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At least 55 records · Page 3

Resilient Flexible Pressure-Activated Seal

A resilient, flexible, pressure-activated, high-temperature seal is adapted to be interposed between high and low pressure regions to provide sealing between opposing surfaces of adjacent relatively movable structures. The seal comprises at least one C-shaped sheet element. The C-shaped element design enables the seal to be pressure-activated to provide a radially outward biasing force, responsive to a seal-activating pressure differential acting across the seal thereby increasing resiliency. A centrally-located, resilient core structure provides load bearing and insulating properties. In an exemplary embodiment where at least two seal elements are used, each layer has a cutout slot pattern and the remaining strip material pattern. The slots provide flexibility to the seal, enabling the seal to be manually contoured to seal around corners and curves. The strip material of each layer covers the slots in each adjacent layer to minimize leakage through the slots. Attached barrier strips can block interface leakage between the seal and the opposing surfaces.

Steinetz, Bruce M.↗

Multipurpose seals for pressure vessels

Cryogenic or multipurpose seals made by using new materials. Seal possesses sufficient flexibility to contain high-pressure fluids regardless of dimensional changes from eigher pressure and/or temperature effects. Seal system operates in dual mode. Increased pressure supplements total sealing effort of seal system, which self-compensates for thermal contraction.

Buggele, A. E.↗

Static Pressure-Assisted Seal For Helium

Two-piece, all-metal, pressure-assisted static flange seal holds in pressurized helium satisfactorily at temperature of negative 80 degree F (negative 62 degree C). Installed between two flanges, then bolted together. New version includes one pressure-assisted metal sealing element held in place by metal plate and flanges. Certified for use in flight on helium joints of Space Shuttle main engine. Likely terrestrial applications include laboratory and industrial gas-distribution systems.

Stuck, Donald E.↗

Segmented, arch-bound carbon seal is pressure loaded

Conventional segmented carbon seal has a low leakage rate and minimum loading requirements for a high pressure, large diameter fluid impeller shaft with large axial and radial movements. Modifications in the segments allow part of the load to be carried in hoop stress.

Burcham, R. E.↗

Gas pressure in sealed electrochemical cells measured externally

Piezoresistive transducer measures gas pressure inside sealed secondary electrochemical cells without breaking the seal. This method is based on the observed fact that the force exerted by the cell faces on the clamp tightening them against the transducer is a function of the gas pressure inside the cell.

Sherfey, J. M.↗

Method of making pressure tight seal for super alloy

A procedure for forming a pressure tight seal along two edges of super alloy sheets is presented. The procedure consists of flame spraying a powdered aluminum-nickel composition on the joint. The use of frozen carbon dioxide and carbon dioxide gas to maintain a low temperature environment during the flame spraying is described.

Little, R. E.↗

Actively Controlled Shaft Seals for Aerospace Applications

This study experimentally investigates an actively controlled mechanical seal for aerospace applications. The seal of interest is a gas seal, which is considerably more compact than previous actively controlled mechanical seals that were developed for industrial use. In a mechanical seal, the radial convergence of the seal interface has a primary effect on the film thickness. Active control of the film thickness is established by controlling the radial convergence of the seal interface with a piezoelectric actuator. An actively controlled mechanical seal was initially designed and evaluated using a mathematical model. Based on these results, a seal was fabricated and tested under laboratory conditions. The seal was tested with both helium and air, at rotational speeds up to 3770 rad/sec, and at sealed pressures as high as 1.48 x 10(exp 6) Pa. The seal was operated with both manual control and with a closed-loop control system that used either the leakage rate or face temperature as the feedback. The output of the controller was the voltage applied to the piezoelectric actuator. The seal operated successfully for both short term tests (less than one hour) and for longer term tests (four hours) with a closed-loop control system. The leakage rates were typically 5-15 slm (standard liters per minute), and the face temperatures were generally maintained below 100C. When leakage rate was used as the feedback signal, the setpoint leakage rate was typically maintained within 1 slm. However, larger deviations occurred during sudden changes in sealed pressure. When face temperature was used as the feedback signal, the setpoint face temperature was generally maintained within 3 C, with larger deviations occurring when the sealed pressure changes suddenly. the experimental results were compared to the predictions from the mathematical model. The model was successful in predicting the trends in leakage rate that occurred as the balance ratio and sealed pressure changed, although the leakage rates were not quantitatively predicted with a high degree of accuracy. This model could be useful in providing valuable design information for future actively controlled mechanical seals.

Salant, Richard F.↗

Fluid pressure balanced seal

A seal which increases in effectiveness with increasing pressure is presented. The seal's functional capability throughout both static and dynamic operation makes it particularly useful for sealing ball valve ports. Other features of the seal include the ability to seal two opposed surfaces simultaneously, tolerance of small misalignments, tolerance of wide temperature ranges, ability to maintain positive sealing contact under conditions of internal or external pressurization, and ability to conform to slight irregularities in seal or surface contours.

Marsh, H. W.↗

Approximate Solution for Choked Flow in Gas Seal Pads

Previous analyses of high pressure seals have considered adiabatic flow with friction but neglected effects of seal rotation. Most of this work analyzed a one-dimensional flow field. This works well to calculate stiffness and leakage of full circular seals, either face seals or annular ring seals. However, it cannot provide accurate results for a rectangular seal pad with its strongly two-dimensional flow field and its reliance on hydrodynamic forces to maintain a full fluid film. On the other hand, solutions of Reynolds lubrication equation have been obtained for the two-dimensional flow in a seal pad. But these solutions do not account for choking which occurs at high seal pressure ratios, nor do they consider the pressure loss that occurs in the entrance region of the flow field. The aim of the present work is to build on the Reynolds equation solution by use of an approximate choked flow analysis. This will account for the pressure losses in the flow entrance region, ensure that fluid velocities remain subsonic, and enable fluid inertial effects within the pad film to be accounted for. Results show that, in general, fluid inertia acts to decrease pad film load capacity and leakage, and increase film stiffness.

