# US 10,502,079 B2 · Hinged seal using wire mesh

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- Number: US 10,502,079 B2
- Document ID: US10502079B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/796,232
- Filed: 2017-10-27
- Published: 2018-02-15
- Granted: 2019-12-10
- Earliest claimed: 2014-09-11
- Assignees: United Technologies Corporation
- Applicants: United Technologies Corporation
- Inventors: Witt C. Guinn; Shawn M. McMahon
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10502079B2

## CPC

- F01D 11/005: {Sealing means between non relatively rotating elements}
- F02C 7/28: Arrangement of seals
- F02K 1/805: {Sealing devices therefor, e.g. for movable parts of jet pipes or nozzle flaps}
- F05D 2220/32: in gas turbines
- F05D 2240/55: Seals
- F05D 2240/57: Leaf seals
- F05D 2240/59: Lamellar seals
- F05D 2260/52: involving springs
- F05D 2300/601: Fabrics
- F16J 15/0887: {the sealing effect being obtained by elastic deformation of the packing}
- Y02T 50/60: Efficient propulsion technologies, e.g. for aircraft
- F01D: NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES (machines or engines for liquids F03; non-positive displacement pumps F04D)
- F02C: GAS-TURBINE PLANTS; AIR INTAKES FOR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS; CONTROLLING FUEL SUPPLY IN AIR-BREATHING JET-PROPULSION PLANTS (construction of turbines F01D; jet-propulsion plants F02K; construction of compressors or fans F04; generating combustion products of high pressure or high velocity F23R; using gas turbines in compression refrigeration plants F25B11/00)
- F02K: JET-PROPULSION PLANTS (features of jet-propulsion plants common to gas-turbine plants, air intakes or fuel supply control of air-breathing jet-propulsion plants F02C7/00, F02C9/00)
- F05D: INDEXING SCHEME FOR ASPECTS RELATING TO NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, GAS-TURBINES OR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS
- F16J: PISTONS {(specially adapted for dampers F16F9/32)}; CYLINDERS; SEALINGS
- Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION

## Abstract

A seal segment includes a flapper seal, a wire mesh acting as a hinge for the flapper seal, and a spring. The flapper seal has a first surface and a second surface. The wire mesh includes a first section connected to the first surface of the flapper seal and a second section connected to the first section. The spring includes a first end that is in contact with the first section of the wire mesh to apply pressure to the first surface of the flapper seal and a second end adjacent the second section of the wire mesh.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A seal segment comprising:
a flapper seal having a first surface and a second surface;
a wire mesh acting as a hinge for the flapper seal, the wire mesh including:
a first section connected to and extending across the first surface of the flapper seal; and
a second section connected to the first section;
a spring comprising:
a first end positioned to apply pressure to the first surface of the flapper seal; and
a second end adjacent the second section of the wire mesh; and
a backing sheet positioned between the first section of the wire mesh and the first end of the spring;
wherein the backing sheet is connected to and extends across a length and a width of the first section of the wire mesh so that the first section of the wire mesh is positioned between the flapper seal and the backing sheet.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The seal segment of claim 1, further comprising a fastener connecting the wire mesh to the flapper seal.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The seal segment of claim 1, further comprising a fastener connecting the wire mesh and the backing sheet to the flapper seal.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The seal segment of claim 1, wherein the backing sheet is a metal, ceramic, or composite material.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The seal segment of claim 1, further comprising a bracket including:
a first end connected to the second section of the wire mesh; and
a second end connected to the second end of the spring.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The seal segment of claim 5, further comprising:
a first fastener connecting the wire mesh and the first end of the bracket; and
a second fastener connecting the spring and the second end of the bracket.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The seal segment of claim 1, wherein the second section of the wire mesh is folded over.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The seal segment of claim 1, wherein the second section of the wire mesh is brazed.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The seal segment of claim 1, wherein the seal segment is arcuate.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The seal segment of claim 1, wherein the flapper seal is arcuate.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The seal segment of claim 1, wherein the flapper seal is metal.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The seal segment of claim 1, wherein the wire mesh is metal.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The seal segment of claim 1, wherein the spring is metal.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The seal segment of claim 1, wherein the spring is a finger spring.

