WO2010101948A1 - Iris labyrinth seal assembly - Google Patents

Iris labyrinth seal assembly Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2010101948A1
WO2010101948A1 PCT/US2010/025962 US2010025962W WO2010101948A1 WO 2010101948 A1 WO2010101948 A1 WO 2010101948A1 US 2010025962 W US2010025962 W US 2010025962W WO 2010101948 A1 WO2010101948 A1 WO 2010101948A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
iris
labyrinth seal
machine component
circular machine
accordance
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2010/025962
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
George Andrew Rabroker
Original Assignee
Starrotor Corporation
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Starrotor Corporation filed Critical Starrotor Corporation
Publication of WO2010101948A1 publication Critical patent/WO2010101948A1/en

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16J—PISTONS; CYLINDERS; SEALINGS
    • F16J15/00—Sealings
    • F16J15/44—Free-space packings
    • F16J15/447—Labyrinth packings
    • F16J15/4472—Labyrinth packings with axial path

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an iris labyrinth seal, and more particularly, to an iris labyrinth seal for reducing fluid leakage around a rotating shaft or a circular machine component.
  • a labyrinth seal does not provide a leak-free barrier. Rather, the labyrinth seal serves as a non-contact, low-drag, low- maintenance means for dramatically reducing the amount of pressure-driven leakage of fluid allowed to pass through clearance gaps between the rotating shaft and the case of the processing equipment. Because the labyrinth seal does not provide positive sealing, it is typically unsuitable in applications requiring containment of high-value or dangerous fluids.
  • the labyrinth seal includes interlaced, circular, concentric, radially overlapping plates or rings.
  • One set of plates rotates with the shaft and the other set of plates is stationary.
  • an alternating pattern of rotating and stationary plates is used where tight clearances between the rings force the sealed fluid to pass through a very long, tortuous path, thereby reducing leakage flow.
  • the labyrinth seal is less suitable for applications exhibiting relative axial displacements between the rotating and stationary labyrinth ring arrays. Additionally, radial displacements due to normal operating deflections and typical run-out in the rotating part compromise the labyrinth seal's ability to provide the minimal, and therefore most tortuous restriction to leakage flow.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates an iris labyrinth seal assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a detail view of a guide plate of the iris labyrinth seal assembly of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIGS. 3a through 3e illustrate several views of an iris labyrinth seal element, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates an iris labyrinth seal assembly in a retracted position, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates a section view of the iris labyrinth seal assembly of FIG. 4, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates a detail view of the iris labyrinth seal assembly of FIG. 4, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates an iris labyrinth seal assembly in an engaged position, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 8 illustrates a section view of the iris labyrinth seal assembly of FIG. 7, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 9 illustrates a detail view of the iris labyrinth seal assembly of FIG. 7, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIGS. 10a through 1Oe illustrate several views of an iris labyrinth seal element, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 11 illustrates an iris labyrinth seal assembly having rotatably- actuated iris labyrinth seal elements in a disengaged configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 12 illustrates an iris labyrinth seal assembly having rotatably- actuated iris labyrinth seal elements in an engaged position, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 13 illustrates an iris labyrinth seal assembly having rotatably- actuated iris labyrinth seal elements in a disengaged configuration, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 14 illustrates an iris labyrinth seal assembly having rotatably- actuated iris labyrinth seal elements in an engaged position, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 15 illustrates an iris labyrinth seal assembly having linearly- actuated iris labyrinth seal elements in a disengaged configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 16 illustrates an iris labyrinth seal assembly having linearly- actuated iris labyrinth seal elements in an engaged position, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 17 illustrates an iris labyrinth seal assembly having linearly- actuated iris labyrinth seal elements in a disengaged configuration, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 18 illustrates an iris labyrinth seal assembly having linearly- actuated iris labyrinth seal elements in an engaged position, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.
  • Embodiments of the invention provide an iris labyrinth seal assembly that may be configured to act on an outer circumference of a rotating shaft or a circular machine component.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates an iris labyrinth seal assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a detail view of a guide plate of the iris labyrinth seal assembly of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIGS. 3a through 3e illustrate several views of an iris labyrinth seal element, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • the iris labyrinth seal assembly 100 may include a guide plate 110, a plurality of iris seal elements, or segments, 120, as further illustrated in FIGS. 3a through 3e, and one of a shaft and a circular machine component 130.
  • the guide plate 110 may include a plurality of machined cavities 112.
  • Each machined cavity 112 may include a guide slot 114, a guide wall 116, and an actuator cavity 118.
  • Each iris seal element 120 may be configured to have a path of motion within a machined cavity 112 of the guide plate 110.
  • the path of motion may be defined by a sliding constraint between a portion of the machined cavity 112 and a portion of the iris seal element 120.
  • the path of motion may be defined by a sliding constraint between the guide slot 114 of the machined cavity 112 and a guide boss 121 of the iris seal element 120.
  • the path of motion may further be defined by a sliding constraint between the guide wall 116 of the machined cavity 112 and a guide surface 122 of the iris seal element 120.
  • the path of motion, or actuation, of the iris seal element 120 may be constrained because the guide boss 121 may include a smaller subtended arc length than that of the guide slot 114 that the guide boss 121 fits within.
  • Each iris seal element 120 may include a material, for example, graphite, metal, plastic or ceramic, that may be sacrificial, friable, machinable, abradable, or crushable upon a sliding interaction with a portion of the shaft or the circular machine component 130.
  • Each iris seal element 120 may further be configured to actuate within the guide plate 110, subject to the motion constraints described above, to cause an inward motion of each iris seal element 120, as will be described in more detail below.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates an iris labyrinth seal assembly in a retracted position, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates a section view of the iris labyrinth seal assembly of FIG. 4, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • the shaft or the circular machine component 130 may include a plurality of rings or blades 132, for example, labyrinth-type rings or blades, on an outer periphery surface thereof.
