Dampers for seal assemblies

A turbomachine, comprising:

• a rotating shaft extending along a centerline axis and a fixed housing positioned exterior to the rotating shaft in a radial direction relative to the centerline axis;
• and
• a seal assembly comprising a runner statically coupled to the rotating shaft, a sealing element statically coupled to a seal housing, a spring chamber defined by the fixed housing and the seal housing, a spring element disposed within the spring chamber and an aperture between the spring chamber and a first compartment of the fixed housing;
• wherein the seal housing is movable relative to the runner and to the fixed housing;
• wherein the spring chamber axially expands and axially compresses as the seal housing moves relative to the runner and the fixed housing;
• wherein when the turbomachine is in an operational state, a seal gap exists between the sealing element and the runner, and the width of the seal gap is controlled by the spring element;
• and
• wherein the aperture in the spring chamber allows air to pass between the spring chamber and the first compartment of the fixed housing at a controlled rate and to slow the axial expansion and axial compression of the spring element disposed within the spring chamber.

An engine housing for a turbomachine, the turbomachine including a rotating shaft extending along a centerline axis, the engine housing comprising:

• a fixed housing;
• a hanging carrier disposed radially inward from the fixed housing;
• and
• a vibration damper extending from the hanging carrier to the fixed housing;
• wherein the engine housing is positioned exterior to the rotating shaft in a radial direction relative to the centerline axis;
• and
• wherein the vibration damper reduces motion of the hanging carrier relative to the fixed housing when the engine is in an operational state.