Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “seals”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 703 records · Page 39

A sputtered zirconia primer for improved thermal shock resistance of plasma sprayed ceramic turbine seals

The development of plasma-sprayed yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) ceramic turbine blade tip seal components is discussed. The YSZ layers are quite thick (0.040 to 0.090 in.). The service potential of seal components with such thick ceramic layers is cyclic thermal shock limited. The most usual failure mode is ceramic layer delamination at or very near the interface between the plasma sprayed YSZ layer and the NiCrAlY bondcoat. Deposition of a thin RF sputtered YSZ primer to the bondcoat prior to deposition of the thick plasma sprayed YSZ layer was found to reduce laminar cracking in cyclic thermal shock testing. The cyclic thermal shock life of one ceramic seal design was increased by a factor of 5 to 6 when the sputtered YSZ primer was incorporated. A model based on thermal response of plasma sprayed YSZ particles impinging on the bondcoat surface with and without the sputtered YSZ primer provides a basis for understanding the function of the primer.

Bill, R. C.↗

Circumferential shaft seal

A circumferential shaft seal comprising two sealing rings held to a rotating shaft by means of a surrounding elastomeric band is disclosed. The rings are segmented and are of a rigid sealing material such as carbon or a polyimide and graphite fiber composite.

Ludwig, L. P.↗

Abradable dual-density ceramic turbine seal system

A plasma sprayed dual density ceramic abradable seal system for direct application to the HPT seal shroud of small gas turbine engines. The system concept is based on the thermal barrier coating and depends upon an additional layer of modified density ceramic material adjacent to the gas flow path to provide the desired abradability. This is achieved by codeposition of inert fillers with yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) to interrupt the continuity of the zirconia struture. The investigation of a variety of candidate fillers, with hardness values as low as 2 on Moh's scale, led to the conclusion that solid filler materials in combination with a YSZ matrix, regardless of their hardness values, have a propensity for compacting rather than shearing as originally expected. The observed compaction is accompanied by high energy dissipation in the rub interaction, usually resulting in the adhesive transfer of blade material to the stationary seal member. Two YSZ based coating systems which incorported hollow alumino silicate spheres as density reducing agents were surveyed over the entire range of compositions from 100 percent filler to 100 percent YSZ. Abradability and erosion characteristics were determined, hardness and permeability characterized, and engine experience acquired with several system configurations.

Clingman, D. L.↗

Pipe-Thread Vacuum Seal

Lead/tin solder coating on pipe threads serves as seal in non-critical vacuum systems. Pipe-thread seal is less expensive than weld or knife-edge flanges. Can also be used in place of sealing tape.

Chandler, J. A.↗

Ceramic-Cord Gas Seal

High-temperature gasket material seals at temperatures above 1,100 degrees C. Concentric exhaust pipes are typical of applications in which ceramic-cord seals might be used. Cord is crushed to form seal between inner and outer pipes when inner pipe is expanded into place. Typical applications include engine exhaust ducts or hot pipes passing through firewalls.

Etzel, C. W.↗

Preliminary study of temperature measurement techniques for Stirling engine reciprocating seals

Methods of determining the contact surface temperature in reciprocating seals are investigated. Direct infrared measurement of surface temperatures of a rod exiting a loaded cap seal or simulated seal are compared with surface thermocouple measurements. Significant cooling of the surface requires several milliseconds so that exit temperatures may be considered representative of internal contact temperatures.

Wilcock, D. F.↗

Convergent-tapered annular seals - Analysis for rotordynamic coefficients

A combined analytical-computational solution based on Hirs' lubrication equations (1970) is developed for tapered high-pressure annular seals typical of neck-ring and interstage seals employed in multistage centrifugal pumps. The results obtained coincide with earlier straight seal results at taper angles approaching zero and, under comparable assumptions, agree with Fleming's (1977) predictions for the direct stiffness coefficients. An optimal taper angle is shown to exist with respect to direct stiffness and the ratio of direct stiffness to leakage. Stiffness increases of about 85% are predicted.

Childs, D. W.↗

Bonding procedure for Teflon seals

Material and bonding procedures designed for use as seals at the National Transonic Facility at the NASA Langley Research Center are presented. Teflon TFE was chosen for its ability to withstand pressures of up to 130 psi and temperatures ranging from -320 to 150 F, in addition to tolerances of 0.074 in. and having a movement allowance of 0.75 in. during transient cycles. Since some of the seals are 14 in. in diameter, Teflon sheets had to be sliced and bonded together after machining to size, resulting in seals with circular, oval, straight, and rectangular cross sections. Step-by-step preparation procedures are provided, and it is noted that the scarf joints performed as predicted during tests.