  • the plurality of rings or blades 132 may be arranged on a replaceable sleeve that may be configured to be pressed or affixed to the shaft or the circular machine component 130.
  • each of the rings or blades 132 may include a material that is harder than the material used to construct the iris seal element 120.
  • Each of the rings or blades 132 may include a smooth or rough surface. The rough surface may be formed by one of sand blasting, etching, machining, knurling, or grinding, or any other surface roughening technique.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates a detail view of the iris labyrinth seal assembly of FIG. 4, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the guide plate 110 including the plurality of iris seal elements 120 arranged therein may be configured around the shaft or the circular machine component 130 such that the plurality of iris seal elements 120 are placed in a retracted configuration.
  • a clearance, or gap, 145 may be present between adjacent iris seal elements 120 (i.e., a clearance, or gap, 145 between the nose 123 of an iris seal element 120 and a tail 124 of an adjacent iris seal element 120), and a clearance, or gap, 145 may be present between the plurality of iris seal elements 120 and the shaft or the circular machine component 130, as illustrated in FIG. 6, such that a bore radius within the guide plate 110 is sufficiently large to allow the iris labyrinth seal assembly to be placed over the shaft or the circular machine component 130.
  • the nose 123 of an iris seal element 120 and the tail 124 of the adjacent iris seal element 120 may be configured not to contact one another.
  • the iris labyrinth assembly 100 may further include a plurality of actuators 140, as illustrated in FIGS. 4, 6, 7, and 9 as springs for illustrative purposes, but not limited thereto.
  • Each iris seal element 120 may include a respective actuator 140 that may be installed in the actuator cavity 118 of the machined cavity 112 of the guide plate 110 behind each iris seal element 120.
  • the actuator 140 may be configured to provide actuation force to each iris seal element 120.
  • the actuator 140 may include a spring.
  • the actuation force may include, for example, a spring force, a gas pressure, a hydraulic pressure, and an electromagnetic force.
  • each actuator 140 may be configured to actuate a corresponding iris seal element 120 with an inward motion until the contact surface 125 at a root radius, r R , as illustrated in 3c, becomes engaged with a labyrinth root 134 of the shaft or circular machine component 130, also at a root radius, r R , as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8.
  • FIG. 8 illustrates a section view of the iris labyrinth seal assembly of FIG. 7, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 9 illustrates a detail view of the iris labyrinth seal assembly of FIG. 7, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • each iris seal element 120 may be configured to actuate within the guide plate 110, subject to the motion constraints described above, to cause an inward motion of each iris seal element 120. For example, as further illustrated in FIG.
  • each iris seal element 120 may be configured to actuate within the guide plate 110, such that the nose 123 of the iris seal element 120 may close against the tail 124 of an adjacent iris seal element 120 to form a contiguous barrier around the one of the shaft or the circular machine component 130.
  • FIGS. 10a through 1Oe illustrate several views of an iris labyrinth seal element, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • the inward motion of each iris seal element 120 against the one of the shaft or the circular machine component 130 may cause each iris seal element 120 to be locally sacrificed, machined, abraded or crushed on a contact surface 125 of the iris seal element 120 by an existing ring or blade 132 formed on a periphery of the shaft or the circular machine component 130 to form a plurality of grooves 126 in the contact surface 125 of each iris seal element 120, as illustrated in FIGS. 10b and 1Od.
  • An iris labyrinth seal assembly may include various combinations of the plurality of iris seal elements, the shaft or circular machine component, the plurality of rings or blades, and the plurality of actuators.
  • one embodiment of the invention may include a plurality of formable iris seal elements 150 that may be configured to rotatably engage a hard shaft or circular machine component having a plurality of rings or blades 160 with blade radius, r B , and root radius, r R , in a disengaged configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 11, and in an engaged configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 12.
  • An iris labyrinth seal assembly may include, for example, a plurality of hard iris seal elements having a plurality of rings or blades 170 that may be configured to rotatably engage a shaft or circular machine component region or sleeve 180 in a disengaged configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 13, and in an engaged configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 14.
  • An iris labyrinth seal assembly may include, for example, a plurality of formable iris seal elements 150 that may be configured to linearly engage a hard shaft or circular machine component having a plurality of rings or blades 160 with blade radius, r B , and root radius, r R , in a disengaged configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 15 and an engaged configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 16.
  • An iris labyrinth seal assembly may include, for example, a plurality of hard iris seal elements having a plurality of rings or blades 170 that may be configured to linearly engage a shaft or circular machine component region or sleeve 180 in a disengaged configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 17 and an engaged configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 18.
  • an embodiment of the invention as described above, provide a labyrinth seal acting on an outer circumference of a rotating shaft or a circular machine component.
  • An embodiment of the invention may further provide a rotating shaft or a circular machine component that may include labyrinth-type rings or blades configured to abrade a plurality of iris seal elements or segments that are configured to engage the rotating shaft or the circular machine component in an iris-like manner during operation of a processing equipment.
  • the iris-like engagement of the labyrinth-type rings or blades with the plurality of iris seal elements or segments may be actuated by an actuator, for example, a spring force, a gas pressure, a hydraulic pressure, and an electromagnetic force.
  • the iris-like engagement of the labyrinth-type rings or blades with the plurality of iris seal elements or segments may also be mechanically bounded such that a wear-in period may exist to form the labyrinth seal to reduce a fluid leakage from the processing equipment
  • An embodiment of the invention further provides non-obvious advantages of easy assembly, tolerance to radial shaft run-out, tolerance to axial run-out, tolerance to axial and radial misalignment, tolerance to axial and or radial movement over time, and the ability to intrinsically achieve the minimum possible clearance, as assembled, between the stationary and rotating labyrinth rings.
  • An embodiment of the invention also provides intrinsic robustness to upset conditions in the rotating equipment that would otherwise potentially damage a classical labyrinth seal.
  • the iris labyrinth seal assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, may be engaged in an iris-like manner where a central adjustable aperture diameter is formed by composite members.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Sealing Using Fluids, Sealing Without Contact, And Removal Of Oil (AREA)

