Circular seal outer diameter seal effectiveness testing tool

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11149640-B2
Application number	US-201916569974-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 13, 2019
Priority date	Sep 13, 2019
Publication date	Oct 19, 2021
Grant date	Oct 19, 2021

Abstract

A seal testing tool for use with a bearing housing of a gas turbine engine including: a first end surface; a second end surface opposite the first end surface; and a boss extending away from the first end surface. The boss extending from a proximal end located at the first end surface to a distal end located opposite the proximal end. The boss includes: a passageway extending from the distal end to the second end surface through the boss; an external surface extending from the proximal end to the distal end; and a seal groove in the external surface located at the proximal end of the boss.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A seal testing tool for use with a bearing housing of a gas turbine engine, the seal testing tool comprising:
a first end surface;
a second end surface opposite the first end surface; and
a boss extending away from the first end surface, the boss extending from a proximal end located at the first end surface to a distal end located opposite the proximal end, wherein the boss comprises:
a passageway extending from the distal end to the second end surface through the boss;
an external surface extending from the proximal end to the distal end;
a seal groove in the external surface located at the proximal end of the boss; and
an O-ring seal located in the seal groove, wherein the O-ring seal is configured to at least partially compress a C-seal of the bearing housing.

2. The seal testing tool of claim 1 , wherein the passageway is concentric to the external surface.

3. The seal testing tool of claim 1 , further comprising:
a first recess in the first end surface proximate the proximal end of the boss.

4. The seal testing tool of claim 3 , wherein the first recess extends completely circumferentially around the proximal end of the boss.

5. The seal testing tool of claim 3 , further comprising:
a second recess in the first end surface proximate the first recess, the second recess being recessed relative to the first recess.

6. The seal testing tool of claim 5 , wherein the second recess extends at least partially circumferentially around the first recess.

7. The seal testing tool of claim 3 , further comprising:
a mounting arm extending from the first end surface to the second end surface, wherein the first recess is recessed from the first end surface at the mounting arm.

8. The seal testing tool of claim 7 , wherein the mounting arm further comprises a fastener through hole that extends from the second end surface to the first end surface through the mounting arm.

9. A proof pressure testing apparatus, comprising:
a bearing housing defining a bearing compartment, the bearing housing comprising:
a radially outward surface;
a mounting platform located on the radially outward surface, the mounting platform including a mounting surface;
a supply orifice extending from the mounting surface of the bearing housing into the bearing housing to a bottom and fluidly connecting to the bearing compartment, the supply orifice comprises a first portion extending from the mounting surface to a seat surface and a second portion extending from the seat surface to the bottom; and
a C-seal located in the first portion; and
a seal testing tool comprising:
a first end surface;
a second end surface opposite the first end surface; and
a boss extending away from the first end surface and into the supply orifice, the boss extending from a proximal end located at the first end surface to a distal end located opposite the proximal end, wherein the boss comprises:
a passageway extending from the distal end to the second end surface through the boss;
an external surface extending from the proximal end to the distal end;
a seal groove in the external surface located at the proximal end of the boss; and
an O-ring seal located in the seal groove, the O-ring seal abutting the C-seal,
wherein the O-ring seal at least partially compresses the C-seal.

10. The proof pressure testing apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the passageway is concentric to the external surface.

11. The proof pressure testing apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the seal testing tool further comprises:
a first recess in the first end surface proximate the proximal end of the boss.

12. The proof pressure testing apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the first recess extends completely circumferentially around the proximal end of the boss.

13. The proof pressure testing apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the seal testing tool further comprises:
a second recess in the first end surface proximate the first recess, the second recess being recessed relative to the first recess.

14. The proof pressure testing apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the second recess extends at least partially circumferentially around the first recess.

15. The proof pressure testing apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the seal testing tool further comprises:
a mounting arm extending from the first end surface to the second end surface, wherein the first recess is recessed from the first end surface at the mounting arm.

16. The proof pressure testing apparatus toss of claim 15 , wherein the mounting arm further comprises a fastener through hole that extends from the second end surface to the first end surface through the mounting arm.

17. A method of performing a proof pressure test on a bearing housing for a gas turbine engine, the method comprising:
obtaining the bearing housing, the bearing housing defining a bearing compartment, wherein the bearing housing comprises:
a radially outward surface;
a mounting platform located on the radially outward surface, the mounting platform including a mounting surface;
a supply orifice extending from the mounting surface of the bearing housing into the bearing housing to a bottom and fluidly connecting to the bearing compartment, the supply orifice comprises a first portion extending from the mounting surface to a seat surface and a second portion extending from the seat surface to the bottom; and
a C-seal located in the first portion;
obtaining a seal testing tool, the seal testing tool comprising:
a first end surface;
a second end surface opposite the first end surface; and
a boss extending away from the first end surface, the boss extending from a proximal end located at the first end surface to a distal end located opposite the proximal end, wherein the boss comprises:
a passageway extending from the distal end to the second end surface through the boss;
an external surface extending from the proximal end to the distal end;
a seal groove in the external surface located at the proximal end of the boss; and
an O-ring seal located in the seal groove;
inserting the boss of the seal testing tool into the supply orifice of the bearing housing, the O-ring seal abutting the C-seal, wherein the O-ring seal at least partially compresses the C-seal;
securing the seal testing tool to the bearing housing;
plugging paths between the bottom of the supply orifice and the bearing compartment;
applying fluid pressure to the passageway; and
checking for leaks proximate an interface of the O-ring seal and the C-seal.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising:
applying a leak detection solution proximate to the interface of the O-ring seal and the C-seal.

Assignees

• United Technologies Corp
• Raytheon Tech Corp

Inventors

• Freeman Thomas
• Maldonado Billie Rosalie
• Rothchild Alexander

Classifications

• F01D25/183 Primary

  Sealing means · CPC title

• F05D2260/83

  Testing, e.g. methods, components or tools therefor · CPC title

• F05D2260/4031

  as in toothed gearing · CPC title

• F01D21/003

  Arrangements for testing or measuring (for measuring vibrations G01H) · CPC title

• F02C7/06 Primary

  Arrangements of bearings (bearings F16C); Lubricating ({of turbo machines F01D25/18; of machines or} engines in general F01M) · CPC title