Fleming, David P.↗

Pressure-Assisted Seal for Castings

Modification of widely used pressure-assisted gasket ensures tight seal even when one sealed surface somewhat rough or porous. Modified U-cross-section gasket has thin lips increasing sealing area and conform to slightly rough surface. Lips provide wider sealing area and extend highly loaded region at tip. Coating of polytetrafluoroethylene on tip and lip augments conformance.

Stuck, Donald E.↗

Actively controlled shaft seals for aerospace applications

This study experimentally investigates an actively controlled mechanical seal for aerospace applications. The seal of interest is a gas seal, which is considerably more compact than previous actively controlled mechanical seals that were developed for industrial use. In a mechanical seal, the radial convergence of the seal interface has a primary effect on the film thickness. Active control of the film thickness is established by controlling the radial convergence of the seal interface with piezoelectric actuator. An actively controlled mechanical seal was initially designed and evaluated using a mathematical model. Based on these results, a seal was fabricated and tested under laboratory conditions. The seal was tested with both helium and air, at rotational speeds up to 3770 rad/sec, and at sealed pressures as high as 1.48 x 10(exp 6) Pa. The seal was operated with both manual control and with a closed-loop control system that used either the leakage rate or face temperature as the feedback. The output of the controller was the voltage applied to the piezoelectric actuator. The seal operated successfully for both short term tests (less than one hour) and for longer term tests (four hours) with a closed-loop control system. The leakage rates were typically 5-15 slm (standard liters per minute), and the face temperatures were generally maintained below 100 C. When leakage rate was used as the feedback signal, the setpoint leakage rate was typically maintained within 1 slm. However, larger deviations occurred during sudden changes in sealed pressure. When face temperature was used as the feedback signal, the setpoint face temperature was generally maintained within 3 C, with larger deviations occurring when the sealed pressure changed suddenly.

Salant, Richard F.↗

O-rings with mylar back-up provide high- pressure cryogenic seal

Mylar lip type back-up ring installed in combination with three rubber O-rings seal the junctions between a tube stub and an adapter during high pressure gas flow at cryogenic to room temperatures. Mylar seals should not be used with oxygen under pressure or in the liquid state.

Funk, G. M.↗

Pressure responsive seal handles static and dynamic loads

Ported ball valves are sealed under both static and dynamic load conditions by a line-pressure responsive double-acting seal. The top of the seal engages the ported ball at the outer circumferential edge of the seal upper end, and the bottom of the seal seats on a flat circular land with a continuous wall.

Marsh, H. W.↗

Continued Investigation of Leakage and Power Loss Test Results for Competing Turbine Engine Seals

Secondary seal leakage in jet engine applications results in power losses to the engine cycle. Likewise, seal power loss in jet engines not only result in efficiency loss but also increase the heat input into the engine resulting in reduced component lives. Experimental work on labyrinth and annular seals was performed at NASA Glenn Research Center to quantify seal leakage and power loss at various temperatures, seal pressure differentials, and surface speeds. Data from annular and labyrinth seals are compared with previous brush and finger seal test results. Data are also compared to literature. Annular and labyrinth seal leakage rates are 2 to 3 times greater than brush and finger seal rates. Seal leakage decreases with increasing speed but increases with increasing test temperature due to thermal expansion mismatch. Also seal power loss increases with surface speed, seal pressure differential, mass flow rate, and radial clearance. Annular and labyrinth seal power losses were higher than those of brush or finger seal data. The brush seal power loss was 15 to 30 percent lower than annular and labyrinth seal power loss.

Delgado, Irebert R.↗

Pressure Actuated Leaf Seals for Improved Turbine Shaft Sealing

This presentation introduces a shaft seal in which leaf seal elements are constructed from slotted shim material formed and layered into a frusto-conical assembly. Limited elastic deflection of seal leaves with increasing system pressure close large startup clearance to a small, non-contacting, steady state running clearance. At shutdown seal elements resiliently retract as differential seal pressure diminishes. Large seal clearance during startup and shutdown provides a mechanism for rub avoidance. Minimum operating clearance improves performance and non-contacting operation promises long seal life. Design features of this seal, sample calculations at differential pressures up to 2400 psid and benefit comparison with brush and labyrinth seals is documented in paper, AIAA 2005 3985, presented at the Advanced Seal Technology session of the Joint Propulsion Conference in Tucson this past July. In this presentation use of bimetallic leaf material will be discussed. Frictional heating of bimetallic leaf seals during a seal rub can relieve the rub condition to some extent with a change in seal shape. Improved leaf seal rub tolerance is expected with bimetallic material.

Grondahl, Clayton↗

Antivortex Inlet Ribs for Fluid-Seals

Instability in rotating machinery reduced. Ring of ribs fastened to existing stator in turbopump pressure-seal inlet. Ribs suppress swirl in flow entering seal. Rib concept offers relatively inexpensive solution to some lateral-instability problems in many other systems with rotating pressure seals.

Chen, W. C.↗