Abstract: A combined labyrinth/brush seal is provided in a seal between rotating and stationary components. The seal includes a plurality of arcuate sealing segments, each having one or more labyrinth teeth extending radially toward the surface of the rotating component. As original equipment or retrofit, a brush seal is provided among the labyrinth teeth in a slot formed in the sealing face of the seal segment. In one form, backing and/or forward plates for the brush seal have a tongue extending into an axially extending groove of the seal segments to prevent relative radial movement of the brush seal and seal ring segments. The end faces of the brush seal and seal ring segments may be bored and filled with weld material to prevent relative circumferential movement. Where a single radially extending slot is provided in the sealing ring segment, the brush seal may be stitch-welded to the seal ring segment along opposite sides of the brush seal.

Abstract: A combined labyrinth/brush seal is provided in a seal between rotating and stationary components. The seal includes a plurality of arcuate sealing segments, each having one or more labyrinth teeth extending radially toward the surface of the rotating component. As original equipment or retrofit, a brush seal is provided among the labyrinth teeth in a slot formed in the sealing face of the seal segment. In one form, backing and/or forward plates for the brush seal have a tongue extending into an axially extending groove of the seal segments to prevent relative radial movement of the brush seal and seal ring segments. The end faces of the brush seal and seal ring segments may be bored and filled with weld material to prevent relative circumferential movement. Where a single radially extending slot is provided in the sealing ring segment, the brush seal may be stitch-welded to the seal ring segment along opposite sides of the brush seal.

Abstract: In a turbine construction which includes a rotor having at least one radial step formed therein, and at least one packing ring assembly mounted in a stationary turbine component and axially spanning the radial step, a thrust balancing arrangement for the rotor which includes an axial passage in the stationary component extending from a high pressure side of the stationary component and in fluid communication with an area adjacent the radial step on the rotor. A removable restrictor in the passage permits adjustment of the step thrust.

Abstract: A hybrid seal segment and a rotary machine (such as a steam or gas turbine) containing such hybrid seal segment. The machine has a rotor, a stator casing, and the hybrid seal segment. The annular hybrid seal segment has a circumferentially-extending channel between axially-spaced-apart first and second labyrinth-seal segments which are attached to a radially-outwardly located mounting block which is circumferentially offset from the labyrinth-seal segments. A brush-seal segment is positioned in the channel.

Abstract: A rotary machine has a stationary component with circumferential grooves and a rotatable component, as well as annular sealing segments movable toward and away from the rotating component. To prevent circumferential displacement of the lower side annular segments by gravity forces and enable the lowermost segment in the lower housing to be moved radially inwardly, the side segments of the lower housing are supported adjacent the casing midline in a manner preventing downward movement and enabling radial inward and outward movement. Generally Z-shaped clips are disposed in the dovetail groove of the stationary component with the tab at the upper end of the clip engaging a stop on the stationary component and the radially inwardly directed tab on the lower end of the clip engaging in a recess of the segment. Consequently, the segment, upon radial inward movement, pivots the clip about an axis adjacent the casing midline, enabling radial inward and outward movement and preventing circumferential displacement.

Abstract: A brush seal is comprised of arcuate seal segments having ends cut in a radial direction with bristles "canted" at an approximate 45.degree. angle relative to radii of the segments, leaving triangular regions adjacent one end of each segment devoid of bristles at the segment interfaces. The brush seals are retrofit into conventional labyrinth seals with the backing plate for the bristles comprising a labyrinth tooth profile extending fully 360.degree. about the seal, including those areas where bristles are not present. The sealing capacity is not substantially degraded, while affording significant sealing improvements over conventional labyrinth seals. Additionally, when retrofit into labyrinth seals with radial movement, the individual labyrinth seal segments are free to move radially independently of one another during transients.

Abstract: A rotary machine has a stationary component with circumferential grooves and a rotatable component, as well as annular sealing segments movable toward and away from the rotating component. To prevent circumferential displacement of the lower side annular segments by gravity forces and enable the lowermost segment in the lower housing to be moved radially inwardly, the side segments of the lower housing are supported adjacent the casing midline in a manner preventing downward movement and enabling horizontal movement. Consequently, the gap between the lower ends of the side segments and the lower segment in the open position of the segments remains, enabling the lower segment to move radially inwardly upon closing the seals.

Abstract: A package closure includes a stopper adapted to be sealingly engageable with the opening of the package. The closure also includes a frangible member adapted to simultaneously seal the opening and carry the stopper in a disengaged position relative to the opening. Preferably, the stopper is engageable with the package opening in a child-proof manner. Breaking of the frangible member permits the child-proof package to be initially opened without requiring the package user to struggle with the child-proof stopper. The package contents may then be transferred to a package not having child-proof sealing means. Easy access to the contents of the package by the elderly or handicapped is thereby promoted.