WO2019040171A1

WO2019040171A1 - Seal plate assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2019040171A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/038675
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Schröder; Christopher W. Ross; Daniel Gloss; Abdullatif M. Chehab; Douglas J. Arrell; Swaroop SHREEDHARA; Jonathon Baker; William HALCHAK
Original assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2017-08-25
Filing date: 2018-06-21
Publication date: 2019-02-28

Abstract

The present invention is related to a seal plate assembly (300) for a rotor disk assembly (100) of a gas turbine engine, wherein the seal plate assembly includes a plurality of adjacent seal plate segments (320, 340). Shiplaps (322,323,342,343) of the adjacent seal plate segments are overlapped with each other. The overlapped shiplaps of the adjacent seal plate segments are configured to have different stiffness. The less stiff shiplaps deflect toward to the overlapped stiffer shiplaps such that the overlapped shiplaps move toward to each other under pressure differences. Stiffness may be varied by providing stiffeners (324,344) of different heights, providing grooves (310), modifying thickness of the shiplaps or combining any of these. The seal plate assembly improves sealing and reduces leakage of cooling air between the adjacent seal plate segments and improves efficiency of the gas turbine engine.

Description

SEAL PLATE ASSEMBLY

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates generally to a seal plate assembly, in particular, a seal plate assembly configured to be arranged in a rotor disk assembly of an industrial gas turbine engine.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

[0002] An industrial gas turbine engine typically includes a compressor for compressing air, a combustor for mixing the compressed air with fuel and igniting the mixture, a turbine section for producing mechanical power, and a generator for converting the mechanical power to an electrical power. The compressor and the turbine section include a plurality of blades that are attached on a rotor disk. The blades are arranged in rows axially spaced apart along the rotor disk and circumferentially attached to a periphery of the rotor disk. The blades are driven by the ignited hot gas from the combustor and are cooled using a coolant, such as a cooing air, through cooling passages in the blades.

Efficiency of an industrial gas turbine engine and component life may be related to the ability to effectively shield the rotor disk from the hot gas. Thus, it is very important to prevent the hot gas from coming into contact with the rotor disk and to minimize a leakage of the cooling air.

[0003] A seal plate assembly may be used to avoid the hot gas from coming into contact with the rotor disk and to minimize a leakage of the cooling air. A variety of seal plate configurations have been developed to fit the need. However, the seal plate assembly may be susceptible to deflection and other types of deformations due to the high temperature environment and high load. There is a need for an improved design of seal plate assembly. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Briefly described, aspects of the present invention relate to a seal plate assembly to be arranged in a rotor disk assembly, a rotor disk assembly and a method for assembling a rotor disk assembly.

[0005] According to an aspect, a seal plate assembly is presented. The seal plate assembly is configured to be arranged in a rotor disk assembly. The seal plate assembly comprises a plurality of adjacent seal plate segments. Each seal plate segment comprises a main body, a front shiplap and a rear shiplap. The front shiplap and the rear shiplap are rabbet edges arranged on opposite sides of the main body. The front shiplap and the rear shiplap of the adjacent seal plate segments are overlapped with each other. The overlapped shiplaps of the adjacent seal plate segments are configured to have different stiffness such that the overlapped shiplaps are movable toward to each other under pressure differences.

[0006] According to an aspect, a rotor disk assembly is presented. The rotor disk assembly comprises a rotor disk. The rotor disk assembly comprises a plurality of blades attached on the rotor disk. The rotor disk assembly comprises a seal plate assembly arranged between the rotor disk and the blades. The seal plate assembly comprises a plurality of adjacent seal plate segments. Each seal plate segment comprises a main body, a front shiplap and a rear shiplap. The front shiplap and the rear shiplap are rabbet edges arranged on opposite sides of the main body. The front shiplap and the rear shiplap of the adjacent seal plate segments are overlapped with each other. The overlapped shiplaps of the adjacent seal plate segments are configured to have different stiffness such that the overlapped shiplaps are movable toward to each other under pressure differences.

