Europisches Patentamt

(19)

European Patent Office

*EP000818607B1*

Office europen des brevets

(11)

EP 0 818 607 B1

EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(12)

(45) Date of publication and mention

of the grant of the patent:
16.06.2004 Bulletin 2004/25

(51) Int Cl.7:

F01D 11/00, F16J 15/34,

F16J 15/44

(21) Application number: 97300846.9

(22) Date of filing: 10.02.1997
(54) Gas turbine with carbon seal containment barrier system
Gasturbine mit Verunreinigungssperrsystem fr Kohlenstoffdichtung
Turbine gaz avec barrire contre la contamination pour garniture tanche en carbone
(84) Designated Contracting States:
DE FR GB

(30) Priority: 09.02.1996 US 599028

(43) Date of publication of application:
14.01.1998 Bulletin 1998/03

(73) Proprietor: Rolls-Royce Corporation

Indianapolis, IN 46206-0420 (US)

(72) Inventors:

EP 0 818 607 B1

Smith, Joseph C.
Plainfield, Indiana 46168 (US)

Bowman, Mark E.
New Palestine, Indiana 46163 (US)
Black, Joseph D.
Brownsburg, Indiana 46112 (US)

(74) Representative: Holmes, Matthew Peter et al

MARKS & CLERK,
Sussex House,
83-85 Mosley Street
Manchester M2 3LG (GB)

(56) References cited:

US-A- 2 992 842
US-A- 5 301 957

US-A- 4 969 652

Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give
notice to the European Patent Ofce of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be led in
a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been led until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art.
99(1) European Patent Convention).
Printed by Jouve, 75001 PARIS (FR)

EP 0 818 607 B1

Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to the
design and construction of seal systems useful in a gas
turbine engine. More particularly, the present invention
has one application with a carbon seal system for preventing the contamination of the carbon seal system. Although the invention was developed for use in a gas turbine engine, certain applications may be outside of this
field.
[0002] It is well known that a gas turbine engine integrates a compressor and a turbine having components
that rotate at extremely high speeds relative to each other, and across which there are pressure differentials that
make the provision of seals for minimizing fluid leakage
very important. Prior designers of seal systems have
generally used a sealing device consisting of a plurality
of arcuate carbon material segments arranged to form
a stationary carbon ring that forms a rubbing interface
with a rotating seal runner.
[0003] The rubbing interface between the rotating
seal runner and the carbon ring minimizes or prevents
the leakage of fluid through the seal, however if the heat
generated by the rubbing interface is not adequately dissipated the resulting fluid leakage at the seal interface
may become excessive. The carbon seal system requires the precise geometric fit between the stationary
carbon ring and the rotating seal runner to ensure that
the intimate rubbing interface is obtained between the
mating components. The rubbing interface between the
mating components is critical to the performance of the
seal, and certain tolerances associated with the seal
components are measured in millionths of an inch. In
order to maintain the precision geometric fit between the
mating components of the rubbing interface, prior designers of carbon seal systems have typically utilized a
fluid cooling medium to extract excessive heat from the
seal runner.
[0004] A conventional technique utilized by designers
of gas turbine engines to minimize the flow of cooling
fluid onto the carbon seal is to use an integral windback
in the seal housing. Persons of ordinary skill in the art
will realize that a windback is generally used to pump
oil away from the carbon seal, thereby evacuating the
oil from the seal. A common limitation associated with
windback systems is that as the oil is being evacuated
away from the carbon seal, a vacuum is formed which
can result in solid oil being pulled back into the seal and
fluid leak occurs. Fluid leakage across the carbon seal
is detrimental to the function of the engine, causing
problems ranging from a hazardous condition to contamination of the aircraft environmental system. Contamination of the aircraft environmental system may result in an air-oil mist being discharged into the cockpit
or passenger compartment of the aircraft, thereby rendering the environment unfriendly to pilots and passen-

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gers.
[0005] Examples of known carbon seal arrangements
for gas-turbine engines are disclosed in US Patents
Nos. 4,969,652 and 5,301,957. Both of these patents
disclose sealing arrangement comprising a carbon seal
ring mounted to the turbine housing and forming a fluid
tight seal with a seal runner which rotates with the turbine shaft. The seal arrangement disclosed in US
5,301,957 has all of the features of the characterising
portion of claims 1 and 23 of the present application.
[0006] Even with a variety of earlier designs there remains a need for an improved carbon seal contaminant
barrier system. The present invention satisfies this need
in a novel and unobvious way.
[0007] According to a first embodiment of the present
invention there is provided a gas turbine engine comprising:
a mechanical housing within said gas turbine engine;
a shaft rotatably mounted within said housing;
a first sealing element coupled to said housing;
a second sealing element connected to said shaft,
said second sealing element arranged adjacent to
said first sealing element to form a substantially fluid
tight seal therebetween;
a third sealing element positioned adjacent said
second sealing element; characterised by:
a baffle spaced from said third sealing element
and positioned around said second sealing element.
[0008] According to a second embodiment of the
present invention there is provided a gas turbine engine
comprising:
a mechanical housing within said gas turbine engine;
a shaft rotatably mounted within said housing;
a first sealing element coupled to said housing;
a second sealing element connected to said shaft,
said second sealing element arranged adjacent to
said first sealing element to form rubbing interface
therebetween;
a third sealing element arranged adjacent said first
sealing element to form a rubbing interface with said
second sealing element, said third sealing element
wiping the outer surface of said second sealing element to reduce the flow of a liquid to said first sealing element; characterised by:
a passageway around said second sealing element and in fluid communication with said
third element said passageway having a narrowed portion for calming the flow of liquid prior
to impingement upon said third sealing element.

