Brush Seal Patents (Class 277/355)
  • Publication number: 20020105145
    Abstract: A brush seal is provided between a first stationary component and a second rotating component. A cooling medium is provided through a plurality of jet nozzles for flow along an upstream surface portion of the brush seal bristles and along the rotating component surface adjoining the tips of the bristles. The cooling medium cools the brush seal bristles to a temperature below the temperature of the working fluid passing through the turbine. The jet nozzles may be arranged in the shroud or in the upstream backing plate of the brush seal to direct the cooling medium toward the juncture of the brush seal and the sealing surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mahmut Faruk Aksit, Osman Saim Dinc
  • Patent number: 6428009
    Abstract: A brush seal for sealing a circumferential gap between two relatively rotating machine components, e.g. the rotor or shaft and stator of a fluid flow machine, such as a gas turbine engine. One end of a plurality of seal bristles is fixed in an annular shape and are mounted to the stator, and their opposite ends are attached to a number of individual shoes located at the rotor. The shoes function very similarly to that of a tilting pad bearing shoe. Prior to shaft rotation, the shoes are in contact with the rotor surface with preferably the leading edge of each shoe set to have less contact than the trailing edge of the shoe. As such, when the rotor begins to rotate, a hydrodynamic wedge is created which lifts the shoe slightly off the surface of the shaft allowing the shoe to effectively “float” over the shaft at a design gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Inventor: John F. Justak
  • Patent number: 6416057
    Abstract: A brush seal arrangement for sealing cooperation between a shaft and a surrounding member which is relatively rotatable with respect to the shaft. The brush seal includes an annular rotor disposed in surrounding relationship to the shaft and sealed with respect to the housing, and the rotor mounts thereon first and second annular bush members which are disposed in axially spaced relation and which have annular edge portions which create a frictional and sealing engagement with the shaft to nonrotatably and sealingly couple the rotor to the shaft. A passage extends through the rotor for communication with an annular region defined between the annular brushes in surrounding relationship to the shaft, and a pressurized buffer gas is supplied through the passage into the annular region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Flowserve Management Company
    Inventors: William V. Adams, Christopher D. McCowey, Leroy A. Waling, Antonio F. Artiles
  • Publication number: 20020074729
    Abstract: The positions of brush seal segments are positively adjusted relative to a housing carrying the brush seal segments and the opposing sealing component by employing members formed of thermally responsive material. The members are heated by heating elements receiving controlled power. By increasing or decreasing the power provided to the heating elements, the members are expanded or contracted to move the brush seal segments toward or away from the opposing sealing component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mahmut Faruk Aksit, Osman Saim Dinc, Raymond Edward Chupp, Ming Zhou
  • Publication number: 20020074730
    Abstract: A rotatable shaft is mounted in an oil bearing and generates oil mist. One or more brush seals are carried by the bearing housing for substantially sealing the oil mist in the bearing cavity from migration outwardly. The bristles have a diameter in the range of 0.5 to 1.0 mils, preferably about 0.56 mils. The bristles have a stiffness less than 1 psi/mil and preferably about 0.2 psi/mil. The brush seal is mounted on a sheet metal mounting plate, enabling an inexpensive securement of brush seals to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Robert Russell Mayer, Mahmut Faruk Aksit, Bharat Sampathkumaran Bagepalli
  • Patent number: 6406027
    Abstract: A brush seal for reducing leakage of a fluid across a pressure drop in a machine. The brush seal includes a bristle holder attachable to the machine and filament-yarn bristles secured to the bristle holder. In one example the bristles are filaments of an aramid filament yarn, and the machine is a hydrogen-cooled electric generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mahmut Faruk Aksit, Osman Saim Dinc, Robert Russell Mayer
  • Publication number: 20020071764
    Abstract: The adjoining edges of bucket covers are sealed one to the other. A brush seal projecting from a stationary shroud overlies the bucket covers. A joint at which the adjacent covers sealingly engage each other precludes radial outflow of high pressure fluid into bristles of the brush seal, preventing radial and axial deflection of the bristles and consequent failure of the bristles. The joints between the covers may comprise lap or tongue-and-groove joints.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Norman Arnold Turnquist, Lawrence D. Willey, Christopher Edward Wolfe
  • Patent number: 6402157
    Abstract: The invention provides a brush seal, and a method of using a brush seal, for providing a seal between a support housing and a rotating shaft. The brush seal comprises a support portion; a back plate connected to and extending from the support portion on a back side of the support portion. The brush seal further includes a set of bristles attached to the support portion, the back plate disposed on a back side of the set of bristles and supporting the set of bristles. The brush seal further includes at least one fitting portion connected to and extending from the support portion, each of the at least one fitting portions configured to mate with a corresponding slot in the support housing so as to prevent mis-fit of the brush seal in the support housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ming Zhou, Sal Albert Leone, Susan Marie Hyde, Bruce Miller, Peter A. Stinnett
