Resiliently Biased Patents (Class 415/231)
  • Patent number: 8061984
    Abstract: A sealing assembly configured to seal a rotating shaft of a turbo machine having a high pressure process gas, comprising a housing defining a bore configured to receive the rotating shaft and sealing assembly, wherein the housing is mounted to a casing of the turbo machine; a first sealing stage comprising a single dry gas seal and configured to blow down the high pressure process gas to a lower pressure; a labyrinth seal mounted longitudinally outward from the first sealing stage; and a second sealing stage mounted longitudinally outward from the labyrinth seal, wherein the second sealing stage comprises a tandem dry gas seal having a primary dry gas seal and a secondary dry gas seal axially spaced with an intermediate labyrinth seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: Mark Joseph Kuzdzal, Harry Francis Miller, Glenn R. Grosso, Martin D. Maier, David J. Peer
  • Patent number: 8057173
    Abstract: A single-bearing fan structure includes a fan frame having a bearing cup with a bearing received therein, the bearing cup having a radially inward protruded lip portion formed at a first end to abut on a top of the bearing, and a groove internally formed at a second end; a blade hub having a rotary shaft fixedly connected thereto with a distal end of the rotary shaft inserted into the bearing; a retainer engaged with the groove; a first elastic element fitted around the rotary shaft and located between the blade hub and the bearing; and a second elastic element received in the bearing cup and located between the bearing and the retainer. The first and second elastic elements and the bearing respectively axially and radially support the blade hub, enabling the fan structure to operate stably and have extended service life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Asia Vital Components ( Shen Zhen) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ming-ju Chen
  • Patent number: 8047767
    Abstract: A high pressure first stage turbine and seal assembly are described. In one embodiment, a high pressure turbine section is provided. The turbine section includes at least one stage, at least one rotor and a bucket assembly. The bucket assembly includes a bucket and an attachment fixture. The stage has a high root reaction during operation. An intermediate space is between the bucket assembly and a stationary component of the turbine section. A seal is provided between the stationary member and the rotor to facilitate preventing leakage from the intermediate space toward an end of the stage. Steam balance holes are provided in the rotor or the bucket to facilitate feeding steam towards an end of the turbine stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Michael Earl Montgomery
  • Patent number: 8011885
    Abstract: A turbocharger has a sealing arrangement between the turbocharger shaft and the bearing housing adjacent to the turbine and/or the compressor housings to restrict leaking of gas into the bearing housing. At least a pair of spaced sealing rings project from an annular surface of the bearing housing into corresponding annular recesses formed on the shaft. The trailing face of the second ring or the opposite surface of the recess has a plurality of radial grooves that define leak passages that serve to maintain a very small flow of gas from the turbine or compressor housing into the bearing housing. Alternatively there is a slot in the second ring to provide the leak passage. This ensures that there is a minimum gas flow so that a large pressure gradient is not applied across the second seal thereby avoiding wear, overheating and collapse of the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Cummins Turbo Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Matthew J. Purdey
  • Patent number: 7997858
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for sealing the space between first and second components, wherein a sealing element is placed between the sealing surface of the first component and the sealing surface of the second component, means are used for displacing the sealing element towards the first component and the sealing surface of the second component is used in the form of a guiding surface for the sealing element when it is displaced towards the first component. The means comprise a movable pressure element which is embodied in such a way that the displacement thereof generates the displacement of the sealing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Vinko Mikulec
  • Publication number: 20110182729
    Abstract: A leaf seal 10 for location between a higher-pressure region and a lower pressure region of a rotary machine is configured so that radial movement of the free ends of the leaves 20 during operation of the rotary machine affects the aerodynamic forces acting upon the leaves 20. In particular, the housing 28 for the leaves 10 and the leaves themselves are part-conically formed such that when the free ends of the leaves are moved from their resting position, for example during shaft whirling, the gaps 34 and 36 between the upstream edge 21 of the leaf and the inner surface of the adjacent housing side-cheek 30, and between the downstream edge 22 of the leaf and the inner surface of the adjacent housing side-cheek 32, are altered. This alteration of the gaps can be used to provide improved control over the aerodynamic forces acting upon the leaves 20.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Siva Sivakumaran, Geir Leivseth
  • Patent number: 7938616
