Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a turbine assembly includes a first stationary component, a second stationary component positioned radially outside the first stationary component, a first key feature on the first stationary component configured to mate to a second key feature on the second stationary component and a seal assembly positioned between the first and second key features to reduce fluid flow between the first and second key features. The seal assembly includes a V-shape member and a second member adjacent to the V-shape member, the second member and V-shape member having different rates of thermal expansion. The seal assembly also includes a latch feature coupled to the V-shape member configured to expand the seal assembly from a compressed state to an expanded sealing state when the seal assembly is subject to an elevated temperature.

Abstract: The present application provides for a brush seal system for use about a rotor of a rotary machine. The brush seal system may include a number of brush seal segments, with each of the brush seal segments having a number of bristles, and one or more of the brush seal segments including an elliptical profile so as to vary a clearance between the brush seal segments and the rotor.

Abstract: A seal assembly for a turbomachine includes a seal ring rotatable between a first position and a second position and having a plurality of tunnels. Also included is a back ring located adjacent the seal ring and having a plurality of apertures that align with more of the plurality of tunnels of the seal ring when at the second position than at the first position. Further included is a retention piece operably connecting the seal ring and the back ring.

Abstract: A brush seal, brush seal segment, and brush seal backplate for use in a rotary device are provided. In one embodiment, the invention provides a brush seal for a rotary device, the brush seal comprising: a plurality of brush seal segments, each segment including: an arcuate fence; an arcuate backplate circumferentially coextensive with the arcuate fence, the arcuate backplate including: a plurality of circumferentially-oriented cavities; a first dam along a first end of the arcuate backplate, the first dam substantially closing an end of at least one of the plurality of circumferentially-oriented cavities; and a second dam along a second end of the arcuate backplate, the second dam substantially closing an end of at least one of the plurality of circumferentially-oriented cavities; a plurality of brush bristles between the arcuate backplate and the arcuate fence; and a static member to which at least one of the plurality of brush seal segments is affixed.

Abstract: A system controls net thrust of a steam turbine having a stepped rotating shaft. A first leak off line fluidly couples a first stage of a turbine section to a packing upstream of a stepped portion on the rotating shaft. A second leak off line fluidly couples a second stage of the turbine section that is subsequent to the first stage to a step area upstream of the stepped portion, and a connection line fluidly couples the first leak off line to the second leak off line. The lines include control valves such that a controller can actively control the net thrust by regulating thrust pressure on the stepped portion using steam from the first and second stages of the turbine section. The controller may also prevent damage to an active retractable seal using the control valves.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic magnetic seal includes a magnetic mating ring and a sealing ring attracted to the magnetic mating ring. The magnetic mating ring and/or the sealing ring include hydrodynamic grooves configured to create a separation film between the magnetic mating ring and the sealing ring to reduce friction.

Abstract: The present application provides a sealing assembly for use between a first component and a second component of a rotary machine. The sealing assembly may include a first sealing segment having a first end with a first angled surface and a second sealing segment having a second end with a second angled surface. The first angled surface of the first end of the first sealing segment meets the second angled surface of the second end of the second sealing segment at a joint.

Abstract: A pressure balance seal includes a sealing surface facing an inward radial direction, and a stator interface comprising at least one surface interfacing with a stator. The pressure balance seal further includes a friction reducing feature. The friction reducing feature includes a cavity on the sealing surface. The cavity is configured to receive a fluid such that a normal force acting on the pressure balance seal is counterbalanced by a force generated by a pressure of the fluid.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods and apparatus for providing a labyrinth seal. In an example embodiment, a method is provided for sealing a flow path between a stationary element and a rotating element of a turbomachine. The method can include disposing at least one fixture on an inner surface of a stationary element associated with the turbomachine; disposing a packing ring linked via a spring element to the fixture wherein the packing ring comprises at least one bore; and disposing, according to a predetermined profile, a plurality of interdigitated packing ring teeth and rotor teeth intermediate to the packing ring and the rotating element; wherein the bore, packing ring teeth, and rotor teeth, cooperate to counter a moment associated with one or more axial forces.

Abstract: Systems and devices for substantially fluidly isolating portions of a rotary machine are disclosed. In one embodiment, a seal assembly for a rotary machine includes: a complementary set of seal segments configured relative one another so as to form a substantially continuous body with butt gaps between the seal segments, the segments including: a head flange; and an axial neck connected to the head flange, wherein the axial neck extends radially inboard and includes an axial slot formed substantially there through; and at least one butt gap seal element, wherein the at least one butt gap seal element includes an axial flange and a radial flange, the axial flange disposed within the axial slots of adjacent seal segments; and the radial flange extending radially inboard from the axial slots to a proximity of the rotary machine substantially forming a barrier to axial flow through the butt gap.

Abstract: A brush seal assembly is provided, including a sealing surface, a side plate, a backing plate, a plurality of bristles, and a biasing member. The backing plate is selectively located in a stationary position and has at least one backing tooth and a backing tip. The backing tooth has a tooth surface and the backing tip has a tip surface. A tooth clearance is measured between the tooth surface and the sealing surface. A tip clearance is measured between the tip surface and the sealing surface. The tooth clearance is less than the tip clearance. The bristles are located between the side plate and the backing plate. The bristles include an end portion for sealing to the sealing surface. The biasing member exerts a biasing force upon the backing plate in a direction towards the sealing surface. The backing tooth is configured for selectively contacting the sealing surface.