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus. The apparatus includes a guide plate, a plurality of seal elements, one of a rotating shaft and a circular machine component, and a plurality of actuators. One of the rotating shaft or the circular machine component and the plurality of seal elements comprises at least one blade. Each actuator is configured to actuate a seal element between a retracted and an engaged position. The guide plate is configured to receive the plurality of seal elements and the plurality of actuators and configured to guide a path of motion of each actuated seal element in an inward direction, such that the plurality of seal elements engage the one of the rotating shaft or the circular machine component to form a contiguous barrier to reduce fluid leakage from a processing equipment.

Description

TITLE: IRIS LABYRINTH SEAL ASSEMBLY
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS:
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/208,829, filed on March 2, 2009. The subject matter of the earlier filed application is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND: Field:
[0002] This invention relates to an iris labyrinth seal, and more particularly, to an iris labyrinth seal for reducing fluid leakage around a rotating shaft or a circular machine component.
Description of Related Art:
[0003] Traditionally, labyrinth seals have been used to mechanically seal rotating shafts of processing equipment to prevent pressurized fluids, such as oil, from escaping a main chamber of the processing equipment.
[0004] In general, a labyrinth seal does not provide a leak-free barrier. Rather, the labyrinth seal serves as a non-contact, low-drag, low- maintenance means for dramatically reducing the amount of pressure-driven leakage of fluid allowed to pass through clearance gaps between the rotating shaft and the case of the processing equipment. Because the labyrinth seal does not provide positive sealing, it is typically unsuitable in applications requiring containment of high-value or dangerous fluids.
[0005] The labyrinth seal includes interlaced, circular, concentric, radially overlapping plates or rings. One set of plates rotates with the shaft and the other set of plates is stationary. Typically, an alternating pattern of rotating and stationary plates is used where tight clearances between the rings force the sealed fluid to pass through a very long, tortuous path, thereby reducing leakage flow.
[0006] Because the axial clearance between these rings must be minimal for proper function, the labyrinth seal is less suitable for applications exhibiting relative axial displacements between the rotating and stationary labyrinth ring arrays. Additionally, radial displacements due to normal operating deflections and typical run-out in the rotating part compromise the labyrinth seal's ability to provide the minimal, and therefore most tortuous restriction to leakage flow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
[0007] Further aspects, details, advantages and modifications of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments which is to be taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates an iris labyrinth seal assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates a detail view of a guide plate of the iris labyrinth seal assembly of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0010] FIGS. 3a through 3e illustrate several views of an iris labyrinth seal element, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates an iris labyrinth seal assembly in a retracted position, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0012] FIG. 5 illustrates a section view of the iris labyrinth seal assembly of FIG. 4, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0013] FIG. 6 illustrates a detail view of the iris labyrinth seal assembly of FIG. 4, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0014] FIG. 7 illustrates an iris labyrinth seal assembly in an engaged position, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. [0015] FIG. 8 illustrates a section view of the iris labyrinth seal assembly of FIG. 7, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0016] FIG. 9 illustrates a detail view of the iris labyrinth seal assembly of FIG. 7, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0017] FIGS. 10a through 1Oe illustrate several views of an iris labyrinth seal element, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 11 illustrates an iris labyrinth seal assembly having rotatably- actuated iris labyrinth seal elements in a disengaged configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 12 illustrates an iris labyrinth seal assembly having rotatably- actuated iris labyrinth seal elements in an engaged position, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0020] FIG. 13 illustrates an iris labyrinth seal assembly having rotatably- actuated iris labyrinth seal elements in a disengaged configuration, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.
[0021] FIG. 14 illustrates an iris labyrinth seal assembly having rotatably- actuated iris labyrinth seal elements in an engaged position, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.
[0022] FIG. 15 illustrates an iris labyrinth seal assembly having linearly- actuated iris labyrinth seal elements in a disengaged configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0023] FIG. 16 illustrates an iris labyrinth seal assembly having linearly- actuated iris labyrinth seal elements in an engaged position, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0024] FIG. 17 illustrates an iris labyrinth seal assembly having linearly- actuated iris labyrinth seal elements in a disengaged configuration, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. [0025] FIG. 18 illustrates an iris labyrinth seal assembly having linearly- actuated iris labyrinth seal elements in an engaged position, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