[0007] According to an aspect, a method for assembling a rotor disk assembly is presented. The method comprises attaching a plurality of blades on a rotor disk. The method comprises arranging a seal plate assembly between the rotor disk and the blades. The seal plate assembly comprises a plurality of adjacent seal plate segments. Each seal plate segment comprises a main body, a front shiplap and a rear shiplap. The front shiplap and the rear shiplap are rabbet edges arranged on opposite sides of the main body. The front shiplap and the rear shiplap of the adjacent seal plate segments are overlapped with each other. The overlapped shiplaps of the adjacent seal plate segments are configured to have different stiffness such that the overlapped shiplaps are movable toward to each other under pressure differences.

[0008] Various aspects and embodiments of the application as described above and hereinafter may not only be used in the combinations explicitly described, but also in other combinations. Modifications will occur to the skilled person upon reading and

understanding of the description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Exemplary embodiments of the application are explained in further detail with respect to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings.

[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a portion of a rotor disk assembly, in which embodiments of the present invention may be incorporated;

[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic cross section view of a conventional seal plate assembly; and

[0012] FIGs. 3 to 9 illustrate schematic cross section views of a seal plate assembly according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0013] To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] A detailed description related to aspects of the present invention is described hereafter with respect to the accompanying figures.

[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a portion of a rotor disk assembly 100. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the rotor disk assembly 100 may include a rotor disk 120. The rotor disk assembly 100 may include a plurality of blades 140 that are attached along an outer circumference of the rotor disk 120. Each of the blades 140 may have an airfoil shape. The rotor disk assembly 100 may include a plurality of seal plate assemblies 300 that are arranged between the rotor disk 120 and the blades 140. Each seal plate assembly 300 is attached to one blade 140. The seal plate assemblies 300 are arranged circumferentially adjacent to each other. During engine operation, pressures applied on opposite sides of the seal plate assembly 300 may be different. Typically, pressure applied on a side of the seal plate assembly 300 facing toward to a rotor is higher than pressure applied on the opposite side of the seal plate assembly 300 facing away from the rotor.

[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic cross section view of a conventional seal plate assembly 200. High pressure 160 may be applied on one side of the seal plate assembly 200 during operation. Low pressure 180 may be applied on the opposite side of the seal plate assembly 200 during operation. As shown in FIG. 2, the conventional seal plate assembly 200 may include a plurality of seal plate segments 220 arranged

circumferentially adjacent to each other. Each of the seal plate segments 220 may include a main body 221 , a front shiplap 222 and a rear shiplap 223 in a circumferential direction. The front shiplap 222 and the rear shiplap 223 are rabbet edges cutting on opposite sides of the main body 221 of the seal plate segment 220 in the circumferential direction. The front shiplap 222 and the rear shiplap 223 of the seal plate segment 220 may have alternative orientation, in which the rabbet edge of the front shiplap 222 and the rabbet edge of the rear shiplap 223 are facing to opposite directions. Adjacent seal plate segments 220 engage with each other by overlapping the front shiplap 222 of one seal plate segment 220 with the rear shiplap 223 of an adjacent seal plate segment 220. During gas turbine engine operation, cooling air may leak between the adjacent seal plate segments 220 passing through an area 230 and proceeding radially out from the high pressure side 160 to the low pressure side 180 through the overlapped shiplaps as indicated by the leakage path 232.

[0017] The seal plate segments 220 in a conventional seal plate assembly 200 may have similar configurations. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the front shiplap 222 and the rear shiplap 223 of each of the seal plate segments 220 may have the same thickness, such as half of a thickness of the main body 221 of the seal plate segment 220. Each seal plate segment 220 may include at least one stiffener 224 having same height. Similar configurations of the seal plate segments 220 in the conventional seal plate assembly 200 results in similar stiffness to each seal plate segment 220. Similar stiffness of each seal plate segment 220 may result in a similar deflection of each seal plate segment 220 under pressure differences. Similar deflection of adjacent seal plate segments 220 may move the adjacent seal plate segments 220 away from each other and thus may increase a leakage of cooling air passing through the area 230 between the adjacent seal plate segments 220.

