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US 12,372,099 B2Granted
Seal assembly for compressor
AssigneeCarrier Corporation
InventorVishnu M. Sishtla
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A seal assembly for a compressor includes at least one impeller. At least one seal land is associated with the impeller including a plurality of radially stepped surfaces. A seal is associated with each of at least one seal lands. The seal includes a plurality of radially stepped projections corresponding to the plurality of radially stepped surfaces on at least one seal land. At least one actuator is configured to move at least one seal land relative to the seal.
Claims18
A seal assembly for a compressor comprising:
- an impeller;
- and
- at least one seal assembly associated with the impeller, the at least one seal assembly including:
- a seal land fixed relative to the impeller and having a plurality of radially stepped surfaces;
- a seal associated with the seal land, wherein the seal includes a plurality of radially stepped projections corresponding to the plurality of radially stepped surfaces on the seal land;
- and
- an actuator configured to create movement between the seal land and the seal, wherein the actuator is configured to move the seal between a first axial position and a second different axial position in response to a signal from a controller.
4 more elements
A compressor assembly comprising:
- at least one impeller;
- a shaft in driving engagement with the at least one impeller;
- at least one electromagnetic bearing supporting the shaft;
- and
- at least one seal assembly associated with the at least one impeller, the at least one seal assembly includes:
- a seal land attached to and configured to rotate with the at least one impeller and the seal land includes a plurality of radially stepped surfaces;
- a seal associated with the seal land, wherein the seal includes a plurality of radially stepped projections corresponding to the plurality of radially stepped surface on the seal land;
- and
- an actuator configured to create movement between the seal land and the seal, wherein the actuator is configured to move the seal between a first axial position and a second different axial position in response to a signal from a controller.
6 more elements
A method of operating a compressor comprising:
- supporting a shaft in the compressor with at least one electromagnetic bearing;
- determining a desired seal clearance of a seal assembly between a seal and a seal land based on an operating condition of the compressor;
- and
- increasing the seal clearance based on the operating condition by creating axial movement between the seal land attached to an impeller and a seal moveable relative to a housing assembly, wherein an actuator creates the axial movement of the seal to move the seal between a first axial position and a second different axial position in response to a signal from a controller.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.