  • Publication number: 20020063391
    Abstract: A brush seal device of the present invention has a holding portion and a brush having a plurality of bristles. The holding portion is held by one part and is in the shape of a sealing plate. One end portion of the brush is connected with the holding portion. A free end portion of the brush is disposed in parallel with the holding portion and protrudes therefrom so as to seal a gap between itself and the other part to which the brush is opposed. An elastic portion holds the side of the free end portion of the brush in light touch with a holding surface of the holding portion. The elastic portion also performs a sealing function so as to prevent sealed fluid from entering the side of the mounting portion of the brush.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Applicant: EAGLE ENGINEERING AEROSPACE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Toru Kono
  • Patent number: 6390476
    Abstract: A brush seal includes a brush seal body formed of heat-resistant magnetic silicone rubber material in the form of a channel. Bristles are disposed in the channel of the brush seal body at a cant angle and project from the edges of the body terminating in bristle tips. The brush seal is formed linearly and, in use, flexed to form an annular seal between adjacent annular sealing components, with the seal carried by one component and the bristle tips engaging the opposite component. The magnetic material of the seal body enables temporary securement of the seal to one of the components, while the seal is adjusted and finally secured in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Wei Tong, ZhangQing Zhuo
  • Patent number: 6382632
    Abstract: A brush seal assembly is radially and axially repositionable relative to stationary and rotating components. Shim packs whose thickness can be reduced by peeling adhesively attached foil layers from the shim packs are used to provide both axial and radial repositioning. In another form, a plurality of set screws may be threaded into a mounting member for the brush seal assembly to controllably space the brush seal from the rotating component. In a further form, an eccentric cam is rotated to reposition the brush seal assembly radially inwardly or outwardly with shim packs being used to reposition the brush seal in an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Raymond Edward Chupp, Osman Saim Dinc, Gayle Hobbs Goetze, John Augustus Halbohm, Kenneth Lorenzo Parks, Hui Kuang, George Ernest Reluzco
  • Publication number: 20020050684
    Abstract: A brush seal device for sealing a gap of varying dimensions between two parts moving relatively, has a brush (2) formed by a number of thin bristles (3) arranged in a wall-like form, one end secured to one part in parallel with a retaining portion (4) that supports the brush (2), and a seal portion at the other end facing the other part for sealing the gap. The brush (2) is formed so as to be easily deflected even if the brush (2) is pressed by the retaining portion (4) due to the balance of the pressure between the retaining portion and the inside of the pressure balancing groove (6). Further, an edge portion at the periphery of the pressure balancing groove (6) is formed into a gently slanted surface so that it does not wear on the brush (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Applicant: Eagle Engineering Aerospace Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toru Kono
  • Publication number: 20020050685
    Abstract: A brush seal device for sealing a gap of varying dimensions between two parts moving relatively, has a brush (2) formed by a number of thin bristles (3) arranged in a wall-like form, one end secured to one part in parallel with a retaining portion (4) that supports the brush (2), and a seal portion at the other end facing the other part for sealing the gap. When the dimensions of the gap change and an inner diameter edge portion of the seal portion contacts the other part, a lubricant (7, 8) interposed between each contact surface of the brush (2) and/or the retaining portion (4) makes a friction coefficient of the contact surface of the brush (2) small, so as to facilitate deflection of the brush (2) when the other part contacts the brush (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Applicant: EAGLE ENGINEERING AEROSPACE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Toru Kono
  • Patent number: 6378873
    Abstract: In a hydrogen cooled generator, a seal casing has a chamber opening radially inwardly for receiving a pair of seal rings forming a fluid film along the interface between the rings and the rotor. A spring biases the seal rings against axial spaced flanges of the seal casing and static oil sealing grooves are provided at the interface of the seal rings and flanges. A brush seal is carried by one or both of the seal rings or by the seal casing and has bristles for engaging the surface of the rotor. The combination of seal rings and brush seal form a low flow fluid film seal maintaining the hydrogen atmosphere and oil on opposite sides of the housing wall and the seal casing segregated from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Russell Mayer, Bharat Sampathkumaran Bagepalli, Mahmut Faruk Aksit
