Seal system using layers of seal segments forced into sealing engagement using tension cable

A seal system for sealing an exhaust plenum and an exhaust duct of a gas turbine, the seal system comprising:

• a plurality of layers of abutting planar seal segments, wherein each of the plurality of layers of abutting planar seal segments includes a first end and a second end, the first ends of the plurality of abutting planar seal segments configured to be positioned in a circular slot in the exhaust plenum;
• a first seal element in the circular slot in the exhaust plenum configured to slidably seal against a surface of at least one of the plurality of layers of abutting planar seal segments;
• a second seal element on a cylindrical surface of the exhaust duct and configured to slidably seal against the cylindrical surface by engagement with the second end of at least one of the plurality of layers of abutting planar seal segments;
• a first member extending from each of a plurality of seal segments of a selected one of the plurality of layers of abutting planar seal segments, wherein the selected one of the plurality of layers of abutting planar seal segments engages the at least one of the plurality of layers of abutting planar seal segments having the second end engaging the second seal element;
• a tension cable engaging the first members;
• and
• a tensioner coupled to at least one end of the tension cable and configured to apply a tension force on the tension cable to force the at least one of the plurality of layers of abutting planar seal segments having the second end engaging the second seal element to slidably seal the second seal element with the cylindrical surface of the exhaust duct.