[0018] According to embodiments of the present invention, stiffness of overlapped shiplaps of adjacent seal plate segments may be designed different from each other. One shiplap of a seal plate segment may be designed to be less stiff which may defect due to pressure difference. One shiplap of an adjacent seal plate segment may be designed to be stiffer which may be sufficient to withstand a high load. The stiffer shiplap of the adjacent seal plate segment may have no deflection or slight deflection under pressures differences. The less stiff shiplap of the seal plate segment may come in running condition in contact with the stiffer shiplap of the adjacent seal plate segment due to deflection. Overlapped shiplaps of adjacent seal plate segments may move toward to each other. Sealing between the adjacent seal plate segments may be improved. Leakage of cooling air between the adjacent seal plate segments may be reduced. Efficiency of a gas turbine may be improved.

[0019] FIGs. 3 to 9 illustrate schematic cross section views of a seal plate assembly

300 according to various embodiments of the present invention. [0020] FIG, 3 illustrates a schematic cross section view of a seal plate assembly 300A according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the seal plate assembly 300 A includes a plurality of adjacent seal plate segments 320 A and 340A. The adjacent seal plate segments 320 A and 340 A are arranged circuniferentially next to each other. The seal plate segment 320A may include a main body 321 A, a front shiplap 322A and a rear shiplap 323A in a circumferential direction. The front shiplap 322A and the rear shiplap 323 A may form rabbet edges on opposite sides of the main body 321 A of the seal plate segments 320A in the circumneutral direction. The seal plate segment 340A may include a mam body 341A, a front shiplap 342A and a rear shiplap 343A in the circumneutral direction. The front shiplap 342A and the rear shiplap 343A may form rabbet edges on opposite sides of the main body 341 A of the seal plate segment 340A in the circumneutral direction.

[0021] With reference to FIG. 3, the adjacent seal plate segments 320A and 340A include a male and female orientation configuration, in which the seal plate 320A may be designated as a male seal plate segment and the seal plate segment 340A may be designated as a female seal plate segment. Orientations of the male seal plate 320A and the female seal plate 340A are opposite to each other. According to an exemplary embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 3, orientation of the front shiplap 322A and the rear shiplap 323A of the male seal plate segment 320A may have rabbet edges facing toward to a low pressure side 180. Orientation of the front shiplap 342A and the rear shiplap 343 A of the female seal plate segment 340A may have rabbet edges facing toward to the high pressure side 160. The adjacent seal plate segments 320A and 340A are engaged with each other by overlapping the front shiplap 322A of the seal plate segment 320A with the rear shiplap 343A of the seal plate segment 340A forward and overlapping the rear shiplap 323A of the seal plate segment 320A with the front shiplap 342A of the seal plate segment 340A backward. During gas turbine engine operation, cooling air may leak between the adjacent seal plate segments 320A and 340A passing through an area 330 and proceeding radially out from the high pressure side 160 to the low pressure side 180 through the overlapped shiplaps as indicated by the leakage path 332. [0022] Referring to FIG, 3, the male seal plate segment 320A may include at least one stiffener 324 arranged on the main body 321 A facing to the high pressure side 160. The female seal plate segment 340A may include at least one stiffener 344A arranged on the main body 341A facing to the high pressure side 160. The stiffeners 324 and 344 may strengthen stiffness of the seal plate segments 320A and 340A to withstand a higher load. With reference to FIG. 3, the stiffeners 324 and 344 have different heights which result in different stiffness between the adjacent seal plate segments 320A and 340 A. The different stiffness between the adjacent male and female seal plate segments 320A and 340A provides different stiffness of the overlapped shiplaps 322A and 343A and 323A and 342A. According to an exemplary embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 3, height of the stiffener 324 of the male seal plate segment 320A having orientation of the front shiplap 322A and the rear shiplap 323 A facing toward to the low pressure side 180 is less than height of the stiffener 344 of the female seal plate segment 340A having orientations of the front shiplap 342A and the rear shiplap 343 A facing toward to the high pressure side 160. Stiffness of the male seal plate segment 320A is thus less than stiffness of the female seal plate segment 340 A. The front shiplap 322A and the rear shiplap 323A of the seal plate 320A are also less stiff than the overlapped front shiplap 342A and the rear shiplap 343A of the seal plate 340A. The less stiff front shiplap 322A and the rear shiplap 323A of the seal plate segment 320A may defect due to weak stiffness. The stiffer front shiplap 342A and the rear shiplap 343A of the seal plate segment 340A may be stiff enough to withstand high load without deflection or slight deflection. The less stiff front shiplap 322A and rear shiplap 323A of the seal plate segment 320A may deflect toward to the overlapped stiffer rear shiplap 343A and front shiplap 342A of the seal plate segment 340A respectively. Leakage of cooling air between the adjacent seal plate segments 320A and 340A passing through the leakage area 330 and proceeding radially out from the high pressure side 160 to the low pressure side 180 through the overlapped shiplaps as indicated by the leakage path 332 may be reduced.

