Abstract: A seal carrier is provided for a rotary machine wherein the seal carrier comprises a packing ring coupled to a seal and wherein the packing ring comprises a channel disposed therein. In addition, a displacement apparatus is disposed in the channel for radially positioning the seal to control a flow of a fluid in a fluid path.

Abstract: An insert assembly is provided for a rotary machine wherein the rotary machine comprises a rotor and a casing. The rotor comprises a generally longitudinally-extending axis. The casing is generally coaxially aligned with the axis. The casing circumferentially surrounds and is radially spaced apart from the rotor. The insert assembly comprises a channel circumferentially disposed on the rotor and an insert circumferentially disposed in such channel such that the insert assembly is configured to thermally isolate frictional heat from the rotor to the insert.

Abstract: In a steam turbine, a combined brush and labyrinth seal is provided between a diaphragm web and a sealing surface on a rotatable component radially outwardly of the rotor surface. The contact between the brush seal and sealing surface lies along an axially upstream projecting flange of an annular platform such that heat generated by frictional contact between the bristles and the sealing surface has minimal effect on the rotor surface and hence rotor dynamics. A backup labyrinth seal is provided between the web and platform. Additionally, axially upstream projecting flanges are provided on the downstream buckets and which flanges are spaced radially outwardly of the rotor surface and lie in registration with the diaphragm web. Labyrinth teeth seal between the diaphragm web and the bucket flanges serving as a backup seal.

Abstract: In a steam turbine, a combined brush and labyrinth seal is provided between a diaphragm web and a radially outwardly projecting platform between axially adjacent wheels on the rotor. The brush seal is located upstream of the labyrinth seal teeth. The platform has at least one and preferably a pair of flanges or fins projecting in opposite axial directions adjacent radial outer ends of the platform. Non-uniform heat distribution resulting from the frictional contact between the bristles of the brush seal and a sealing surface on the platform along the rotor surface affecting rotor dynamics is thereby eliminated or minimized.

Abstract: A steam turbine has a rotor mounting axially spaced rotor wheels having male dovetails for mounting a plurality of axially spaced buckets having female dovetails. A plurality of arcuate bridging members extend axially between the axially adjacent bucket dovetails at locations spaced radially outwardly of the surface of the rotor shaft. A diaphragm in radial opposition to the bridging member mounts a brush seal having bristles engaging the bridging member. The bridging member carries backup labyrinth seal teeth for sealing with the diaphragm. The friction generated by contact between the brush seal bristles and bridging members lies radially outwardly of the rotor whereby non-uniform distribution of heat about the rotor surface due to frictional contact with the brush seal is avoided, with consequent avoidance of rotor bowing.

Abstract: A steam turbine has a rotor mounting axially spaced rotor wheels having male dovetails for mounting a plurality of axially spaced buckets having female dovetails. A plurality of arcuate bridging members extend axially between the axially adjacent bucket dovetails at locations spaced radially outwardly of the surface of the rotor shaft. A diaphragm in radial opposition to the bridging member mounts a brush seal having bristles engaging the bridging member. The bridging member carries backup labyrinth seal teeth for sealing with the diaphragm. The friction generated by contact between the brush seal bristles and bridging members lies radially outwardly of the rotor whereby non-uniform distribution of heat about the rotor surface due to frictional contact with the brush seal is avoided, with consequent avoidance of rotor bowing.

Abstract: A plurality of packing ring segments are provided in a stationary component and about a rotating shaft. Each packing ring segment includes a brush seal insert and a plurality of labyrinth seal teeth along a concave sealing face thereof. Each segment is formed of a pair of components which, in assembly, have a split line through a slot receiving the brush seal insert. The brush seal insert includes a pair of narrow strips or rods welded to outer ends of the bristle pack and is bendable to a range of diameters. By forming forward and backing surfaces defining the slot integral with the components, the width of the bristle slot and the gap between the bristle pack and the forward surface can be readily manufactured and obtained.

Abstract: In a steam turbine, a combined brush and labyrinth seal is provided between a diaphragm web and a sealing surface on a rotatable component radially outwardly of the rotor surface. The contact between the brush seal and sealing surface lies along an axially upstream projecting flange of an annular platform such that heat generated by frictional contact between the bristles and the sealing surface has minimal effect on the rotor surface and hence rotor dynamics. A backup labyrinth seal is provided between the web and platform. Additionally, axially upstream projecting flanges are provided on the downstream buckets and which flanges are spaced radially outwardly of the rotor surface and lie in registration with the diaphragm web. Labyrinth teeth seal between the diaphragm web and the bucket flanges serving as a backup seal.

