Carbon face seal seat thin wall design

A method of cooling a seal seat, the method comprising:

• delivering a fluid coolant to a first portion of the seal seat, wherein the seal seat comprises:
• an annular body disposed about a centerline axis, the annular body extending from an upstream end of the annular body to a downstream end of the annular body;
• and
• an extension connected to and extending radially outward from a first axial end of the annular body, wherein the extension comprises:
• the first portion connected at an inner radial extent to the annular body and defined by an upstream wall face and a downstream wall face axially opposite the upstream wall face, wherein the first portion comprises a fin at the upstream wall face and extending axially away and upstream from the downstream wall face;
• a second portion connected to an outer radial extent of the first portion, wherein the second portion extends substantially parallel to the annular body, and axially forward from the first portion;
• and
• a third portion connected to the second portion at an end of the second portion that distal from the first portion, wherein the third portion extends substantially parallel to the first portion;
• forming a film of the fluid coolant on the upstream wall face of the first portion of the extension;
• flowing the film of the fluid coolant radially outward and across the upstream wall face and across the fin of the upstream wall face;
• and
• transferring thermal energy from the first portion of the extension to the film of the fluid coolant via the fin of the upstream wall face.

A seal assembly for a gas turbine engine, the seal assembly comprising:

• a shaft with an axially extending shoulder;
• a seal element surrounding a first portion of the shaft;
• a seal seat disposed around a second portion of the shaft, wherein the seal seat is disposed adjacent to and in contact with the seal element so as to form a sealing interface with the seal element, wherein the seal seat comprises:
• an annular body disposed about a centerline axis, the annular body extending from an upstream end of the annular body to a downstream end of the annular body;
• an extension connected to and extending radially outward from a first axial end of the annular body, wherein the extension comprises:
• a first portion connected at an inner radial extent to the annular body and defined by an upstream wall face and a downstream wall face axially opposite the upstream wall face, wherein the first portion comprises a fin at the upstream wall face and extending axially away and upstream from the downstream wall face;
• a second portion connected to an outer radial extent of the first portion, wherein the second portion extends substantially parallel to the annular body, and axially forward from the first portion;
• and
• a third portion connected to the second portion at an end of the second portion that distal from the first portion, wherein the third portion extends substantially parallel to the first portion;
• and
• a first channel extending through a portion of the annular body, wherein the first channel fluidly connects a radially inner surface of the annular body with the upstream wall face of the first portion of the extension.