Brush Seal Patents (Class 277/355)
  • Patent number: 11965599
    Abstract: A brush seal includes an annular plate assembly defining a radially inner diameter having an inner central axis and a radially outer diameter having an outer central axis. The inner central axis and the outer central axis are spaced apart from each other by an offset, such that the radially inner diameter and the radially outer diameter are eccentric with respect to each other. The brush seal further includes a bristle pack. The bristle pack includes a plurality of bristles defining a bristle bore having a bristle bore central axis. The bristle bore central axis is aligned with the inner central axis and the bristle bore central axis is offset from the outer central axis. Moreover, the brush seal is disposed around a rotating component. The bristle bore central axis is aligned with a component axis of the rotating component and the bristle pack engages with the rotating component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Inventors: Gervas Franceschini, Maciej T. Pietrzak
  • Patent number: 11959422
    Abstract: A brush seal system includes a component including a first mating surface. The brush seal system further includes a brush seal including a brush seal backing plate, a retaining ring, and a plurality of bristles retained between the brush seal backing plate and the retaining ring. The brush seal backing plate includes a second mating surface mounted to the first mating surface. The brush seal system further includes at least one cooling channel extending from an exterior side of the component to an interior side of the component so as to bypass the brush seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: RTX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Caroline Karanian, Steven D. Porter, John T. Ols
  • Patent number: 11951585
    Abstract: A pole sander is provided including an elongate body having a first end and a second end, an electric motor, and a sanding head attached via a pivot mechanism to the first end of the elongate body. The sanding head includes a hood including a plate and a peripheral wall formed on the underside of the plate around an edge of the plate; an output spindle that projects from the hood and is rotatably driven by the electric motor around a rotational axis; and a brush ring mounted on the underside of the plate adjacent the edge of the plate inside of the peripheral wall. The brush ring is attached to the plate via a spring comprising at least one of a leaf spring or a wave spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Schramm, Robert Miebach, Marek Turisin, Joerg Roth
  • Patent number: 11873721
    Abstract: A seal assembly for a gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a first side plate, a second side plate and a backing plate that extend circumferentially about an assembly axis. A first brush seal and a second brush seal are positioned on opposite sides of the backing plate such that the first brush seal is between the first side plate and the backing plate and such that the second brush seal is between the second side plate and the backing plate. The first brush seal is dimensioned to establish a first sealing relationship with a first gas turbine engine component. The second brush seal is dimensioned to establish a second sealing relationship with a second gas turbine engine component. A method of assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: RTX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Robert A White, III
  • Patent number: 11834953
    Abstract: A seal assembly in a gas turbine engine is presented. The seal assembly is arranged at a forward side of an inner compressor exit diffusor. The seal assembly is arranged between an outlet guide vane assembly and the forward side of the inner compressor exit diffusor to reduce cooling air leakage therebetween or is arranged between adjacent outlet guide vane assemblies to reduce cooling air leakage therebetween. The seal assembly includes a plurality of seal segments. The seal assembly includes at least one seal, such as a brush seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Siemens Energy Global GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Krishna Chaitanya Veluru, Amit K. Paspulati, Dimitri Zelmer, Anil L. Salunkhe
  • Patent number: 11754186
    Abstract: The disclosure describes an apparatus for sealing a rotating machine, such as an electric machine or gas turbine engine. The apparatus includes a brush seal. The brush seal includes a plurality of first filaments and a plurality of electrically conductive filaments. The first filaments are configured to seal a lubricant within a bearing chamber or sump of the rotating machine. The plurality of electrically conductive filaments is configured to contact a shaft of the rotating machine and discharge a shaft voltage-induced current from the shaft to an external ground of the rotating machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James Christopher Muskat, Sean Andrew Morgan
  • Patent number: 11719163
    Abstract: A brush seal for a rotating machine, intended to be disposed between a first part and a second part of the rotating machine, the first and second parts being movable relative to each other about an axis, extending along an axial direction, the brush seal comprising a body intended to be attached to the first part, and a brush attached to the body, intended to be in contact with the second part, wherein the brush comprises at least a first group of bristles and a second group of bristles, at least one parameter of the bristles of the first group of bristles being different from the corresponding parameter of the bristles of the second group of bristles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Kévin Nicolas, Laurent Schweitzer
