Abstract: A seal assembly of a rotary includes a radially oriented plate that axially opposes a front and rear support plates of a stator interface. The seal assembly also includes a film-riding shoe coupled with the radially oriented plate. The shoe forms a shoe fluid bearing between the shoe and a rotating component responsive to rotation of the rotating component and pressurization of fluid in the rotary machine upstream of the stator interface. One or more of the stator interface or the film-riding shoe includes one or more ports or pathways through which higher-pressure fluid upstream of the stator housing in the rotary machine flows to form an aft axial fluid bearing between the radially oriented plate and the rear support plate of the stator interface.

Abstract: A hydrostatic seal configured to be disposed between relatively rotatable components. The seal includes a base. The seal also includes a seal housing. The seal further includes a shoe operatively coupled to the base and extending axially from a forward end to an aft end. The seal yet further includes a plurality of teeth extending radially from a sealing surface of the shoe, one of the teeth being a longest tooth that extends furthest radially from the sealing surface, the axial distance from the forward end of the shoe to the longest tooth being greater than a radial distance from a radial tooth tip to the sealing surface.

Abstract: An in-situ incremental reheating system configured to increase steam temperature and thermodynamic efficiencies of a steam turbine is disclosed. The system includes a pump; a radiant heater; piping inter-connecting the pump, radiant heater and steam turbine to create a flow circuit; and a heat transfer material configured to flow through the flow circuit and transfer heat directly to steam used in the steam turbine. The pump moves the heat transfer material through the flow circuit and the radiant heater regenerates the heat transfer material after the heat transfer material transfers heat to the steam.

Abstract: A mechanical seal system configured to inhibit the emission of process gas from a rotating machine. An annular plunger is axially slidable between a inboard closed position and an outboard open position such that when the plunger is in the closed position, the plunger inhibits the flow of the sealing fluid between the inlet passageway to the seal interface, and when the plunger is in the closed position, the plunger enables the flow of the sealing fluid between the inlet passageway and the seal interface. A biasing mechanism and solenoid provide opening and closing forces to the plunger. Normally-open and normally-closed configurations are provided.

Abstract: An assembly for rotational equipment includes a plurality of seal shoes, a seal base, a plurality of spring elements and a frangible element. The seal shoes are arranged around an axis in an annular array. The seal base circumscribes the annular array of the seal shoes. Each of the spring elements is radially between and connects a respective one of the seal shoes and the seal base. A first of the spring elements includes a first mount, a second mount and a spring beam. The first mount is connected to a first of the seal shoes. The second mount is connected to the seal base. The spring beam extends longitudinally between and connects the first mount and the second mount. The frangible element is configured to restrict radial outward movement of the first of the seal shoes.

Abstract: A seal arrangement allowing in-line maintenance and replacement of packing, seals and bushings of a rotary shaft driving a tool extending inside a fluid holding tank. The rotary shaft and associated seals are mounted in an extractable cartridge removably insertable in sealing engagement within a housing projecting outwardly from the tank. A secondary seal comprises an isolation valve mounted to the housing outside of the tank for temporarily providing sealing during servicing of the seals in the extracted cartridge. A tertiary seal is provided for protecting the secondary seal from the tank contents when used in scaling environments. Removable parts of said seal arrangement.

Abstract: A flow inducing ring for a mechanical seal includes a body portion having a first edge face and a second edge face, and at least one first groove extending both axially and circumferentially in one direction across the body portion from the first edge face to the second edge face. At least one second groove extends both axially and circumferentially in an opposite direction across the body portion from the first edge face to the second edge face. Each of the first groove and the second groove includes an entry portion, configured to draw a barrier fluid into the groove from the first edge face, and an exit portion, that is configured to expel barrier fluid from the groove to the second edge face and to impede the drawing of barrier fluid into the groove from the second edge face. The first and second grooves preferably have substantially constant cross-sections throughout the entirety of their lengths for enhanced uniform fluid flow.

