Abstract: The present invention describes a ring fastener (10) comprising a discontinuous band (11) having a first end (14) and a second end (16). The first end (14) comprises a pair of spaced-apart elongate finger members (15a,15b) (having a first finger member (15a) and a second finger member (15b)), and the second end (16) comprises an elongate tongue member (17). The finger members (15a,15b) and the tongue member (17) are interlockable, such that when interlocked, the band (11) comprises a continuous circumference. The ring fastener (10) further comprises a closed configuration wherein the finger members (15a,15b) and the tongue member (17) are substantially aligned with a circumferential surface (13) of the band (11); and an open configuration wherein the first finger member (15a) is radially and/or axially deflected from its substantially aligned position, so that it is angled with respect to the circumferential surface (13) of the band (11).

Abstract: A leaf seal assembly 10? is disclosed for use in a gap between a rotating component 1 and a stationary component 2, for example of a turbo-machine. The leaf seal assembly 10 comprises at least one leaf seal 20? having a generally planar surface. A runner 50? is coupled to a distal end of the least one leaf seal 20?. The at least one leaf seal 20? maintains the runner 50? in a first position away from the rotating component 1 in an unpressurised inoperative state. The runner 50? moves to a second position, close to, but not contacting, the rotating component 1 in a pressurised operative state. In some embodiments the at least one leaf seal is angled in the direction of the flow. In some embodiments a first leaf seal is vented. In some embodiments the leaf seal assembly is segmented. In some embodiments the runner comprises segments having a radial thickness which varies circumferentially.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for forming multi-filament tufts for use in a brush seal includes a support (14) for retaining an end of a skein (16) of aligned wires or fibers and a glue reservoir (15) dimensioned to receive the skein end. The support (14) and the reservoir (15) being relatively movable whereby the end can be inserted in the glue reservoir (15) so that the adhesive can adhere the wires or fibers at the end to form the tuft. A cutter (13) is also provided for cutting the wires or fibers to length after the wires and fibers are retained by the support (14).

Abstract: This invention relates to a seal for sealing between a stator and rotor, including a generally annular carrier, an array of adjacent leaves mounted in the annular carrier for sealing between the stator and the rotor with their panes lying parallel to the axis of the carrier and front and back plates disposed on respective axial sides of the leaves, characterized in the front and back plates have one or more apertures dimensioned for providing a substantially symmetric pressure drop across the leaves.

Abstract: A brush seal including a bristle pack mounted in a holder, and having a free end for sealing with a member, a front plate for lying on a high pressure side of the seal and extending part way along the length of the bristle pack to a free end being spaced from the bristle pack characterised in that the front plate is formed for or carries a formation for reducing the influence of swirling fluid on the high pressure side on the bristle pack.

Abstract: A brush seal assembly including a pair of annular plates defining an annular slot between them and a radially outer chamber opening into the slot; and an annular brush seal having bristles and an enlarged portion at its outer periphery formed by welding the bristles together, the brush seal extending through the slot with its enlarged portion retained in the chamber wherein at least a portion of one of the plates has an extension thereof which is deformed over the other plate to hold the plates together to form the assembly characterized in that one of the plates has a flat face in the region of the slot.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of forming brush seals and to brush seals themselves. Thus a back plate 10, which defines an anchor recess 11, a reservoir recess 12 and a land 13 is laid horizontally. A bristle pack 14 is then laid on top of the back plate 10, so that one end 15 overlies a recess 11 and the other, 16, projects beyond the land 13. The bristles are then clamped in position by clamp 21 and epoxy resin is poured into the recess 11 as indicated by the arrows. A mold is introduced over the recess. Once the resin is cured, the mold can be removed and it will be noted that excess epoxy resin has fallen into the recess 12 preventing resin wicking beyond the land 13 and interfering with the performance of the bristles.

Abstract: This invention relates to a seal for sealing between a stator and rotor, including a generally annular carrier, an array of adjacent leaves mounted in the annular carrier for sealing between the stator and the rotor with their panes lying parallel to the axis of the carrier and front and back plates disposed on respective axial sides of the leaves, characterised in the front and back plates have one or more apertures dimensioned for providing a substantially symmetric pressure drop across the leaves.

Abstract: This invention relates to a seal for sealing between a stator and rotor, including a generally annular carrier (11), an array of adjacent leaves (12) mounted in the annular carrier for sealing between the stator and the rotor with their panes lying parallel to the axis of the carrier and front and back plates (15, 16) disposed on respective axial sides of the leaves, characterized in the front and back plates (15, 16) have one or more apertures (17, 18) dimensioned for providing a substantially symmetric pressure drop across the leaves.