EP 0 818 607 B1

[0009] One object of one embodiment of the present

invention is to provide an improved carbon seal containment barrier system for a gas turbine engine.
[0010] Related objects and advantages of the present
invention will be apparent from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a gas turbine
engine utilizing one form of the present invention therein.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view
in full section of the FIG. 1 gas turbine engine having a
carbon seal contaminant barrier system according to
one embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view
in full section of the FIG. 1 gas turbine engine having a
carbon seal contaminant barrier according to another
embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 4 is an end view of a baffle comprising a
portion of the carbon seal contaminant barrier of FIG. 3.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view in full section
of the FIG. 4 baffle.
[0016] FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the carbon sealing ring with pressurized fluid discharge aperture therein comprising a portion of the carbon seal contaminant barrier system.

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DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

30

[0017] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now
be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings
and specific language will be used to describe the same.
It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of
the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of
the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated
as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which
the invention relates.
[0018] Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a gas
turbine engine 10 which includes a compressor 11, a
combustor 12 and a power turbine 13. Three components have been integrated together to produce an aircraft flight propulsion engine. One aircraft engine of this
general type is model AE 2100 that is produced by Allison Engine Company, Inc. of Indianapolis, Indiana. It is
important to realize that there are a multitude of ways in
which the components can be linked together. Additional compressors and turbines could be added with intercoolers connected between the compressors and reheat combustion chambers could be added between the
turbines. Further, a gas turbine engine is equally well
suited to be used for industrial applications.
Historically, there has been wide spread application of
industrial gas turbine engines, such as pumping sets for
gas and oil transmission lines, electricity generation and

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naval propulsion.
[0019] With reference to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a
fragmentary view in full section of gas turbine engine 10.
A tubular shaft 15 is rotatably mounted within the gas
turbine engine 10 about a longitudinal axis y of the engine 10. The shaft 15 is supported on a plurality of bearings (16) (only one illustrated) that are disposed between the shaft 15 and a rigid housing 17 that forms a
portion of the engine 10. One of the plurality of bearings
is a bearing 16 that is coupled to the mechanical housing
17. A volume defined between the shaft 15 and the mechanical housing 17 is sump 18 in which bearing 16 is
disposed.
[0020] The sump 18 functions as a reservoir for cooling fluid that is utilized to cool and lubricate the mechanical components of the gas turbine engine 10 such as
bearing 16. In the preferred embodiment annular barriers (not illustrated) are attached to the front and rear of
the mechanical housing to close the sump 18. Further,
a plurality of seals are disposed between mechanical
housing 17 and shaft 15 that is rotatably mounted within
mechanical housing 17. One of the plurality of seals is
sealing arrangement 21. In the preferred embodiment
the sealing arrangement 21 is a carbon seal system that
includes a stationary component and a rotating component.
[0021] The stationary component of the sealing arrangement 21 has a first sealing element 22 that is coupled to the mechanical housing 17. While the rotating
component of the sealing arrangement 21 has a second
sealing element 23 that is mechanically connected to
the rotating shaft 15. It is well known that the rotating
component of this sealing arrangement is known as a
seal runner, and that the stationary component is known
as a circumferential carbon seal. It is understood that
other types of primary seals could also be used.
[0022] In the preferred embodiment the first sealing
element 22 is positioned axially concentric with and radially outward from the second sealing element 23. Further, in the preferred embodiment the sealing elements
22 and 23 are arranged adjacent to each other to form
a rubbing interface therebetween. A first cylindrical surface 25 is formed on the radially inward side of the first
sealing element 22, and a second cylindrical surface 26
is formed on the radially outward side of the second
sealing element 23. At least a portion of the cylindrical
surfaces 25 and 26 are maintained in rubbing contact to
form a fluid tight seal at the rubbing interface 27.
[0023] A lubrication system, which normally provides
cooling fluid under pressure to lubricate and cool the
moving parts of the engine, such as the bearing 16 and
the second sealing element 23 delivers its fluid through
a nozzle 28. The cooling fluid is pressurized by a pump
(not illustrated) to a pressure of about 207 kPa (about
30 pounds per square inch gage), and delivered through
nozzle 28 with sufficient kinetic energy to traverse the
passageway 30 formed along shaft 15. The passageway 30 provides a pathway for the axial flow of cooling

