The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 10, 2011
Filed:
Feb. 27, 2009
Glenn M. Garrison, Perkiomenville, PA (US);
Alan D. Mcnickle, Telford, PA (US);
Diane Mcnickle, Legal Representative, Telford, PA (US);
Glenn M. Garrison, Perkiomenville, PA (US);
Alan D. McNickle, Telford, PA (US);
Diane McNickle, legal representative, Telford, PA (US);
Stein Seal Company, Kulpsville, PA (US);
Abstract
An improved air-riding seal system for turbine engines is presented. The seal system includes a movable primary seal assembly, a stationary secondary seal assembly, and at least one structure to increase the stiffness of a thin film between the primary seal and a rotating component. The primary seal assembly includes an annular seal ring and an arcuate support arm. The annular seal ring has a cross section that is substantially L-shaped and a surface with a step face and a circumferential dam. The arcuate support arm has a tooth at one end adjacent to an outermost circumferential surface along the seal runner, which could include an optional notch. The tooth and outermost circumferential surface are separated by a gap. The secondary seal ring is disposed between and contacts the primary seal assembly and housing structure so as to form a bore seal and a face seal therewith. A plurality of hydrodynamic pockets disposed along the circumferential dam and/or a plurality of radial dams disposed along the surface in an outward radial arrangement from the circumferential dam are provided to improve the stiffness of the thin film. Features of the invention allow for higher operating speeds.