Abstract: A turbine engine has a rotor shaft rotatably carried within a non-rotating support structure. A seal is carried by the support structure circumscribing the shaft and having a flexible sealing element for sealing with the shaft. A chamber is located between the seal and support structure. A fluid is carried within the chamber and damps radial excursion of a seal axis from a support structure axis. The seal may be a full annulus or may be segmented. The fluid may be contained within one or more elastomeric bladders.

Abstract: A turbine engine has a rotor shaft rotatably carried within a support structure. A seal is carried by the support structure circumscribing the shaft and having a brushpack for sealing with the shaft. A first plate on a first side of the brushpack has a first radial clearance from the rotor shaft. A rubplate has a radial clearance from the rotor shaft that is less than the first radial clearance when the seal and rotor are coaxial.

Abstract: A brush seal, comprising: a bristle arrangement having a retention section; a pair of plates flanking the bristle arrangement and having a clamping section to frictionally engage the retention section. The clamping section allows movement of the retention section before the plates are secured together, to place the bristle arrangement at a desired position between the plates, and prevents movement of the retention section after the plates are secured together.

Abstract: A brush seal assembly for sealing a gap between a first component and a second component, comprising: a body; bristles extending from the body; and an extension from the body, the extension having an elongated slot therein. The slot, when the brush seal assembly mounts between the first and second components, allows the brush seal assembly to float within the gap. An axial brush seal assembly, comprising: a body; bristles extending from the body; and means for allowing movement of the brush seal assembly in an axial direction within the gap. An apparatus, comprising: a first component; a second component spaced from the first component in an axial direction; and an axial brush seal assembly movably mounted between the first and second components. The brush seal assembly can move in said axial direction.

Abstract: A brush seal adapted to restrict a fluid flow through a gap between a first component and a second component, comprising: a body; a brush pack secured to said body; and a passage through said body for introducing a cooling flow to said gap. The passage has a first end that is exposed to the gap and a second end that is not exposed to the gap. The passage discharges a cooling flow to said brush seal, the cooling flow being discrete from the fluid flow.

Abstract: The present invention relates to replaceable brush seal assemblies for use with turbines such as industrial gas turbines. In accordance with the present invention, a brush seal assembly comprises a flange, a brush seal mounted to the flange, and retainers preventing rotation of the brush seal relative to the flange. A method of repairing a brush seal having a back plate, side plate, and bristles is also disclosed. The method comprises the steps of removing the side plate and the bristles from the back plate, and securing a second brush seal to the back plate.

Abstract: A brush seal for installation in an apparatus having features for securing the brush seal, the brush seal comprising: a side plate; a back plate; and a bristle arrangement secured between the side plate and the back plate. The features of the apparatus act as the side plate and the back plate of the brush seal. A method of installing a brush seal in an apparatus, comprising the steps of: providing an apparatus with features for securing the brush seal thereto; providing a bristle arrangement; and securing the bristle arrangement to the features. The features act as a back plate and a side plate for the bristle arrangement.

Abstract: A brush seal, comprising: a side plate; a back plate; and a bristle arrangement between the side plate and back plate. At least a portion of the back plate is made from a material that tends not to burr when contacting a rotating component. The bristle arrangement could include a plurality of bristles secured together by a joint. The entire back plate could be made from the low coefficient of friction or low wear rate material. In addition, the side plate could also be made from the low coefficient of friction or low wear rate material. The material allows a reduced clearance between the brush seal and the component engaged by the brush seal.

Abstract: A brush seal, comprising: a bristle arrangement with a plurality of bristles; and a joint securing the bristles together; plates flanking the bristle arrangement; and a feature on the plates to receive the joint. A brush seal, comprising: a plurality of bristles, each having a first end and an opposed second end; and plates receiving the bristles therebetween, each having a first end and a second end. The first ends of the bristles extend past the first end of the plates and the second ends of the bristles reside between the first and second ends of the plates. A method of repairing a brush seal, comprising the steps of: providing a brush seal having a bristle arrangement secured between plates; removing the bristle arrangement from the plates; providing a replacement bristle arrangement; and placing said replacement bristle arrangement between the plates.

Abstract: A kit for making brush seals, comprising: plates for a brush seal of a first size; plates for a brush seal of a second size different than the first size; and bristle arrangements compatible with the first size but not the second size. The bristle arrangements become compatible with the second size by removing a section from, or adding a section to, said bristle arrangements. A method of reworking a bristle arrangement for a brush seal, comprising the steps of: providing a bristle arrangement; removing a section from the bristle arrangement; and adding a replacement section to the bristle arrangement.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved spillstrip and packing rings, and packing ring segments employing novel brush elements for use in forming seals in axial flow elastic fluid machines, and compressor and turbine machines containing the same.