    Abstract: A dynamic sealing system between two coaxial rotary shafts respectively comprising an inner shaft and an outer shaft. Connected to the inner shaft, the system comprises a sectorized annular assembly of wipers that are movable under the effect of centrifugal force, and an annular receptacle for liquid arranged in the inside surface of the outer shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Laurent Gille, Serge Rene Morreale
  • Publication number: 20110103949
    Abstract: The present application provides a pressure containing casing. The pressure containing casing may include a first extraction cavity, a second extraction cavity, an interface between the first extraction cavity and the second extraction cavity, and a wing seal positioned within the interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Srinivas Pakkala, Anil Salunkhe, Hari Meka
  • Patent number: 7905495
    Abstract: A circumferential sealing arrangement is disclosed herein. The circumferential sealing arrangement includes a structure operable to rotate about an axis and having a first surface facing radially outward. The circumferential sealing arrangement also includes a static housing circumscribing the rotatable structure. The circumferential sealing arrangement also includes at least one seal element connected to the static housing and having a second surface facing radially inward. The circumferential sealing arrangement also includes a seal runner rotatable with the structure and having a third surface facing radially outward. The third surface cooperates with the second surface to form a circumferential seal between the static housing and the rotatable structure. A radial gap is defined between the first surface of the rotatable structure and a fourth surface of the seal runner facing radially inward and opposing the first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventor: John Munson
  • Patent number: 7896352
    Abstract: A hybrid seal for sealing the circumferential gap between a first machine component and a second machine component comprises at least one shoe extending along one of the machine components in a position to create a non-contact seal, at least one spring element connected between one of the machine components and the shoe(s) and a stack of sealing elements located within a slot formed in the shoe(s), wherein a primary seal and secondary seal of the circumferential gap is created by the shoe(s) in cooperation with the spring element(s) and sealing elements, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventor: John F. Justak
  • Patent number: 7878757
    Abstract: A centrifugal water pump for use in a diesel engine cooling system provides an improved water pump construction including multiple features which combine to provide increased operating life for the supporting and wearing components of the pump. The improvements include one or more of: a water seal system is provided having a stationary seal and a rotating seal made of silicon carbide with at least one of the seals having embedded lubricant; an o-ring added to the stationary seal ensures that pressurized water does not get past the stationary seal; metallic bearing seals and covers to prevent leeching of the lubricant from the bearing; optimized spring force on the rotating seal; tapered shaft impeller interface to minimize torsional stresses on these components from the keyway design of the prior art; and the housing engine oil inlet is removed to prevent the direct flow of hot, dirty, and contaminated oil from damaging the water pump bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: VRC, Inc
    Inventors: Stephen F. Therrien, Robert W. Frees
  • Patent number: 7854584
    Abstract: A rotary machine includes a machine rotor, a bearing coupled to the machine rotor, a machine stator, and a sealing device disposed between the machine rotor and the machine stator. The sealing device includes a dry gas seal and first and second seals disposed between the dry gas seal and the bearing. One or both of the first and second seals includes a brush seal or more specifically a brush seal including a plurality of non-metallic fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roderick Mark Lusted, Christopher Edward Wolfe, Eric John Ruggiero, Gabriele Mariotti
  • Publication number: 20100316494
    Abstract: A turbine housing for exhaust gas turbochargers includes an outlet pipe and an external housing connected therewith. A rotor housing is disposed in the external housing and has a pipe-shaped neck operably coupled with the outlet pipe and axially displaceable relative to the same. A separate sealing ring is positioned operably between the neck and the outlet pipe, supported by the outlet pipe, and has an inwardly turned sealing portion sealingly and slidingly engaging the neck to form a secure gas seal therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventors: Elmar Grußmann, Christian Smatloch
  • Patent number: 7775765
    Abstract: A pump pulley is supported on a pump body via a bearing interposed between the outer peripheral surface of the pump body and the pump pulley so that the pump pulley can freely rotate relative to the pump body. A pump shaft extends along the rotation axis of the pump pulley into a pump chamber formed by a pump base and the pump body, and one end of the pump shaft is fitted to the pump pulley and the other end is fitted to an impeller located within the pump chamber. A body side seal member and a shaft side seal member that form a mechanical seal to maintain the leak tightness of the pump chamber are in opposite to and contact each other in the direction of extension of the pump shaft to form a seal surface, and the plane that includes the load support center of the bearing and the plane that includes the seal surface of the mechanical seal are substantially coincidental.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: TBK Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Hoji
