# US 8,784,045 B2 · Seal assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,784,045 B2 - Document ID: US8784045B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/177,370 - Filed: 2011-07-06 - Published: 2012-02-09 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2010-08-03 - Assignees: ROLLS-ROYCE plc - Applicants: Tatjana Zoric; James D. Godwin - Inventors: Tatjana Zoric; James D. Godwin - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8784045B2 ## CPC - F01D 11/001: {for sealing space between stator blade and rotor} - F01D 11/02: by non-contact sealings, e.g. of labyrinth type (for sealing space between rotor blade tips and stator F01D11/08) - F05D 2240/127: Vortex generators, turbulators, or the like, for mixing - F01D: NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES (machines or engines for liquids F03; non-positive displacement pumps F04D) - F05D: INDEXING SCHEME FOR ASPECTS RELATING TO NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, GAS-TURBINES OR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS ## Abstract A seal assembly including first and second components; a seal arranged between the first and second components to seal a secondary flow region from a primary flow region; and a second recess portion provided on a surface of the second component between the seal and the primary flow region, the second recess portion further being arranged to receive a first portion of a flow from the secondary flow region and being configured to promote a second flow feature within the second recess portion, wherein the second recess portion is set back from the surface of the second component such that a second portion of the flow from the secondary flow region bypasses the second recess portion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A seal assembly comprising: first and second components; a seal arranged between the first and second components to seal a secondary flow region from a primary flow region; and an entry recess portion provided on a surface of the second component adjacent to the seal such that the entry recess portion is transverse to a direction of a flow, the entry recess portion further being arranged to receive a first portion of the flow from the secondary flow region and being configured to promote an entry flow feature within the entry recess portion, wherein the entry recess portion is set back from the surface of the second component such that a second portion of the flow from the secondary flow region bypasses the entry recess portion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the seal assembly further comprises: an exit recess portion provided on the surface of one of the first and second components and arranged between the seal and the primary flow region, the exit recess portion further being arranged to receive flow from the secondary flow region and shed flow to the primary flow region, wherein the exit recess portion is configured to promote an exit flow feature, the exit flow feature flowing with a portion of the exit flow feature adjacent to the primary flow region and the portion of the exit flow feature being shed to the primary flow region in substantially the same direction as the flow in the primary flow region. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The seal assembly of claim 2, wherein the exit recess portion is arranged between the entry recess portion and the primary flow region. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the entry recess portion is further configured such that the entry flow feature disturbs the flow from the secondary flow region to cause a middle flow feature to be formed downstream of the entry flow feature, the middle flow feature deflecting flow away from a surface of the first component. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The seal assembly of claim 4, wherein the middle flow feature sheds flow into the first flow feature. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The seal assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the middle flow feature comprises a vortex. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the seal is arranged such that it is the last seal in a plurality of labyrinth seals. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the seal comprises a knife edge seal. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The seal assembly of claim 8, wherein knife edge portions of the knife edge seal are provided on the first component. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The seal assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the entry flow feature comprises a vortex. ### Claim 11 A seal assembly comprising: first and second components; a seal arranged between the first and second components to seal a secondary flow region from a primary flow region; and an exit recess portion provided on a surface of the one of the first and second components and arranged between the seal and the primary flow region, the exit recess portion further being arranged to receive flow from the secondary flow region and shed flow to the primary flow region, wherein the exit recess portion is a continuous curve extending transverse to the secondary flow region and configured to promote an exit flow feature within the exit recess portion, the exit flow feature flowing with a portion of the exit flow feature adjacent to the primary flow region and the portion of the exit flow feature being shed to the primary flow region in substantially the same direction as the flow in the primary flow region. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The seal assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second component is a static component. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The seal assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first component is a movable component. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A turbomachine comprising a seal assembly as claimed in claim 1. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) A gas turbine comprising a seal assembly as claimed in claim 13.