General Electric Company

James E Maynard

Bharat S Bagepalli

Osman Saim Dinc

Robert Harold Cromer

David Grey Smith

A flow diverter is provided for attachment to a spacer cell above a part-length fuel rod. The flow diverter includes a tubular base having a plurality of laterally projecting tabs extending in an upstream direction for diverting flow from between the spacer cells into the volume above the spacer void of a fuel rod. A vortex generator is secured to or forms an integral part with the flow diverter for swirling the flow onto and into the interstices of laterally adjacent fuel rods. The flow diverter and vortex generator are formed of tubular stock. The vanes of the vortex generator are formed by providing slits along the tubular stock and twisting alternating edges of the stock inwardly to form the vanes.

Cell flow diverter and flow diverter/vortex generator assembly for BWR spacers

A seal is provided between relatively moving parts and includes plural layers of woven material such as metal, polymer or ceramic materials. The layers are secured to one another and to a first part of the relatively moving first and second parts and extend freely from that first part into engagement with the second part. The woven material layers accommodate shape variations between the parts. In a further form, bristles are disposed between layers of woven material and secured at one end to one part. The free ends of the bristles and the free marginal portion of the woven material project toward the second part in sealing engagement therewith.

Hybrid labyrinth and cloth-brush seals for turbine applications

A seal is provided between relatively moving parts 12, 14 and includes plural layers 24 of woven material such as metal, polymer or ceramic materials. The layers are secured to one another and to a first part 22 of the relatively moving first and second parts and extend freely from that first part into engagement with the second part. The woven material layers accommodate shape variations between the parts. In a further form, bristles 38 are disposed between layers of woven material and secured at one end to one part. The free ends of the bristles and the free marginal portion of the woven material project toward the second part in sealing engagement therewith.

Woven seals and hybrid cloth-brush seals for turbine applications

A hybrid labyrinth-brush seal is provided in a flow path between relatively moving parts such as a shaft and a fixed housing. The labyrinth seal includes a plurality of teeth extending radially from one part toward the other providing a labyrinth seal. The brush seal includes generally radially extending bristles in the form of a bristle pack extending generally radially between the teeth of the labyrinth seal toward the rotating part such that the distal ends thereof engage the rotating part.

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Wilmington, NC, United States of America

James E Maynard