  • Patent number: 7726940
    Abstract: Assembly of segmented seals can be problematic in areas of limited space for an introductory tapered mandrel and where there are the problems with damage to the seal surfaces 23, 24. By the present method and arrangement, a seal formed from segments 22 is expanded to an expanded state and then retained at that state by the use of a sacrificial material 26 in the gaps 25 between the segments 22 opened by expansion. The sacrificial material 26 is typically a low melting temperature wax and so is removed when the seal arrangement reaches its operating temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: Guy David Snowsill
  • Patent number: 7699579
    Abstract: An improved mechanical seal and repair method can be used with mechanical pump seal assemblies. The improved seal utilizes rotating and non-rotating sections of improved configuration, each of which can form a seal using a standard size carbon-face O-ring. The mechanical seal can be in the form of replacement parts that replace the old parts without modifications to the overall seal and assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventor: S. Elwood Yandle, II
  • Patent number: 7674089
    Abstract: A device which is used to guide at least two flow media having different pressures with a shaft or similar force-transmitting element, and a pressure insulating element such as a housing surrounding the shaft or similar. Areas arranged next to each other in the direction of the axis are determined between the force-transmitting element and the pressure-insulating element by sealing elements; at least one of the preferably magnetofluidic sealing elements is leakage-free, and two areas for fluids (A, B) having different pressures flank an area for an auxiliary liquid (H), whereby said area is subdivided by a device into two partial areas for two different pressure areas. A conveying medium is allocated to the area at high pressure and ambient air is allocated to the area at low pressure. The auxiliary liquid (H) is a carrier oil of the magnetofluid, optionally a silicon oil, allocated to the sealing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Allweiler AG
    Inventor: Stefan Werner
  • Patent number: 7665957
    Abstract: A heat shield arrangement for local separation of a flow channel within a turbine engine, with respect to a stator housing radially surrounding the flow channel is provided. The heat shield includes two axially opposite joining contours which are each engageable with two components which are axially adjacent along the flow channel. Each provides a complementary reception contour for the joining contours. At least one of the reception contours has an axial clearance, in which the associated joining contour is axially displaceably mounted. At least one seal is provided between the axially displaceable joining contour and the reception contour. The seal is mounted movably within the reception contour or the joining contour in such a way that the seal is deflectable against a surface region of the reception contour or of the joining contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Alexander Khanin, Edouard Sloutski, Alexander Burmistrov
  • Patent number: 7549836
    Abstract: A bearing seal assembly includes a pair segmented circumferential or a carbon ring seals to contain oil in the bearing compartments of a gas turbine engine or other mechanical device. The pair of seals, an oil-side seal and an air-side seal, are axially-spaced between the oil and the air in the housing. Air at an elevated pressure is introduced between the seals. This elevated air pressure urges the seals axially apart from one another and radially inward to improve the seal. A backup seal is provided adjacent either the oil-side seal or the air-side seal. In the event of failure of either the oil-side seal or the air-side seal which results in the loss of air pressure, the backup seal will provide at least a minimum level of seal between the oil compartment and the air in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: James H. Anderson, Harrison R. Picard
  • Patent number: 7549835
    Abstract: A system and method for extending seal life and for reducing leakage flow in a turbine engine is directed to an interface defined between a stationary component and a rotating component. A seal, which can be a flexible seal such as a brush seal, can be operatively attached to the stationary component. The rotating component has a first region at a first radius relative to the axis of rotation that transitions into a second region at a second, larger radius relative to the axis of rotation. In one embodiment, the rotating component can be selectively axially moved between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the seal is disposed over the first region so as to define a clearance. In the second position, the seal is disposed over the second region so as to decrease the size of the clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Dieter Brillert
  • Patent number: 7540708
