A circumferential seal assembly capable of separating a gas into two separate flow paths before communication between a rotatable runner and a pair of seal rings is presented. The seal assembly includes an annular seal housing, a pair of annular seal rings, a rotatable runner, and a plurality of groove structures. The seal housing is interposed between a pair of compartments. The seal rings are separately disposed within the seal housing and separately disposed around the rotatable runner. The groove structures are disposed along an outer annular surface of the rotatable runner. A gas is communicable onto the groove structures. Each groove structure includes at least two hydrodynamic grooves that separate and communicate the gas onto the seal rings. Each groove includes steps whereby the depth of at least one adjoining step decreases in the direction opposite to rotation with or without the depth of another adjoining steps increasing in the direction opposite to rotation.

A circumferential seal assembly capable of separating a gas into two separate flow paths before communication between a rotatable runner and a pair of seal rings is presented. The seal assembly includes an annular seal housing, a pair of annular seal rings, a rotatable runner, and a plurality of groove structures. The seal housing is interposed between a pair of compartments. The seal rings are separately disposed within the seal housing and separately disposed around the rotatable runner. The groove structures are disposed along an outer annular surface of the rotatable runner. A gas is communicable onto the groove structures. Each groove structure includes at least two hydrodynamic grooves that separate and communicate the gas onto the seal rings. Each groove includes steps whereby the depth of at least one adjoining step decreases in the direction opposite to rotation with or without the depth of another adjoining steps increasing in the direction opposite to rotation.

A bearing includes a thrust gas bearing attached to a journal bearing and two or more converging-diverging orifices defined in a surface of at least one of the thrust gas bearing and the journal bearing. The converging-diverging orifices supply at least one pressurized gas to an interior of the bearing. Hydrodynamic lifting grooves are provided on the faces of the thrust gas bearing and the journal bearing and provide improved load capacity and sealing capabilities. Control over the ratios of the pressurized gases provides for additional sealing capabilities and reduced leakage. A metal mesh damper provides increased damping of the gas bearing.

A sealing ring for sealing an annular gap between a shaft and a bearing body surrounding the shaft, includes two sealing ring halves having ring segment shapes and a plurality of circumferentially formed sealing tips, arranged axially adjacent on the inner peripheral surface and protruding radially inward. The sealing tips are integrally formed together with the sealing ring halves. A method produces such a sealing ring.

A combustor assembly for a heat engine is generally provided. The combustor assembly includes a liner wall defining a combustion chamber, and a deflector assembly. The deflector assembly includes a radially extended first wall disposed adjacent to the combustion chamber, and further an axially extended second wall disposed forward of the first wall and adjacent thereto. The second wall is coupled to the liner wall.

A seal assembly for a gas turbine engine defining a central axis extending along an axial direction and including a rotating shaft extending at least partially along the axial direction. The seal assembly includes a first component coupled to a fixed structure or drivingly coupled to the rotating shaft. The seal assembly further includes a rotating component drivingly coupled to the rotating shaft of the gas turbine engine. Additionally, the first component and rotating component define an annular gap therebetween. The seal assembly also includes one or more flanges extending from the stationary component, the rotating component, or both. The flange(s) include a base and an external surface extending into the annular gap from the base to a tip. Additionally, the flange(s) defines an inlet port on the external surface fluidly coupled to an outlet port at the tip. As such, the flange(s) forms a seal within the annular gap.

A steam turbine plant includes high-pressure gland portions, low-pressure gland portions, a gland regulator line, and a rotor-driving steam supply line. The high-pressure gland portions supply gland steam to gaps of ends of a high-pressure turbine rotor, and thereby seal the gaps. The low-pressure gland portions supply the gland steam to gaps of ends of a low-pressure turbine rotor, and thereby seal the gaps. The gland regulator line guides the gland steam from the high-pressure gland portion to the low-pressure gland portion. The rotor-driving steam supply line branches off from the gland regulator line, and supplies some of the gland steam to a main steam flow passage in a low-pressure casing.

A steam turbine plant includes high-pressure gland portions, low-pressure gland portions, a gland regulator line, and a rotor-driving steam supply line. The high-pressure gland portions supply gland steam to gaps of ends of a high-pressure turbine rotor, and thereby seal the gaps. The low-pressure gland portions supply the gland steam to gaps of ends of a low-pressure turbine rotor, and thereby seal the gaps. The gland regulator line guides the gland steam from the high-pressure gland portion to the low-pressure gland portion. The rotor-driving steam supply line branches off from the gland regulator line, and supplies some of the gland steam to a main steam flow passage in a low-pressure casing.

A circumferential seal assembly suitable for forming a thin film between a rotatable runner and a sealing ring is presented. The assembly includes an annular seal housing, a rotatable runner, an annular seal ring, and a plurality of groove structures. Each groove structure includes a groove and an optional feed groove. The groove includes at least two adjoining steps defined by base walls arranged to decrease depthwise. Two adjoining base walls are disposed about a base shoulder. Each base shoulder locally redirects a longitudinal flow to form an outward radial flow in the direction of the annular seal ring. The base walls are bounded by and intersect a pair of side walls. A side wall includes at least one side shoulder which narrows the groove widthwise and locally redirects the longitudinal flow to form a lateral flow in the direction of the other side wall. Outward and lateral flows separately or in combination enhance stiffness of a thin-film layer between the annular seal ring and the rotatable runner.

A circumferential seal assembly suitable for forming a thin film between a rotatable runner and a sealing ring is presented. The assembly includes an annular seal housing, a rotatable runner, an annular seal ring, and a plurality of groove structures. Each groove structure includes a groove and an optional feed groove. The groove includes at least two adjoining steps defined by base walls arranged to decrease depthwise. Two adjoining base walls are disposed about a base shoulder. Each base shoulder locally redirects a longitudinal flow to form an outward radial flow in the direction of the annular seal ring. The base walls are bounded by and intersect a pair of side walls. A side wall includes at least one side shoulder which narrows the groove widthwise and locally redirects the longitudinal flow to form a lateral flow in the direction of the other side wall. Outward and lateral flows separately or in combination enhance stiffness of a thin-film layer between the annular seal ring and the rotatable runner.