Sliding seal
AssigneeUnited Technologies Corporation
InventorsTimothy M. Davis, Paul M. Lutjen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present disclosure relates generally to a sliding seal between two components. The sliding seal includes a first seal section and an uncoupled second seal section which allows the first and second seal sections to move relative to one another during relative movement between the two components. A wave spring disposed between the first and second seal sections biases the first and second seal sections away from one another. A compliant seal is carried by the second seal section. Other combinations of seal sections, wave springs, and compliant seals are also disclosed.
Claims20
A seal for sealing a space defined by first and second adjacent components disposed about an axial centerline, the seal comprising:
- a seal section having a base extending radially with respect to the axial centerline and an inboard leg extending axially from the base;
- a spacer disposed on the inboard leg;
- a wave spring disposed on the spacer, the spacer radially lifting the wave spring from the inboard leg, wherein the wave spring is retained by a plurality of tabs disposed around a circumference of the seal section, wherein the plurality of tabs wrap around a radial end surface of the wave spring and wherein the radial end surface of the wave spring is disposed further away from the spacer;
- and
- a shield contacting the wave spring axially opposite of the base of the seal section.
A system, comprising:
- a first component including a first surface;
- a second component including a second surface, the second component disposed adjacent the first component and defining a seal cavity therebetween, wherein the first and second components are disposed about an axial centerline;
- and
- a seal disposed in the seal cavity, the seal including:
- a seal section in contact with the first component and the second component, the seal section having a base extending radially with respect to the axial centerline and an inboard leg extending axially from the base;
- a spacer disposed on the inboard leg;
- a wave spring disposed on the spacer, the spacer radially lifting the wave spring from the inboard leg, wherein the wave spring is retained by a plurality of tabs disposed around a circumference of the seal section, wherein the plurality of tabs wrap around a radial end surface of the wave spring and wherein the radial end surface of the wave spring is disposed further away from the spacer;
- and
- a shield contacting the wave spring axially opposite of the base of the seal section.
A method of sealing a seal cavity between a first component and a second component of a gas turbine engine, wherein the first and second components are disposed about an axial centerline of the gas turbine engine, the method comprising:
- contacting a first surface of the first component with a seal section of a seal disposed in the seal cavity;
- contacting a second surface of the second component with the seal section of the seal, wherein the seal section has a base extending radially with respect to the axial centerline and an inboard leg extending axially from the base;
- bonding a spacer to the inboard leg;
- locating a wave spring on the spacer;
- radially lifting the wave spring with the spacer from the inboard leg with the spacer;
- retaining the wave spring with a plurality of tabs disposed around a circumference of the seal section, wherein the plurality of tabs wrap around a radial end surface of the wave spring and wherein the radial end surface of the wave spring is disposed further away from the spacer;
- and
- contacting the wave spring with a shield axially opposite of the base of the seal section.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.