Abstract: A prosthetic joint (100) comprises a first component (110) having a first interface portion (111). The prosthetic joint (100) further comprises a second component (120) having a second interface portion (121) with a textured surface (122) to interface with the first interface portion (111) and form a skeletal joint. The textured surface (122) can include a plurality of concave features (123). Each or the concave features (123) can be configured to compress a lubricant (140) to facilitate hydrodynamic lubrication between the first and second interface portions (111, 121) to minimize wear between the first interface portion (111) and the second interface portion (121) of the prosthetic joint (100).

Abstract: A segmented retractable seal is provided in a stator of a turbine by which a rotor seal is arranged radially and axially movably in a groove formed in the stator of the turbine and is connected with a mechanism which retracts it away from the rotor of the turbine in a radial direction. The groove formed in the stator of the turbine contains an outer partial groove formed on the inner surface of the stator and an inner partial groove formed in the body of the stator and connected with it, its width being smaller than or equal to that of the outer partial groove. A head of the seal is arranged in the inner partial groove, and a comb of the seal is arranged in the outer partial groove. The head of the seal and the comb of the seal are connected by a neck of the seal.

Abstract: A seal arrangement between radially-opposed rotating and stationary components in a turbomachine includes a first rotating component, a second stationary component, and a brush seal located radially therebetween. The brush seal has an axially-extending portion secured to the second stationary component, and an inwardly-extending portion extending across a gap between the first and second components. An inner ring portion of the second stationary component is located radially inward of, and in engagement with the axially-extending portion and at least part of the inwardly-extending portion of the brush seal, wherein an end of the axially-extending portion of the brush seal remote from the inwardly-extending portion is sandwiched between a pair of side rails fixed between the inner ring portion and an outer ring portion of the second stationary component.

Abstract: A circumferential seal assembly capable of separating a gas into two separate flow paths before communication onto a pair of seal rings is presented. The seal assembly includes an annular seal housing, a pair of annular seal rings, a rotatable runner, and a plurality of groove structures. The seal housing is interposed between a pair of low pressure compartments. The seal rings are separately disposed within the seal housing and separately disposed around the rotatable runner. The groove structures are disposed along an outer circumferential surface of the rotatable runner. The gas is communicable onto the groove structures. Each groove structure bifurcates the gas before communication onto the seal rings. Flow within each groove structure may be further separable before the gas is communicated onto the seal rings. The gas forms a thin-film layer between the rotatable runner and each seal ring.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic face seal ring for use in a rotary machine includes a support ring having at least two support ring segments and a radially-extending, first face. The support ring is configured to releasably couple to an inner surface of an outer casing of the rotary machine. The face seal ring also includes a sealing ring substantially concentric with the support ring. The sealing ring includes at least two sealing ring segments and a radially-extending, second face. The sealing ring is releasably coupled to the support ring such that the first face is mated against the second face.

Abstract: A process is provided for aligning a seal housing assembly with a casing of a gas turbine engine. The casing may comprise a plurality of connecting portions and the seal housing assembly may comprise a plurality of connecting sections. The process may comprise: providing an adjustment tool comprising: a main housing including a first bore and a threaded bore, a first bolt capable of extending through the first bore, and a second bolt capable of threadedly engaging the threaded bore. The process may further comprise mounting the adjustment tool to one of the seal housing assembly connecting sections via the first bolt and adjusting the position of the seal housing assembly relative to the casing by causing the second bolt to move.

Abstract: A turbine assembly is disclosed herein. The turbine assembly may include a rotor with at least one bucket extending radially therefrom. The turbine assembly also may include a stator assembly positioned adjacent to the at least one bucket. Moreover, the turbine assembly may include a seal assembly. The seal assembly may include a first flange extending in a substantially axial direction from the at least one bucket. The seal assembly also may include a second flange extending from the stator assembly in the substantially axial direction opposite the first flange. The second flange may include at least one protuberance projecting towards the first flange.