Abstract: A plurality of packing ring segments are provided in a stationary component and about a rotating shaft. Each packing ring segment includes a brush seal insert and a plurality of labyrinth seal teeth along a concave sealing face thereof. Each segment is formed of a pair of components which, in assembly, have a split line through a slot receiving the brush seal insert. The brush seal insert includes a pair of narrow strips or rods welded to outer ends of the bristle pack and is bendable to a range of diameters. By forming forward and backing surfaces defining the slot integral with the components, the width of the bristle slot and the gap between the bristle pack and the forward surface can be readily manufactured and obtained.

Abstract: A brush seal segment includes a plurality of bristles disposed between a pair of backing plates. The bristles are welded to one another adjacent their proximal ends and to the edges of the backing plates remote from the bristle tips. An end plate is welded to the end faces of the backing plates at each of the opposite ends of the segment. Each end plate terminates at approximately one-half the length of the bristles along the end face to prevent the bristles from bending circumferentially and axially during handling while maintaining substantially uniform flexibility of the bristles throughout the entire length of the segment.

Abstract: A diaphragm has an annular groove formed of deep and shallow grooves with the deep groove opening into the shallow groove. A combination spill strip/brush seal is disposed in the groove. The brush seal comprises a pair of flexible bars secured to the proximal ends of the brush bristles by welding and is received in the shallow groove and a recess in an axial face of the spill strip. The spill strip has base portions extending into the deep groove. The combination spill strip/brush seal is secured in the annular groove by peening material of the diaphragm into the spill strip/brush seal combination. The brush seal may be used with different diameters of spill strips and diaphragm grooves.

Abstract: A diaphragm has an annular groove formed of deep and shallow grooves with the deep groove opening into the shallow groove. A combination spill strip/brush seal is disposed in the groove. The brush seal comprises a pair of flexible bars secured to the proximal ends of the brush bristles by welding and is received in the shallow groove and a recess in an axial face of the spill strip. The spill strip has base portions extending into the deep groove. The combination spill strip/brush seal is secured in the annular groove by peening material of the diaphragm into the spill strip/brush seal combination. The brush seal may be used with different diameters of spill strips and diaphragm grooves.

Abstract: A method for making a brush-tooth seal, such as a brush-tooth seal which is attachable to a turbine stator, includes obtaining a seal carrier having a groove and having seal teeth and obtaining a brush seal having bristles with tips. The brush seal is engaged in the groove and then attached to the seal carrier. Then, the tips of the bristles of the attached and engaged brush seal are cut, such as with an electric discharge machining (EDM) wire, at a predetermined distance from the longitudinal axis of the seal carrier.

Abstract: An arrangement and method for accurately radially locating a brush seal relative to a rotor provides a labyrinth seal segment having a slot open toward the rotor and defining an interior ledge facing away from the rotor, a brush seal segment inserted in the slot and having an exterior shoulder facing toward the rotor and overlying the interior ledge of the labyrinth seal segment such that the brush seal segment can move radially relative to the labyrinth seal segment and rotor and the shoulder of the brush seal segment can move toward and away from the interior ledge of the labyrinth seal segment, and set screws tightened into spaced apart threaded holes in the labyrinth seal segment forcing the shoulder of the brush seal segment against the ledge of the labyrinth seal segment so as to prevent radial floating of the brush seal segment relative to the labyrinth seal segment.

Abstract: A number of sealing segments 20 mounts a brush seal about a rotor. The tips of the brush seal 46 are maintained out of contact with the rotor surface throughout the entire operating range of the turbomachinery. Thus, the increase in temperature resultant from rubs between the bristle tips and the rotor 12 which effectively increase vibrations of the turbomachinery are eliminated. Brush seals are therefore maintained out of contact with the rotor throughout the entire operating range of the turbomachinery and thus do not affect the dynamic behavior of the rotor.

Abstract: Brush seals are employed on steam turbine rotors without the risk of causing thermal rotor bowing and without compromising the sealing performance. In one form, a groove in the rotor has an insert in frictional contact with the brush seal. The non-uniform distribution of heat due to frictional contact between the brush seal and proud portions of the rotor is dissipated within the insert such that adjoining rotor portions are substantially uniformly heated without causing thermal bow. In a further form, a groove or grooves are provided in the rotor surface adjacent to the brush seal and maintain non-uniform heat distribution locally in the rotor without causing thermal bow of the rotor. In another form, a land projects radially outwardly of the rotor surface in contact with the brush seal. The non-uniform distribution of heat due to frictional contact between proud portions of the land and the brush seal dissipates into a uniform distribution of heat in the rotor proper to avoid thermal bowing.

Abstract: A brush seal is mounted between rotary and stationary components in a flow stream having solid particles. A gap is formed through the brush seal bristles and a deflector plate is disposed to catch and deflect solid particles on the upstream side of the brush seal to direct the particles through the gap to the downstream side of the brush seal. In this manner, the solid particles of the flow stream do not erode or otherwise deteriorate the brush seal bristles or ancillary parts of the brush seal. The deflector plates may be directed axially upstream, at an angle to a plane passing through the brush seal or may comprise an arcuate configuration directed upstream.