[0023] FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic cross section view of a seal plate assembly 300B according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the seal plate assembly 300B includes a plurality of adjacent seal plate segments 320B and 340B. The adjacent seal plate segments 320B and 340B include the similar male and female orientation configuration as illustrated in FIG. 3, in which the seal plate 320B may be designated as a male seal plate segment and the seal plate segment 340B may be designated as a female seal plate segment. With reference to FIG. 4, the male seal plate segment 320B include grooves 310 cutting at rabbet edges of the front shiplap 322B and the rear shiplap 323B facing toward to the low pressure side 180. Stiffness of the front shiplap 322B and the rear shiplap 323B the male seal plate segment 320B are thus less than stiffness of the overlapped front shiplap 342B and the rear shiplap 343B of the adjacent female seal plate segment 340B. The less stiff front shiplap 322B and rear shiplap 323B of the seal plate segment 320B may deflect toward to the overlapped stiffer rear shiplap 343B and front shiplap 342B of the seal plate segment 340B respectively due to pressure differences. Leakage of cooling air between the adjacent seal plate segments 320B and 340B passing through the leakage area 330 and proceeding radially out from the high pressure side 160 to the low pressure side 180 through the overlapped ship laps as indicated by the leakage path 332 may be reduced. According to further embodiment, stiffeners 324 and 344 as illustrated in FIG. 3 may be combined into embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, which are not described in detail in FIG. 4.

[0024] FIG 5 illustrates a schematic cross section view of a seal plate assembly 300C according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown m FIG. 5, the seal plate assembly 300C includes a plurality of adjacent seal plate segments 320C and 340C. The adjacent seal plate segments 320C and 340C include the similar male and female orientation configuration as illustrated in FIG. 3, in which the seal plate 320C may be designated as a male seal plate segment and the seal plate segment 340C may be designated as a female seal plate segment. With reference to FIG: 5, the front shiplap 322C and the rear shiplap 323C of the male seal plate segment 320C having rabbet edges facing away from the pressure side 160 have less thickness than the front shiplap 342C and rear shiplap 343 C of the female seal plate segment 340C having rabbet edges facing toward to the pressure side 160. The front shiplap 322C and the rear shiplap 323C of the male seal plate segment 320C are thus less stiff than the overlapped front shiplap 342C and the rear shiplap 343 C of the female seal plate 340C. The less stiff front shiplap 322B and rear shiplap 323B of the seal plate segment 320B may move toward to the overlapped stiffer rear shiplap 343C and front shiplap 342C of the seal plate segment 340C respectively due to pressure differences. Leakage of cooling air between the adjacent seal plate segments 320C and 340C passing through the leakage area 330 and proceeding radially out from the high pressure side 160 to the low pressure side 180 through the overlapped ship laps as indicated by the leakage path 332 may be reduced. According to an embodiment, thicknesses of the front shiplap 322C and the rear shiplap 323C of the seal plate segment 320C may be less than half thickness of the main body 341 C. Thicknesses of the front shiplap 342C and rear shiplap 343C of the seal plate segment 340C may be more than half thickness of the main body 341 C. According to further embodiment, stiffeners 324 and 344 as illustrated in FIG. 3 may be combined into embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, which are not described m detail in FIG- 5.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 5, the thinner front shiplap 322C and the rear shiplap 323 C of the male seal plate segment 320C and the thicker front shiplap 342C and the rear shiplap 343C of the female seal plate segment 340C also reduce the leakage area 330 between the adjacent seal plate segments 320C and 340C. The reduced leakage area 330 further reduces the leakage of the cooling air via the leakage path 332.

[0026] FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic cross section view of a seal plate assembly 300D according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the seal plate assembly 300D includes a plurality of adjacent seal plate segments 320D and 340D. The adjacent seal plate segments 320D and 340D include the similar male and female orientation configuration as illustrated in FIG. 3, in which the seal plate 320D may be designated as a male seal plate segment and the seal plate segment 340D may be designated as a female seal plate segment. With reference to FIG. 6, the front shiplap 322D and the rear shiplap 323D of the male seal plate segment 320C having rabbet edges facing toward to the low pressure side 180 have less thickness than the front shiplap 342D and rear shiplap 343D of the female seal plate segment 340D having rabbet edges facing toward to the high pressure side 160. The thinner front shiplap 322D and the rear shiplap 323D of the male seal plate segment 320D include grooves 310 cutting at the rabbet edges facing toward to the low pressure side 180. The grooves 310 may adjust the stiffness of the thinner front shiplap 322D and the rear shiplap 323D of the male seal plate segment 320D. The less stiff front shiplap 322D and rear shiplap 323D of the seal plate segment 320D may move toward to the overlapped stiffer rear shiplap 343D and front shiplap 342D of the seal plate segment 340D respectively due to pressure differences. Leakage of cooling air between the adjacent seal plate segments 320D and 340D passing through the leakage area 330 and proceeding radially out from the high pressure side 160 to the low pressure side 180 through the overlapped shiplaps as indicated by the leakage path 332 may be reduced. The leakage area 330 is also reduced due to the inequivalent thicknesses of the overlapped shiplaps 322D and 343D and 323D and 342D of the adjacent male and female seal plate segments 320D and 340D. The reduced leakage area 330 further reduces the leakage of the cooling air via the leakage path 332. According to further embodiment, stiff eners 324 and 344 as illustrated in FIG. 3 may be combined into embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, which are not described in detail in FIG. 6.

[0027] FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic cross section view of a seal plate assembly 300E according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG, 7, the seal plate assembly 300F. includes a plurality of adjacent seal plate segments 320E and 340E. The seal plate segments 320E and 340E include alternative orientation configuration.

According to an exemplary embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 7, the front shiplap 322E may have rabbet edge facing toward to the low pressure side 180. The rear shiplap 323E may have rabbet edge facing toward to the high pressure side 160. The adjacent seal plate segment 340E have the same alternative orientation as the seal plate segment 320E. The front shiplaps 322E and 342E of the adjacent seal plate segments 320E and 340E include grooves 310 cutting at rabbet edges facing toward to the low pressure side 160. The front shiplaps 322E and 342E of the adjacent seal plate segments 320E and 340E are thus less stiff than the overlapped rear shiplaps 323E and 343E of the adjacent seal plate segments 320E and 340E. The less stiff front shiplaps 322E and 342E of the adjacent seal plate segments 320E and 340E may move toward to the overlapped stiffer rear shiplaps 323E and 343E of the adjacent seal plate segments 320E and 340E respectively due to pressure differences. Leakage of cooling air between the adjacent seal plate segments 320E and 340E passing through the leakage area 330 and proceeding radially out from the high pressure side 160 to the low pressure side 180 through the overlapped shiplaps as indicated by the leakage path 332 may be reduced.

[0028] FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic cross section view of a seal plate assembly 3 OOF according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, the seal plate assembly 3 OOF includes a plurality of adjacent seal plate segments 320F and 340F which have the similar alternative orientation configuration as illustrated in FIG 7. With reference to FIG. 8, the front shiplaps 322F and 342F of the adjacent seal plate segments 320F and 340F are thinner than the overlapped rear shiplaps 323F and 343F of the adjacent seal plate segments 320F and 340F. The front shiplaps 322F and 342F of the adjacent seal plate segments 320F and 340F are thus less stiff than the overlapped rear shiplaps 323F and 343F of the adjacent seal plate segments 320F and 340F. The less stiff front shiplaps 322F and 342F of the adjacent seal plate segments 320F and 340F may move toward to the overlapped stiffer rear shiplaps 323F and 343F of the adjacent seal plate segments 320F and 340F respectively due to pressures differences. Leakage of cooling air between the adjacent seal plate segments 320F and 340F passing through the leakage area 330 and proceeding radially out from the high pressure side 160 to the low pressure side 180 through the overlapped shiplaps as indicated by the leakage path 332 may be reduced. The leakage area 330 is also reduced due to the inequivalent thicknesses of the overlapped shiplaps 322F and 343F and 323F and 342F of the adjacent seal plate segments 320F and 340F. The reduced leakage area 330 further reduces the leakage of the cooling air via the leakage path 332.