    Abstract: A method of assembling a seal assembly for a turbine engine is provided, wherein the method includes providing a seal ring having an arcuate inner ring portion, an arcuate outer ring portion, and a neck portion extending therebetween, and forming at least one recess within at least one of the outer ring portion and the neck portion. The method also includes extending a biasing mechanism across the seal ring such that the biasing mechanism is positively retained within the at least one recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kurt Neal Laurer, Kevin Joseph Barh, Bernard Arthur Couture, Jason Paul Mortzheim
  • Publication number: 20090116960
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a centrifugal pump, a shaft sleeve and a stationary seal member for a static seal used in connection with a dynamic sealing of a centrifugal pump. The invention relates to a static seal the clearance of which may be adjusted while the pump is running. Especially the invention discusses the novel structure of such a static seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: Sulzer Pumpen AG
    Inventors: Jorma Tapani Lehtonen, Heikki Manninen
  • Patent number: 7484932
    Abstract: An exemplary method includes positioning a plurality of seal rings on a shaft operably coupled to a turbine wheel and inserting the shaft into a bore via axial inward movement wherein during insertion, an outer seal ring contracts and then expands along a chamfer to reach an outer seal seat. Various other exemplary devices, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Grover Aguilar
  • Publication number: 20090028701
    Abstract: A highly stable and durable fan bearing structure practical for small electronic device application is disclosed to include a bearing block, which has a stepped hub defining a vertically extending axle hole and an inside annular flange inside the axle hole at a distance away from the top opening of the axle hole, a fan blade assembly, which has permanent magnets mounted in a hollow base block thereof and an axle suspending in the hollow base block and inserted into the axle hole and coupled to the inside annular flange of the stepped hub and kept in coincidence with the central axis of the axle hole, and a stator module accommodated in the hollow base block of the fan blade assembly for acting against the permanent magnets to cause rotation of the fan blade assembly upon connection of an electric current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventor: Ming-Shing Kao
  • Patent number: 7461847
    Abstract: A self centering, floating brush seal assembly for a machine housing including a seal channel disposed circumferentially about a rotating shaft. The seal channel is typically configured to accommodate a ring seal. The ring seal is removed and a radially floating brush seal is installed in the seal channel but the brush seal is not fixed to the machine housing. The typical brush seal includes a front plate, a back plate, and a plurality of bristles sandwiched between the front plate and the back plate and having free radially extending ends disposed circumferentially about and contacting the rotating shaft. A radially extending rub feature is associated with at least one of the front plate and the back plate. The rub feature is disposed circumferentially about and contacts the rotating shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: John Short, Charles Trabert
  • Publication number: 20080265519
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a machine arranged to operate in explosive environments, comprising a rotatable shaft (16) extending through a stationary part (10) of said machine, a gland (20) which is mounted in said stationary part (10) and which is provided with a through hole in order to accommodate said rotatable shaft (16) such that a flame path is provided between the rotatable shaft (16) and the gland (20). The invention is characterized in that the machine comprises dampening means (42) arranged between and separates the gland (16) and the stationary part (10) in the axial and radial directions such that a flame path (50, 56) is provided, the dampening means (42) maintaining the flame path (50, 56) and permitting axial and radial movement of the gland (20) in relation to the stationary part (10) upon rotation of the rotatable shaft (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: Jan Zebrowski
  • Patent number: 7438526
    Abstract: A compliant seal provides a seal between an upstream region and a downstream region. The seal includes: a seal pack carrier defining a slot, the seal pack carrier having an upstream face and a downstream face; and a seal pack slideably mounted within the slot, the seal pack having an upstream face and a downstream face. The seal pack carrier and seal pack define a high-pressure plenum which abuts the downstream side of the seal pack, and which can be pressurized to apply a force to the seal pack in the upstream direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventor: Christian H Enderby
  • Patent number: 7438519
    Abstract: An improved slurry pump sealing system that employs a mechanical seal assembly fixed for axial movement with a bearing housing that moves axially to adjust pump impeller clearance. The relative relationship between the seal components remains unchanged regardless of the axial position of the shaft, impeller, and bearing housing. A contraction assembly with interconnecting members contracts to accommodate the reduction of the distance between the pump casing and shaft bearing housing on adjustment of pump impeller-to-casing clearance. In one embodiment the contraction assembly is a telescoping arrangement. In other embodiments, bellows are employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: John Crane Inc.
