US3907308A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bell seal vibration damper and seal improvement
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1973-09-27
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Granted: 1975-09-23
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Expires: 1993-09-27
Abstract
Abstract A seal ring for a bell seal device in an axial flow elastic fluid turbine apparatus. The seal ring is a split annular ring fabricated of an elastic material and disposed in a circumferential groove about the radially outer surface of the bell seal device. The seal ring provides close contact between the radially outer surface of the bell seal device and an inner surface of an inner cylinder of the turbine apparatus. Disposition of the seal ring eliminates leakage flow through a narrow channel between the radially outward surface of the bell seal device and the inner surface of the inner cylinder. In addition, the contact interfaces between the seal ring and the bell seal device and between the seal ring and the inner cylinder provide a damper for absorbing vibrational energies generated within the bell seal device.
Inventors
- 👤 Alvin L Stock
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 16:10
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01D; F01D9/00; F01D9/06; F16; F16J; F16J9/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S277/00; Y10S277/916
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
An axial flow elastic fluid turbine apparatus comprising: an inner cylinder; a nozzle chamber integral with said inner cylinder, said nozzle chamber having a surface thereon; conduit means for introducing said elastic fluid into said nozzle chamber a bell seal device disposed between said conduit means and said surface of said nozzle chamber, said bell seal device having an outer surface thereon, said bell seal device having a groove disposed circumferentially about the outer surface thereof; and, an expandable annular seal ring having an axis extending therethrough disposed within said groove on said bell seal device, said seal ring having a radially inner and a radially outer surface with respect to its axis thereon, said seal ring disposed within said groove so that said radially outer surface thereof abuts against said surface of said nozzle chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
An axial flow elastic fluid turbine apparatus comprising: an inner cylinder; a nozzle chamber integral with said inner cylinder, said nozzle chamber having a surface thereon; conduit means for introducing said elastic fluid into said nozzle chamber a bell seal device disposed between said conduit means and said surface of said nozzle chamber, said bell seal device having an outer surface thereon, said bell seal device having a groove disposed circumferentially about the outer surface thereof; and, an expandable annular seal ring having an axis extending therethrough disposed within said groove on said bell seal device, said seal ring having a radially inner and a radially outer surface with respect to its axis thereon, said seal ring disposed within said groove so that said radially outer surface thereof abuts against said surface of said nozzle chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
160 words
The turbine of claim 1, further comprising: an outer cylinder surrounding said inner cylinder, said conduit means being integral with said outer cylinder, and wherein said bell seal device is a substantially bell-shaped member having an axis therethrough and having a crown portion thereon, said crown portion having an opening therein receiving said conduit means, said outer surface of said bell-shaped member extending axially and flaring radially outward with respect to its axis to form a lip portion, said groove being disposed on said lip portion, said groove having a bottom and axially upper and lower sidewalls, said seal ring having thereon axially upper and lower surfaces defined with respect to its axis said seal ring being disposed in said groove so that said radially inner surface thereof is spaced a radial distance away from said bottom of said groove, and so that said axially upper surface of said seal ring abuts against said axially upper sidewall of said groove.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
102 words
The turbine of claim 2 wherein said radially inner surface and said axially lower surface of said seal ring being exposed to said elastic fluid, said elastic fluid exerting a force on said axially lower surface of said seal ring to maintain said axially upper surface of said seal ring in abutting contact with said upper sidewall of said groove, said seal ring disposed so that relative motion between said axially upper surface thereof and said upper sidewall of said groove generates a friction force therebetween tending to dampen said relative motion and to dissipate vibrational energy within said bell seal device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
90 words
The turbine of claim 3 wherein said annular Seal ring is fabricated of a material having an elastic property, said seal ring having a split therein, said split seal ring having a first terminus and a second terminus thereon, said first terminus having a first flange extending therefrom, said second terminus having a second flange extending therefrom, said first flange overlapping said second flange when said seal ring is disposed within said groove, said elastic property of said material tending to urge separation between said first and said second termini.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
102 words
The turbine of claim 4 wherein said elastic fluid exerts a force on said radially inner surface of said seal ring which combines with the elastic property of the material used to fabricate said seal ring to maintain said radially outer surface of said seal ring in abutting contact with said surface of said nozzle chamber, said seal ring being disposed to that relative motion between said radially outer surface of said seal ring and said surface of said nozzle chamber generates a friction force therebetween tending to dampen said relative motion and to dissipate vibrational energy within said bell seal device.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2527446A
Cited
US2890069A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-22 | 1979-03-24 | 1979-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-22 | 1983-03-24 | 1983-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-22 | 1987-03-24 | 1987-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |