GB793886A - Improvements in or relating to sealing means between relatively movable parts - Google Patents

Abstract

793,886. Stuffing-box substitutes; elasticfluid turbines and compressors. SOLAR AIRCRAFT CO. Jan. 9, 1956 [Jan. 24, 1955], No. 672/56. Classes 110 (3) and 122 (5). A sealing element 10 between two relatively movable parts comprises a cellular structure or honeycomb 12 secured to a relatively rigid backing member 14 so that the cells 16 are closed at one end by the member and open at their other ends, the backing member being secured to one of the parts. The honeycomb is preferably made of sheet metal having a thickness of 0.001 to 0.012 of an inch and secured to the backing member by welding, brazing or resin bonding. The walls of the cells 16 may be either normal to or inclined to the member 14 and may be secured together for only about half of their length, as shown in Fig. 3, in order to provide greater flexibility of their outer ends which are easily worn or deformed if contacted by one of the relatively movable parts. To seal a rotating shaft 22 the sealing element may be arranged either as a sleeve, Fig. 4, secured to the shaft housing 24 with the honeycomb closely surrounding the shaft or as a ring, Fig. 6, secured to the housing with the cells 16 extending axially and cooperating with a sealing ring 28 on the shaft. In both these arrangements the sealing element may, alternatively, be secured to the shaft and co-operate with the housing or a sealing ring thereon. Fig. 7 indicates the sealing element used as a casing ring for sealing the tips of compressor or turbine blades 30. In any of the above arrangements, particularly where laminar flow is desirable, as with blade tip sealing, the cells 16 may be partially or wholly filled with an easily wearable friable, preferably porous, material, e.g. magnesium oxide or plaster of paris.