EP 0 818 607 B1

fluid to a substantially solid planar surface 31 that forms

a portion of the second sealing element 23. This planar
surface 31 prevents any further axial flow of the cooling
fluid and helps direct the fluid to flow in a substantially
radial direction. In the preferred embodiment, a plurality
of openings 39 are formed on one end of the passageway 30 to allow the discharge of cooling lubricants. In
the preferred embodiment the cooling fluid is an engine
oil having a viscosity suited for the high temperatures
associated with a gas turbine engine 10. Other types of
fluid lubrication systems may be employed and the specific disclosure of the preferred embodiment is not intended to limit the types of lubrication systems which
may be used in furtherance of the present invention.
[0024] In the preferred embodiment a circumferential
channel 33 is formed on the radially inward surface 23a
of the second sealing element 23. The radially inward
surface 23a defines an outwardly sloping surface that is
axially concentric with the first sealing element 22 and
the second sealing element 23. This outwardly sloping
surface preferably has a slope of about two degrees as
measured from a reference line parallel to the central
axis Y of the gas turbine engine 10.
[0025] The circumferential channel 33 extends uninterrupted around the second sealing element 23. The
channel 33 is designed and constructed for receiving
cooling fluid therein that has been released through the
plurality of openings 39 in passageway 30. As the cooling fluid exits the openings 39 of passageway 30 it is
thrown radially outward by centrifugal forces during normal engine operation. As the cooling fluid is received
into channel 33 it flows circumferentially through the
channel until the channel is full. When the channel 33 is
full of fluid it allows the cooling fluid to escape at a plurality of points along its length. The cooling fluid is evenly
distributed on the radially inward surface 23a of the second sealing element 23 and provides for substantially
uniform dissipation of thermal energy therefrom. Further
details regarding a circumferential flow channel, such
as flow channel 33 are disclosed in commonly owned
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08/309,081.
[0026] The second sealing element 23 has an external portion 8 extending a further distance from the first
sealing element 22 than the channel 33 is located from
the first sealing element 22. External portion 8 is designed to minimize the volume of oil that engages the
first sealing element 22. In the preferred embodiment
the first sealing element 22 includes a carbon sealing
element. The carbon sealing element defines an annular ring that is formed from a plurality of arcuate carbon
material segments arranged in an abutting relationship.
[0027] In one form of the present invention a windback
40 is positioned radially outward from the second sealing element 23 and adjacent the first sealing element
22. Windbacks are generally known to those skilled in
the art, however, windback 40 has been designed and
manufactured such that there is only one thread 41. The
windback 40 is utilized to assist in preventing the im-

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pingement of oil onto the first sealing element 22. Further, a fluid contaminant flow barrier 43 is disposed between the housing 17 and the rotating seal runner 23.
In the preferred embodiment the fluid contaminant flow
barrier 43 is an annular baffle spaced radially from seal
runner 23. In the preferred embodiment, the baffle 43 is
formed of sheet metal. Baffle 43 (illustrated in FIGS. 5
and 6) is connected to the mechanical housing 17 and
prevented from rotation relative to the housing by an anti-rotation mechanism.
[0028] With reference to FIG. 3, there is illustrated a
fragmentary side elevational view in section of a gas turbine engine having another embodiment of the carbon
seal contaminant barrier system. FIGS. 2 and 3 are substantially identical with like numbers representing like
features and distinctions therebetween will be discussed hereinafter. The fluid contaminant flow barrier
43 is positioned within the mechanical housing 17 by an
interference fit. The fluid flow barrier 43 being radially
spaced from seal runner 23 so as to eliminate contact
between the seal runner 23 and the stationary barrier
43. An annular fluid seal 50 is disposed between the mechanical housing 17 and the outer cylindrical surface
23b of seal runner 23. In the preferred embodiment the
fluid seal 50 is a lip seal having a L-shaped lip and made
of TEFLON impregnated with carbon graphite. TEFLON is a registered trademark of E.I. DuPont De Nemours and Company of Wilmington, DE. Other annular
fluid seal designs are contemplated herein, such as a
hydrodynamic lip and alternative material choices such
as TEFLON filled with glass/moly and TEFLON filled
with EKONOL. EKONOL is a trademark of Furon of
Los Alamitos, CA. Other lip seals designs may be employed and the specific disclosure of lip seal 50 is not
intended to limit the types of lip seals which may be used
in furtherance of the present invention. However, it is
understood that the lip seal must have the characteristics required to operate in the present environment. The
lip 50a of the lip seal 50 rides on the outer cylindrical
surface 23b of the seal runner 23 and wipes away solid
oil that comes in contact therewith.
[0029] In the preferred embodiment a pressurized gas
is discharged from the compressor through tubular shaft
15, aperture 100, aperture 101 in labryinth seal 102, and
is delivered via a passageway adjacent to the face 53k
of carbon sealing element 53. The discharge of the pressurized gas assists in preventing the impingement of
contaminants on the carbon sealing element 53. In the
preferred embodiment the gaseous fluid is air. Further,
the discharge of the pressurized gas acts on the lip seal
50 in order to reduce the load associated with the lip
seal 50 contacting the rotating seal runner 23. It is understood that as the engine speed increases, the pressurized gaseous supply increases. The corresponding
reduction in the load associated with the lip seal 50 that
is transferred to seal runner 23 decreases the incidence
of the seals burning in a high speed rotary device such
as a gas turbine engine 10. The pressurized gas also

