Multi-piece seal

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016115807-A1
Application number	US-201514830653-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 19, 2015
Priority date	Oct 24, 2014
Publication date	Apr 28, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

The present disclosure relates generally to a seal between two components. The seal includes a plurality of seal sections including convolutions therein that are inter-engaged with one another to form flexible and resilient seals.

First claim

What is claimed:

1 . A seal for sealing a space defined by first and second adjacent components disposed about an axial centerline, the seal comprising:
a first seal section including a first leg, a second leg, and at least one convolution between the first and second legs; a second seal section including a third leg, a fourth leg, and at least one convolution between the third and fourth legs; and a third seal section including a fifth leg, a sixth leg, and at least one convolution between the fifth and sixth legs; wherein the second leg is in contact with the third leg and the fourth leg is in contact with the fifth leg; wherein the first seal section sealingly engages with the first component and the third seal section sealingly engages with the second component.

2 . The seal of claim 1 , further comprising at least one compliant seal disposed between the second seal section and the first and third seal sections.

3 . The seal of claim 2 , wherein the compliant seal is selected from one of a woven ceramic rope seal and a braided ceramic rope seal, and ceramic textile.

4 . The seal of claim 2 , wherein the at least one compliant seal comprises:
a first compliant seal disposed between the first leg and the third leg; and a second compliant seal disposed between the fourth leg and the sixth leg.

5 . The seal of claim 2 , wherein the at least one compliant is disposed between the second leg, the fifth leg, and the second seal section.

6 . The seal of claim 5 , wherein the at least one compliant seal comprises a rope seal.

7 . The seal of claim 5 , wherein the at least one compliant seal contacts the second component.

8 . The seal of claim 2 , wherein the second seal section comprises a plurality of convolutions.

9 . The seal of claim 8 , wherein the at least one compliant seal comprises:
a first compliant seal disposed between the second leg and the second seal section; and a second compliant seal disposed between the fifth leg and the second seal section.

10 . The seal of claim 9 , wherein the first and second compliant seals comprise rope seals.

11 . The seal of claim 8 , wherein the at least one compliant seal comprises:
a first compliant seal disposed between the second leg and the second seal section, and between the fifth leg and the second seal section, wherein the first compliant seal contacts the second component; and a second compliant seal disposed in one of the plurality of convolutions of the second seal section and in contact with the second component.

12 . The seal of claim 8 , wherein the at least one compliant seal comprises:
a first compliant seal disposed between the third leg and the first seal section; and a second compliant seal disposed between the fourth leg and the third seal section.

13 . The seal of claim 1 , wherein the first, second and third seal sections are formed from a material selected from one of a high-temperature metal alloy, a high-temperature ceramic material, and a high-temperature ceramic composite, or a combination of two or more of a high-temperature metal alloy, a high-temperature ceramic material and a high-temperature ceramic composite.

14 . The seal of claim 1 , wherein:
the first and third seal sections are formed from sheet metal comprising a thickness of approximately 0.02 inches to approximately 0.04 inches; and the second seal section is formed from sheet metal comprising a thickness of approximately 0.003 inches to approximately 0.004 inches.

15 . A seal for sealing a space defined by first and second adjacent components disposed about an axial centerline, the seal comprising:
a first seal section including a first leg, a second leg, and at least one convolution between the first and second legs; a second seal section including a third leg, a fourth leg, and at least one convolution between the third and fourth legs; and a retainer coupled to the second leg and the third leg, whereby the first and second seal sections are coupled together; wherein the first seal section sealingly engages with the first component and the second seal section sealingly engages with the second component.

16 . The seal of claim 15 , wherein:
the second leg includes a first interlocking feature; the third leg includes a second interlocking feature; the retainer includes a third interlocking feature and a fourth interlocking feature; the first interlocking feature engages the third interlocking feature; and the second interlocking feature engages the fourth interlocking feature.

17 . The seal of claim 15 , further comprising a compliant seal disposed between the second and third legs.

18 . The seal of claim 15 , wherein the retainer comprises a plurality of clips disposed around a circumference of the second and third legs.

19 . The seal of claim 15 , further comprising a first slot formed through the second leg and a second slot formed through the third leg, wherein the retainer extends through the first and second slots.

20 . The seal of claim 19 , wherein the retainer comprises the retainer comprises at least one piece of material having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, wherein the first and second ends are folded away from the longitudinal axis.

Assignees

• United Technologies Corp

Inventors

• Davis Timothy M
• Stevens Michael S

Classifications

• F05D2240/55

  Seals · CPC title

• F16J15/102

  characterised by material · CPC title

• F05D2220/32

  in gas turbines · CPC title

• F16J15/0887

  the sealing effect being obtained by elastic deformation of the packing · CPC title

• F01D11/005 Primary

  Sealing means between non relatively rotating elements · CPC title