Abstract: A seal assembly for a turbomachine is provided. The seal assembly includes multiple arcuate packing ring segments disposed intermediate to a stationary housing and a rotatable element about an axis. The seal assembly further includes multiple flexures mechanically coupled to the stationary housing and the multiple arcuate packing ring segments, wherein the multiple flexures are attached to the stationary housing and the arcuate packing ring segments at positions predetermined to control packing ring twist under differential pressure conditions.

Abstract: A seal is provided having a bristle pack with a first layer of bristles and a second layer of bristles. The bristle pack has at least one segment end. The first layer of bristles is configured to substantially surround the second layer of bristles, and at least one of the first layer of bristles has a first diameter. The second layer of bristles are located substantially in a center portion of the bristle pack, and at least one of the second layer of bristles has a second diameter. The first diameter is larger than the second diameter, and the first layer of bristles located near the at least one segment end are configured to protect the second layer of bristles located near the at least one segment end.

Abstract: A brush seal is provided having a brush housing having a back plate and a front plate, a first layer of bristles disposed adjacent to the back plate, where at least one of the first layer of bristles has a first diameter. A second layer of bristles are disposed adjacent to the first layer of bristles, and at least one of the second layer of bristles has a second diameter. A third layer of bristles are disposed adjacent to the second layer of bristles, and at least one of the third layer of bristles has a third diameter. The first diameter and the third diameter are larger than the second diameter.

Abstract: A brush seal and brush seal segment for use in a rotary device are provided. In one embodiment, the invention provides a brush seal comprising: a plurality of brush seal segments, each segment including: an arcuate fence; an arcuate backplate substantially circumferentially coextensive with the arcuate fence, the arcuate backplate including a first end and a second end; and a plurality of brush seal bristles between the arcuate backplate and the arcuate fence, the plurality of brush seal bristles being angled with respect to a radial axis of the arcuate backplate and at least one of the first end and the second end of the arcuate backplate; and a static member to which at least one of the plurality of brush seal segments is affixed.

Abstract: A paliperidone double-layered osmotic pump controlled release tablet and the preparation method thereof are disclosed. The double-layered osmotic pump controlled release tablet comprises a rigid membrane, a push layer, a drug layer, an isolation layer and an aesthetic coating, wherein the rigid membrane contains a semi-permeable polymer, a porogen and/or a plasticizer and has one or more drug release orifices on one end, the push layer comprises an expanding material, an osmotic agent, a binder, a colorant and a lubricant, the drug layer contains a pharmaceutically active ingredient, a hydrophilic polymer, an osmotic agent, a colorant, a lubricant and an antistatic agent, the isolation layer is located between the inner surface of the rigid membrane and the push layer, and contains a hydrophilic polymer. The paliperidone double-layered osmotic pump controlled release tablet shows an increasing drug release rate at early stage and keeps a constant drug release rate at later stage.

Abstract: A brush seal for use between a rotating component and a stationary component in a turbomachine is disclosed. The brush seal according to embodiments of this invention includes a set of bristles having a fixed end and a free end, wherein the fixed end is attached to the rotating component with a mechanical clamping element and the free end extends towards the stationary component, and wherein the set of bristles are angled axially at an axial angle with respect to the rotating component. In one embodiment, the fixed end of the set of bristles are wrapped at least partially around a core element and the clamping element partially surrounds the core element and the fixed end of the set of bristles, wherein the clamping element secures the fixed end of the set of bristles within a circumferential groove in the rotating component.

Abstract: An aspirating face seal includes a primary seal, a secondary seal, and a biasing device. The primary seal includes a first seal component and a second seal component. The first seal component is configured to be coupled to a rotor and rotatable with the rotor. The secondary seal includes a plurality of flexible elements and configured to be disposed between the second seal component and a stator housing. A biasing device is coupled to the second seal component such that the second seal component is biased along an axial direction away from the first seal component during a non-operating condition.

Abstract: A brush seal for use between a rotating component and a stationary component in a turbomachine is disclosed. The brush seal according to embodiments of this invention include a set of bristles having a fixed end and a free end, wherein the fixed end is attached to the rotating component, and wherein the set of bristles are angled axially with respect to the rotating component.

Abstract: A steam turbine and a rotor are disclosed having steam extending internally along at least part of the rotor. The rotor includes an interface and a steam passage system formed in the rotor, the passage system including a first inlet flow passage to the interface, the first inlet flow passage configured to receive steam from a first region of an outer surface of the rotor, a first outlet flow passage from the interface, the first outlet flow passage configured to pass steam to a second region of the rotor, a second inlet flow passage to the interface, the second inlet flow passage configured to receive steam from a third region of the outer surface of the rotor, a second outlet flow passage from the interface, the second outlet flow passage configured to pass steam to a fourth region of the rotor.