  • Patent number: 11625074
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a first housing, a second housing, a hinge housing disposed between the first housing and the second housing, and a flexible display at least partially disposed on the first housing and the second housing. The first housing and the second housing perform a folding or unfolding operation based on the hinge housing, and include at least one fiber structure disposed on at least a portion of a side of the first housing, the portion of the side being adjacent to the hinge housing within a predetermined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Heecheul Moon
  • Patent number: 11619138
    Abstract: A seal assembly for a gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a first side plate, a second side plate and a backing plate that extend circumferentially about an assembly axis. A first brush seal and a second brush seal are positioned on opposite sides of the backing plate such that the first brush seal is between the first side plate and the backing plate and such that the second brush seal is between the second side plate and the backing plate. The first brush seal is dimensioned to establish a first sealing relationship with a first gas turbine engine component. The second brush seal is dimensioned to establish a second sealing relationship with a second gas turbine engine component. A method of assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Robert A. White, III
  • Patent number: 11619174
    Abstract: A brush seal system includes a component including a first mating surface. The brush seal system further includes a brush seal including a brush seal backing plate, a retaining ring, and a plurality of bristles retained between the brush seal backing plate and the retaining ring. The brush seal backing plate includes a second mating surface mounted to the first mating surface. The brush seal system further includes at least one cooling channel extending from an exterior side of the component to an interior side of the component so as to bypass the brush seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Caroline Karanian, Steven D. Porter, John T. Ols
  • Patent number: 11499550
    Abstract: Sealing in rotary positive displacement machines based on trochoidal geometry that comprise a helical rotor that undergoes planetary motion within a helical stator is described. Seals can be mounted on the rotor, the stator, or both. The rotor can have a hypotrochoidal cross-section, with the corresponding stator cavity profile being the outer envelope of the rotor as it undergoes planetary motion, or the stator cavity can have an epitrochoidal cross-section with the corresponding rotor profile being the inner envelope of the trochoid as it undergoes planetary motion. In some embodiments, the geometry is offset in a manner that provides advantages with respect to sealing in the rotary machine. In multi-stage embodiments, the rotor-stator geometry remains substantially constant or varies along the axis of the rotary machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Rotoliptic Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: Greg John Montie, Bryan Allen Callaway
  • Patent number: 11493135
    Abstract: An assembly is provided for rotational equipment. This assembly includes a stationary structure, a rotating structure rotatable about an axial centerline, and a non-contact seal assembly. The non-contact seal assembly is configured to substantially seal a gap between the stationary structure and the rotating structure. The non-contact seal assembly includes a seal shoe configured to sealingly engage the rotating structure axially along the axial centerline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Brian F. Hilbert, Mani Sadeghi, Daniel L. Gysling, Kerwin R. Low
  • Patent number: 11486497
    Abstract: A seal structure may comprise a cavity defined at least partially by an axial surface and a radial surface. A brush seal may be disposed in the cavity. The brush seal may comprise a bristle pack and a backing plate coupled to the bristle pack. A first surface of the backing plate may contact the axial surface, and a second surface of the backing plate may contact the radial surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy M. Davis, Mark J. Rogers, Jeffrey M. Wittman, James R. Plante
  • Patent number: 11293350
    Abstract: A seal segment (11) includes a retainer (21), a seal body (13) having a thin plate seal piece (20), a high-pressure side plate (23), a low-pressure side plate, a retainer simulating section (51) further extending in the circumferential direction (Dc) from an end portion of the retainer (21) in the circumferential direction (Dc), and a block body (50) including a seal body simulation section (53) extending inward in the radial direction (Dr) from the retainer simulation section. The high-pressure side plate (23) and the low-pressure side plate cover at least a part of the seal body simulation section (53) of the block body (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI POWER, LTD.
