# US 10,370,993 B2 · Sliding seal > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,370,993 B2 - Document ID: US10370993B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/830,910 - Filed: 2015-08-20 - Published: 2016-04-28 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2014-10-24 - Assignees: United Technologies Corporation - Applicants: United Technologies Corporation - Inventors: Timothy M. Davis; Paul M. Lutjen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10370993B2 ## CPC - F01D 11/005: {Sealing means between non relatively rotating elements} - F16J 15/061: {with positioning means (F16J15/0831 takes precedence)} - F16J 15/08: with exclusively metal packing - F16J 15/104: {characterised by structure} - F16J 15/348: {Pre-assembled seals, e.g. cartridge seals} - F05D 2220/32: in gas turbines - F05D 2240/55: Seals - F01D: NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES (machines or engines for liquids F03; non-positive displacement pumps F04D) - F16J: PISTONS {(specially adapted for dampers F16F9/32)}; CYLINDERS; SEALINGS - F05D: INDEXING SCHEME FOR ASPECTS RELATING TO NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, GAS-TURBINES OR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The seal as in claim 1, wherein the spacer is boned to the inboard leg at a plurality of circumferential locations. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The seal as in claim 1, wherein the spacer is boned to the inboard leg at a plurality of circumferential locations by laser welds or resistance welds. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The seal as in claim 1, wherein the shield is bonded to the wave spring. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The seal as in claim 4, wherein the shield is boned to the wave spring by a laser weld or a resistance weld. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The seal as in claim 5, wherein the laser weld or the resistance weld is located such that the wave spring and the shield may grow freely relative to one another in a circumferential direction. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The seal as in claim 1, wherein the shield is formed from a high-temperature and lubricious material to provide wear protection to the wave spring. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The seal as in claim 1, wherein the shield a thermal shield. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The seal as in claim 1, wherein the spacer is boned to the inboard leg at a plurality of circumferential locations and wherein the shield is bonded to the wave spring. ### Claim 10 (depends on 4) The seal as in claim 4, wherein the shield is boned to the wave spring by a laser weld or a resistance weld and wherein the laser weld or the resistance weld is located such that the wave spring and the shield may grow freely relative to one another in a circumferential direction. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The seal as in claim 10, wherein the shield is formed from a high-temperature and lubricious material to provide wear protection to the wave spring. ### Claim 12 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. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The system as in claim 12, wherein the spacer is boned to the inboard leg at a plurality of circumferential locations. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The system as in claim 12, wherein the spacer is boned to the inboard leg at a plurality of circumferential locations by laser welds or resistance welds. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The system as in claim 12, wherein the shield is bonded to the wave spring. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system as in claim 15, wherein the shield is boned to the wave spring by a laser weld or a resistance weld. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The system as in claim 16, wherein the laser weld or the resistance weld is located such that the wave spring and the shield may grow freely relative to one another in a circumferential direction. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The system as in claim 12, wherein the shield is formed from a high-temperature and lubricious material to provide wear protection to the wave spring. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The system as in claim 12, wherein the spacer is boned to the inboard leg at a plurality of circumferential locations and wherein the shield is bonded to the wave spring. ### Claim 20 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.