Abstract: A seal for a rotary machine includes a flexible element extending circumferentially about a rotating component and extending generally radially from a first end to a free second end. The flexible element is coupled proximate the first end for rotation with the rotating component. The seal also includes a retaining plate having a stop face that orients the flexible element at a first angle when the rotating component is operating at less than a critical speed and under the including of pressure loading, such that a clearance gap is defined between the free second end and a stationary component. The flexible element extends at substantially a second angle when the rotating component is operating at a speed greater than the critical speed, such that the flexible element forms a dynamic seal between the rotating component and the stationary component.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for increasing the life of blowout preventers comprising directing self-healing materials to regions of high stress or strain in the blowout preventers.

Abstract: A variable ram for a blowout preventer is disclosed. The variable ram includes a ram block and a ram packer assembly disposed at least in part within the ram block. The ram packer assembly includes a plurality of inserts and a packer member. The plurality of inserts is configured to form an insert array, where the insert array includes a peripheral surface, and where the peripheral surface of the insert array is disposed facing an opening configured to receive a tubular member. The packer member is coupled to at least a portion of the plurality of inserts for providing a unitary structure to the ram packer assembly, where the packer member protrudes from the peripheral surface of the insert array into the opening to define a bore face of the variable ram, and where the packer member includes an elastomeric material.

Abstract: A variable ram packer includes a body with a bore contact region, at least one fluidic flexible matrix component (FFMC) tube, an inflation mechanism, and a fluid port. The FFMC tube is positioned inside the body next to the bore contact region. The fluid port is fluidly coupled with a connecting line, which is fluidly coupled with the inflation mechanism. The FFMC tube inflates in response to an increase in pressure from the inflation mechanism, which translates the bore contact region inward.

Abstract: A variable ram packer includes a body including two contact regions. The first contact region includes a region of the body of the packer that includes a first material and a second material, layered on top of one another. The first material has an elastic modulus less than that of the second material. The second contact region includes the second material and a third material, layered on top of one another. The third material has an elastic modulus greater than that of the second material, but less than that of the first material.

Abstract: An elastomeric sealing device operable at an operating temperature above an installation temperature. The sealing device includes a body fabricated from an elastomeric material. A channel is formed within the body. A mesh is disposed within the channel. The mesh includes a plurality of interwoven fibers forming an inner volume. A filler is disposed within the inner volume. At least a portion of the filler is a liquid at the installation temperature. The at least a portion of the filler is a gas at the operating temperature.

Abstract: A seal for a rotary machine includes a flexible element extending circumferentially about a rotor and extending generally radially from a first end to a free second end. The flexible element is coupled proximate the first end for rotation with the rotor. The flexible element extends at substantially a first angle between at least an intermediate portion of the flexible element and the free second end when the rotor is operating at less than a critical speed, such that a clearance gap is defined between the free second end and a stationary portion. The seal also includes a retaining plate having a stop that orients the flexible element at a second angle proximate the free second end when the rotor is operating at equal to or greater than the critical speed, such that the flexible element forms a dynamic seal between the rotor and the stationary portion.

Abstract: An actuation system to control clearance in a turbomachine including a shaft bearing including at least one axially displaceable thrust bearing. The axially displaceable thrust bearing configured to axially displace a rotating component relative to a stationary component to control the clearance therebetween. The system further including a plurality of actuators coupled to the at least one axially displaceable thrust bearing and configured to actuate the at least one axially displaceable thrust bearing to control the clearance. The plurality of actuators is configured to deactivate a diametrically opposed actuator in the event of an actuator failure to maintain zero moment. In a topography network, each diametrically opposed actuator pair is coupled to a single control line. In an alternate topography network, alternating actuators are coupled to a single control line. In addition, a method of actuating a thrust bearing to control clearance in a turbomachine is disclosed.

Abstract: A variable ram packer has an elastomeric body having a central semi-cylindrical recess and wings extending from opposite lateral sides of the recess. Inserts are positioned around the recess, each having an upper plate, a lower plate and a web joining the plates. Inserts at the junction with the wings have barrier plates between and parallel with the upper and lower plates. Upper and lower wing plates are located on upper and lower surfaces of the wings. An adhesive layer on an outer portion of each of the wing plates bonds the wing plates to the elastomer of the body. Each wing plate has an inner portion in abutment with the elastomer and free of the adhesive layer.

Abstract: A compliant plate seal assembly for a turbo machine includes a rotor and a stationary component. A plurality of compliant plates are coupled circumferentially to the stationary component. A natural frequency of each compliant plate varies from a natural frequency of adjacent compliant plates and/or gaps between adjacent plates to produce a zero-oscillation state between adjacent compliant plates in flow.