EP 0 818 607 B1

functions to blow contaminants away from the seal, and

more particularly to blow oil away from the seal.
[0030] In the preferred embodiment pressurized gas
from the compressor flows into a plurality of circumferential channels 110 formed on the planar face 111 of the
arcuate carbon members 105. The gaseous flow from
the compressor passes along the channels 110 formed
on the individual carbon arcuate members 105 and is
blocked from exiting the respective flow channel 110 by
the adjoining arcuate carbon member and the mechanical housing 17. The planar surface 111 of the arcuate
members 105 are in contact with an internal surface of
the mechanical housing 17 and creates a fluid tight seal.
A passageway 115 is formed across the planar sealing
surface 111 at each of the respective joints where the
respective arcuate carbon members 105 abut. The
three passageways 115 allow the pressurized gas to
flow between the respective abutting ends 120 and 121
of the members 105 and be discharged from the carbon
ring adjacent surface 23b of the sealing element 23. Further, it is understood that in another embodiment of the
present invention the carbon sealing element does not
have apertures associated therewith for the pressurized
discharge of gas adjacent the face of the carbon seal.
Carbon sealing elements of this general type are now
available from Stein Seal of Philadelphia, Pa. However,
the utilization of pressurized gas to reduce the drag on
lip seal 50 has been found to enhance the life of the seal.
[0031] In the preferred embodiment, the circumferential carbon seal 53 is formed of three arcuate carbon
members 105 (only 2 illustrated) that interlock and are
assembled between the mechanical housing 17 and the
shaft 15. A circumferential tensioning spring 106 is utilized to provide a compressive force to the plurality of
arcuate carbon member 105 to position them adjacent
and in rubbing interface with the rotating shaft 15.
[0032] The fluid contaminant barrier 43 functions as
a bulk head to prevent excited fluid from sump 18 from
directly impinging onto the lip seal 50. As the lubricant
passes through the narrowed annular opening 125 it is
calmed as it is discharged into an annular cavity 61. Annular cavity 61 is defined by lip seal 50, baffle 43, and
the rotating shaft 15. The lubricant having been discharged into cavity 61 assists in cooling and lubricating
the lip 50a of lip seal 50, thereby helping to prevent deterioration of lip seal due to the high surface speeds inherent in a gas turbine engine.
[0033] With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, there is illustrated the preferred embodiment of fluid contaminant
barrier 43. In the preferred embodiment fluid contaminant barrier 43 is a baffle with a central aperture disposed around sealing element 23, and a fluid drain aperture 75 which allows any fluid retained within cavity
61 to drain into the sump 18 after the gas turbine engine
is shut down. In the preferred embodiment the fluid
drainage is a gravity fed process. Further, the baffle 43
has an anti-rotation mechanism comprising a slot 76
that receives a pin (not illustrated) therein. The pin (not

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illustrated) is connected to the housing 17 and engages

the anti-rotation slot 76 to prevent baffle 43 from rotating. In the preferred embodiment the baffle 43 defines
a annular ring having a first end 130 with a larger outside
diameter d1 and a second end 131 with a smaller outside diameter d2 that are connected by a tapered cylindrical surface.
[0034] Alternate forms of the present invention are
contemplated herein and are deployable in different environments within a sump 18 located near a carbon seal.
The two general classes of environment are classified
as an air-oil mist environment and a solid oil environment. Owing to the characteristics of these two environments, each environment may require different methods
to optimize the contaminant barrier sealing system,
however there is no limitation intended that a specific
contaminant barrier system design can only work in a
specific class of environment.
[0035] With reference to FIGS. 1-6, there will be illustrated examples of carbon seal contaminant barrier systems. In a sump environment having substantially only
air-oil mist there may be no need for the entire combination of baffle, lip seal and carbon seal with pressurized
air discharge. In the air-oil mist environment utilizing a
contaminant barrier system without the baffle allows the
air-oil mist to directly impinge upon the lip seal and cool
the seal. Further, there are situations when there is not
present in the sump a sufficient volume of air-oil mist to
warrant the combination of the baffle, lip seal, and carbon seal with pressurized gaseous discharge; and deployment thereof may starve the lip seal of required
cooling fluid and cause a premature deterioration of the
lip seal. However, in a solid oil environment the combination of a carbon seal with pressurized gaseous discharge, fluid contaminant barrier, and a lip seal may be
required. It is understood that these combinations are
not be construed as limitations and are just examples of
carbon seal contaminant barrier systems that can be utilized to enhance the gas turbine engine.

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Claims
1.

A gas turbine engine (10) comprising:

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a mechanical housing (17) within said gas turbine engine (10);

a shaft (15) rotatably mounted within said housing;
a first sealing element (22;53) coupled to said
housing (17);
a second sealing element (23) connected to
said shaft (15), said second sealing element
(23) arranged adjacent to said first sealing element (22;53) to form a substantially fluid tight
seal therebetween;
a third sealing element (40;50) positioned adjacent said second sealing element (23);

EP 0 818 607 B1

characterised by a baffle (43) spaced from

said third sealing element (40;50) and positioned
around said second sealing element (23).
2.

A gas turbine engine according to claim 1, wherein

said first sealing element (22;53) is a carbon seal
and said second sealing element (23) is a seal runner, and further wherein said third sealing element
(40;50) contacts said seal runner (23).

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3.

A gas turbine engine according to claim 2, wherein

said seal runner (23) has a circumferential cooling
channel (33) formed therearound.

4.

A gas turbine engine according to claim 2 or claim

3, wherein said carbon seal (22;53) and said seal
runner (23) are axially concentric, and wherein said
seal runner (23) and said carbon seal (22;53) each
have a cylindrical surface disposed adjacent each
other for forming said substantially fluid tight seal.

5.

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A gas turbine engine according to claim 5, wherein

said carbon seal (22;53) has a channel (110) formed
therein for fluid flow.

7.

A gas turbine engine according to claim 6, wherein

said channel (110) is formed substantially circumferential.

8.

A gas turbine engine according to claim 6 or claim

7, wherein said carbon seal (22;53) has a radially
extending path for allowing the discharge of pressurized gas to the outer surface of said seal runner
(23).

9.

A gas turbine engine according to claim 8, wherein

said carbon seal (22;53) is defined by a plurality of
arcuate adjoining members (105) and wherein said
radially extending path is formed between a pair of
said plurality of arcuate adjoining members (105).