    Inventor: Jorge E. Torres-Reyes
  • Patent number: 7410173
    Abstract: A hybrid brush seal is provided for sealing a circumferential gap between two machine components that are relatively rotatable with respect to each other having seal bristles mounted in a ring shape on a first machine component with bristle ends directed at the sealing surface of the second, rotating machine component. The bristle ends are kept from direct contact with the rotating machine component via one or more shoes which create a non-contact seal with the rotating machine component which is enhanced by the imposition of one or more spring elements connected between the machine component and shoes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventor: John F. Justak
  • Patent number: 7389991
    Abstract: A leakage seal for use in a gas path between two relatively rotatable members of a gas turbine comprises a foil layer and a cloth layer. The foil layer has two expansive surfaces, a single one of which is covered by the cloth layer. The leakage seal has a proximal end, a distal end, and a generally flat region between the proximal and distal ends. The proximal end is attached to an associated one of the turbine members. The distal end diverges from the generally flat region so as to define a curved hook, along which the cloth portion is wrapped over the foil layer, when the distal end is viewed in cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Turbine Services, Ltd.
    Inventors: Vincent T. Riggi, Jr., Ronald A. Riggi
  • Patent number: 7347425
    Abstract: A sealing arrangement in a gas turbine engine comprises a rope seal held against a sealing surface by a resilient seal carrier in which the rope seal lies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Terence John James
  • Patent number: 7344356
    Abstract: A mechanical seal having a stationary ring and a rotating portion. The rotating portion includes a runner adjacent the stationary ring, an elastomer bellows adjacent the runner, a spring retainer plate and a spacer positioned between the elastomer bellows and the spring retainer plate. The spacer sets and maintains the elastomer bellows in proper position adjacent the runner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Wood Group ESP, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Alan Howell, Edward Gross
  • Patent number: 7334799
    Abstract: A sealing device has a seal ring and a cylindrical bellows portion connected to the seal ring. The cylindrical bellows portion has a corrugated outer surface. A turbocharger utilizing the sealing device has a turbine wheel connected to a shaft and a compressor wheel connected to the shaft. The sealing device is sealingly engaged with the shaft. The sealing device provides a seal between a bearing housing of the turbocharger and either a turbine housing or a compressor housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen J. O'Hara
  • Publication number: 20070274829
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a packing ring segment assembly for sealing a turbine gas path are provided. The assembly includes a sealing portion including radially inwardly directed teeth, and a dovetail mounting portion including a hollowed out portion including a biasing member internal to the packing ring segment. The biasing member is coupled to the packing ring segment and configured to engage a pair of annular shoulders of a dovetail groove in the turbine such that the packing ring segment is biasing radially outward at relatively low turbine loads and low working pressure, and at relatively high turbine loads and high working pressure a working fluid overcomes the radial biasing member forces and urge the packing ring segment radially inward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventors: Richard Chevrette, Frederick G. Baily
  • Patent number: 7287956
    Abstract: The turbine includes a diaphragm having a seal carrier mounted in opposition to seal teeth carried by the rotary component. The seal carrier includes a seal face having a coating of abradable material enabling the rotary component to abrade the material from the seal face. The seal carrier is removable from the diaphragm and is carried by an axial extension integral with or removable from the outer diaphragm ring. A spring may be interposed between the seal carrier and the stationary component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert James Bracken, Sterling Ray Hathaway, David Orus Fitts, Ron W. Korzun, Laurence Scott Duclos, William Edward Adis, Mark William Kowalczyk, Bernard Arthur Couture
  • Patent number: 7284951
    Abstract: A method of delivering a fluid containing at least one (meth)acrylic monomer by a pump in which a pump cavity and drive compartment are separated by a separator compartment filled with a barrier medium at elevated pressure and that is sealed with double-acting slide ring packings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Volker Diehl, Dimitrios Markopoulos, Juergen Schroeder, Michael Blechschmitt
  • Patent number: 7249932