  • Patent number: 6367806
    Abstract: A seal arrangement for a rotary machine, such as a turbine, includes a main seal segment such as a labyrinth seal segment, a brush seal segment disposed in a slot in the main seal segment and having a layer of bristles secured between upstream and downstream plates of the brush seal segment, and at least one passage radially formed through the main seal segment to communicate a balancing pressure from a pressure source located exteriorly of an outer periphery of the main seal segment to a cavity defined in the downstream plate of the brush seal segment at a downstream side of the layer of bristles of the brush seal segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Norman Arnold Turnquist, Osman Saim Dinc, George Ernest Reluzco, Robert Harold Cromer, Martin Francis O'Connor, David Robert Skinner, Christopher Edward Wolfe
  • Patent number: 6364316
    Abstract: An annular sealing apparatus is disclosed for disposition in cooperation with a body defining a bore and a rotating member rotatably received in the bore, the bore and rotating member bounding a high fluid pressure region and a relatively lower pressure fluid region therebetween, the sealing apparatus inhibiting fluid leakage between the high and lower fluid pressure regions, the sealing apparatus has a fore cover plate disposed in the high fluid pressure region and aft cover plate disposed in the lower pressure fluid region. A sealing element comprised of a plurality of comb-like diaphragm members is disposed between the two cover plates. Each of the diaphragm members has a foot portion with a groove. At low rotational speeds the foot portion abuts against the rotating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Gulshan K. Arora
  • Publication number: 20020033578
    Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided an annular brush seal comprising a bristle pack, the bristle pack having an upstream face, a downstream face and a sealing face, wherein the sealing face is provided with an annular chamfered relief extending from a location intermediate the upstream face and the downstream face and terminating at the upstream face. The revised geometry providing more consistent performance through the life of the brush seal. Also provided is a method for the manufacture of such a seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Keith Weaver, Christopher Wright
  • Patent number: 6357752
    Abstract: A double brush seal for sealing the combustor-turbine nozzle interface of a gas turbine engine includes a stationary support member and an intermediate plate attached to the stationary support member. The brush seal also includes a first end plate located upstream of the intermediate plate and attached to the stationary support member, and a second end plate located downstream of the intermediate plate and attached to the stationary support member. A first bristle pack is disposed between the first end plate and the intermediate plate, and a second bristle pack is disposed between the second end plate and the intermediate plate such that the intermediate plate functions as a common back plate for the two stages of the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Elias H. Lampes
  • Patent number: 6352263
    Abstract: The invention relates to a brush seal 1 with bristles 3 arranged at an angle, for sealing a rotor (2) against a stator. The brush seal (1) has a support plate (9) with a longitudinal section (10) and a support section (11). The brush seal (1) also has bristles (3) with shaft sections (6) and bristle sections (7) arranged at an angle to the shaft sections (6). The end of the bristle sections (7) run against the sealing area (U) of the rotor (2). A bending clearance (13) is provided between the shaft sections (6) of the bristles (3) and the support plate (9). Between the bristle sections (7) and across the entire length of the support section (11) of the support plate (9) there is a gap (12) which closes if there is differential pressure on opposite sides of the bristles (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: MTU Motoren-und Turbinen-Union
    Inventors: Alfons Gail, Stefan Beichl, Werner Klemens
  • Publication number: 20020020968
    Abstract: A brush seal for sealing a rotor with respect to a stator includes a bristle housing which is held on the stator or rotor, a cover plate, a supporting plate, a circumferential surface and two side surfaces and in which bristles oriented with their free ends to the rotor or stator are fastened. The bristle housing, for ensuring correct, anti-rotation installation in its seat, includes a first positioning arrangement on at least one side surface or the circumferential surface, the first positioning arrangement interacting in a positive-locking manner with a correspondingly configured second positioning arrangement on the stator or rotor or a separate fastening element for the definite positioning of the bristle housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventors: Alfons Gail, Lodewijk Prins, Klemens Werner
  • Patent number: 6343792