Abstract: The present application provides an axially retractable seal system positioned within a seal slot of a stationary component and adjacent to a rotating component. The axially retractable seal system may include a seal with an upper flange positioned within the seal slot and one more bristles extending towards the rotating component and a spring positioned axially between the upper flange of seal and the seal slot such that the seal is forced into a retracted position.

Abstract: Fluid transfer seal assemblies for transferring process fluid between a stationary component and a rotating component, fluid transfer systems, and methods for transferring process fluid between the stationary and rotating components via a fluid transfer assembly are provided. A rotatable component includes a sealing surface. The fluid transfer seal assembly comprises a face seal ring having at least one segment of a fluid passageway and a sealing face configured to be disposed opposite of the sealing surface. The sealing face or the opposed sealing surface includes a geometric feature for forming a hydrodynamic seal therebetween. A secondary seal is configured to be disposed between and contacting the face seal ring and the stationary component.

Abstract: The present invention provides a seal device comprising a sealing passage which allows communication between a first space and a second space, and evacuation lines individually connected to the first space and the sealing passage. A gas feed line for feeding dry gas is connected to the sealing passage.

Abstract: A seal for a turbomachine is disclosed. The seal assembly includes a rotatable shaft having a stepped outer circumferential surface that defines one or more annular protrusions axially-spaced thereon. A seal is radially-offset dially-offset from the rotatable shaft and has one or more annular recesses that extend radially-outward from the inner circumferential surface of the seal. A plurality of holes are defined in both the inner circumferential surface and the one or more annular recesses of the seal, the one or more annular recesses being axially-spaced from each other and configured to receive the one or more annular protrusions in an interlocking fit.

Abstract: A bearing assembly includes an inner member having an outer engagement surface and an outer race. The outer race has an inner surface defining a first end and a second end and an inner engagement surface therebetween, the inner engagement surface is positioned on the outer engagement surface of the inner member. A first annular groove is formed in the inner surface, proximate one of the first end and the second end. A second annular groove is formed in the inner surface and is positioned axially inward from the first annular groove. An external seal is positioned in first annular groove and slidably engages the inner member. An internal seal is positioned in the second annular groove and slidingly engages the inner member.

Abstract: A system includes an electrodynamically suspended seal. The electrodynamically suspended seal includes a first element that includes an electrically conducting material and a second element that includes a magnetic material. At least one of the first and second elements is configured to rotate about an axial axis. The first and second elements are disposed adjacent one another. The rotational movement of at least one of the first and second elements creates a levitation force such that the first and second elements are repelled away from one another. The electrodynamically suspended seal also includes a third element configured to create a counteracting force.

Abstract: A shaft sealing system and method are disclosed for a low pressure turbine section having a rotating member including a shaft and a stationary member surrounding the rotating member and defining a steam flow path. The shaft sealing system comprises at least one seal disposed about each of a first end and a second end of the shaft; and a connection line for conducting steam from the first turbine section to a downstream portion of the turbine. The downstream portion of the turbine has a lower pressure than both of the first turbine section and ambient pressure conditions.

Abstract: The static seal (30) includes a rotary seal body (32) comprising an annular base portion (34) which is drivingly mountable on a rotary component such as a shaft and an annular cantilever portion (40) connected at one end to the base portion (34). The seal (30) 5 further includes a rotary seal face (48) and circumferential weights (44) connected to the cantilever portion (40). The seal is configured to dilate under centrifugal force to provide a running clearance between the rotary seal face and a complementary static seal face with which the rotary seal face is in contact when the rotary seal body (28) is stationary. The rotary seal body is further configured so as to facilitate the breaking up of slurry which may set around the seal when the pump (10) of which the seal forms part is inoperative.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a seal arrangement for a turbomachine, in particular a gas turbine, having a plurality of rows, arranged in succession in the axial direction (A), of shells (1-3) connected to one another in the circumferential direction (U), wherein shells adjacent in the axial direction have cross sections opened counter to a throughflow direction (A) and/or a thread axis inclined counter to the throughflow direction.