    Inventors: Azumi Yoshida, Hidekazu Uehara, Shin Nishimoto, Naoya Tatsumi, Kohei Ozaki
  • Patent number: 11255206
    Abstract: A ceramic brush seal for a gas turbine engine, and a process for manufacturing the seal are provided. In one example, the process includes deinfiltrating an edge of a plurality of plies having a preimpregnated configuration. The edge is defined by a plurality of ceramic fibers extending away from a portion edge of a matrix infiltrated portion of each of the plies. In another example, the process includes masking an edge of a plurality of plies, the edge being defined by a plurality of ceramic fibers extending away from a portion edge of a body portion of each of the plies, and infiltrating the body portion of the plurality of plies with a ceramic matrix slurry. The plies are stacked, formed into a green body and then fired to form the component. The plies may include oxide/oxide woven ceramic fiber plies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE NORTH AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventor: Ronald Walter Overholser
  • Patent number: 11236944
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to furnace systems and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a split-ring assembly for sealing a junction between a catalyst tube and a furnace. In one aspect, the present invention relates to a ring-seal assembly. The ring-seal assembly includes a housing ring coupled to an outer surface of a furnace. The housing ring is disposed around a circumference of a tube proximate a junction with the furnace. The ring seal assembly further includes a brush seal that is at least partially disposed within the housing ring. The brush seal is disposed around the circumference of the tube. A plurality of brushes extend radially inwardly from the brush seal towards the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: AMEC FOSTER WHEELER USA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alfred J. Faller, Pasquale J. Giovannone
  • Patent number: 11199102
    Abstract: A hydrostatic advanced low leakage seal configured to be disposed relatively rotatable components includes a base. The seal also includes a shoe extending circumferentially. The seal further includes a beam operatively coupling the shoe to the base, the beam having a beam length that is substantially equal to or greater than a circumferential pitch of the shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael G. McCaffrey, Scott D. Virkler
  • Patent number: 11174944
    Abstract: A brush seal for sealing a leakage gap in an axial flow path between a relatively higher fluid pressure region and a relatively lower fluid pressure region, that includes an outer housing and an inner housing located at least partially within and configured for radial displacement relative to the outer housing, wherein the upstream facing inner surface of the outer housing is free of any protrusion toward the first downstream facing outer contact surface and second downstream facing outer contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: Gervas Franceschini
  • Patent number: 11174948
    Abstract: An assembly is provided that includes a slider seal having a washer and a tubular puck. The washer includes an inner washer surface and an outer washer surface. The inner washer surface extends around an axis of the slider seal and has a non-circular cross-sectional geometry. The inner washer surface forms a washer bore axially through the washer. The outer washer surface extends around the axis and has a cross-sectional geometry with a shape that is different than a shape of the non-circular cross-sectional geometry. The tubular puck projects axially through the washer bore and includes an outer puck surface. The outer puck surface extends around the axis. The outer puck surface is sealingly engaged with and configured to slide axially along the inner washer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: David Kwoka, Jeffery A. Lovett
  • Patent number: 11125216
    Abstract: A centrifugal compressor for HVAC application includes a rotary component rotatable about an axis, a static component, and a brush seal fixed to one of the static component and the rotary component. The brush seal includes bristles that contact the other of the static component and the rotary component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Tianlei Li, Lin Sun, Mihai Bogdan Dobrica
  • Patent number: 11035470
    Abstract: A multi-plane annular brush seal is provided. The brush seal includes a plurality of bristles attached to a front plate and a back plate. The back plate has a BP base end, a first BP inner side surface, a BP transition surface, a second BP inner side surface, and a BP tip end. The first BP inner side surface extends from the BP base end to the BP transition surface, and the second BP inner surface extends from the BP transition surface to the BP tip end. At any given circumferential position of the brush seal, the first BP inner side surface extends substantially parallel to a first plane, and the second BP inner side surface extends substantially parallel to a second plane. The first plane is skewed from the second plane by an obtuse angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Neil L. Tatman, Shawn K. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 11028717