[0026] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
[0027] Embodiments of the invention provide an iris labyrinth seal assembly that may be configured to act on an outer circumference of a rotating shaft or a circular machine component. FIG. 1 illustrates an iris labyrinth seal assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 illustrates a detail view of a guide plate of the iris labyrinth seal assembly of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 3a through 3e illustrate several views of an iris labyrinth seal element, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0028] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the iris labyrinth seal assembly 100 may include a guide plate 110, a plurality of iris seal elements, or segments, 120, as further illustrated in FIGS. 3a through 3e, and one of a shaft and a circular machine component 130.
[0029] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the guide plate 110 may include a plurality of machined cavities 112. Each machined cavity 112 may include a guide slot 114, a guide wall 116, and an actuator cavity 118.
[0030] Each iris seal element 120 may be configured to have a path of motion within a machined cavity 112 of the guide plate 110. The path of motion may be defined by a sliding constraint between a portion of the machined cavity 112 and a portion of the iris seal element 120. For example, the path of motion may be defined by a sliding constraint between the guide slot 114 of the machined cavity 112 and a guide boss 121 of the iris seal element 120. The path of motion may further be defined by a sliding constraint between the guide wall 116 of the machined cavity 112 and a guide surface 122 of the iris seal element 120. The path of motion, or actuation, of the iris seal element 120 may be constrained because the guide boss 121 may include a smaller subtended arc length than that of the guide slot 114 that the guide boss 121 fits within.
[0031] Each iris seal element 120 may include a material, for example, graphite, metal, plastic or ceramic, that may be sacrificial, friable, machinable, abradable, or crushable upon a sliding interaction with a portion of the shaft or the circular machine component 130.
[0032] Each iris seal element 120 may further be configured to actuate within the guide plate 110, subject to the motion constraints described above, to cause an inward motion of each iris seal element 120, as will be described in more detail below.
[0033] FIG. 4 illustrates an iris labyrinth seal assembly in a retracted position, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 illustrates a section view of the iris labyrinth seal assembly of FIG. 4, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the shaft or the circular machine component 130 may include a plurality of rings or blades 132, for example, labyrinth-type rings or blades, on an outer periphery surface thereof. The plurality of rings or blades 132 may be arranged on a replaceable sleeve that may be configured to be pressed or affixed to the shaft or the circular machine component 130. In an embodiment of the invention, each of the rings or blades 132 may include a material that is harder than the material used to construct the iris seal element 120. Each of the rings or blades 132 may include a smooth or rough surface. The rough surface may be formed by one of sand blasting, etching, machining, knurling, or grinding, or any other surface roughening technique. [0034] FIG. 6 illustrates a detail view of the iris labyrinth seal assembly of FIG. 4, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the guide plate 110 including the plurality of iris seal elements 120 arranged therein may be configured around the shaft or the circular machine component 130 such that the plurality of iris seal elements 120 are placed in a retracted configuration. In the retracted configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 4, a clearance, or gap, 145 may be present between adjacent iris seal elements 120 (i.e., a clearance, or gap, 145 between the nose 123 of an iris seal element 120 and a tail 124 of an adjacent iris seal element 120), and a clearance, or gap, 145 may be present between the plurality of iris seal elements 120 and the shaft or the circular machine component 130, as illustrated in FIG. 6, such that a bore radius within the guide plate 110 is sufficiently large to allow the iris labyrinth seal assembly to be placed over the shaft or the circular machine component 130. In the retracted configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the nose 123 of an iris seal element 120 and the tail 124 of the adjacent iris seal element 120 may be configured not to contact one another.
[0035] The iris labyrinth assembly 100 may further include a plurality of actuators 140, as illustrated in FIGS. 4, 6, 7, and 9 as springs for illustrative purposes, but not limited thereto. Each iris seal element 120 may include a respective actuator 140 that may be installed in the actuator cavity 118 of the machined cavity 112 of the guide plate 110 behind each iris seal element 120. The actuator 140 may be configured to provide actuation force to each iris seal element 120. The actuator 140 may include a spring. The actuation force may include, for example, a spring force, a gas pressure, a hydraulic pressure, and an electromagnetic force.
[0036] Upon rotation of the shaft or the circular machine component 130 in a direction, n, as illustrated in FIG. 4, each actuator 140 may be configured to actuate a corresponding iris seal element 120 with an inward motion until the contact surface 125 at a root radius, rR, as illustrated in 3c, becomes engaged with a labyrinth root 134 of the shaft or circular machine component 130, also at a root radius, rR, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8.