    Abstract: A shaft seal having a high abrasion resistance is disclosed, by which the leakage of the gas from the high-pressure side to the low-pressure side can be reduced. In the shaft seal, flexible leaves are multi-layered to form a ring shape. The shaft seal is mainly arranged around the rotation shaft of a gas turbine or the like. The relevant turbine comprises a casing, a compressor, a rotation shaft, moving blades attached to the rotation shaft, and stationary blades attached to the casing in a manner such that the stationary blades face the moving blades, wherein the shaft seals are provided between a plurality of stationary blades and the rotation shaft wherein the leaves of each shaft seal contact the rotation shaft. Under the rated operating conditions, the top ends of the leaves slightly separate from the surface of the rotation shaft due to the dynamic pressure generated by the rotation of the rotation shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tanehiro Shinohara, Kouichi Akagi, Masanori Yuri, Masahiko Toyoda, Yutaka Ozawa, Akihiro Kawaguchi, Setunori Sakakibara, Zenichi Yoshida, Nobuhiro Kunitake, Takahiro Ohta, Hidehiko Nakane, Eisaku Ito, Yutaka Kawata, Koji Takeshita
  • Publication number: 20020000694
    Abstract: A brush seal for sealing a circumferential gap between two relatively rotating machine components, e.g. the rotor or shaft and stator of a fluid flow machine, such as a gas turbine engine. One end of a plurality of seal bristles is fixed in an annular shape and are mounted to the stator, and their opposite ends are attached to a number of individual shoes located at the rotor. The shoes function very similarly to that of a tilting pad bearing shoe. Prior to shaft rotation, the shoes are in contact with the rotor surface with preferably the leading edge of each shoe set to have less contact than the trailing edge of the shoe. As such, when the rotor begins to rotate, a hydrodynamic wedge is created which lifts the shoe slightly off the surface of the shaft allowing the shoe to effectively “float” over the shaft at a design gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventor: John F. Justak
  • Patent number: 6331006
    Abstract: A plurality of brush seal segments are disposed in a groove of a component fixed against rotation and project into sealing relation with a rotating component. The brush seal segments are each comprised of a pair of plates having a plurality of brush bristles therebetween, the plates and bristles being secured along the outer arcuate face of the segments by a weld bead. The opposite ends of the bristles form the seal with the rotary component. Each brush seal segments is disposed in a groove with generous clearance between a hook on the segment and a flange on the fixed component. A spring between the fixed component and arcuate outer face of the brush seal segment biases the segment in a radial direction. The end of the spring has a pair of tabs spaced axially from one another for reception in a pair of axially spaced recesses to retain the spring against circumferential movement while simultaneously maintaining the integrity of the weld joint without loss of securement of the bristles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Frederick G. Baily, Lawrence E. Rentz, Klaus M. Retzlaff, Norman A. Turnquist
  • Patent number: 6328311
    Abstract: A single flexible strip of strands or brush fibers is contained within a body constituted by an inner crown and an outer crown. The crowns are U-shaped such that they can be used to position the two ends of the flexible strip against an outer surface of revolving shaft. Preferably, the arms of the two crowns are of different lengths and face each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Societe Nationale d'Etude et de Construction de Moteurs d'Aviation “Snecma”
    Inventors: Daniel Georges Plona, Monique Andrée Thore
  • Patent number: 6318728
    Abstract: Disclosed are improved spillstrip and packing rings, and packing ring segments employing novel brush elements for use in forming seals in axial flow elastic fluid machines, and compressor and turbine machines containing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Demag Delaval Turbomachinery Corporation
    Inventors: Mark E. Addis, Willaim S. Dalton
  • Patent number: 6308958
    Abstract: An arrangement and method for radially positioning a brush seal relative to a rotor provides a main seal segment having a slot open toward the rotor and an interior ledge facing away from the rotor, a brush seal segment in the slot and having an exterior shoulder facing toward the rotor and overlying the interior ledge such that the brush seal segment can move radially relative to the main seal segment and rotor and the exterior shoulder can move toward and away from the interior ledge, a shim disposed and establishing a minimum spacing between the interior ledge and the exterior shoulder, and set screws tightened into spaced threaded holes in the main seal segment forcing the exterior shoulder against the shim and to the minimum spacing from the interior ledge so as to prevent radial floating of the brush seal segment in the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Norman Arnold Turnquist, Christopher Edward Wolfe
  • Patent number: 6308957
    Abstract: A brush seal designed for use between regions of high pressure differential and in an environment in which there is disturbed flow has a bristle pack sub-divided into a plurality of bristle pack regions with a leaky diaphragm between each region. The brush seal may comprise an assembly of individual seals with diaphragms between them or a single bristle pack which is sub-divided by at least one internal diaphragm. The diaphragms are preferably compliant and designed to allow a predetermined leakage flow between bristle regions. The leakage flow has several functions: it causes the pressure differential across the whole seal assembly to be more evenly distributed, and by providing an amount of flow in each pack this acts to calm the bristles thus helping to ensure each bristle region effectively contributes to the seal performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Rolls Royce PLC.