    Abstract: A bearing assembly according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a bearing situated in a bearing compartment, a seal assembly that defines the bearing compartment, at least one deflector between the bearing and the seal assembly that is rotatable about an axis, and a coalescer at least partially extending about the at least one deflector to define a fluid passage. A method of sealing is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Armando Amador, Nasr A. Shuaib, Martin J. Walsh, William G. Sheridan, Eric A. Grover
  • Patent number: 11028719
    Abstract: A method of working a brush seal assembly for a turbine engine is disclosed and includes the steps of removing an alignment tab from a used brush seal assembly, restoring at least one dimension of the alignment tab to a desired condition and attaching the restored alignment tab to a new brush seal assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: David E. Walker, Steven M. Cote
  • Patent number: 10968761
    Abstract: A seal assembly for a gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a seal that has a seal body extending circumferentially between opposed mate faces, the seal body having a seal face that bounds a gas path and an opposed impingement face, a seal carrier extending along the impingement face, and a seal member trapped between the seal carrier and the impingement face such that the seal member is circumferentially aligned with one of the mate faces. A method of sealing is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: William M. Barker, Thomas E. Clark, Winston G. Smiddy
  • Patent number: 10962117
    Abstract: A brush seal for a gas turbine engine may comprise a spring-loaded support plate and a plurality of bristles located over the spring-loaded support plate. The spring-loaded support plate may comprise a support bar and a plurality of arms extending from the support bar. The support arms may be configured to apply a biasing load to the support bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: James N Knapp, Timothy M Davis
  • Patent number: 10954806
    Abstract: A seal for a gap between an outer and an inner cylindrical surface, coaxial with a central axis in common and arranged to rotate reciprocally, the seal comprises a plurality of plate elements stacked onto one another to define a ring between the outer and inner cylindrical surfaces, wherein each plate has a concave and a convex side, the convex side of each plate element being adjacent to the concave side of the next plate element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: NUOVO PIGNONE SRL
    Inventor: Lorenzo Bergamini
  • Patent number: 10927675
    Abstract: Provided is a method for maintaining an axial-flow turbomachine, which has a support structure and a plurality of axially adjacent guide vane rings each of which has a plurality of guide vanes, each guide vane having at least one platform, the platforms being fastened to the support structure by means of retaining elements, wherein facing platform end faces of axially adjacent guide vanes define sealing sections made of a metal material, the sealing sections being associated with each other and jointly forming a sealing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Fathi Ahmad, Matthias Kuhlee, Radan Radulovic
  • Patent number: 10927958
    Abstract: There is disclosed a brush seal assembly including at least one annular bristle pack. The at least one annular bristle pack extends circumferentially around a central axis of the brush seal assembly. The at least one annular bristle pack has bristles extending along longitudinal axes from roots to free tips. The bristles extend toward a cylindrical plane of a the seal land. Projections of the free tips on the cylindrical plane define a bristle tip projection surface being non-axisymmetric. A method of operating a brush seal assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Daniel Coutu, Ignatius Theratil, Nicola Houle
  • Patent number: 10927765
    Abstract: A seal segment (11) includes a seal body having a plurality of laminated thin plate seal pieces (20), and a high-pressure side plate (23). The high-pressure side plate (23) includes an outer diameter side edge portion (23b) which is an outer edge portion in the radial direction (Dr) and extends in a circular are shape in the circumferential direction (Dc), an inner diameter side edge portion (23c) which is an inner edge portion in a radial direction (Dr) and extends in a circular arc shape in the circumferential direction (Dc), and a front edge portion (23d) which is an edge portion on a front side in the rotational direction (Bc). The high-pressure side plate (23) further includes a reinforcing portion (40) only in a region of the high-pressure side plate (23) on the front side in the rotational direction (Bc).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI POWER, LTD.
