High-temperature, bellows hybrid seal
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
InventorsBruce M. Steinetz, Paul J. Sirocky
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Abstract
A high-temperature hybrid seal is constructed of multiple elements to meet the many demands placed on the seal. The primary elements are: a central high-temperature bellows, a braided ceramic sheath covering the bellows, an outer abrasion resistant sheath covering the ceramic sheath, and a structurally-sound seal-end termination.
Claims13
Apparatus for sealing a gap between a movable panel and an adjacent sidewall spaced therefrom to inhibit leakage of gases from a high pressure side to a low pressure side, said apparatus comprising
- a centrally disposed bellows having a plurality of convolutions,
- a braided sheath covering said bellows, and
- an outer abrasion resistant sheath covering said braided sheath, said outer abrasion resistant sheath comprising braided superalloy metal wires and ceramic fibers combined with said metal wires.
Apparatus for sealing a gap between a movable panel and an adjacent sidewall spaced therefrom to inhibit leakage of gases from a high pressure side to a low pressure side, said apparatus comprising
- a centrally disposed bellows having a plurality of convolutions,
- a braided sheath covering said bellows, and
- an outer abrasion resistant sheath comprising braided superalloy wires covering said braided sheath, said wires being covered with a braze alloy and heated to brazing temperatures thereby eliminating voids between said wires.
Apparatus for sealing a gap between a movable panel and an adjacent sidewall spaced therefrom to inhibit leakage of gases from a high pressure side to a low pressure side, said apparatus comprising
- a centrally disposed bellows having a plurality of convolutions,
- a braided sheath covering said bellows, and
- an outer abrasion resistant sheath covering said braided sheath, said outer abrasion resistant sheath comprising braided superalloy metal wires with braze alloy wires braided into the outer sheath structure.
Apparatus for sealing a gap between a movable panel and an adjacent sidewall spaced therefrom to inhibit leakage of gases from a high pressure side to a low pressure side, said apparatus comprising
- a centrally disposed bellows having a plurality of convolutions,
- a braided sheath covering said bellows,
- an outer abrasion resistant sheath covering said braided sheath, and
- means on at least one end of said outer sheath for mounting said apparatus on said movable panel.
In a sealing apparatus of the type having a centrally disposed bellows with a plurality of convolutions, the improvement comprising
- at least one sheath of braided ceramic material for covering said bellows,
- an outer abrasion resistant sheath of braided superalloy metal wires and ceramic fibers combined with said metal wires, and
- means for attaching said bellows and said one sheath together.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.