[0037] FIG. 8 illustrates a section view of the iris labyrinth seal assembly of FIG. 7, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 9 illustrates a detail view of the iris labyrinth seal assembly of FIG. 7, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, and previously discussed, each iris seal element 120 may be configured to actuate within the guide plate 110, subject to the motion constraints described above, to cause an inward motion of each iris seal element 120. For example, as further illustrated in FIG. 9, each iris seal element 120 may be configured to actuate within the guide plate 110, such that the nose 123 of the iris seal element 120 may close against the tail 124 of an adjacent iris seal element 120 to form a contiguous barrier around the one of the shaft or the circular machine component 130.
[0038] FIGS. 10a through 1Oe illustrate several views of an iris labyrinth seal element, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As further illustrated in FIGS. 10a through 1Oe, the inward motion of each iris seal element 120 against the one of the shaft or the circular machine component 130 may cause each iris seal element 120 to be locally sacrificed, machined, abraded or crushed on a contact surface 125 of the iris seal element 120 by an existing ring or blade 132 formed on a periphery of the shaft or the circular machine component 130 to form a plurality of grooves 126 in the contact surface 125 of each iris seal element 120, as illustrated in FIGS. 10b and 1Od.
[0039] An iris labyrinth seal assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, may include various combinations of the plurality of iris seal elements, the shaft or circular machine component, the plurality of rings or blades, and the plurality of actuators. For example, one embodiment of the invention may include a plurality of formable iris seal elements 150 that may be configured to rotatably engage a hard shaft or circular machine component having a plurality of rings or blades 160 with blade radius, rB, and root radius, rR, in a disengaged configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 11, and in an engaged configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 12.
[0040] An iris labyrinth seal assembly, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, may include, for example, a plurality of hard iris seal elements having a plurality of rings or blades 170 that may be configured to rotatably engage a shaft or circular machine component region or sleeve 180 in a disengaged configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 13, and in an engaged configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 14.
[0041] An iris labyrinth seal assembly, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, may include, for example, a plurality of formable iris seal elements 150 that may be configured to linearly engage a hard shaft or circular machine component having a plurality of rings or blades 160 with blade radius, rB, and root radius, rR, in a disengaged configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 15 and an engaged configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 16.
[0042] An iris labyrinth seal assembly, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, may include, for example, a plurality of hard iris seal elements having a plurality of rings or blades 170 that may be configured to linearly engage a shaft or circular machine component region or sleeve 180 in a disengaged configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 17 and an engaged configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 18.
[0043] Accordingly, an embodiment of the invention, as described above, provide a labyrinth seal acting on an outer circumference of a rotating shaft or a circular machine component. An embodiment of the invention may further provide a rotating shaft or a circular machine component that may include labyrinth-type rings or blades configured to abrade a plurality of iris seal elements or segments that are configured to engage the rotating shaft or the circular machine component in an iris-like manner during operation of a processing equipment. The iris-like engagement of the labyrinth-type rings or blades with the plurality of iris seal elements or segments, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, may be actuated by an actuator, for example, a spring force, a gas pressure, a hydraulic pressure, and an electromagnetic force. The iris-like engagement of the labyrinth-type rings or blades with the plurality of iris seal elements or segments may also be mechanically bounded such that a wear-in period may exist to form the labyrinth seal to reduce a fluid leakage from the processing equipment
[0044] An embodiment of the invention further provides non-obvious advantages of easy assembly, tolerance to radial shaft run-out, tolerance to axial run-out, tolerance to axial and radial misalignment, tolerance to axial and or radial movement over time, and the ability to intrinsically achieve the minimum possible clearance, as assembled, between the stationary and rotating labyrinth rings. An embodiment of the invention also provides intrinsic robustness to upset conditions in the rotating equipment that would otherwise potentially damage a classical labyrinth seal. When assembled, the iris labyrinth seal assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, may be engaged in an iris-like manner where a central adjustable aperture diameter is formed by composite members.
[0045] The many features of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification and, thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features of the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents can be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