    Inventors: Azumi Yoshida, Hidekazu Uehara, Shin Nishimoto, Naoya Tatsumi, Kohei Ozaki
  • Patent number: 10900365
    Abstract: An assembly forming a gasket for a turbomachine, includes a brush seal made of a plurality of sealing elastic bristles surrounding a core, a retaining ring including a recess to at least partly accommodate the brush seal, and a bearing cover, placed in contact with the brush seal to hold it in position against the retaining ring, the brush seal being located between the retaining ring and the bearing cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Serge Rene Morreale, Francois Jean Comin, Arnaud Jean-Marie Pierrot
  • Patent number: 10851997
    Abstract: A combustor device for a gas turbines engines includes first and a second tubular members telescopically fitted in axially sliding manner to one another with interposition of annular centering and sealing which include at least a centering annular shoulder and a sealing ring arranged coaxial to one another. The sealing ring is axially spaced apart from the centering annular shoulder so that an axial distance between the centering annular shoulder and the sealing ring is greater than a maximum axial movement allowed between the first and said second tubular members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: ANSALDO ENERGIA SWITZERLANG AG
    Inventors: Jost Imfeld, Slawomir Swiatek, Oliver Konradt
  • Patent number: 10844737
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a module for a turbomachine, having a guide vane arrangement and a seal carrier, which is arranged, with reference to a longitudinal axis of the module, radially inside an inner platform of the guide vane arrangement, wherein, in each case with reference to the longitudinal axis of the module, when considered in an axial section, the seal carrier has a radially extending seal carrier wall and a sealing web extending axially away from it, which forms a labyrinth seal together with the inner platform of the guide vane arrangement, wherein the seal carrier wall and the sealing web are made up in one piece with each other, i.e., they are built up additively together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines AG
    Inventor: Christoph Lauer
  • Patent number: 10837303
    Abstract: A tip sealing structure for a blade includes a casing having an inner circumferential surface facing the blade; a blocking groove formed in the inner circumferential surface of the casing; and a movable seal provided on a tip of the blade and configured to move in a depth direction of the blocking groove. Since the seal is configured to move into the blocking groove, tighter sealing at the tip of the blade can be accomplished. A seal bracket of the moveable seal encloses a movement space open at one end and includes a seal stop formed at the open end. A brush body including top and bottom crossbars is disposed partially within the seal bracket, such that movement of the moveable seal is limited by the bottom crossbar being stopped by the seal stop. A first brush seal is mounted on the brush body and positioned in the blocking groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Doosan Heavy Industries Construction Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Jin Woo Song
  • Patent number: 10794205
    Abstract: A ceramic brush seal for a gas turbine engine, and a process for manufacturing the seal are provided. In one example, the process includes deinfiltrating an edge of a plurality of plies having a preimpregnated configuration. The edge is defined by a plurality of ceramic fibers extending away from a portion edge of a matrix infiltrated portion of each of the plies. In another example, the process includes masking an edge of a plurality of plies, the edge being defined by a plurality of ceramic fibers extending away from a portion edge of a body portion of each of the plies, and infiltrating the body portion of the plurality of plies with a ceramic matrix slurry. The plies are stacked, formed into a green body and then fired to form the component. The plies may include oxide/oxide woven ceramic fiber plies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald Walter Overholser
  • Patent number: 10787923
    Abstract: A seal for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. In various embodiments, the seal includes a first annular ring; a second annular ring; an annular brush having a first brush end disposed between the first annular ring and the second annular ring; and an axial ring seal having a first seal end configured for contact with the second annular ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas E Clark, William M. Barker
  • Patent number: 10683769
    Abstract: A seal for a rotary machine includes a flexible element extending circumferentially about a rotating component and extending generally radially from a first end to a free second end. The flexible element is coupled proximate the first end for rotation with the rotating component. The seal also includes a retaining plate having a stop face that orients the flexible element at a first angle when the rotating component is operating at less than a critical speed and under the including of pressure loading, such that a clearance gap is defined between the free second end and a stationary component. The flexible element extends at substantially a second angle when the rotating component is operating at a speed greater than the critical speed, such that the flexible element forms a dynamic seal between the rotating component and the stationary component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Neelesh Nandkumar Sarawate, Deepak Trivedi, Xiaoqing Zheng
  • Patent number: 10663064