14. A gas turbine engine according to any one of claims

10 to 13, which further includes means
(15,100,101) for discharging pressurized gas
against said lip seal (50) for reducing the load on
said shaft (15).
15. A gas turbine engine according to claim 1, wherein
said third sealing element is a windback (40).

17. A gas turbine engine according to any preceding

claim, wherein said third sealing element (40;50) is
for substantially reducing the flow of a contaminant
to said first sealing element (22;53) and wherein
said baffle (43) is connected to said housing (17)
and positioned radially from said second sealing element (23) for reducing the impingement of the contaminant on said third sealing element (40;50).

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18. A gas turbine engine according to any preceding

claim, which further includes an annular radial passageway between said baffle (43) and said second
sealing element (23) leading to an annular cavity
(61) disposed around said second sealing element
(23), said annular radial passageway being smaller
than said annular cavity (61).

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19. A gas turbine engine according to claim 18 when

dependent on any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein
said annular cavity (61) retains fluids to cool said lip
seal (50).

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20. A gas turbine engine according to claim 18 or 19,

wherein said baffle (43) has an opening (75) therein
for allowing fluid drainage from said annular cavity
(61).

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10. A gas turbine engine according to any preceding

claim, wherein said third sealing element is a lip seal
(50).
11. A gas turbine engine according to claim 10 when
dependant on any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein a
portion (50a) of said lip seal (50) rides on the outer
surface of said seal runner (23) to wipe contaminants away.

13. A gas turbine engine according to claim 11 or claim

12, wherein said baffle (43) is spaced axially from
said lip seal (50) and radially from said seal runner
(23) and wherein said baffle (43) acts to minimise
the direct impingement of excited fluid on said lip
seal (50).

16. A gas turbine engine according to claim 15, wherein

said windback (40) has only one thread (41).

A gas turbine engine according to any one of claims

2 to 4, wherein said carbon seal (22;53) is defined
by an arcuate carbon ring.

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12. A gas tubine engine according to claim 11, wherein

said lip seal (50) has an L shaped portion.

21. A gas turbine engine according to claim 20, wherein

said baffle (43) is sheet metal, and said opening
(75) permits the drainage of fluid from said annular
cavity (61) during the shut down of said gas turbine
engine (10).
22. A gas turbine engine according to any preceding
claim, wherein said baffle (43) is formed of sheet
metal and has anti-rotation means (76) for preventing rotation of the baffle (43) relative to said housing
(17).

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23. A gas turbine engine (10) comprising:

a mechanical housing (17) within said gas turbine engine (10);
a shaft rotatably (15) mounted within said housing (17);
a first sealing element (22;53) coupled to said
housing (17);
a second sealing element (23) connected to
said shaft (15), said second sealing element
(23) arranged adjacent to said first sealing element (22;53) to form a rubbing interface therebetween;
a third sealing element (40;50) arranged adjacent said first sealing element (22;53) to form
a rubbing interface with said second sealing element (23), said third sealing element (40;50)
wiping the outer surface of said second sealing
element (23) to reduce the flow of a liquid to
said first sealing element (22;53);
characterised by a passageway (18, 125,
61) around said second sealing element (23) and in
fluid communication with said third element (40;50)
said passageway having a narrowed portion for
calming the flow of liquid prior to impingement upon
said third sealing element (40;50).

Dichtungselement (22; 53)

ein zweites, mit der Welle (15) verbundenes,
Dichtungselement (23), wobei das zweite Dichtungselement (23) angrenzend an das erste
Dichtungselement (22; 53) angeordnet wird,
um zwischen denselben eine wesentlich fluiddichte Dichtung zu bilden,

ein drittes, angrenzend an das zweite Dichtungselement (23) angeordnetes, Dichtungselement (40; 50),

10

gekennzeichnet durch ein mit Zwischenraum zu dem dritten Dichtungselement (40; 50) angeordnetes und um das zweite Dichtungselement
(23) angeordnetes Leitblech (43).

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2.

Gasturbinentriebwerk nach Anspruch 1, bei dem

das erste Dichtungselement (22; 53) eine Kohledichtung ist und das zweite Dichtungselement (23)
ein Dichtungslaufrad ist, und bei dem auerdem
das dritte Dichtungselement (40; 50) das Dichtungslaufrad (23) berhrt.

3.

Gasturbinentriebwerk nach Anspruch 2, bei dem

das Dichtungslaufrad (23) einen um dasselbe geformten umlaufenden Khlungskanal (33) hat.

4.

Gasturbinentriebwerk nach Anspruch 2 oder Anspruch 3, bei dem die Kohledichtung (22; 53) und
das Dichtungslaufrad (23) in Axialrichtung konzentrisch sind, und bei dem das Dichtungslaufrad (23)
und die Kohledichtung (22; 53) jeweils eine aneinander angrenzend angeordnete zylindrische Flche haben, um die wesentlich fluiddichte Dichtung
zu bilden.

5.

Gasturbinentriebwerk nach einem der Ansprche 2

bis 4, bei dem die Kohledichtung (22; 53) durch einen bogenfrmigen Kohlering definiert wird.

6.

Gasturbinentriebwerk nach Anspruch 5, bei dem

die Kohledichtung (22; 53) einen in derselben geformten Kanal (110) fr einen Fluidstrom hat.

7.

Gasturbinentriebwerk nach Anspruch 6, bei dem

der Kanal (110) wesentlich umlaufend geformt wird.

8.

Gasturbinentriebwerk nach Anspruch 6 oder Anspruch 7, bei dem die Kohledichtung (22; 53) eine
in Radialrichtung verlaufende Bahn hat, um das
Ausstrmen von unter Druck gesetztem Gas zur
Auenflche des Dichtungslaufrads (23) zu ermglichen.

9.

Gasturbinentriebwerk nach Anspruch 8, bei dem

die Kohledichtung (22; 53) durch eine Vielzahl von

20

25

24. A gas turbine engine according to claim 23, wherein

said third sealing element is a lip seal (50).

30

25. A gas turbine engine according to claim 24, wherein

said lip seal (50) has pressurized gas discharged
thereagainst for reducing said lip seal's load on said
shaft (15).

35

26. A gas turbine engine according to claim 23, wherein

said third sealing element is a windback (40).
27. A gas turbine engine according to any one of claims
23 to 26, wherein said first sealing element (22;53)
is a carbon seal and said second sealing element
(23) is a seal runner, said carbon sealing element
(22;53) and said seal runner (23) being axially concentric.

40

45

Patentansprche
1.

Gasturbinentriebwerk (10), das folgendes umfat:

50

ein Maschinengehuse (17) innerhalb des

Gasturbinentriebwerks (10),
eine drehbar innerhalb des Gehuses angebrachte Welle (15),

12

55

ein erstes, an das Gehuse (17) gekoppeltes,

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bogenfrmigen aneinanderstoenden Elementen

(105) definiert wird, und bei dem die in Radialrichtung verlaufende Bahn zwischen einem Paar der
Vielzahl von bogenfrmigen aneinanderstoenden
Elementen (105) gebildet wird.

(23) einschliet, der zu einem um das zweite Dichtungselement (23) angeordneten ringfrmigen
Hohlraum (61) fhrt, wobei der ringfrmige Durchgang in Radialrichtung kleiner ist als der ringfrmige
Hohlraum (61).

10

19. Gasturbinentriebwerk nach Anspruch 18, wenn von

einem der Ansprche 10 bis 14 abhngig, bei dem
der ringfrmige Hohlraum (61) Fluids zurckhlt,
um die Lippendichtung (50) zu khlen.

15

20. Gasturbinentriebwerk nach Anspruch 18 oder 19,

bei dem das Leitblech (43) eine ffnung (75) in
demselben hat, um einen Fluidabflu aus dem ringfrmigen Hohlraum (61) zu ermglichen.

10. Gasturbinentriebwerk nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprche, bei dem das dritte Dichtelement eine Lippendichtung (50) ist.
11. Gasturbinentriebwerk nach Anspruch 10, wenn von
einem der Ansprche 2 bis 9 abhngig, bei dem ein
Abschnitt (50a) der Lippendichtung (50) auf der Auenflche des Dichtungslaufrads (23) luft, um Verunreinigungen wegzuwischen.
12. Gasturbinentriebwerk nach Anspruch 11, bei dem
die Lippendichtung (50) einen L-frmigen Abschnitt
hat.
20

13. Gasturbinentriebwerk nach Anspruch 11 oder Anspruch 12, bei dem das Leitblech (43) mit Zwischenraum in Axialrichtung zu der Lippendichtung
(50) und in Radialrichtung zu dem Dichtungslaufrad
(23) angeordnet wird, und bei dem das Leitblech
(43) wirksam ist, um das unmittelbare Auftreffen
von angeregtem Fluid auf die Lippendichtung (50)
auf ein Minimum zu verringern.

14

25

21. Gasturbinentriebwerk nach Anspruch 20, bei dem

das Leitblech (43) aus Blech ist und die ffnung
(75) whrend des Abschaltens des Gasturbinentriebwerks (10) den Abflu von Fluid aus dem ringfrmigen Hohlraum (61) ermglicht.
22. Gasturbinentriebwerk nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprche, bei dem das Leitblech (43) aus
Blech hergestellt wird und Rotationsverhinderungsmittel (76) hat, um ein Drehen des Leitblechs (43)
im Verhltnis zum Gehuse (17) zu verhindern.
23. Gasturbinentriebwerk (10), das folgendes umfat:

14. Gasturbinentriebwerk nach einem der Ansprche

10 bis 13, das auerdem Mittel (15, 100, 101) einschliet, um unter Druck gesetztes Gas gegen die
Lippendichtung (50) auszustoen, um die Belastung der Welle (15) zu verringern.

30

ein Maschinengehuse (17) innerhalb des

Gasturbinentriebwerks (10),

35

15. Gasturbinentriebwerk nach Anspruch 1, bei dem

das dritte Dichtungselement eine Windback-Labyrinthdichtung (40) ist.
16. Gasturbinentriebwerk nach Anspruch 15, bei dem
die Windback-Labyrinthdichtung (40) nur eine Windung hat.
17. Gasturbinentriebwerk nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprche, bei dem das dritte Dichtungselement (40; 50) dazu dient, den Strom einer Verunreinigung zu dem ersten Dichtungselement (22;
53) wesentlich zu verringern, und bei dem das Leitblech (43) mit dem Gehuse (17) verbunden und in
Radialrichtung von dem zweiten Dichtungselement
(23) angeordnet wird, um das Auftreffen der Verunreinigung auf das dritte Dichtungselement (40; 50)
zu verringern.
18. Gasturbinentriebwerk nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprche, das auerdem einen ringfrmigen Durchgang in Radialrichtung zwischen dem
Leitblech (43) und dem zweiten Dichtungselement

eine drehbar innerhalb des Gehuses (17) angebrachte Welle (15),

ein erstes, an das Gehuse (17) gekoppeltes,
Dichtungselement (22; 53)