Barringer, S. R.↗

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.↗

A refrigerated dynamic seal

A new sealing concept is proposed where the fluid to be sealed flows through a refrigerated housing or constriction, is frozen to the housing during the transient phase, and under steady state conditions provides a dynamic seal with essentially 'zero' leakage.

Hendricks, R. C.↗

High speed cryogenic self-acting, shaft seals for liquid rocket turbopumps

Three self acting lift pad liquid oxygen face seals and two self acting gaseous helium circumferential seals for high speed liquid oxygen turbopump were evaluated. The development of a technology for reliable, 10 hour life, multiple start seals for use in high speed liquid oxygen turbopumps is discussed.

Burcham, R. E.↗

Dynamic analysis of turbulent annular seals based on Hirs' lubrication equation

Expressions are derived which define dynamic coefficients for high-pressure annular seals typical of neck-ring and interstage seals employed in multistage centrifugal pumps. Completely developed turbulent flow is assumed in both the circumferential and axial directions, and is modeled in this analysis by Hirs' turbulent lubrication equations. Linear zeroth and first-order 'short-bearing' perturbation solutions are developed by an expansion in the eccentricity ratio. The influence of inlet swirl is accounted for in the development of the circumferential flow field. Comparisons are made between the stiffness, damping, and inertia coefficients derived herein based on Hirs' model and previously published results based on other models. Finally, numerical results are presented for interstage seals in the Space Shuttle Main Engine High Pressure Fuel Turbopump and a water pump.

Childs, D. W.↗

Low-Stress Sealing of Pressure Transducers

Compliant washer seals high pressures without excessive compressive stress on transducer. Conformal washer serves as effective seal for transducer passing through walls of pressure vessel. Washer makes it unnecessary to tighten mounting nut to high torque, which could damage transducer or adversely affect accuracy. Washer also used to seal mountings for temperature sensors and other devices.

Kroy, R. E.↗

Resilient seal ring assembly with spring means applying force to wedge member

A ring seal adapted for installation in an annular recess between a housing and a rotating or reciprocating shaft is described. The seal consists of a resilient ring cup member having a ring wedge member inserted in the center recess of the cup member to wedge the opposing lips of the cup member outwardly into a sealing relationship. A spring maintains the force against the wedge member.

Myers, W. N.↗

Materials testing of the IUS techroll seal material

As a part of the investigation of the control system failure Inertial Upper Stage on IUS-1 flight to position a Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) in geosynchronous orbit, the materials utilized in the techroll seal are evaluated for possible failure models. Studies undertaken included effect of temperature on the strength of the system, effect of fatigue on the strength of the system, thermogravimetric analysis, thermomechanical analysis, differential scanning calorimeter analysis, dynamic mechanical analysis, and peel test. The most likely failure mode is excessive temperature in the seal. In addition, the seal material is susceptible to fatigue damage which could be a contributing factor.

Nichols, R. L.↗

Material removal considerations for metal-ceramic abradable turbine seal systems

Possible interaction mechanisms between turbine blade tips and ceramic seal elements have been considered and preferred mechanism defined. The influence of porosity in the seal structure is qualitatively assessed and a preferred form determined. A dual-density plasma-sprayed ceramic seal system encompassing the desired characteristics is described and test results, including engine tests, are reported. Possible remedies to correct performance deficiencies are presented.

Clingman, D. L.↗

Prediction of force coefficients for labyrinth seals

The development of a linear model for the prediction of labyrinth seal forces and on its comparison to available stiffness data is presented. A discussion of the relevance of fluid damping forces and the preliminary stages of a program to obtain data on these forces are examined. Fluid-dynamic forces arising from nonuniform pressure patterns in labyrinth seal glands are known to be potentially destablizing in high power turbomachinery. A well documented case in point is that of the space Shuttle Main Engine turbopumps. Seal forces are also an important factor for the stability of shrouded turbines, acting in that case in conjunction with the effects of blade-tip clearance variations.

Lee, O. W. K.↗

An iwatsubo-based solution for labyrinth seals - comparison with experimental results

The basic equations are derived for compressible flow in a labyrinth seal. The flow is assumed to be completely turbulent in the circumferential direction where the friction factor is determined by the Blasius relation. Linearized zeroth and first-order perturbation equations are developed for small motion about a centered position by an expansion in the eccentricity ratio. The zeroth-order pressure distribution is found by satisfying the leakage equation while the circumferential velocity distribution is determined by satisfying the momentum equation. The first-order equations are solved by a separation of variables solution. Integration of the resultant pressure distribution along and around the seal defines the reaction force developed by the seal and the corresponding dynamic coefficients. The results of this analysis are compared to published test results.

Childs, D. W.↗