Abstract: One method empirically determines a stiffness value for each of two or more different subsets of the bristles of a brush seal, then calculates a variation in stiffness, and then identifies the brush seal as defective if the calculated variation in stiffness exceeds a predetermined stiffness variation criteria. One apparatus includes a load transducer having a contact head sized to contact less than twenty percent of the bristles, a displacement transducer which measures the displacement of the free ends of the contacted bristles, and a clamp for securing the brush seal and presenting the bristles for contact.

Abstract: A fuel nozzle centering assembly and method employ bodies of a substantially wearable and sacrificial material mounted to an outer periphery of a tip of a burner fuel nozzle for a gas turbine combustor. The tip of the fuel nozzle extends through an opening of an annular collar attached to a liner of a main combustion chamber of the gas turbine combustor and an outer periphery of the tip is disposed radially inwardly from the annular collar such that the bodies of sacrificial material are disposed between the outer periphery of the fuel nozzle tip and the annular collar of the liner and space the fuel nozzle tip from the liner collar. The bodies of material prevent the fuel nozzle tip from contacting the liner collar during assembling of the fuel nozzle into the liner.

Abstract: A seal assembly and a rotary machine, such as a steam turbine, containing the seal assembly. A casing circumferentially surrounds a rotor and includes a circumferential channel open to the rotor. Seal segments are circumferentially arrayed in the channel and are movable between radially inward and outward positions. Circumferentially adjacent seal segments have circumferentially opposing surface grooves. A resilient and imperforate member is engaged in the grooves of circumferentially-adjacent seal segments circumferentially urging apart such segments and providing sealing between such segments.