US3642292A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sealing arrangement
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-05-21
•
Granted: 1972-02-15
•
Expires: 1989-05-21
Abstract
Abstract A way of improving the efficiency of gland seals of a large steam turbine comprising injecting into the seals a sacrificial bleed of low-energy fluid. This reduces the energy leakage of the gland seals and thus increases overall power plant efficiency.
Inventors
- 👤 Denis E Dougherty
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 09:01
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16J; F16J15/00; F16J15/44; F16J15/441; F01; F01D; F01D11/00; F01D11/02; F01D11/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
In a steam turbine seal arrangement of the character described, a turbine shaft, a labyrinth seal around said shaft and having a plurality of sections, including an upstream and a downstream section, injector means to inject low energy fluid into said seal, said means comprising a plurality of nozzles for injecting droplets of liquid into the seal between its downstream section and the section adjacent thereto, the droplets of liquid being finely divided and controlled in quantity and size range, said nozzles being located at a place along said seal to suppress evaporation of said droplets due to heat exchange between the liquid and the vapor phases within the downstream end of said seal, and means to supply low energy liquid in a controlled amount to said nozzles to control energy leakage of the primary fluid through said seal whereby efficiency is optimized.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
In a steam turbine seal arrangement of the character described, a turbine shaft, a labyrinth seal around said shaft and having a plurality of sections, including an upstream and a downstream section, injector means to inject low energy fluid into said seal, said means comprising a plurality of nozzles for injecting droplets of liquid into the seal between its downstream section and the section adjacent thereto, the droplets of liquid being finely divided and controlled in quantity and size range, said nozzles being located at a place along said seal to suppress evaporation of said droplets due to heat exchange between the liquid and the vapor phases within the downstream end of said seal, and means to supply low energy liquid in a controlled amount to said nozzles to control energy leakage of the primary fluid through said seal whereby efficiency is optimized.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The arrangement in claim 1 wherein said nozzles inject droplets in the range of 40 to 60 microns in diameter, said supply means controlling liquid supply to obtain a 50 percent quality vapor-liquid mixture in the region of said nozzles.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The arrangement in claim 1 wherein the axial location of said nozzles provides a transit time of the primary fluid-droplet mixture less than the droplet evaporation time.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
124 words
An improved energy sealing arrangement of the character described comprising a shaft such as a steam turbine shaft, a labyrinth primary fluid seal around said shaft which includes an upstream and a downstream seal section, nozzle means for injecting finely divided droplets of low energy liquid into said seal near its downstream section, and means to supply a regulated flow of low energy liquid in a controlled amount to said nozzles, the axial placement of said nozzle means being located to suppress evaporation of the injected droplets in the downstream section of said seal, said supply means regulating the vapor pressure of the injected liquid to a value equal or greater than the pressure in said seal at the position of said nozzle means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
124 words
An improved energy sealing arrangement of the character described comprising a shaft such as a steam turbine shaft, a labyrinth primary fluid seal around said shaft which includes an upstream and a downstream seal section, nozzle means for injecting finely divided droplets of low energy liquid into said seal near its downstream section, and means to supply a regulated flow of low energy liquid in a controlled amount to said nozzles, the axial placement of said nozzle means being located to suppress evaporation of the injected droplets in the downstream section of said seal, said supply means regulating the vapor pressure of the injected liquid to a value equal or greater than the pressure in said seal at the position of said nozzle means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-02-14 | 1975-08-16 | 1976-02-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-14 | 1979-08-16 | 1980-02-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-14 | 1983-08-16 | 1984-02-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |