Design approach for maximising contacting filament seal performance retention

Abstract

Good sealing is a key requirement for modern efficient turbomachinery such as steam and gas turbines. A class of seals that promise better performance, compared to conventional labyrinth seals, are contacting filament seals such as brush, leaf, or finger seal. When new, these filament seals offer better performance; however, if poorly designed they wear excessively, resulting in leakages higher than a comparable labyrinth seal. This paper outlines a design methodology for selecting ideal contacting filament seal properties for a given operating cycle or set of operating cycles. Following this approach ensures the seal performs well, the seal retains its performance, and performance is retained if the operating cycle is altered. In the approach, the seals are described by four generic properties (stiffness, blow-down, cross-coupling, and build clearance), which are then used for a performance evaluation based on a number of test cycles. Once the ideal seal properties for a given operating cycle have been identified, a seal to match these can be designed. The approach is evaluated with a generic gas turbine cycle and recommendations for ideal contacting filament seal properties for this cycle are made.