Abstract: An electromagnetic wave suppression material is fixed to a case of a communication module. The electromagnetic wave suppression material suppresses radiation of electromagnetic waves by coming into contact with a cage that is a module insertion portion of a chassis when the communication module is inserted into the cage. A piezoelectric element is provided on the case, and located between the case and the electromagnetic wave suppression material. When the communication module is inserted into the cage, the controller applies a voltage to the piezoelectric element to stretch it by the applied voltage, thereby increasing contact pressure between the cage and the electromagnetic wave suppression material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to circumferential seal ring segments positioned around a rotating shaft so as to prevent fluids from leaking from a lubricant sump during both low and high pressure conditions. The circumferential seal is comprised of a plurality of adjoining annular ring segments facing the rotating shaft. Each sealing ring segment includes a dead end circumferential groove on a shaft-side face of each sealing ring such that, when the segments are joined, the circumferential dead end groove of each segment extends arcuately in the direction of shaft rotation. At least one additional groove is contained on the shaft-side face of each sealing ring segment. Each additional groove may contain a pocket. The additional groove(s) directs and creates pressurized air within the dead end circumferential groove, either directly or indirectly maintaining a seal between the ring segments and the shaft. A bleed hole may also be provided to create a seal between each sealing segment.

Abstract: A seal assembly for a bearing chamber of a gas turbine engine. The seal assembly includes a seal land having a sealing surface and a non-sealing surface, and at least one non-contact seal member having a sealing surface and a non-sealing surface. The opposing sealing surfaces define a fluid flow path for a sealing fluid such as air from a compressor of the gas turbine engine. The seal assembly includes a sealing fluid cooling arrangement comprising an oil jet configured to provide cooling oil to one or both of the seal member and the seal runner non-sealing surfaces.

Abstract: A seal assembly for a rotary machine is provided. The seal assembly includes multiple sealing device segments disposed intermediate to a stationary housing and a rotor. Each of the segments includes at least one plate and a sealing element. The seal assembly also includes multiple inter-segment gaps formed between the multiple sealing device segments. Further, for each pair of adjacent sealing device segments, at least one pair of adjacent plates includes one plate overlapping another plate at an inter-segment gap.

Abstract: The present application thus provides a retractable seal system for use between a high pressure side and a low pressure side of a turbine engine. The retractable seal system may include a seal positioned in a slot of a stationary component, a pressure balance pocket positioned about the seal, and a conduit in communication with the pressure balance pocket and the high pressure side.

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: The present application provides an aerodynamic seal assembly for use with a turbo-machine. The aerodynamic seal assembly may include a number of springs, a shoe connected to the springs, and a secondary seal positioned about the springs and the shoe.

Abstract: Methods and mechanisms for fluid sealing are provided. The disclosed mechanisms include a tool having a cavity configured to form a toroidal vortex and a fluid sealing element to induce an azimuthal variation of the toroidal vortex (a “dynamis seal”). The fluid sealing element may include a sharp change in the axial symmetry of the cavity to induce the azimuthal variation. Some exemplary shapes of the fluid sealing element may include a notch in a cavity, a step shaped cavity, or an angular cavity in the tool. Methods for manufacturing such a dynamic seal is also provided as well as methods for producing hydrocarbons with a plunger having the dynamic seals. The tool may be a plunger, a pig, an in-flow control device, or other cylindrical device traveling through a conduit or tubular member.

Abstract: A method of assembling a sealing assembly for a turbomachine is provided. The method includes positioning at least one sealing element that includes a substantially tortuous flow path defined therein within at least one channel defined in a rotatable element of the turbomachine. The sealing element is extended circumferentially about the rotatable element such that the sealing element extends into a cavity defined between the rotatable element and a stationary element. This facilitates substantially reducing flow leakage from an upstream region of the cavity to a downstream region of the cavity.

