Abstract: An aerodynamic seal assembly for a rotary machine includes multiple sealing device segments disposed circumferentially intermediate to a stationary housing and a rotor. Each of the segments includes a shoe plate with a forward-shoe section and an aft-shoe section having multiple labyrinth teeth therebetween facing the rotor. The sealing device segment also includes multiple flexures connected to the shoe plate and to a top interface element, wherein the multiple flexures are configured to allow the high pressure fluid to occupy a forward cavity and the low pressure fluid to occupy an aft cavity. Further, the sealing device segments include a secondary seal attached to the top interface element at one first end and positioned about the flexures and the shoe plate at one second end.

Abstract: An aerodynamic seal assembly for a rotary machine includes multiple sealing segments disposed circumferentially intermediate to a stationary housing and a rotor. Each of the segments includes a shoe plate with a forward load-bearing section and an aft load-bearing section configured to generate an aerodynamic force between the shoe plate and the rotor. The shoe plate includes at least one labyrinth teeth facing the rotor and positioned between the forward load-bearing section and the aft load-bearing section. The sealing segment also includes at least one spring connected to a pedestal located about midway of an axial length of the shoe plate and to a stator interface element. Further, the sealing segment includes a rigid segmented secondary seal attached to the stator interface element at one first end and in contact with the pedestal of the shoe plate at one second end.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward a face seal including a stator ring configured to be disposed about a rotor of a turbine, wherein stator ring comprises a first ring segment and a second ring segment configured to cooperatively form the stator ring, wherein the first and second ring segments are circumferentially split and have at least one bearing element disposed between the first and second ring segments, and wherein the at least one bearing element is configured to enable relative axial motion between the first and second ring segments at interfaces between the first and second ring segments

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward a stator ring configured to be disposed about a rotor of a turbine, wherein the stator ring comprises a plurality of hydrodynamic pads extending from a sealing face of the stator ring, wherein each of the plurality of hydrodynamic pads is configured to hydrodynamically engage with a rotor ring.

Abstract: The present application provides an aerodynamic seal assembly for use with a turbo-machine. The aerodynamic seal assembly may include a number of springs, a shoe connected to the springs, and a secondary seal positioned about the springs and the shoe.

Abstract: A seal assembly for a rotary machine is provided. The seal assembly includes multiple sealing device segments disposed circumferentially intermediate to a stationary housing and a rotor. Each of the sealing device segments includes a stator interface element, a shoe plate having an extended portion having one or more labyrinth teeth facing the rotor and a load bearing portion, wherein the shoe plate is configured to generate an aerodynamic force between the shoe plate and the rotor. The sealing device segment further includes a secondary seal configured to be in contact with the stator interface element at a radially outer end and configured to be in contact with an elevated nose section of the extended portion of the shoe plate on a radially inner end; and multiple flexible elements attached to the shoe plate and to the stator interface element.

Abstract: A seal assembly for a rotary machine is provided. The seal assembly includes multiple sealing device segments disposed circumferentially intermediate to a stationary housing and a rotor. Each of the sealing device segments includes a stator interface element. The sealing device segment also includes a shoe plate having one or more labyrinth teeth facing the rotor and a load-bearing surface region, wherein the shoe plate allows a high pressure fluid to an upstream portion of the forwardmost labyrinth tooth and a low pressure fluid to a downstream portion of the aftmost labyrinth tooth. The sealing device segment further includes a secondary seal in contact with the stator interface element at a radially outer end and in contact with an elevated nose of the shoe plate on a radially inner end; and multiple bellow springs or flexures attached to the shoe plate and to the stator interface element.

Abstract: An aspirating face seal for use with a rotary machine includes a rotating seal ring including a radially outer surface that includes an oblique portion. A stationary seal ring is coupled proximate the rotating seal ring such that a first gap is defined therebetween. The stationary seal ring is movable along a centerline axis of the rotary machine between an open position and a sealed position, and includes an extension member that extends across the first gap. An auxiliary seal includes at least one seal tooth that includes a seal tooth tip. The at least one seal tooth extends radially inward from the extension member such that a second gap is defined between the seal tooth tip and the oblique portion.