### Claim 15

A seal having a plurality of seal segments, each seal segment comprising:
a flapper seal;
a wire mesh having a first section that is connected to and extends across a surface of the flapper seal and acts as a hinge for the flapper seal;
a backing sheet connected to the wire mesh;
a first fastener connecting the wire mesh and the backing sheet to the flapper seal;
a spring including:
a first end in contact with the backing sheet to apply pressure to the flapper seal; and
a second end;
a bracket;
a second fastener connecting the wire mesh and the bracket; and
a third fastener connecting the second end of the spring to the bracket;
wherein the backing sheet is positioned between the first section of the wire mesh and the first end of the spring; and
wherein the backing sheet is connected to and extends across a length and a width of the first section of the wire mesh so that the first section of the wire mesh is positioned between the flapper seal and the backing sheet.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The seal of claim 15, wherein the wire mesh spans a plurality of gaps between the plurality of seal segments.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The seal of claim 15, wherein the wire mesh is a single and continuous segment and spans a plurality of gaps between the plurality of seal segments.

### Claim 18 (depends on 15)

The seal of claim 15, wherein the seal segments are curved and positioned to form one continuous arc.

### Claim 19

An assembly comprising:
a first gas turbine engine component;
a second gas turbine engine component; and
a seal extending between the first gas turbine engine component and the second gas turbine engine component, the seal comprising:
a flapper seal in contact with the first gas turbine engine component and the second gas turbine engine component;
a wire mesh acting as a hinge for the flapper seal, the wire mesh including:
a first section connected to and extending across a surface of the flapper seal; and
a second section connected to the first gas turbine engine component;
a backing sheet connected to the first section of the wire mesh;
a spring including:
a first end in contact with the backing sheet to apply pressure to the flapper seal; and
a second end connected to the first gas turbine engine component; and
a bracket including:
a first end connected to the first gas turbine engine component, wherein the second section of the wire mesh is between the first end of the bracket and the first gas turbine engine component; and
a second end connected to the second end of the spring, wherein the second end of the bracket connects the second end of the spring to the first gas turbine engine component.

### Claim 20

A seal segment comprising:
a flapper seal having a first surface and a second surface;
a wire mesh acting as a hinge for the flapper seal, the wire mesh including:
a first section connected to and extending across the first surface of the flapper seal; and
a second section connected to the first section;
a spring comprising:
a first end positioned to apply pressure to the first surface of the flapper seal; and
a second end adjacent the second section of the wire mesh; and
a bracket, the bracket including:
a first end connected to the second section of the wire mesh; and
a second end connected to the second end of the spring.

### Claim 21 (depends on 20)

The seal segment of claim 20, further comprising:
a first fastener connecting the wire mesh and the first end of the bracket; and
a second fastener connecting the spring and the second end of the bracket.

### Claim 22

A seal having a plurality of seal segments, each seal segment comprising:
a flapper seal;
a wire mesh extending across a surface of the flapper seal and acting as a hinge for the flapper seal, wherein the wire mesh spans a plurality of gaps between the plurality of seal segments;
a backing sheet connected to the wire mesh;
a first fastener connecting the wire mesh and the backing sheet to the flapper seal;
a spring including:
a first end in contact with the backing sheet to apply pressure to the flapper seal; and
a second end;
a bracket;
a second fastener connecting the wire mesh and the bracket; and
a third fastener connecting the second end of the spring to the bracket.

### Claim 23 (depends on 22)

The seal of claim 22, wherein the wire mesh is a single and continuous segment and spans a plurality of gaps between the plurality of seal segments.