    Inventor: Christopher Wright
  • Publication number: 20010030397
    Abstract: A seal of non-hermetic design for installation between two components which can move relative to one another, includes a multiplicity of flexurally elastic sealing elements which each have an end connected fixedly to a seal-bearing device and a free, angled end with the point directed toward the surface of the one component, the seal-bearing device being connected fixedly to the other component and supporting the angled ends of the sealing elements at least on one side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Inventor: Stefan Beichl
  • Patent number: 6302400
    Abstract: A brush seal for sealing a rotor against a housing. The brush seal includes a front panel and a supporting plate attached to the housing wherein a number of bristles are disposed between the front panel and supporting plate. A seal housing that defines a fit surface is formed by cold joining the front panel and supporting plate. The front panel or the supporting plate include a beaded lip for firmly joining the front panel to the supporting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: MTU Motoren-und Turbinen-Union München GmbH
    Inventors: Klemens Werner, Alfons Gail
  • Patent number: 6293554
    Abstract: A brush seal segment useful, when circumferentially arrayed with other such segments, to seal the gap between a rotor and a surrounding casing of a rotary machine such as a gas or steam turbine. Brush-seal bristles are positioned between a brush-seal back plate and a brush-seal front plate with the free end of each bristle extending beyond the edges of the plates. The front plate has a portion extending to the edge of the front plate with the portion spaced apart from the bristles. In one example, the portion has an array of through holes. In another example, the portion has a ledge projecting generally away from the bristles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Osman Saim Dinc, Yahya Dogu, Michael Eugene Battle, Robert Joseph Albers, Robert Proctor
  • Patent number: 6293553
    Abstract: A brush seal for sealing a rotor against a housing. The brush seal includes a number of bristles that are each attached to the housing by a clamp member. The clamp member is positioned between a supporting plate and a front panel. The supporting plate has a supporting section for supporting the bristles in an inclined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Mtu Motoren-und Turbinen-Union München GmbH
    Inventors: Klemens Werner, Alfons Gail
  • Publication number: 20010022431
    Abstract: Brush for a brush seal, having a plurality of ceramic fibers, which are held with a part of their length in an integrally continuous material in a matrix forming a solid. The matrix is made at least extensively of carbon, which is made by pyrolysis of a synthetic resin (precursor resin).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Publication date: September 20, 2001
    Inventor: Stefan Beichl
  • Patent number: 6290232
    Abstract: A rotor shaft of a steam turbine is provided with a dovetail-shaped groove. A plurality of inserts are received in the groove through an entry slot at a predetermined circumferential location. Each insert has a sealing surface which, when all inserts are disposed in the groove, form a continuous sealing surface about the rotor shaft. Pins are employed to retain the final insert and, hence, all inserts in the groove by connecting the final insert either to the rotor shaft or to adjacent inserts. In this manner, heat generated by the brush seal bristles bearing on proud portions of the rotor sealing surface is substantially uniformly distributed about the inserts prior to any heat transfer to the rotor. To the extent heat is transferred to the rotor, the temperature distribution is substantially uniform whereby bowing of the rotor due to differential circumferential heating by brush seal contact with proud portions of the rotor is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventors: George E. Reluzco, Thomas J. Farineau, Lawrence E. Rentz, Dennis R. Ahl
  • Patent number: 6267381
    Abstract: A seal for effecting a seal between two components (2,4) to inhibit a flow of fluid, between the two components, in a sealing direction (22) from an upstream side (24) of the seal to a downstream side (26) of the seal. The downstream side (26) of the seal in use being at a lower pressure than the upstream side (26) of the seal. The seal comprising a carrier (12) adapted for mounting from one of the components (4), and a plurality of densely packed resilient strips (6) mounted on the carrier (12) to extend therefrom. Each strip (6) having a tip (20) which is adapted to wipe on the other component (2) to effect a seal thereagainst in the sealing direction (22) with the strips (6) arranged substantially parallel to the sealing direction (22). The seal being characterized in that there is provided a gap (30) between adjacent strips to allow the tip portions (20) of the strips (6) to move relative to each other and maintain in use a flexible seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventor: Christopher Wright