40

45

50

55

ein zweites, mit der Welle (15) verbundenes,

Dichtungselement (23), wobei das zweite Dichtungselement (23) angrenzend an das erste
Dichtungselement (22; 53) angeordnet wird,
um zwischen denselben eine Reibgrenzflche
zu bilden,
ein drittes, angrenzend an das zweite Dichtungselement (23) angeordnetes, Dichtungselement (40; 50), um eine Reibgrenzflche mit
dem zweiten Dichtungselement (23) zu bilden,
wobei das dritte Dichtungselement (40; 50) die
Auenflche des zweiten Dichtungselements
(23) abwischt, um den Strom einer Flssigkeit
zu dem ersten Dichtungselement (22; 53) zu
verringern,
gekennzeichnet durch einen Durchgang
(18, 125, 61) um das zweite Dichtungselement (23)

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und in Fluidverbindung mit dem dritten Element (40;

50), wobei der Durchgang einen verengten Abschnitt hat, um den Flssigkeitsstrom vor dem Auftreffen auf das dritte Dichtungselement (40; 50) zu
beruhigen.

2.

Moteur turbine gaz selon la revendication 1,

dans lequel ledit premier lment d'tanchit (22;
53) est une garniture d'tanchit en carbone et ledit deuxime lment d'tanchit (23) est une roue
mobile d'tanchit, et en outre dans lequel ledit
troisime lment d'tanchit (40; 50) contacte ladite roue mobile d'tanchit (23).

3.

Moteur turbine gaz selon la revendication 2,

dans lequel ladite roue mobile d'tanchit (23)
comporte, forme autour de celle-ci, une gorge de
refroidissement circonfrentielle (33).

4.

Moteur turbine gaz selon la revendication 2 ou

la revendication 3, dans lequel ladite garniture
d'tanchit en carbone (22; 53) et ladite roue mobile d'tanchit (23) sont axialement concentriques, et dans lequel ladite roue mobile d'tanchit
(23) et ladite garniture d'tanchit en carbone (22;
53) prsentent chacune une surface cylindrique
dispose proximit l'une de l'autre pour former ledit joint d'tanchit sensiblement tanche aux fluides.

25

5.

Moteur turbine gaz selon l'une quelconque des

revendications 2 4, dans lequel ladite garniture
d'tanchit en carbone (22; 53) est dfinie par une
bague en carbone arque.

30

6.

Moteur turbine gaz selon la revendication 5,

dans lequel ladite garniture d'tanchit en carbone
(22; 53) comporte une gorge (110) forme en son
sein pour l'coulement de fluide.

35

7.

Moteur turbine gaz selon la revendication 6,

dans lequel ladite gorge (110) est de forme sensiblement circonfrentielle.

8.

Moteur turbine gaz selon la revendication 6 ou

la revendication 7, dans lequel ladite garniture
d'tanchit en carbone (22; 53) comporte un chemin s'tendant radialement pour permettre la dcharge de gaz sous pression vers la surface extrieure de ladite roue mobile d'tanchit (23).

9.

Moteur turbine gaz selon la revendication 8,

dans lequel ladite garniture d'tanchit en carbone
(22; 53) est dfinie par une pluralit d'lments attenants arqus (105) et dans lequel ledit chemin
s'tendant radialement est form entre une paire de
ladite pluralit d'lments attenants arqus (105).

24. Gasturbinentriebwerk nach Anspruch 23, bei dem

das dritte Dichtungselement eine Lippendichtung
(50) ist.
10

25. Gasturbinentriebwerk nach Anspruch 24, bei dem

die Lippendichtung (50) einen Aussto von unter
Druck gesetztem Gas gegen dieselbe hat, um die
Belastung der Welle (15) durch die Lippendichtung
zu verringern.

15

26. Gasturbinentriebwerk nach Anspruch 23, bei dem

das dritte Dichtungselement eine Windback-Labyrinthdichtung (40) ist.
20

27. Gasturbinentriebwerk nach einem der Ansprche

23 bis 26, bei dem das erste Dichtungselement (22;
53) eine Kohledichtung ist und das zweite Dichtungselement (23) ein Dichtungslaufrad ist, wobei
das Kohledichtungselement (22; 53) und das Dichtungslaufrad (23) in Axialrichtung konzentrisch
sind.

Revendications
1.

Moteur turbine gaz (10) comprenant:

un carter mcanique (17) l'intrieur dudit moteur turbine gaz (10);
un arbre (15) mont mobile en rotation l'intrieur dudit carter;
un premier lment d'tanchit (22; 53) coupl audit carter (17);
un deuxime lment d'tanchit (23) raccord audit arbre (15), ledit deuxime lment
d'tanchit (23) tant dispos adjacent audit
premier lment d'tanchit (22; 53) pour former entre eux un joint d'tanchit sensiblement tanche aux fluides;
un troisime lment d'tanchit (40; 50) positionn adjacent audit deuxime lment
d'tanchit (23);
caractris par une chicane (43) espace
dudit troisime lment d'tanchit (40; 50) et positionne autour dudit deuxime lment d'tanchit (23).

