Abstract: A first process is provided for forming a stack of leaves for use in a leaf seal which effects a seal between two components. Corresponding processes are provided for forming a leaf-spacer pair and then for forming a stack of leaves from such pairs. Each leaf of the stack has a leaf section which maintains wiping contact with one of the components and a root section which is fixed relative to the other component and from which the leaf section extends. The stack includes a plurality of spacers which interpose between the root sections.

Abstract: Described is a leaf seal for sealing between a static component and a relatively rotating component having an axis of rotation, the leaf seal defining axially separated higher pressure upstream and lower pressure downstream areas within the static component when in use, the leaf seal comprising: a plurality of leaf elements having: a root end for attachment to the static component; a free end for wiping contact with the rotating component; an upstream edge extending from the root end to the free end; and, a downstream edge extending from the root end to the free end, wherein the leaf element width between the upstream edge and downstream edge at the root end is a, and width between the upstream edge and the downstream edge at the free end is b, where b<0.5?.

Abstract: A method of forming a seal for effecting a seal between two, coaxial, relatively rotating components is provided. The seal has an annular pack of elongate flexible members. The pack is mountable to a first one of the components at the root portions of the flexible members and extending towards the other component. End portions of the flexible members are presented for wiping contact with the other component. The method includes the steps of: (i) forming a plurality of pack segments, wherein each segment contains a respective subset of the flexible members of the annular pack, and wherein the end portions of the flexible members of each subset, when viewed in the axial direction of the seal, lie on a straight line; and (ii) assembling the pack segments in a substantially circular pack holder such that each pack segment forms a respective angular sector of the annular pack.

Abstract: An annular brush seal is disclosed including first and second annular clamp plates, each clamp plate including an opposed annular clamping surface, and a pack of radially extending bristles clamped between the clamping surfaces of the clamp plates. The clamping surface of at least one of the clamp plates is profiled, such that a separation between the clamping surfaces increases with decreasing radius. A brush seal is also disclosed including first and second clamp plates, each clamp plate including an opposed clamping surface, and a bristle pack clamped between the clamping surfaces of the clamp plates, wherein the clamping surface of at least one of the clamp plates includes a linear surface feature extending across the clamping surface and causing a step change in the profile of the clamping surface.

Abstract: A first process is provided for forming a stack of leaves for use in a leaf seal which effects a seal between two components. Corresponding processes are provided for forming a leaf-spacer pair and then for forming a stack of leaves from such pairs. Each leaf of the stack has a leaf section which maintains wiping contact with one of the components and a root section which is fixed relative to the other component and from which the leaf section extends. The stack includes a plurality of spacers which interpose between the root sections.

Abstract: A process is provided for forming a leaf-spacer pair for use in a leaf seal which effects a seal between two components. The process includes the steps of: (a) providing a leaf section which maintains, in the leaf seal, wiping contact with one of the components, and a root section from which the leaf section extends and which, in the leaf seal, is fixed relative to the other component, the leaf section and the root section being formed from a first sheet of material of substantially uniform thickness; (b) providing a spacer formed from a second sheet of material, the spacer being physically separate from the leaf section and the root section; and (c) fastening the spacer to the root section to form a leaf-spacer pair in which the spacer overlays the root section and remains fixed relative thereto on handling of the leaf-spacer pair.

Abstract: A seal for sealing between two component parts permits a leakage flow of fluid from an upstream side of the seal to a downstream side of the seal. The seal has a jet-producing formation which produces one or more fluid jets that impinge on and thereby restrict the leakage flow.

Abstract: A compliant seal assembly having a seal pack carrier having an upstream face and a downstream face that defines a slot, and a seal pack having an upstream face and a downstream face slideably mounted within the slot. The seal pack carrier and the seal pack contact each other and form a high-pressure plenum and a low-pressure plenum. The compliant seal assembly also includes a first passage with a first and second opening and a second opening with a first and second opening. The first opening of the first passage is located at the upstream face of the seal pack carrier, and the second opening of the first passage communicates with the high pressure plenum. The first opening of the second passage is located at the downstream face of the seal pack carrier, and the second opening of the second passage communicates with the low-pressure plenum.

Abstract: This invention provides a segmented annular seal (10) the sealing leakage gaps between relatively movable components 14,16 between high and low pressure regions in a gas turbine engine, for example for sealing an engine shaft 16. The seal comprises an annular array of circumferentially spaced and radially movable arcuate seal segments (12) which extend in a continuous end to end relationship in annular housing (14) and project radially from the housing for effecting a seal against an engine shaft (16), rotor or the like. The segments (12) are located in a channel (22) in the housing (14) sized such that the segments (12) are able to follow radial movements of the shaft (16). In order to reduce an axial loading on the segments (12) that ends to cause them to seize a pressure balance region (30) vented to the upstream pressure region is formed on the downstream side of the segments (12).

Abstract: This invention provides a segmented annular seal (10) the sealing leakage gaps between relatively movable components 14,16 between high and low pressure regions in a gas turbine engine, for example for sealing an engine shaft 16. The seal comprises an annular array of circumferentially spaced and radially movable arcuate seal segments (12) which extend in a continuous end to end relationship in annular housing (14) and project radially from the housing for effecting a seal against an engine shaft (16), rotor or the like. The segments (12) are located in a channel (22) in the housing (14) sized such that the segments (12) are able to follow radial movements of the shaft (16). In order to reduce an axial loading on the segments (12) that ends to cause them to seize a pressure balance region (30) vented to the upstream pressure region is formed on the downstream side of the segments (12).