Abstract: There is provided by the present invention a brush seal including apparatus for reducing bristle vibrations, such as a damper, that engages the upstream side of the bristle pack of the brush seal so as to absorb vibrations and therefore reduce chamfering of the bristle pack.

Abstract: There is provided by the present invention method and apparatus for damping vibrations or other unwanted motions of a brush seal, the apparatus including a damper having a plurality of individual plates that are bonded directly to the inlet rows of bristles of the seal. Methods for producing a damped brush seal in accord with the present invention contemplate brazing damping plates to the bristles, absorbing a melting point suppressor into the surface of the damping plates and then heating the damping plates until the treated surface melts and bonds with the bristles, or sintering a braze alloy to the bristles such that the braze alloy functions as a damping plate.

Abstract: A brush seal is provided having a plurality of bristle layers sandwiched between a pair of circumferential plates with the upstream layers of bristles having a higher first fundamental vibration frequency than downstream seal layers. Such a seal has bristles in the upstream layer or layers that have a greater cross sectional area, a lesser lay angle, are shorter, or some combination of the foregoing.

Abstract: An improved brush seal for reducing swirl, recirculation and turbulence of an approaching gas stream to reduce irregular bristle wear and operating costs. The brush real may include a baffle of the honeycomb type or circumferentially stacked plates type, positive or negative steps in the flow path approaching a seal stage, and recirculation breakers.

Abstract: The present invention provides an axial blade to disk retaining assembly having a plurality of circumferentially disposed lugs arranged in a ring around an axial facing surface of the blade and disk assembly and a plurality of circumferentially disposed hooks arranged in a ring around the axial facing surface and in circumferential alternating positions with the hooks and radially spaced apart from and open towards the lugs. A split retaining ring is provided that is operable to be placed between said hooks and lugs to axially secure the blades on the disk. In the preferred embodiment each hook is disposed on a disk post between the blades and each lug is disposed on a blade root.

Abstract: An improved rotary labyrinth seal such as may be used in a gas turbine engine. The seal includes a rotor with at least one seal tooth and a stator with an abradable shroud and casing. The first and second members cooperate to inhibit the flow of fluid therebetween. The improvement comprises a conduit for conducting a portion of the fluid through the casing for heat transfer between the fluid and second member. In this manner, the thermal response of the stator is improved.