    Abstract: A rotary pump includes an impeller mounted on a shaft (12) supported for rotation in bearings. A bearing and bearing casing assembly (26) proximate the impeller is prone to ingress of undesirable matter. A shield assembly (40) includes the shaft (12) and a shield (40) rotatable with the shaft and positioned intermediate the impeller and the bearing assembly (26). The shield comprises an integral, moulded, disc (42) and composite rim (44), which includes a lip (50) having an inwardly proud beading (52) normally touching an outer periphery (34.1) of the bearing assembly. A cowl (48) surrounds the lip with clearance when the shaft (12) rotates. The beading (52) dilates under centrifugal force to provide running clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Weir Minerals Africa (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventors: Siegfried Geldenhuys, Robert Denis Todd
  • Patent number: 7201560
    Abstract: A packing ring holder assembly for packing seal segments about a steam turbine rotor includes a nozzle box and a holder cooperable to form a dovetail for securing packing ring segments to the nozzle box. A spring is interposed between the nozzle box and packing ring segment to bias the latter radially inwardly for sealing with the rotor. The holder includes a shoulder for preventing axial movement of the spring in one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Charles Thomas O'Clair, Richard Jon Chevrette, Carl A. Greco, Jeyaruban Amirtharajah
  • Patent number: 7192246
    Abstract: A seal arrangement, for example a brush seal 8? in a gas turbine engine, includes thermal matching means for matching the rates of response of a supporting ring 14?, 16? of the seal, and of a rotatable component 4 with which the seal cooperates, to thermal changes in the environment of the seal induced by changes in operating conditions. The thermal matching means may comprise a slugging mass 24 and/or thermal insulation 28. Alternatively, or in addition, the region 24 of the housing at which the seal 8? is mounted may be made from a relatively low thermal expansion material. These measures reduce the rate of expansion and contraction of the seal 8? as the temperature in the engine varies so as to match more closely the rate of expansion and contraction of a rotatable component with which the seal cooperates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Christopher Wright, Christopher J Finch
  • Patent number: 7186074
    Abstract: A drum-type rotor carries an annular row of moving blades having root portions held within a slot in the periphery of the rotor. A turbine casing surrounds the rotor and carries a static blade assembly with an annular row of static blades which, together with the annular row of moving blades, constitutes an impulse turbine stage. The static blade assembly has a radially inner static ring confronting a periphery of the rotor with a seal acting therebetween. The static blade assembly has an outer static ring which has a substantially greater thermal inertia and stiffness then the inner static ring and is capable of sufficient radial sliding relative to the casing so as to accommodate relative thermal expansion and contraction of the outer static ring and the turbine casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Alstom Technology, Ltd.
    Inventors: David Paul Blatchford, Richard Martin Bridge, Philip David Hemsley, Alan Hesketh, Adrian Lord
  • Patent number: 7182345
    Abstract: A hybrid brush seal is provided having two bundles of axially spaced seal bristles each of which are mounted in a ring shape on a first machine component with bristle ends directed at a sealing surface of the second, rotating machine component. The bristle ends are kept from direct contact with the rotating machine component via one or more shoes which are designed such that as the shaft rotates a hydrodynamic film separates the shoe(s) from the shaft. The shoe(s) is attached to the bristle ends at discreet locations. Alternatively, one or more bundles of seal bristles are mounted at one end either to the fixed or rotating machine component, with the opposite bristle ends directed toward one or more shoes, and wherein one or more spring elements are connected between the machine component and shoes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventor: John F. Justak
  • Patent number: 7156613
    Abstract: In a gas turbine, the compressor load is reduced and the turbine load is increased for controlled bearing load reduction by forming a low-pressure chamber (8) that is shielded from the compressor air at the compressor (1) and a high-pressure chamber (9) that is supplied with compressor air at the turbine along the high-pressure shaft (2). The pressures can be controlled within specific limits. Controlled bearing load reduction allows high speeds and a long service life of the bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
    Inventor: Winfried-Hagen Friedl
  • Patent number: 7118324
    Abstract: A CO2 compressor for an air conditioner of a motor vehicle is suggested having a sealing device, assigned to the driveshaft of the CO2 compressor, which is implemented as a sliding ring. The CO2 compressor features a lubrication device, in which the sealing device is supplied a lubricant flow effected by centrifugal forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: LuK Fahrzeug-Hydraulik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jan Hinrichs, Peter Kuhn, Frank Obrist
  • Patent number: 7056087