16

40

45

50

55

10. Moteur turbine gaz selon l'une quelconque des

revendications prcdentes, dans lequel ledit troisime lment d'tanchit est un joint lvre (50).
11. Moteur turbine gaz selon la revendication 10
lorsqu'elle dpend de l'une quelconque des reven-

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19, dans lequel ladite chicane (43) comporte en son

sein une ouverture (75) pour permettre la vidange
du fluide de ladite cavit annulaire (61).

dications 2 9, dans lequel une partie (50a) dudit

joint lvre (50) chevauche la surface extrieure
de ladite roue mobile d'tanchit (23) pour liminer
les contaminants par essuyage.
5

12. Moteur turbine gaz selon la revendication 11,

dans lequel ledit joint lvre (50) comporte une partie en forme de L.
13. Moteur turbine gaz selon la revendication 11 ou
la revendication 12, dans lequel ladite chicane (43)
est espace axialement dudit joint lvre (50) et
radialement de ladite roue mobile d'tanchit (23),
et dans lequel ladite chicane (43) agit de faon
minimiser l'incidence directe du fluide excit sur ledit joint lvre (50).

18

21. Moteur turbine gaz selon la revendication 20,

dans lequel ladite chicane (43) est en tle, et ladite
ouverture (75) permet la vidange du fluide de ladite
cavit annulaire (61) pendant l'arrt dudit moteur
turbine gaz (10).

10

15

22. Moteur turbine gaz selon l'une quelconque des

revendications prcdentes, dans lequel ladite chicane (43) est en tle et comporte des moyens antirotation (76) pour empcher la rotation de la chicane (43) par rapport audit carter (17).
23. Moteur turbine gaz (10) comprenant:

14. Moteur turbine gaz selon l'une quelconque des

revendications 10 13, qui comprend en outre des
moyens (15, 100, 101) pour dcharger un gaz sous
pression contre ledit joint lvre (50) afin de rduire
la charge sur ledit arbre (15).

20

15. Moteur turbine gaz selon la revendication 1,

dans lequel ledit troisime lment d'tanchit est
un joint de refoulement (40).

25

16. Moteur turbine gaz selon la revendication 15,

dans lequel ledit joint de refoulement (40) ne possde qu'un seul filet (41).
17. Moteur turbine gaz selon l'une quelconque des
revendications prcdentes, dans lequel ledit troisime lment d'tanchit (40; 50) est destin
rduire sensiblement l'coulement d'un contaminant vers ledit premier lment d'tanchit (22;
53), et dans lequel ladite chicane (43) est raccorde
audit carter (17) et est positionne radialement par
rapport audit deuxime lment d'tanchit (23)
pour rduire l'incidence du contaminant sur ledit
troisime lment d'tanchit (40; 50).
18. Moteur turbine gaz selon l'une quelconque des
revendications prcdentes, qui comprend en outre
un passage annulaire radial entre ladite chicane
(43) et ledit deuxime lment d'tanchit (23)
menant une cavit annulaire (61) dispose autour
dudit deuxime lment d'tanchit (23), ledit passage annulaire radial tant plus petit que ladite cavit annulaire (61).
19. Moteur turbine gaz selon la revendication 18,
lorsqu'elle dpend de l'une quelconque des revendications 10 14, dans lequel ladite cavit annulaire (61) retient les fluides pour refroidir ledit joint
lvre (50).

un carter mcanique (17) l'intrieur dudit moteur turbine gaz (10);

un arbre (15) mont mobile en rotation l'intrieur dudit carter (17);

30

35

40

45

50

un premier lment d'tanchit (22; 53) coupl audit carter (17);

un deuxime lment d'tanchit (23) raccord audit arbre (15), ledit deuxime lment
d'tanchit (23) tant dispos adjacent audit
premier lment d'tanchit (22; 53) pour former entre eux une interface de frottement;
un troisime lment d'tanchit (40; 50) dispos adjacent audit premier lment d'tanchit (22; 53) pour former une interface de
frottement avec ledit deuxime lment d'tanchit (23), ledit troisime lment d'tanchit
(40; 50) essuyant la surface extrieure dudit
deuxime lment d'tanchit (23) pour rduire l'coulement d'un liquide vers ledit premier lment d'tanchit (22; 53);
caractris par un passage (18, 125, 61)
autour dudit deuxime lment d'tanchit (23) et
en communication de fluide avec ledit troisime lment (40; 50), ledit passage comportant une partie
rtrcie pour calmer l'coulement de liquide avant
l'incidence sur ledit troisime lment d'tanchit
(40; 50).
24. Moteur turbine gaz selon la revendication 23,
dans lequel ledit troisime lment d'tanchit est
un joint lvre (50).

55

25. Moteur turbine gaz selon la revendication 24,

dans lequel un gaz sous pression est dcharg contre ledit joint lvre (50) pour rduire la charge du

20. Moteur turbine gaz selon la revendication 18 ou

10

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EP 0 818 607 B1

joint lvre sur ledit arbre (15).

26. Moteur turbine gaz selon la revendication 23,
dans lequel ledit troisime lment d'tanchit est
un joint de refoulement (40).
27. Moteur turbine gaz selon l'une quelconque des
revendications 23 26, dans lequel ledit premier
lment d'tanchit (22; 53) est une garniture
d'tanchit en carbone et ledit deuxime lment
d'tanchit (23) est une roue mobile d'tanchit,
ledit lment d'tanchit en carbone (22; 53) et ladite roue mobile d'tanchit (23) tant axialement
concentriques.

10

15

20

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30

35

40

45

50

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