Abstract: A brush seal for use with a housing and sealing a high pressure area from a low pressure area is provided. In an embodiment, the brush seal includes a retainer and a plurality of bristles. The retainer is comprised of a thermally-sensitive material having a thermal expansion rate. The bristles are connected to and extend from the retainer. In an embodiment, the retainer is not fixedly connected to the housing, and the thermal expansion rate of the retainer is greater than the thermal expansion rate of a portion of the housing adjacent the retainer. In another embodiment, a joint associated with a plurality of bristles is permitted to move into a headspace provided above the joint. A method for making a control-gap brush seal assembly for use in connection with a shaft is also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-stage brush seal and assembly for sealing a circumferential gap with respect to a sealed component is disclosed. The brush seal includes a first stage including a first plurality of bristles and a second stage including a second plurality of bristles. In an embodiment, the first stage is configured with an initial first-stage clearance and seals said sealed component at high pressure and low pressure conditions, and the second stage is configured to have an initial second-stage clearance greater than the initial first-stage clearance so that the second stage does not seal said sealed component at the low pressure condition but is configured to be activated by a blow-down effect to seal said sealed component at the high pressure condition. In embodiments the brush seal includes features to enhance or reduce pressure blow-down with respect to the first-stage clearance.

Abstract: A brush seal for use with a housing and sealing a high pressure area from a low pressure area is provided. In an embodiment, the brush seal includes a retainer and a plurality of bristles. The retainer is comprised of a thermally-sensitive material having a thermal expansion rate. The bristles are connected to and extend from the retainer. In an embodiment, the retainer is not fixedly connected to the housing, and the thermal expansion rate of the retainer is greater than the thermal expansion rate of a portion of the housing adjacent the retainer. In another embodiment, a joint associated with a plurality of bristles is permitted to move into a headspace provided above the joint. A method for making a control-gap brush seal assembly for use in connection with a shaft is also disclosed.