    Abstract: A rotating shaft seal assembly for a shaft supported for rotation within a housing includes a traction drive rotating a seal ring about the shaft at a speed different from the shaft. The seal ring supports a plurality of seal elements rotated at the speed different from the shaft. The reduced speed of the sealing elements and reduced pressure at each seal reduces the PV level allowing the use of known sealing materials in applications otherwise not within applicable PV levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand
    Inventor: W. Clark Dean
  • Patent number: 7040861
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing self sealing flow in a combined cycle double flow steam turbine, the method and apparatus include providing a brush seal in a packing ring of a packing ring assembly at either end defining the double flow steam turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Samuel Gregory Clifford, Michael Joseph Boss, David Forrest Loy, Norman Douglas Lathrop
  • Patent number: 7008177
    Abstract: A fluid pump including provisions for cooling and/or flushing in the vicinity of a static seal. In one embodiment, the invention includes an open channel fluid passageway defined on a generally flat surface of a pump housing. A centrifugal rotor with a generally flat backplate rotates proximate a surface of the housing. The fluid passageways are adapted and configured to have a pathway that includes a directional component parallel to the direction of rotation, such that fluid drag from the rotating backplate induces flow within the passageway. The passages of the exit can be positioned such that flow exiting the passageway is at least partly tangential to the seal and/or the seal housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy D. Britt, Randall J. Stafford, Donald W. Stanton
  • Patent number: 6997677
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling a steam turbine is provided. The method includes performing a finite element analysis to determine a cross-section of a sealing member, positioning the sealing member in a leakage path defined between an inner casing and an outer casing such that a leakage flow activates the sealing member. The apparatus includes a groove defined in a channel, a divider positioned in the channel such that a gap defined between the divider and the channel defines a leakage path, and a sealing member that extends at least partially within the groove and positioned to substantially prevent a flow though the leakage path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jonathan Munshi, Bernard Arthur Couture
  • Patent number: 6969236
    Abstract: A fluid-cooled seal rotor is described for a seal assembly that includes a seal case, a seal stator, and wherein the rotor has a sealing face on a first side and a heat-transfer structure on a second side. The heat-transfer structure may be a roughened surface. The heat-transfer structure may have protrusions which may be fins, including fins with roughened surfaces. The heat-transfer structure may have additional heat-transfer structures thereon to create complex, including fractal, structures. The fins may be shaped as impellers to move oil over the heat-transfer structure. Channels between fins may have a width greater than twice the boundary layer thickness for the fluid engaged by the fins. The fluid-cooled rotor, the seal assembly having the fluid-cooled rotor, an air turbine starter having the seal assembly, air turbine starters and other machines with rotating shafts using the seal are within the scope of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: William L. Giesler, Todd A. Langston, Kellan P. Geck, Todd A. Kincheloe
  • Patent number: 6966749
    Abstract: A centrifugal pump has a pump case and a rotatable impeller disposed within the pump case. A central aperture is defined within the rearward wall of the pump case to facilitate the connection of an impeller drive shaft to the impeller. A drive shaft seal is disposed within the central aperture to seal the impeller drive shaft to the pump case. At least one or more grooves are defined in the rearward wall of the pump case to carry liquids to and from the drive shaft seal. One or more radial ridges are disposed on the rearward side of the impeller to encourage liquids to flow within the grooves to and from the drive shaft seal to continuously wash away precipitates around the seal and to cool the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: California Acrylic Industries
    Inventors: Casey Loyd, Pedro Vargas, Buzz Loyd
  • Patent number: 6932567
    Abstract: A method for controlling fluid leakage between a first pressure region and a second pressure region within a gas turbine engine using a first sealing member and a second sealing member. The first sealing member is movably coupled to a portion of the gas turbine engine, and a space defined generally between a portion of the first sealing member and a portion of the second sealing member fluidly couples the first pressure region to the second pressure region. The method includes moving the first sealing member towards the second sealing member using fluid pressure within a portion of the engine, and, using the first and second sealing members, substantially controlling fluid leakage between the first pressure area and the second pressure area through the space generally without contacting the first sealing member with the second sealing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Joseph Albers, Marcia Jean Boyle, Rafael Ruiz