  • Publication number: 20010007384
    Abstract: A brush seal is comprised of arcuate seal segments having ends cut in a radial direction with bristles “canted” at an approximate 45° angle relative to radii of the segments, leaving triangular regions adjacent one end of each segment devoid of bristles at the segment interfaces. The brush seals are retrofit into conventional labyrinth seals with the backing plate for the bristles comprising a labyrinth tooth profile extending fully 360° about the seal, including those areas where bristles are not present. The sealing capacity is not substantially degraded, while affording significant sealing improvements over conventional labyrinth seals. Additionally, when retrofit into labyrinth seals with radial movement, the individual labyrinth seal segments are free to move radially independently of one another during transients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Publication date: July 12, 2001
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: David Robert skinner, Bharat S. Bagepalli, Robert Harold Cromer, Osman Saim Dine, Norman Arnold Turnquist, Christopher Edward Wolfe
  • Patent number: 6257588
    Abstract: The brush seal includes manually-flexible, plastic-containing, brush-seal bristles attached to an elongated bristle holder. The rotary machine has a rotor and stator casing segments with segments of the brush seal positioned one each in a surface groove of a corresponding stator casing segment. In one example, the bristle holder is manually flexible, the bristles and the bristle holder define a monolithic unit, and the brush seal is coiled onto a spool from which a desired length is cut thereby avoiding the necessity of manufacturing a brush seal segment to a specific radius and a specific circumferential length to match a particular stator casing segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bharat Sampathkumaran Bagepalli, Mahmut Faruk Aksit, Robert Russell Mayer
  • Patent number: 6257586
    Abstract: A brush seal is comprised of arcuate seal segments having ends cut in a radial direction with bristles “canted” at an approximate 45° angle relative to radii of the segments, leaving triangular regions adjacent one end of each segment devoid of bristles at the segment interfaces. The brush seals are retrofit into conventional labyrinth seals with the backing plate for the bristles comprising a labyrinth tooth profile extending fully 360° about the seal, including those areas where bristles are not present. The sealing capacity is not substantially degraded, while affording significant sealing improvements over conventional labyrinth seals. Additionally, when retrofit into labyrinth seals with radial movement, the individual labyrinth seal segments are free to move radially independently of one another during transients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventors: David Robert Skinner, Bharat S. Bagepalli, Robert Harold Cromer, Osman Saim Dinc, Norman Arnold Turnquist, Christopher Edward Wolfe
  • Patent number: 6254344
    Abstract: An annular seal comprising a mass of bristles (10) packed together in a layer axially adjacent to an annular backing plate (12). The bristles (12) and backing plate (14) are mounted on and extend from a radially outer member (4) towards and around a cylindrical inner member (2). The outer (4) and inner (2) cylindrical members rotate relative to each other about an axis (1). The bristles (10) co-operate with the inner cylindrical member (2) to form a seal thereagainst. An expansion ring (18) is disposed radially inwardly of the backing plate (14) and is mounted in substantially the same plane from the backing plate (14) via a suitable mounting arrangement (16) which is arranged to permit radial movement of the expansion ring (18) relative to the backing plate (14) and the operational position of the inner cylindrical member (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Christopher Wright, Steven V Allen, Guy Saysell, Jonathan J Morgan
  • Patent number: 6250641
    Abstract: Circumferentially extending sealing segments (45) are disposed about a rotary component (16) and have seal face (34) carrying a plurality of labyrinth seal teeth (36) and a brush seal (37). The segments are movable between large and small clearance positions relative to the rotor at start-up and steady-state operating conditions, respectively. In one form, springs (31) bias the segments radially outwardly at start-up and steam pressure displaces the segments to the small clearance positions at steady-state operations. In a further embodiment, springs bias the segment for movement to the small clearance position, the extent of movement being determined by thermal expansion of centering rings mounting the segments to the stationary components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventors: Osman Saim Dinc, Norman Arnold Turnquist, Robert Harold Cromer, George Ernest Reluzco, Christopher Edward Wolfe
  • Patent number: 6250640
