Alstom Technology Limited

Alston Technology Ltd

Robert Hirst

Sealing elements locate an annular seal plate in an annular recess. The sealing elements are each in the form of a ring or a segment of a ring comprising a channel-shaped cross-section, the mouth of which receives the seal plate. Each sealing element is thus interposed between the seal plate and a corresponding part of a machine element such as a turbine casing in which the recesses are provided. The sealing elements protect the casing against wear caused by movement of the seal plate relative to the casing. The sealing element is of relatively low cost and is expected to be replaced when the apparatus of which it forms part is serviced.

Sealing arrangements

A membrane seal includes a pair of confronting annular sealing grooves. A first annular sealing member is received in one of the oppositely facing sealing grooves and a second annular sealing member is received in the other of the oppositely facing sealing grooves. The first and second sealing members are sealably connected together by an annular membrane. A pressure difference across the membrane forces the first and second sealing members into contact with a side wall of each of the oppositely facing sealing grooves to effect a seal. Known sealing members have a circular cross-section but in the present invention at least one of them has an oval cross-section. The oval cross-section gives the first and/or second sealing member(s) a larger zone of contact with the oppositely facing sealing groove(s). This reduces the amount of wear on the first and/or second sealing member(s) and produces a better seal.

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Chellaston, United Kingdom

Robert Hirst