[0029] FIG 9 illustrates a schematic cross section view of a seal plate assembly 300G according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9, the seal plate assembly 300G includes a plurality of adjacent seal plate segments 320G and 340G which have the similar alternative orientation configuration as illustrated in FIG. 8. With reference to FIG. 9, the thinner front shiplaps 322G and 342G of the adjacent seal plate segments 320G and 340G include grooves 310 cutting at rabbet edges facing toward to the low pressure side 180. The grooves 310 may adjust the stiffness of the thinner front shiplaps 322G and 342G of the adjacent seal plate segments 320G and 340G. The less stiff front shiplaps 322G and 342G of the adjacent seal plate segments 320G and 340G may move toward to the overlapped stiffer rear shiplaps 323G and 343G of the adjacent seal plate segments 320G and 340G respectively due to pressures differences. Leakage of cooling air between the adjacent seal plate segments 320G and 340G passing through the leakage area 330 and proceeding radially out from the high pressure side 160 to the low pressure side 180 through the overlapped shiplaps as indicated by the leakage path 332 may be reduced. The leakage area 330 is also reduced due to the inequivalent thicknesses of the overlapped shiplaps 322G and 343G and 323G and 342G of the adjacent seal plate segments 320G and 340G. The reduced leakage area 330 further reduces the leakage of the cooling air via the leakage path 332.

[0030] According to an aspect, the proposed seal plate assembly 300 improves sealing between adjacent seal plate segments 320 and 340. Front and rear shiplaps 322 and 323 of one seal plate segment 320 overlap with rear and front shiplaps 343 and 342 of the adjacent seal plate segment 340. The overlapped shiplaps between 322 and 343 and between 323 and 342 of the adjacent seal plate segments 320 and 340 have different stiffness. The proposed seal plate assembly 300 uses deflection of less stiff shiplaps while withstanding higher load using overlapped stiffer shiplaps such that the less stiff shiplaps move toward to the stiffer shiplaps. The proposed seal plate assembly 300 reduces leakage of cooling air between adjacent seal plate segments 320 and 340 in an industrial gas turbine engine. The proposed seal plate assembly 300 improves efficiency of an industrial gas turbine engine and component life.

[0031] Although various embodiments that incorporate the teachings of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, those skilled in the art can readily devise many other varied embodiments that still incorporate these teachings. The invention is not limited in its application to the exemplary embodiment details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including," "comprising," or "having" and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms "mounted," "connected," "supported," and "coupled" and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, "connected" and "coupled" are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

Reference List:

100: Rotor Disk Assembly

120: Rotor Disk

140: Blade

160: High Pressure Side

180: Low Pressure Side

200: Conventional Seal Plate Assembly

220: Seal Plate Segment

221 : Main Body of Seal Plate Segment

222: Front Shiplap of Seal Plate Segment

223 : Rear Shiplap of Seal Plate Segment

224: Stiffener of Seal Plate Segment

230: Leakage Area

232: Leakage Path

300: Inventive Seal Plate Assembly

310: Groove

320, 340: Adjacent Seal Plate Segments

321 , 341 : Main Body of Seal Plate Segments

322, 342: Front Shiplap of Seal Plate Segments

323, 343: Rear Shiplap of Seal Plate Segments

324, 344: Stiffeners of Seal Plate Segments 330: Leakage Area

332: Leakage Path

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A seal plate assembly configured to be arranged in a rotor disk assembly comprising:

a plurality of adjacent seal plate segments,

wherein each seal plate segment comprises a main body, a front shiplap and a rear shiplap,

wherein the front shiplap and the rear shiplap are rabbet edges arranged on opposite sides of the main body,

wherein the front shiplap and the rear shiplap of the adjacent seal plate segments are overlapped with each other, and

wherein the overlapped shiplaps of the adjacent seal plate segments are configured to have different stiffness such that the overlapped shiplaps are movable toward to each other under pressure differences.

2. The seal plate assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjacent seal plate segments comprise a male and female orientation configuration, wherein the rabbet edges of the front shiplap and the rear shiplap of the male seal plate segment are facing toward to a low pressure side, wherein the rabbet edges of the front shiplap and the rear shiplap the female seal plate segment are facing toward to a high pressure side, and wherein the front shiplap and the rear shiplap of the male seal plate segment are less stiff than the front shiplap and the rear shiplap of the female seal plate segment.