WE CLAIM:
1. An apparatus, comprising: a guide plate; a plurality of seal elements; one of a rotating shaft and a circular machine component; and a plurality of actuators, wherein one of the rotating shaft or the circular machine component and the plurality of seal elements comprises at least one blade, wherein each actuator is configured to actuate a seal element between a retracted and an engaged position, wherein the guide plate is configured to receive the plurality of seal elements and the plurality of actuators and configured to guide a path of motion of each actuated seal element in an inward direction, such that the plurality of seal elements engage the one of the rotating shaft or the circular machine component to form a contiguous barrier to reduce fluid leakage from a processing equipment.
PCT/US2010/025962 2009-03-02 2010-03-02 Iris labyrinth seal assembly WO2010101948A1 (en)

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US20882909P 2009-03-02 2009-03-02
US61/208,829 2009-03-02

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11236631B2 (en) 2018-11-19 2022-02-01 Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc. Mechanical iris tip clearance control

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GB2061410A (en) * 1979-10-17 1981-05-13 Greene J Fluid seal with lubricated sealing surfaces
US20030094762A1 (en) * 2001-11-20 2003-05-22 Dresser-Rand Company Segmented labyrinth seal assembly and method
US20040217549A1 (en) * 2003-05-01 2004-11-04 Justak John F. Hydrodynamic brush seal

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US11236631B2 (en) 2018-11-19 2022-02-01 Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc. Mechanical iris tip clearance control

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