Abstract: A variable ram packer has an elastomeric body having a central semi-cylindrical recess and wings extending from opposite lateral sides of the recess. Inserts are positioned around the recess, each having an upper plate, a lower plate and a web joining the plates. Inserts at the junction with the wings have barrier plates between and parallel with the upper and lower plates. Upper and lower wing plates are located on upper and lower surfaces of the wings. An adhesive layer on an outer portion of each of the wing plates bonds the wing plates to the elastomer of the body. Each wing plate has an inner portion in abutment with the elastomer and free of the adhesive layer.

Abstract: A brush seal for use between a rotating component and a stationary component in a turbomachine is disclosed. The brush seal according to embodiments of this invention includes a set of bristles having a fixed end and a free end, wherein the fixed end is attached to the rotating component with a mechanical clamping element and the free end extends towards the stationary component, and wherein the set of bristles are angled axially at an axial angle with respect to the rotating component. In one embodiment, the fixed end of the set of bristles are wrapped at least partially around a core element and the clamping element partially surrounds the core element and the fixed end of the set of bristles, wherein the clamping element secures the fixed end of the set of bristles within a circumferential groove in the rotating component.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method for monitoring an annular packer are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method for monitoring a sealing element of a blowout preventer may include providing a fluid to a chamber disposed within a blowout preventer to actuate a piston disposed within the chamber, wherein the actuation of the piston causes a reduction of an inner diameter of a sealing element; measuring one or more parameters of the fluid via a sensor; receiving data relating to the one or more parameters from the sensor; determining a stiffness of the sealing element utilizing the data relating to the one or more parameters; and determining an amount of degradation of the sealing element by comparing the determined stiffness of the sealing element to a known data profile.

Abstract: An actuation system to control clearance in a turbomachine including a shaft bearing including at least one axially displaceable thrust bearing. The axially displaceable thrust bearing configured to axially displace a rotating component relative to a stationary component to control the clearance therebetween. The system further including a plurality of actuators coupled to the at least one axially displaceable thrust bearing and configured to actuate the at least one axially displaceable thrust bearing to control the clearance. The plurality of actuators is configured to deactivate a diametrically opposed actuator in the event of an actuator failure to maintain zero moment. In a topography network, each diametrically opposed actuator pair is coupled to a single control line. In an alternate topography network, alternating actuators are coupled to a single control line. In addition, a method of actuating a thrust bearing to control clearance in a turbomachine is disclosed.

Abstract: A method implemented using at least one processor includes receiving a plurality of measured operational parameters of a turbo machine having a rotor and a stator. The plurality of measured operational parameters includes a plurality of real-time operational parameters and a plurality of stored operational parameters. The method further includes generating a finite element model of the turbo machine and generating a plurality of snapshots based on the finite element model and the plurality of stored operational parameters. The method further includes generating a reduced order model based on the plurality of snapshots. The method also includes determining an estimated clearance between the rotor and the stator during operation of the turbo machine, based on the reduced order model and the plurality of real-time operational parameters.

Abstract: A compliant plate seal assembly for a turbo machine includes a rotor and a stationary component. A plurality of compliant plates are coupled circumferentially to the stationary component. A natural frequency of each compliant plate varies from a natural frequency of adjacent compliant plates and/or gaps between adjacent plates to produce a zero-oscillation state between adjacent compliant plates in flow.

Abstract: Embodiments of a seal having a variable elastic modulus are provided herein. In one embodiment, a seal having a variable elastic modulus includes: a body fabricated from an elastomeric material; a channel formed within the body; a tube disposed within the channel, the tube comprising a plurality of interwoven fibers; and an inlet formed in an outer surface of the body, the inlet fluidly coupled to an inner volume of the tube.

Abstract: A labyrinth seal design, an actuation control clearance strategy, and a method of operating a turbomachine. The labyrinth seal design including a plurality of features configured to open and close radial clearances in response to relative axial movement between a stationary component and a rotating component. The actuation control clearance strategy and method of operating a turbomachine effective to achieve relative motion between a rotating component and a stationary component of the turbomachine using active elements. Axial displacement of the rotating component relative to the stationary component provides an adjustment in a radial clearance at one or more sealing locations between the rotating component and the stationary component to suit a given operating condition of the turbomachine.

Abstract: A brush seal for use between a rotating component and a stationary component in a turbomachine is disclosed. The brush seal according to embodiments of this invention includes a set of bristles having a fixed end and a free end, wherein the fixed end is attached to the rotating component with a mechanical clamping element and the free end extends towards the stationary component, and wherein the set of bristles are angled axially at an axial angle with respect to the rotating component. In one embodiment, the fixed end of the set of bristles are wrapped at least partially around a core element and the clamping element partially surrounds the core element and the fixed end of the set of bristles, wherein the clamping element secures the fixed end of the set of bristles within a circumferential groove in the rotating component.