Abstract: A seal backup ring is provided with undulating surfaces which create circumferential convergence with a relatively rotatable surface. The backup ring is configured so that differential pressure acting across a rotary seal forces portions of the backup ring against the relatively rotatable surface, closing, or substantially closing, the extrusion gap that the rotary seal is exposed to. In response to relative rotation between the backup ring and the mating relatively rotatable surface, the circumferential convergence promotes hydrodynamic lubrication within the dynamic interface that exists between the backup ring and the relatively rotatable surface. The modulus of elasticity of the backup ring is greater than the modulus of elasticity of the rotary seal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to circumferential seal ring segments positioned around a rotating shaft so as to prevent fluids from leaking from a lubricant sump during both low and high pressure conditions. The circumferential seal is comprised of a plurality of adjoining annular ring segments facing the rotating shaft. Each sealing ring segment includes a dead end circumferential groove on a shaft-side face of each sealing ring such that, when the segments are joined, the circumferential dead end groove of each segment extends arcuately in the direction of shaft rotation. At least one additional groove is contained on the shaft-side face of each sealing ring segment. The additional groove(s) directs and creates pressurized air within the dead end circumferential groove, either directly or indirectly maintaining a seal between the ring segments and the shaft. A bleed hole may also be provided to create a seal between each sealing segment.

Abstract: A rotary machine comprises a housing, a rotor that is rotatably disposed within the housing and having an axis about which the rotor may spin, and a seal disposed upon the housing. The seal comprises a support disposed on the housing and a plurality of flexible non-metallic bristles that extend from the housing and engage the rotor, such that the seal provides a barrier to fluid flow between a first region located in a first axial direction from the seal and a second region located in an opposite axial direction from the first region. The first region is filled with a bearing liquid and the second region is filled with a process fluid.

Abstract: The static seal (30) includes a rotary seal body (32) comprising an annular base portion (34) which is drivingly mountable on a rotary component such as a shaft and an annular cantilever portion (40) connected at one end to the base portion (34). The seal (30) 5 further includes a rotary seal face (48) and circumferential weights (44) connected to the cantilever portion (40). The seal is configured to dilate under centrifugal force to provide a running clearance between the rotary seal face and a complementary static seal face with which the rotary seal face is in contact when the rotary seal body (28) is stationary. The rotary seal body is further configured so as to facilitate the breaking up of slurry which may set around the seal when the pump (10) of which the seal forms part is inoperative.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the process for preparing hydrogenated nitrile rubber polymers having lower molecular weights and narrower molecular weight distributions than those known in the art.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hydrogenated nitrite rubber polymers having lower molecular weights and narrower molecular weight distributions than those known in the art. The present invention is also related to shaped articles containing hydrogenated nitrile rubber polymers having lower molecular weights and narrower molecular weight distributions than those known in the art.

Abstract: A system for providing compliant rotating seals including a rotating portion that has one or more teeth extending radially from it, and a stationary portion that has a plurality of bristles extending radially from it. The one or more teeth rotatively engage the plurality of bristles creating a tortuous path between them that resists a leakage of gas or fluid through them.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to sealing devices used in conjunction with two relatively rotatable members and having a fluid seal there between. Finger seals are utilized to achieve sealing between a rotating member and a stationary member. As such the present invention involves a double padded finger seal with both pads oriented axially in the same direction. The sealing apparatus may optionally utilize a padless third laminate. In other embodiments, the present invention provides variations of the basic double padded finger seal with pad configurations utilizing various arrangements and geometries of the padded area.

Abstract: A rotary machine includes a machine rotor, a machine stator, and a fluid seal disposed between the machine rotor and the machine stator. The fluid seal includes a fluid seal stator, a fluid seal rotor, and an active gap control mechanism coupled to the fluid seal stator. The fluid seal is configured to control a gap between the fluid seal stator and the fluid seal rotor.

Abstract: A brush seal assembly and method for sealing a turbine machine rotary member relative to a stationary member circumscribing the rotary member. The seal assembly includes a first compliant seal component disposed at a radially inward region of the stationary member in rubbing contact with a surface of the rotary member. The seal assembly also includes at least one hard seal element formed integrally with a carrier of the first compliant seal component, located a specified axial distance from the first compliant seal component.

