, and a plurality of bristles sandwiched between the front plate and the back plate and having free radially extending ends disposed circumferentially about and contacting the rotating shaft. A radially extending rub feature is associated with at least one of the front plate and the back plate. The rub feature is disposed circumferentially about and contacts the rotating shaft.

Abstract: An outside diameter brush seal assembly is disclosed. The brush seal assembly includes a first static component, a second static component, and a brush seal. The first and second static components may be configured to form a flow path from a first pressure cavity to a second pressure cavity. The brush seal includes a plurality of bristles that extend in a radially outward direction from the first static component to form a brush seal against the second static component.

Abstract: A brush seal for use with a housing and sealing a high pressure area from a low pressure area is provided. In an embodiment, the brush seal includes a retainer and a plurality of bristles. The retainer is comprised of a thermally-sensitive material having a thermal expansion rate. The bristles are connected to and extend from the retainer. In an embodiment, the retainer is not fixedly connected to the housing, and the thermal expansion rate of the retainer is greater than the thermal expansion rate of a portion of the housing adjacent the retainer. In another embodiment, a joint associated with a plurality of bristles is permitted to move into a headspace provided above the joint. A method for making a control-gap brush seal assembly for use in connection with a shaft is also disclosed.

Abstract: A self centering, floating brush seal assembly for a machine housing including a seal channel disposed circumferentially about a rotating shaft. The seal channel is typically configured to accommodate a ring seal. The ring seal is removed and a radially floating brush seal is installed in the seal channel but the brush seal is not fixed to the machine housing. The typical brush seal includes a front plate, a back plate, and a plurality of bristles sandwiched between the front plate and the back plate and having free radially extending ends disposed circumferentially about and contacting the rotating shaft. A radially extending rub feature is associated with at least one of the front plate and the back plate. The rub feature is disposed circumferentially about and contacts the rotating shaft.

Abstract: An axial and dynamic brush seal system wherein a mating ring is attached to a rotor and has a sealing surface. The bristles of the brush seal are disposed about the rotor and extend axially so that the terminal free ends of the bristles engage the sealing surface of the mating ring.