Abstract: A seal ring assembly for use with a rotary machine that includes an axis of rotation includes a seal housing comprising a secondary sealing surface and a secondary seal assembly coupled to the seal housing. The secondary seal assembly includes a seal ring coupled to the seal housing, wherein the seal ring is configured to form a secondary seal with the secondary sealing surface. The secondary seal assembly also includes at least one protection ring positioned upstream from the seal ring. The secondary seal assembly is configured to be biased along the axis such that biasing the at least one protection ring facilitates removing debris from at least a portion of the secondary sealing surface over which the seal ring travels during biasing.

Abstract: An article includes a substrate with a coating having asperities such that an average spacing between the asperities is between about 0.01 and about 1.5 micron. An average surface roughness of the coating is up to about 2 microns, and an average porosity of the coating is in the range from about 35% to about 70%. A material to reduce surface energy is disposed on the coating. A method for making such an article and a method for decreasing fluid drag across such an article are also provided.

Abstract: A seal assembly for a rotary machine is provided. The seal assembly includes multiple sealing device segments disposed circumferentially intermediate to a stationary housing and a rotor. Each of the sealing device segments includes a stator interface element, a shoe plate having an extended portion having one or more labyrinth teeth facing the rotor and a load bearing portion, wherein the shoe plate is configured to generate an aerodynamic force between the shoe plate and the rotor. The sealing device segment further includes a secondary seal configured to be in contact with the stator interface element at a radially outer end and configured to be in contact with an elevated nose section of the extended portion of the shoe plate on a radially inner end; and multiple flexible elements attached to the shoe plate and to the stator interface element.

Abstract: A seal assembly for a rotary machine is provided. The seal assembly includes multiple sealing device segments disposed circumferentially intermediate to a stationary housing and a rotor. Each of the sealing device segments includes a stator interface element. The sealing device segment also includes a shoe plate having one or more labyrinth teeth facing the rotor and a load-bearing surface region, wherein the shoe plate allows a high pressure fluid to an upstream portion of the forwardmost labyrinth tooth and a low pressure fluid to a downstream portion of the aftmost labyrinth tooth. The sealing device segment further includes a secondary seal in contact with the stator interface element at a radially outer end and in contact with an elevated nose of the shoe plate on a radially inner end; and multiple bellow springs or flexures attached to the shoe plate and to the stator interface element.

Abstract: A seal assembly for a rotary machine is provided. The seal assembly includes multiple sealing device segments disposed circumferentially intermediate to a stationary housing and a rotor. Each of the segments includes a shoe plate with a forward-shoe section and an aft-shoe section having one or more labyrinth teeth therebetween facing the rotor. The sealing device includes a stator interface element having a groove or slot for allowing disposal of a spline seal for preventing segment leakages. The sealing device segment also includes multiple bellow springs or flexures connected to the shoe plate and to the stator interface element. Further, the sealing device segments include a secondary seal integrated with the stator interface element at one end and positioned about the multiple bellow springs or flexures and the shoe plate at the other end.

Abstract: An aerodynamic seal assembly for a rotary machine is provided. The assembly includes multiple sealing device segments disposed circumferentially intermediate to a stationary housing and a rotor. Each of the segments includes a shoe plate with a forward-shoe section and an aft-shoe section having multiple labyrinth teeth therebetween facing the rotor. The shoe plate is configured to allow a high pressure fluid to a front portion of the plurality of the labyrinth teeth and a low pressure fluid behind the plurality of the labyrinth teeth and further configured to generate an aerodynamic force between the shoe plate and the rotor. The sealing device segment also includes multiple bellow springs or flexures connected to the shoe plate and to a top interface element, wherein the multiple bellow springs or flexures are configured to allow the high pressure fluid to occupy a forward cavity and the low pressure fluid to occupy an aft cavity.

Abstract: The present application provides an aerodynamic seal assembly for use with a turbo-machine. The aerodynamic seal assembly may include a number of springs, a shoe connected to the springs, and a secondary seal positioned about the springs and the shoe.