3. The seal plate assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the male seal plate segment comprises a stiffener arranged on the main body facing to the high pressure side, wherein the female seal plate segment comprises a stiffener arranged on the main body facing to the high pressure side, wherein a height of the stiffener of the male seal plate segments is less than a height of the stiffener of the female seal plate segment.

4. The seal plate assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the front shiplap and the rear shiplap of the male seal plate segment comprise a groove cutting at the rabbet edges facing toward to the low pressure side.

5. The seal plate assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the front shiplap and the rear shiplap of the male seal plate segment are thinner than the front shiplap and the rear shiplap of the female seal plate segment.

6. The seal plate assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjacent seal plate segments comprise alternative orientation configuration, wherein the rabbet edge of the front shiplap is facing toward to a low pressure side, wherein the rabbet edge of the rear shiplap is facing toward to a high pressure side, and wherein the front shiplap is less stiff than the rear shiplap.

7. The seal plate assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the front shiplap comprises a groove cutting at the rabbet edge facing toward to the low pressure side.

8. The seal plate assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the front shiplap is thinner than the rear shiplap.

9. A rotor disk assembly comprising:

a rotor disk;

a plurality of blades attached on the rotor disk; and

a seal plate assembly arranged between the rotor disk and the blades,

wherein the seal plate assembly comprises a plurality of adjacent seal plate segments,

wherein the front shiplap and the rear shiplap are rabbet edges arranged on opposite sides of the main body, wherein the front shiplap and the rear shiplap of the adjacent seal plate segments are overlapped with each other, and

10. The rotor disk assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the adjacent seal plate segments comprise a male and female orientation configuration, wherein the rabbet edges of the front shiplap and the rear shiplap of the male seal plate segment are facing toward to a low pressure side, wherein the rabbet edges of the front shiplap and the rear shiplap the female seal plate segment are facing toward to a high pressure side, and wherein the front shiplap and the rear shiplap of the male seal plate segment are less stiff than the front shiplap and the rear shiplap of the female seal plate segment.

11. The rotor disk assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the male seal plate segment comprises a stiffener arranged on the main body facing to the high pressure side, wherein the female seal plate segment comprises a stiffener arranged on the main body facing to the high pressure side, wherein a height of the stiffener of the male seal plate segments is less than a height of the stiffener of the female seal plate segment.

12. The rotor disk assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the front shiplap and the rear shiplap of the male seal plate segment comprise a groove cutting at the rabbet edges facing toward to the low pressure side.

13. The rotor disk assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the front shiplap and the rear shiplap of the male seal plate segment are thinner than the front shiplap and the rear shiplap of the female seal plate segment.

14. The rotor disk assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the adjacent seal plate segments comprise alternative orientation configuration, wherein the rabbet edge of the front shiplap is facing toward to a low pressure side, wherein the rabbet edge of the rear shiplap is facing toward to a high pressure side, and wherein the front shiplap is less stiff than the rear shiplap.

15. The rotor disk assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the front shiplap comprises a groove cutting at the rabbet edge facing away from the pressure side.

16. The rotor disk assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the front shiplap is thinner than the rear shiplap.

17. A method for assembling a rotor disk assembly comprising:

attaching a plurality of blades on a rotor disk; and

arranging a seal plate assembly between the rotor disk and the blades,

18. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the adjacent seal plate segments comprise a male and female orientation configuration, wherein the rabbet edges of the front shiplap and the rear shiplap of the male seal plate segment are facing toward to a low pressure side, wherein the rabbet edges of the front shiplap and the rear shiplap the female seal plate segment are facing toward to a high pressure side, and wherein the front shiplap and the rear shiplap of the male seal plate segment are less stiff than the front shiplap and the rear shiplap of the female seal plate segment.

19. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the adjacent seal plate segments comprise alternative orientation configuration, wherein the rabbet edge of the front shiplap is facing toward to a low pressure side, wherein the rabbet edge of the rear shiplap is facing toward to a high pressure side, and wherein the front shiplap is less stiff than the rear shiplap.