    Abstract: A brush seal assembly includes a brush seal, a brush support portion, and an assembly support portion. The brush seal, which has a multitude of bristles forming an angle with respect to a radial direction of a rotating body rotated inside a casing, is disposed around an outer circumferential surface of the rotating body and is oriented with respect to the body's rotating direction. The brush support portion supports the brush seal by extending toward the rotating body while contacting a low-pressure side of the brush seal. The assembly support portion supports the brush seal and the brush support portion and to receive respectively a base end of the brush seal and an axial protrusion of the brush support portion. The brush support portion contacts the brush seal along a predetermined length, which is greater than that of a line following a bristle of the brush seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Doosan Heavy Industries Construction Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Mahmut Faruk Aksit
  • Patent number: 10633995
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a turbine section having a turbine rotor and at least one blade extending outwardly of the turbine rotor. The turbine rotor rotates about an axis of rotation. A blade outer air seal is positioned radially outward of the at least one blade. The blade outer air seal has an axially forward hook and an axially aft hook supported to static structure. An axial seal is attached to static structure forward of the forward hook, and has a sealing portion extending in an aft direction. A sealing surface member is positioned intermediate an aft end of the axial seal and a forward end of the forward hook to provide a sealing surface for sealing between the seal and the blade outer air seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: William M. Barker, Thomas E. Clark
  • Patent number: 10615443
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack and a stack case. The fuel cell stack includes power generation cells, a first end and a second end, a first side and a second side, and a top side and a bottom side. The stack case contains the fuel cell stack therein. The stack case includes a first end plate, a second end plate, a first side plate, a second side plate, a top cover plate, a bottom cover plate, and sealing members. Each of the sealing members is disposed between the first side plate and the first end plate, between the first side plate and the second end plate, between the second side plate and the first end plate, and between the second side plate and the second end plate. Each of the sealing members includes an end portion. The end portion has a T-shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hideharu Naito
  • Patent number: 10590790
    Abstract: The invention concerns a conical hula seal wherein an inner part of the conical hula seal is closer to a conical hula seal longitudinal axis than an outer part of the conical hula seal, and wherein the conical hula seal extends in a circumferential direction relative to the conical hula seal longitudinal axis. A gas turbine which includes the conical hula seal is also disclosed, along with a method of operating a gas turbine which includes a conical hula seal that seals a gap between a first vane and a picture frame, the method including purging the gap with a cooling fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: ANSALDO ENERGIA SWITZERLAND AG
    Inventors: Hans-Christian Mathews, Urs Benz, Frank Graf
  • Patent number: 10563771
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a brush seal comprising: a first plate, a wire mesh adjacent the first plate, a bristle pack adjacent the wire mesh, and a second plate adjacent the bristle pack. Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a method comprising: positioning a wire mesh adjacent to a first plate, positioning a bristle pack adjacent to the wire mesh, positioning a second plate adjacent to the bristle pack, applying a toolset to hold the first plate, the wire mesh, the bristle pack, and the second plate in a stack-up, and performing an operation to form a brush seal from the stack-up of the first plate, the wire mesh, the bristle pack, and the second plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jeremy Drake, Raymond Surace
  • Patent number: 10550712
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vane for a turbine engine, comprising a body (170) locally defining a blade provided at the radially outer end with a root (33), characterised in that it also comprises at least one sealing element (39) extending beyond the radially outer end of the root and connected to an area of the root by means of a movable mechanical link (37).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Safran Aircraft Engines
    Inventors: Didier Noël Durand, Olivier Jean Daniel Baumas, Nicolas Daniel Delaporte
  • Patent number: 10533665
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a seal arrangement, in particular a brush seal, for a turbine, in particular an aircraft gas turbine, with a sealing element and with a sealing surface that interacts with the sealing element, wherein the sealing element and the sealing surface are arranged concentrically with respect to each other, in particular concentrically around a machine axis of the turbine is hereby characterized in that the sealing element and the sealing surface are designed in such a way that, in a first operating state, a gap is formed between them, and in that, in a second operating state, a sealing contact is produced between the sealing element and the sealing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines AG
