Abstract: A brush seal assembly for turbomachinery having a rotor can include a stationary seal component, a floating seal component coupled to the stationary seal component and circumferentially angled bristles arranged in a bristle pack, disposed in the floating seal component and extended axially with respect to the rotor.

Abstract: A system includes a brush seal segment. The brush seal segment includes a movable support including a head, an extension, and a seal surface, wherein the head is configured to mount in a chamber. The brush seal segment also includes a brush coupled to the movable support along the seal surface, wherein the seal surface consists essentially of the brush. The brush seal segment also includes a biasing element coupled to the movable support, wherein the biasing element is configured to bias the movable support from a first position to a second position to increase a brush clearance in a space between the brush and a rotor, and the movable support is configured to move from the second position to the first position to decrease the brush clearance in response to a fluid flow from the space to the chamber.

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 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 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 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 near a stepped portion on the rotating shaft. A second leak off line fluidly couples a second stage of the turbine section that has a pressure different from the first stage to a step area immediately adjacent to 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 seal assembly for sealing a stationary component and a rotating component including a seal tooth mating surface for mating with a seal tooth, the seal tooth mating surface including a plateau portion for sealingly receiving the seal tooth during a steady-state operation of the seal assembly and a first concave portion adjacent to the plateau portion for receiving the seal tooth with a clearance during a first non-steady-state operation of the seal assembly, wherein the seal tooth is coupled to one of the stationary component and the rotating component and the seal tooth mating surface is coupled to the other of the stationary component and the rotating component.

Abstract: A non-contacting rotary face seal assembly includes a first sealing member, including a first sealing face and a first magnetic element; and a second sealing member, including a second sealing face and a second magnetic element. The first and second magnetic elements of the first and second sealing members provide a magnetic repulsion force between the first and second magnetic elements such that the magnetic repulsion force separates the first and second sealing faces before hydrodynamic or hydrostatic forces associated with rotation of the second sealing member become sufficient to prevent the first and second sealing faces from contacting.

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 seal in a turbine engine for preventing axial leakage through a radial gap between a stationary structure and a rotating structure, wherein the radial gap is defined by an inner radial surface that opposes an outer radial surface across the radial gap, the seal including: a first groove disposed on one of the inner radial surface and the outer radial surface; and a first tooth that projects radially from the other of the inner radial surface and the outer radial surface; wherein the first groove, at an upstream end, comprises a gradual slope that slopes away from the surface on which the first tooth is located and, at a downstream end, comprises a steep slope; and wherein the first tooth comprises an axial position that is approximately just upstream of the axial position of the upstream end of the groove.

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 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: A circumferentially extending brush seal positioned between static and rotary components of a machine and, during operation of the machine, the brush seal having a higher pressure region at an upstream side and a lower pressure region at a downstream side. The brush seal may include a plurality of bristles forming a bristle pack carried by the static component and cantilevered toward the rotary component such that tips of at least some of the bristles engage the rotary component. The brush seal further may include a pressure plate and a bristle pack backing plate. The bristle backing plate may include a plurality of radially extending and circumferentially spaced slots opening through opposite sides thereof. The slots may be disposed on an inner radial edge and an outer radial edge of the bristle backing plate.

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.

Abstract: A segment of a seal assembly for sealing a higher pressure area from a lower pressure area is disclosed. The segment comprises a radial external surface, a radial internal surface for sealing against a rotating member, a transverse groove for maintaining a pressure around portions of the segment, and one or more pads including a scooping groove. The scooping groove is positioned at or in proximity to an edge of the transverse groove and provides for a transition flow between the one or more pads and the transverse groove.

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 segment of a seal assembly for sealing a higher pressure area from a lower pressure area is disclosed. The segment comprises a radial external surface, a radial internal surface for sealing against a rotating member, a transverse groove for maintaining a pressure around portions of the segment, and one or more pads including a scooping groove. The scooping groove is positioned at or in proximity to an edge of the transverse groove and provides for a transition flow between the one or more pads and the transverse groove.

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 non-contacting rotary face seal assembly includes a first sealing member, including a first sealing face and a first magnetic element; and a second sealing member, including a second sealing face and a second magnetic element. The first and second magnetic elements of the first and second sealing members provide a magnetic repulsion force between the first and second magnetic elements such that the magnetic repulsion force separates the first and second sealing faces before hydrodynamic or hydrostatic forces associated with rotation of the second sealing member become sufficient to prevent the first and second sealing faces from contacting.

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.