    Abstract: A number of sealing segments 20 mounts a brush seal about a rotor. The tips of the brush seal 46 are maintained out of contact with the rotor surface throughout the entire operating range of the turbomachinery. Thus, the increase in temperature resultant from rubs between the bristle tips and the rotor 12 which effectively increase vibrations of the turbomachinery are eliminated. Brush seals are therefore maintained out of contact with the rotor throughout the entire operating range of the turbomachinery and thus do not affect the dynamic behavior of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventors: Christopher Edward Wolfe, Norman Arnold Turnquist, Robert Harold Cromer, Osman Saim Dinc, Lawrence Edward Rentz, Roger Jordan Carr, Joseph Robert Toth, Edward A. Dewhurst, Frederick George Baily
  • Publication number: 20010004145
    Abstract: A brush seal (9) comprising a plurality of bristles packed together in a bristle layer (10). The bristles (10) extend from a first component (4) towards a facing surface of a second component (2). A movable plate (14) is disposed substantially parallel to and adjacent to the bristle layer (10). The plate (14) is movable relative to the bristle layer (10) in a direction parallel to the bristle layer (10). An edge (22) of the movable plate (14) adjacent to and facing the facing surface of the second component (2) is arranged to air ride on the facing surface of the second component (2). To promote the air riding the edge (22) of the movable plate (14) may be accordingly profiled. Alternatively the edge (14) may comprise an enlarged foot member (24) which defines an enlarged surface (26). Furthermore a recess (30) may be defined in the movable plate (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Publication date: June 21, 2001
    Inventors: Christopher Wright, Karl W. Shore
  • Patent number: 6244599
    Abstract: A seal assembly which cooperates between relatively rotatable members for creating a sealing relationship between areas of high and low pressures. The assembly includes a face seal arrangement nonrotatably associated with one of the relatively rotatable members, which face seal arrangement defines thereon a pair of annular sealing faces, and an annular brush having a plurality of bristles disposed in an annular array. The brush bristles are mounted on the holder such that free ends thereof are in sealing contact with the other member to form a first seal between the areas of high and low pressures, whereby the brush is rotatable along with the other member to minimize wear thereto. The brush defines thereon a pair of annular sealing faces which are disposed in axially adjacent and opposed face-to-face relation with the respective sealing faces of the face seal arrangement to form a second seal between the areas of high and low pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Flowserve Management Company
    Inventors: Minel J. Braun, Fred K. Choy
  • Patent number: 6231047
    Abstract: A brush seal includes a retainer and a multiplicity of single bristles each bristle having a fixed end and a free sealing end, the fixed ends being individually attached in a continuous arrangement at the same angle to the retainer, the bristles having a uniform pack density throughout the extent of the bristles from the fixed to the sealing end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignees: EG&G Engineered Products, Pferd Milwaukee Brush Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew D. Cunningham, Robert P. Menendez, James A. Henderson, Chih-Yuan Shia, William J. Casey, William W. Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6227545
    Abstract: Cylinder that includes at least one stationary portion and at least one rotatable portion and a support and a method for sealing the same. The at least one rotatable portion includes a bearing axle rotatably coupled to the support, and the at least one stationary portion includes at least one stationary connection that is rotatably coupled to the bearing axle and that is adapted for at least one of inserting and removing at least one of a heating and cooling medium through the bearing axle. The cylinder also includes a sealing device that is composed of at least one brush seal and that is positioned between the at least one stationary portion and the at least one rotatable portion. The method includes rotatably coupling a bearing axle of a rotatable cylinder to a support. The bearing axle is fixedly coupled to a rotatable member and includes a channel adapted for at least one of insertion and removal of at least one of a heating and a cooling medium through the bearing axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiertechnik Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Georg Kugler
  • Patent number: 6196550