    Inventor: Alexander Kloetzer
  • Patent number: 10519791
    Abstract: A shaft sealing device includes a plurality of leaves that is arranged in a periphery of a rotating shaft and divides a space around the rotating shaft into two spaces in an axial direction of the rotating shaft, and a side seal plate that is arranged on one side of the plurality of leaves in the axial direction of the rotating shaft and has an opposite surface facing a side end on one side of the plurality of leaves. The side seal plate has a friction reducing portion for reducing a friction force between the opposite surface of the side seal plate and a surface of the side end on the one side of the plurality of leaves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Azumi Yoshida, Hidekazu Uehara, Kohei Ozaki, Shin Nishimoto
  • Patent number: 10520016
    Abstract: Improved bearing roller elements are disclosed. Vanes are added to a ring-roller type element which allow fluids to flow through a bearing assembly in a controlled manner. The fluids can then provide convection cooling. The vaned ring-roller elements allow the creation of a pump, either as part of the bearing assembly's cooling system or as a dedicated device. The use of magnetic spokes in ring-roller type elements which can be used with or without the vanes which allows them to be driven by an electromagnetic field is also disclosed, as is the use of such magnetic elements in the bearing roller elements to allow electromagnetic braking and/or regenerative braking. A bearing assembly incorporating the roller elements in a ring configuration and using pre-load to produce additional benefits is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Taurus Technologies Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Magnusson, Marta Magnusson, Maxine Magnusson
  • Patent number: 10519807
    Abstract: Turbine assemblies for a turbine of a gas turbine engine are disclosed herein. The turbine assemblies include a carrier and a blade track. The blade track extends around blades of a turbine wheel assembly to block gasses passed along a gas path from moving over the blades without causing the blades to rotate during operation of the turbine assembly. The blade track includes a plurality of blade track segments arranged circumferentially adjacent to one another about a central axis to form a ring. A retention ring engages both the carrier and the blade track segments to facilitate coupling and sealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc., Rolls-Royce High Temperature Composites Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Shoemaker, Joseph P. Lamusga, Ted J. Freeman
  • Patent number: 10519793
    Abstract: An aircraft turbojet low-pressure compressor includes a sealing device for a turbine engine. The device includes an internal stator shroud connected to an external casing via an annular row of stator vanes and a rotor with two brush seals arranged inside the shroud and respectively upstream and downstream. The internal shroud includes a frustoconial internal surface, which is associated with each brush seal. Each frustoconical surface lies flush with and is inclined with respect to the bristles of the brush seal, so as to seal with the said brush. A method for assembling a sealing device is also proposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: SAFRAN AERO BOOSTERS SA
    Inventors: Stéphane Hiernaux, Nicolas Habotte
  • Patent number: 10502322
    Abstract: Provided is a split type brush seal device, brush seal pieces, and a method of assembling a split type brush seal device in which the brush seal pieces can be applied to an attached portion having an acceptable curvature. The split type brush seal device includes plural brush seal pieces having bundled wire rods, and attached members in which the plural brush seal pieces are attached to attached portions in the circumferential direction. Each of the brush seal pieces has a plate of arc shape to which the bundled wire rods are fixed. The split type brush seal device further includes a biasing member that forcibly cause a curvature of the plate to approximate to a curvature of the attached portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: EAGLE INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toru Kono, Ryu Kikuchi, Norihiko Saito
  • Patent number: 10465546
    Abstract: A seal system may comprise a seal cavity defined, at least partially, by a first axial surface and a second axial surface. The second axial surface may be recessed with respect to the first axial surface. A brush seal may be disposed in the seal cavity. The brush seal may comprise a first bristle pack and a backing plate coupled to the first bristle pack. A first group of bristles of the first bristle pack may be radially inward of the first axial surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark J. Rogers, Timothy M. Davis
  • Patent number: 10443735
    Abstract: A brush seal having an annular shape, includes: a low-pressure-side plate including a low-pressure-side recessed portion radially recessed and circumferentially extending; a high-pressure-side plate including a high-pressure-side recessed portion positioned to face the low-pressure-side recessed portion, the high-pressure-side recessed portion being radially recessed and circumferentially extending; a brush body including a plurality of wire rods and supported between the low-pressure-side plate and the high-pressure-side plate; and a fixing member inserted into a space formed by the low-pressure-side recessed portion and the high-pressure-side recessed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: EAGLE INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Toru Kono