Seal assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10012315-B2
Application number	US-201615162204-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 23, 2016
Priority date	May 23, 2016
Publication date	Jul 3, 2018
Grant date	Jul 3, 2018

Abstract

A seal assembly is disclosed. A seal assembly may comprise a seal carrier, a compliant structure comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to the seal carrier, and/or a support structure coupled to the second end. The seal carrier may be integral with the compliant structure.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A seal assembly, comprising:
a seal carrier;
a seal coupled to the seal carrier;
a compliant structure comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to the seal carrier, wherein the compliant structure is biased in an axial direction; and
a support structure coupled to the second end;
wherein the compliant structure is monolithic with at least one of the seal carrier or the support structure;
wherein the compliant structure is disposed radially outward of the seal; and
wherein a portion of the seal carrier is disposed radially between the compliant structure and the seal.

2. The seal assembly of claim 1 , wherein the compliant structure is monolithic with the seal carrier and the support structure.

3. The seal assembly of claim 2 , wherein the seal carrier, the compliant structure, and the support structure comprise a steel alloy.

4. The seal assembly of claim 2 , wherein the seal carrier, the compliant structure, and the support structure comprise a titanium alloy.

5. The seal assembly of claim 1 , wherein the compliant structure comprises a flexible member.

6. The seal assembly of claim 5 , wherein the compliant structure is a bellows spring.

7. The seal assembly of claim 1 , wherein a knife edge seal is coupled to a support arm of the support structure.

8. The seal assembly of claim 1 , wherein the seal carrier comprises a first carrier contact surface and a second carrier contact surface that form a seal pocket, wherein the seal is disposed in the seal pocket, wherein seal pocket is radially inward of the compliant structure.

9. The seal assembly of claim 8 , further comprising a seal plate disposed adjacent to a nose of the seal, wherein the compliant structure applies a mechanical load to the seal to press the seal against the seal plate.

10. The seal assembly of claim 8 , wherein the seal comprises carbon.

11. A bearing compartment, comprising:
a bearing assembly comprising a bearing ring and a rotational member coupled to the bearing ring; and
a seal assembly, comprising:
a seal carrier;
a seal coupled to the seal carrier;
a compliant structure comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to the seal carrier, wherein the compliant structure is biased in an axial direction; and
a support structure coupled to the second end;
wherein at least one of the seal carrier or the support structure is monolithic with the compliant structure;
wherein the compliant structure is disposed radially outward of the seal; and
wherein a portion of the seal carrier is disposed radially between the compliant structure and the seal.

12. The seal assembly of claim 11 , wherein the seal carrier and the support structure are monolithic with the compliant structure.

13. The seal assembly of claim 12 , wherein the seal carrier, the compliant structure, and the support structure comprise a steel alloy.

14. The seal assembly of claim 12 , wherein the seal carrier, the compliant structure, and the support structure comprise a titanium alloy.

15. The seal assembly of claim 11 , wherein the compliant structure is a bellows spring.

16. A gas turbine engine, comprising:
a bearing compartment comprising:
a bearing assembly comprising a bearing ring and a rotational member coupled to the bearing ring; and
a seal assembly, comprising:
a seal plate coupled to the bearing ring;
a seal disposed adjacent to the seal plate;
a seal carrier coupled to the seal;
a compliant structure coupled to the seal carrier, wherein the compliant structure is biased in an axial direction; and
a support structure coupled to the compliant structure;
wherein at least one of the seal carrier or the support structure is monolithic with the compliant structure
wherein the compliant structure is disposed radially outward of the seal; and
wherein a portion of the seal carrier is disposed radially between the compliant structure and the seal.

17. The gas turbine engine of claim 16 , wherein the seal carrier and the support structure are monolithic with the compliant structure.

18. The gas turbine engine of claim 16 , wherein the compliant structure comprises a flexible member.

19. The gas turbine engine of claim 18 , wherein the compliant structure is a bellows spring.

Assignees

• United Technologies Corp

Inventors

• Barger David M
• Smedresman Adam G

Classifications

• F01D25/162

  Bearing supports · CPC title

• F16C2360/23

  Gas turbine engines · CPC title

• F05D2240/54

  Radial bearings · CPC title

• F05D2250/75

  given by its similarity to a letter, e.g. T-shaped · CPC title

• F05D2260/38

  by a spring, i.e. spring loaded or biased towards a certain position · CPC title