    Abstract: An annular sealing apparatus is disclosed for disposition in cooperation with a body defining a bore and a rotating member rotatably received in the bore, the bore and rotating member bounding a high fluid pressure region and a relatively lower pressure fluid region therebetween, the sealing apparatus inhibiting fluid leakage between the high and lower fluid pressure regions, the sealing apparatus has a fore cover plate disposed in the high fluid pressure region and aft cover plate disposed in the lower pressure fluid region. A sealing element comprised of a plurality of comb-like diaphragm members is disposed between the two cover plates. Each of the diaphragm members has a foot portion that seals against the rotating member. A fore spacer is disposed between said fore cover plate and said sealing element and an aft spacer is disposed between said aft cover plate and said sealing element. The aft spacer has a plurality of cavities that are separated from the low fluid pressure region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Gulshan K. Arora, Donald L. Glick
  • Patent number: 6189177
    Abstract: An improved system for cleaning vertical walls includes a vacuum source to adhere the system to the vertical wall. The vacuum source removes fluid and removed material from the wall, and also adheres the system to the wall. A rotating fluid jet is positioned radially inwardly of the vacuum source and impinges high pressurized fluid off of the surface to be cleaned to remove material. In a preferred embodiment, a central portion mounts both the fluid source and the vacuum source. A base portion mounts motors for driving the system along the wall. The base portion rotates relative to the central portion such that the central portion does not move as the base portion turns on the wall to drive the system along the wall. In a further feature, an additional air flow system is provided to provide supplemental air flow to assist the vacuum when moving the fluid and removed material. In addition, a second embodiment of a seal for contacting the surface to be cleaned includes a plurality of brush bristles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: NLB Corp
    Inventors: Forrest A. Shook, Matthew O. Herhold
  • Patent number: 6186508
    Abstract: A metallic coating containing hard carbide particles is described. The coating is applied by an HVOF process using powder particles whose size ranges from about 15 to about 44 microns. The carbide particles are held in a 80% nickel-20% chromium matrix. The coating has a reduced tensile compressive stress relative to similar plasma sprayed coatings and exhibits a high strain to cracking value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Paul H. Zajchowski, Melvin Freling, Susan M. Meier, Roy R. Donovan
  • Patent number: 6173958
    Abstract: A seal is provided between relatively moving parts and includes plural layers of woven material such as metal, polymer or ceramic materials. The layers are secured to one another and to a first part of the relatively moving first and second parts and extend freely from that first part into engagement with the second part. The woven material layers accommodate shape variations between the parts. In a further form, bristles are disposed between layers of woven material and secured at one end to one part. The free ends of the bristles and the free marginal portion of the woven material project toward the second part in sealing engagement therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventors: Osman S. Dinc, James Maynard, Bharat S. Bagepalli, Robert H. Cromer
  • Patent number: 6173962
    Abstract: A brush seal includes a mounting ring that carries radially inwardly directed bristles. A backing member attached to the mounting ring is positioned alongside the bristles. A chamber defined by the bristles and the backing member is pressurized with fluid to counteract the lateral forces imposed upon the bristles by a region of high fluid pressure that they are operationally adjacent. As a result of this balancing of forces, the bristles are free to move radially inward and outward so that their free ends remain in sealing engagement with an adjacent surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Rolls Royce PLC
    Inventors: Michael K. Morrison, Peter A. Withers, Terence V. Jones, Peter E. Wood
  • Patent number: 6170831
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes an axial brush seal extending substantially axially between a vane support and a plurality of blade outer air seals to minimize leakage of cooler air into an air path of working fluid. The axial seal includes a first and a second rings extending axially with a plurality of bristles sandwiched therebetween. Each of the plurality of bristles includes a fore bristle end and an aft bristle end that come into contact with a vane support sealing surface and a blade outer air seal sealing surface, respectively, with the bristles being compressed against the sealing surfaces. The axial seal is movable with respect to the vane support and the blade outer air seals to compensate for expansion and contraction of the vane support and the plurality of blade outer air seals as well as for lack of uniformity in the plurality of blade outer air seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph P. Bouchard