General Electric Company

Edward Atkinson

Brent L Bristol

Duane Howard Anstead

Essam E Salama

The present invention provides a brush seal having upstream and downstream plates that sandwich therebetween a plurality of bristles that sealingly contact a rotating member. The downstream plate includes primary and secondary backing rings with a flexible connection extending between the two rings so as to permit relative radial movement therebetween.

Brush seal with flexible backing plate

A multiple stage brush seal having a controlled distribution of pressure drops across each stage of the seal is provided. The pressure drop across each stage is controlled by one or a combination of the following structural arrangements: increased clearance gaps, reduced bristle packing, and venting holes in the seal stage backing plate.

Constant pressure drop multiple stage brush seal

A bearing assembly includes a split inner race having first and second inner race halves joined together at a split line. A plurality of center feed passages are provided at the split line, and at least one radial pilot passage is provided in one of the inner race halves and axially spaced from the center feed passages. A bifurcated distribution manifold is disposed at the split line and includes a center distribution manifold disposed in flow communication with the center feed passages, and a pilot distribution manifold disposed in flow communication with solely the pilot passage. The bifurcated distribution manifold ensures the independent channeling of lubricating oil to both the center feed passages and the pilot passage under centrifugal force upon rotation of the inner race.

Multi-plane lubricated bearing assembly

A dry rolling element bearing assembly for rotatably mounting a flight vehicle engine shaft to a housing. Rolling elements (such as ball bearings) are positioned between inner and outer races. Stop devices axial position the inner and outer races. A mounting device positions the inner race radially outward from the shaft so as to create a first annular air space between them. The mount has a flexible portion and has a support ring portion which contacts the outer surface of the inner race with a radial interference fit. A similar mounting device positions the outer race radially inward from the housing. Air directing devices direct cooling air impingingly against bearing surfaces.

Growing community of inventors

Morrow, OH, United States of America

Edward Atkinson