Abstract: A seal arrangement (1, 101) for maintaining an axial pressure differential between relative high and low pressure stages along a rotating element (2, 102), the arrangement comprising: i) a plurality of leaf or brush seal members (5) forming a circumferential seal-pack (4, 104) around the rotating element (2, 102), in-between said low and high pressure stages, for limiting leakage of fluid between said low and high pressure stages; ii) a baffle (6, 7, 106, 107) positioned on the upstream or downstream side of the seal-pack (4, 104) for regulating such leakage through the seal pack (4, 104); and iii) a control arrangement for adjusting the position of the baffle (6, 7, 106, 107) hereby to control the regulation of said leakage through the seal-pack (4, 104) and hence control the consequent blow-down effect on the seal-pack (4, 104) caused by that leakage.

Abstract: A hydrogen-cooled generator includes a sealing device disposed between a rotor and a stator. The sealing device is configured for at least partially segregating hydrogen atmosphere on one side of the sealing device and a cavity on an opposite side of the sealing device. The sealing device includes a non-contacting seal and a contacting seal including an aluminum body coupled to the non-contacting seal and a plurality of non-metallic bristles projecting from the aluminum body with tips of the bristles engaging the rotor of the generator.

Abstract: An assembly for sealing a rotating shaft and a bearing housing which has a stator, a rotor, and a unitizing element. The stator has at least two portions and an annular engagement flange extending in an axial direction having a groove on a radial side thereof. The rotor has at least two portions and an annular engagement flange extending in an axial direction having a groove on the radial side thereof. The annular unitizing element has at least two portions, a stator engaging member that engages the stator groove, a rotor engaging member that engages the rotor groove, and a rear member having a side edge that engages the stator. A radially outer surface of the unitizing element has two areas of differing diameter, one corresponding to the rotor engaging member and the other corresponding to the rear member.

Abstract: A laminate air seal for a gas turbine engine includes at least one fabric layer made of fiberglass, ceramic fiber, basalt and/or carbon, and a polymeric resin that is stable at an operating temperature of the gas turbine engine. The resin may be preimpregnated into the fabric layers, or introduced into the fabric during assembly and formation of the laminate. The resin may be polyimide, bismaelimide (BMI) or cyanate ester. A particular resin selected may depend, in part, on the operating temperatures in that region of the gas turbine engine. In some embodiments, the laminate seal may include a coating to increase lubricity of the seal. In one embodiment, the laminate air seal is used to seal a gap between a pylon fairing and an exhaust nozzle of the turbine engine.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for controlling seal clearance in a turbine engine includes positioning a seal ring within a turbine engine, the seal ring having an inner annular surface and an outer annular surface, the inner annular surface and the outer annular surface both being circular but non-concentric, rotating the seal ring within the engine until the seal ring is placed in an aligned orientation at which a center of a circle that defines the inner annular surface coincides with a centerline of the engine, and securing the seal ring while in the aligned orientation.

Abstract: A brush seal for sealing off components movable relative to one another with respect to a pressure difference is disclosed. The brush seal having bristles which are arranged in a bristle housing which consists of two housing halves having free ends of legs which project into the area of the ends of the bristles, which legs carry mutually facing supporting surfaces for the bristles.

Abstract: A hand assisted laparoscopic seal apparatus. The seal apparatus includes a seal body and a housing supporting the seal body. The seal body includes a core composed of a fast recovery foam and a flexible membrane covering the core.

Abstract: A seal comprises the combination of a primary seal and a secondary seal each of which acts on at least one shoe that is installed with clearance relative to one of a rotor and a stator in a position to create a non-contact seal therewith. The at least one shoe is provided with a surface geometry and labyrinth-type teeth that influence the inertia of fluid flowing across the seal, and, hence, the velocity of the fluid and the pressure distribution across the seal, ultimately affecting the balance of forces applied to the seal.