# US 2014/0154060 A1 · Turbomachine seal assembly and method of sealing a rotor region of a turbomachine > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0154060 A1 - Document ID: US20140154060A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/705,825 - Filed: 2012-12-05 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-12-05 - Assignees: General Electric Company - Applicants: General Electric Company - Inventors: Andrew Paul Giametta; Fernando Jorge Casanova; Hrishikesh Vishvas Deo - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140154060A1 ## CPC - F01D 11/003: {by packing rings; Mechanical seals} - Y10T 29/4932: Turbomachine making - F01D: NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES (machines or engines for liquids F03; non-positive displacement pumps F04D) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A turbomachine seal assembly includes a rotor disposed about an axial centerline, the rotor having an outer surface. Also included is a stationary component extending circumferentially about the rotor. Further included is at least one primary annular seal ring operably coupled to the stationary component and extending radially inwardly to close proximity with the outer surface of the rotor. Yet further included is a secondary annular seal ring operably coupled to the stationary component and integrally formed with the at least one primary annular seal ring, the secondary annular seal ring extending radially inwardly to close proximity with the outer surface of the rotor. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A turbomachine seal assembly comprising: a rotor disposed about an axial centerline, the rotor having an outer surface; a stationary component extending circumferentially about the rotor; at least one primary annular seal ring operably coupled to the stationary component and extending radially inwardly to close proximity with the outer surface of the rotor; and a secondary annular seal ring operably coupled to the stationary component and integrally formed with the at least one primary annular seal ring, the secondary annular seal ring extending radially inwardly to close proximity with the outer surface of the rotor. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The turbomachine seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one primary annular seal ring extends to a first radial location and the secondary annular seal ring extends to a second radial location. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The turbomachine seal assembly of claim 2, wherein the second radial location is closer to the outer surface of the rotor. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The turbomachine seal assembly of claim 2, wherein the first radial location and the second radial location are spaced relatively equally from the outer surface of the rotor. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The turbomachine seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the secondary annular seal ring is disposed at an axially forward location relative to the at least one primary annular seal ring. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The turbomachine seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the secondary annular seal ring is disposed at an axially rearward location relative to the at least one primary annular seal ring. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The turbomachine seal assembly of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of secondary annular seal rings, wherein at least one of the plurality of secondary annular seal rings is disposed at an axially forward location relative to the at least one primary annular seal ring, wherein at least one of the plurality of secondary annular seal rings is disposed at an axially rearward location relative to the at least one primary annular seal ring. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The turbomachine seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the secondary annular seal ring comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is disposed in close proximity with the stationary component and the second end is disposed in close proximity to the outer surface of the rotor. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The turbomachine seal assembly of claim 8, wherein the second end of the secondary annular seal ring comprises a toothed geometry. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The turbomachine seal assembly of claim 8, wherein the second end of the secondary annular seal ring comprises a plurality of teeth segments. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The turbomachine seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one primary annular seal ring is disposed at least partially within a slot of a plate member operably coupled to the stationary component. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The turbomachine seal assembly of claim 1, further comprising a housing operably coupled to the stationary component, wherein at least one of the at least one primary annular seal ring and the secondary annular seal ring are integrally formed with the housing. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The turbomachine seal assembly of claim 1, further comprising a housing operably coupled to the stationary component, wherein at least one of the at least one primary annular seal ring and the secondary annular seal ring are operably coupled to the housing. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The turbomachine seal assembly of claim 1, further comprising a housing biasedly supported by a spring disposed between the housing and the stationary component. ### Claim 15 A method of sealing a rotor region of a turbomachine comprising: integrally forming a primary annular seal ring and a secondary annular seal ring; and operably coupling the primary annular seal ring and the secondary annular seal ring to a stationary component extending circumferentially about a rotor, wherein the primary annular seal ring and the secondary annular seal ring extend radially inwardly to close proximity with an outer surface of the rotor. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising disposing the secondary annular seal ring at an axially forward location relative to the primary annular seal ring. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising disposing the secondary annular seal ring at an axially rearward location relative to the primary annular seal ring. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising integrally forming a plurality of secondary annular seal rings with the primary annular seal ring and disposing at least one of the plurality of secondary annular seal rings at an axially forward location relative to the primary annular seal ring and at least one of the plurality of secondary annular seal rings at an axially rearward location relative to the primary annular seal ring. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising operably coupling the primary annular seal ring and the secondary annular seal ring to a housing operably coupled to the stationary component. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising: operably coupling a plate member to the stationary component, disposing the primary annular seal ring within a slot of the plate member; and extending the secondary annular seal ring to a seal radial location at least as close in proximity to the outer surface of the rotor as a plate member radial location.