Abstract: A brush seal assembly including a pair of annular plates defining an annular slot between them and a radially outer chamber opening into the slot; and an annular brush seal having bristles and an enlarged portion at its outer periphery formed by welding the bristles together, the brush seal extending through the slot with its enlarged portion retained in the chamber wherein at least a portion of one of the plates has an extension thereof which is deformed over the other plate to hold the plates together to form the assembly characterized in that one of the plates has a flat face in the region of the slot.

Abstract: A brush seal including a bristle pack mounted in a holder, and having a free end for sealing with a member, a front plate for lying on a high pressure side of the seal and extending part way along the length of the bristle pack to a free end being spaced from the bristle pack characterized in that the front plate is formed for or carries a formation for reducing the influence of swirling fluid on the high pressure side on the bristle pack.

Abstract: A brush seal assembly including a pair of annular plates (11,12) defining an annular slot (14) between them and a radially outer chamber (15) opening into the slot (14); and an annular brush seal (13) having bristles (16) and an enlarged portion (17) at its outer periphery formed by welding the bristles (16) together, the brush seal (13) extending through the slot (14) with its enlarged portion (17) retained in the chamber (15) wherein at least a portion of one of the plates (11, 12) has an extension thereof which is deformed over the other plate (11, 12) to hold the plates (11, 12) together to form the assembly characterised in that one of the plates (12) has a flat face in the region of the slot (14).

Abstract: The apparatus, which can be used in aspirating face seals or thrust bearings, spaces two relatively rotatable facing surfaces in use by entraining gas between the surfaces. The apparatus includes a first portion (1) defining a generally frusto-conical surface (3); a second portion (2) defining at least one flat surface disposed adjacent the first portion so that the two surfaces face each other and define at least one point of closest engagement between the surfaces, with diverging gaps extending between the surfaces on either side of a plane which contains the point or points of closest engagement and which extends generally orthogonal to the direction of relative rotation, and a device (4) for biasing the flat surface towards the frusto-conical surface to maintain the gaps within a predetermined dimensional range.

Abstract: A jet pipe assembly containing at least one joint provided with a seal assembly to isolate, substantially, the fluid flowing in the pipe from the fluid external to the pipe. The dynamic member of the seal assembly is provided with both radial and cylindrical sealing surfaces.

Abstract: A magnetic separator includes a chamber 11 having inlets and outlets 12, 13 which together define a flow path 14. Axially extending tubes 15 are disposed in an array around the cross-section of the chamber 11 and the perforated baffle plate 18 divides the chamber 11 into top and bottom components 16, 17. Each tube contains a magnetic shuffle 19, which can be moved up and down the tube between separator and release positions using a pneumatic control system.

Abstract: A brush seal element is disclosed that includes an array of bristles and a backing member. The array of bristles extends across the face of the backing member and at least part of the surface of the face of the backing member is formed of or covered by a material which is tribologically matched, with at least the material of the bristles immediately adjacent the face. This allows the bristles to move on the material without inappropriate wear.

Abstract: A jet pipe assembly containing at least one joint provided with a seal assembly to isolate, substantially, the fluid flowing in the pipe from the fluid external to the pipe. The dynamic member of the seal assembly is provided with both radial and cylindrical sealing surfaces.

Abstract: A method of assembly a brush seal between two components having confronting adjacent surfaces, such as the stator and rotor of a gas turbine, comprises providing a slot in one of the components which slot opens through the confronting surface of that component to face the other component. A flexible brush seal element having a plurality of metallic bristles is pushed into the slot so that the free ends of the bristles project from said surface of the one component. The element is then held in position in the slot by means of an anchoring strip pushed into the slot so as to bear on a wall thereof and also on the brush seal element, the anchoring strip typically being of a malleable metal.

Abstract: A brush seal assembly for effecting a seal between two relatively movable machine components has a carrier for moving on one component (12) and having two spaced rows (16 and 17) of bristles projecting towards the surface of the other component (11) to be sealed to said one component (12). Backing plates (18 and 19) are provided on the low pressure side of each row (17 and 18) of bristles respectively. The physical characteristics of the bristles of each row are selected to share the total pressure drop between the two rows of bristles, and preferably to be equally shared.

Abstract: This invention relates to monitoring apparatus and, in particular, but not exclusively to such apparatus for use in association with mains water supply facilities. A water works 10 has a water main 12, in which is located a filtration unit 13 having a filter 17. A pressure transducer 17a monitors the pressure drop across the filter 17 to initiate backwash. The conditions of backwash are monitored by a control unit 20 which operates valves 21 to 24 so that when abnormal conditions are detected a sample of the backwash fluid can be captured in reservoirs 25 to 27 in accordance with the degree of abnormality.