Abstract: A finger seal for use between a housing and a combustor liner to inhibit air passage therebetween. The finger seal has at least two annular diaphragm members partitioned into a generally continuous inner diameter portion and a segmented outer diameter portion. The segments are finger elements spaced uniformly apart forming gaps therebetween and extend radially outward terminating in a foot portion. A keyhole is formed at the terminus end of the gaps to reduce fatigue and stress of the finger elements. The diaphragm members are laminated together, oriented such that adjacent fingers of one laminate block the gaps of the other, and inserted between a pair of spacers and endplates to be attached at their inner diameter portion. The finger seal is attached circumferentially around the housing and assembled into the combustor liner with the foot portion sealing against the combustor liner interior wall.

Abstract: An annular sealing apparatus is disclosed for disposition in cooperation with a body defining a bore and a rotating member rotatably received in the bore, the bore and rotating member bounding a high fluid pressure region and a relatively lower pressure fluid region therebetween, the sealing apparatus inhibiting fluid leakage between the high and lower fluid pressure regions, the sealing apparatus has a fore cover plate disposed in the high fluid pressure region and aft cover plate disposed in the lower pressure fluid region. A sealing element comprised of a plurality of comb-like diaphragm members is disposed between the two cover plates. Each of the diaphragm members has a foot portion with a groove. At low rotational speeds the foot portion abuts against the rotating member.

Abstract: A buffer seal arrangement is provided for improved buffer sealing of oil sump seals in gas turbine engines. The buffer seal arrangement includes a three section labyrinth seal. Disposed between the first and second section is a buffer air supply annulus for delivering pressurized air from the engine to said first and second sections of the seal. Oil drains are disposed between said second and third sections and adjacent the third section. The first section has four knife seals, and the second and third sections have three knife seals. Rig testing has shown that this buffer seal arrangement can prevent the leakage of oil into the gas path of the gas turbine engine.

Abstract: An annular sealing apparatus is disclosed for disposition in cooperation with a body defining a bore and a rotating member rotatably received in the bore, the bore and rotating member bounding a high fluid pressure region and a relatively lower pressure fluid region therebetween, the sealing apparatus inhibiting fluid leakage between the high and lower fluid pressure regions, the sealing apparatus has a fore cover plate disposed in the high fluid pressure region and aft cover plate disposed in the lower pressure fluid region. A sealing element comprised of a plurality of comb-like diaphragm members is disposed between the two cover plates. Each of the diaphragm members has a foot portion that seals against the rotating member. A fore spacer is disposed between said fore cover plate and said sealing element and an aft spacer is disposed between said aft cover plate and said sealing element. The aft spacer has a plurality of cavities that are separated from the low fluid pressure region.

Abstract: The present invention provides an annular sealing apparatus for disposition in cooperation with a body defining a bore and a rotating member rotatably received in said bore to inhibit fluid leakage therebetween. The sealing apparatus is comprised of axially juxtaposed first and second comb-like pluralities of uniformly spaced and integral finger members circumscribing the rotating member. Each finger member has substantially the same width and is separated from adjacent finger members by a uniform gap. At the innermost end of each finger is a foot portion sealingly and movably engaging said rotating member. Each foot portion is configured so as to lift away from the rotating member and ride on a thin film of air during engine operation. The first and second comb-like members are positioned so that the fingers of each block the gaps in the other.

Abstract: A bleed air buffer seal arrangement is provided for improved buffer sealing of oil sump seals in a gas turbine engine. In a multiple spool gas turbine engine, bleed air for buffer sealing is obtained through an annular bleed slot or annular array of bleed ports formed in the impeller shroud of a high pressure centrifugal impeller at a location spaced aft or downstream from the leading edge thereof. Bleed air from this location exhibits significant pressure at low engine power conditions to provide satisfactory buffer sealing, without subjecting sump seals to excess pressure or temperature at high engine power conditions.

Abstract: A bearing structure including a bearing housing, a thrust sleeve retained within the bearing housing, a pair of bearing sleeves received within the bearing housing on opposite sides of the thrust sleeve, and a shaft received within the thrust sleeve and bearing sleeves. The thrust sleeve is retained in a manner to permit movement of the thrust bearing relative the bearing housing to correspond with movement of the bearing sleeves to maintain parallelism between the associated end bearing surfaces on the thrust sleeve and bearing sleeves. A bearing structure for receiving radial and axial thrust loads and a turbocharger employing the described bearing structures are also disclosed.