Abstract: This disclosure is directed to seal assemblies for a turbomachine. The seal assemblies include stationary and rotating components and at least one interface between the stationary and rotating components. In some examples, seal assembly includes a runner coupled to a rotating shaft and a sealing element coupled to a stationary engine housing. The seal assembly can also include a spring element located between the sealing element and the stationary engine housing, which allows the relative position between the runner and the sealing element to be adjusted while the turbomachine engine is in operation. Some seal assemblies include damping elements positioned between the sealing element and the fixed engine housing to slow the motion of the sealing element relative to the runner to reduce the risk of inadvertent contact between the runner and the sealing element.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to seal assemblies for a turbomachine. The seal assemblies include stationary and rotating components and at least one interface between the stationary and rotating components. In some examples, seal assembly includes an oleophilic coating disposed between the stationary and rotating components. The seal assembly may include a surface texture to enhance the oleophilicity of the surface coating disposed between the stationary and rotating components. In other examples, the seal assembly includes an oleophobic coating disposed between the stationary and rotating components. The seal assembly may include a surface texture to enhance the oleophobicity of the surface coating. During operation, the oleophilic seal assembly features retain lubricant between the stationary and rotating components and the oleophobic seal assembly features inhibit the escape of lubricant from the contact regions between the stationary and rotating components.

Abstract: A labyrinth seal including: an annular seal body having an inner wall and an outer wall spaced apart from one another by an annulus; a nested dampener system disposed along the outer wall, the nested dampener system including: a first dampening element; and a second dampening element, wherein opposite axial ends of the nested dampener system are defined by the first dampening element, and wherein the second dampening element is disposed outside of at least a portion of the first dampening element in a radial direction.

Abstract: A labyrinth seal including: an annular seal body having an inner wall and an outer wall spaced apart from one another by an annulus; a nested dampener system disposed along the outer wall, the nested dampener system including: a first dampening element; and a second dampening element, wherein opposite axial ends of the nested dampener system are defined by the first dampening element, and wherein the second dampening element is disposed outside of at least a portion of the first dampening element in a radial direction.

Abstract: A seal assembly for a turbomachine. The turbomachine includes a rotating shaft extending along a centerline and a fixed housing positioned exterior to the rotating shaft in a radial direction relative to the centerline. The seal assembly includes a sump housing at least partially defining a bearing compartment for holding a cooling lubricant. The seal assembly further includes a bearing supporting the rotating shaft. In addition, the seal assembly also includes a sump seal at least partially defining the bearing compartment. A pressurized housing of the seal assembly is positioned exterior to the sump housing and defines a pressurized compartment to at least partially enclose the sump housing. Further, a non-contacting carbon seal is positioned between the rotating shaft and the fixed housing to at least partially define the pressurized compartment to enclose the sump housing.

Abstract: A seal assembly for a turbomachine. The turbomachine includes a rotating shaft extending along a centerline and a fixed housing positioned exterior to the rotating shaft in a radial direction relative to the centerline. The seal assembly includes a sump housing at least partially defining a bearing compartment for holding a cooling lubricant. The seal assembly further includes a bearing supporting the rotating shaft. In addition, the seal assembly also includes a sump seal at least partially defining the bearing compartment. A pressurized housing of the seal assembly is positioned exterior to the sump housing and defines a pressurized compartment to at least partially enclose the sump housing. Further, a non-contacting carbon seal is positioned between the rotating shaft and the fixed housing to at least partially define the pressurized compartment to enclose the sump housing.

Abstract: A fiber-optic based thrust load measurement system is coupled to a bearing housing. The measurement system includes at least one fiber optic sensor configured to detect one or more parameters related to the bearing housing. An optical coupler is configured to regulate light signals emitted from a light source and light signals reflected from the fiber optic sensor. A detector system is configured to receive light signals from the optical coupler. A processor is configured to receive an output from the detector system and to determine a thrust load on a thrust bearing based on the detected one or more parameters related to the bearing housing.

Abstract: A fiber-optic based thrust load measurement system is coupled to a bearing housing. The measurement system includes at least one fiber optic sensor configured to detect one or more parameters related to the bearing housing. An optical coupler is configured to regulate light signals emitted from a light source and light signals reflected from the fiber optic sensor. A detector system is configured to receive light signals from the optical coupler. A processor is configured to receive an output from the detector system and to determine a thrust load on a thrust bearing based on the detected one or more parameters related to the bearing housing.