High temperature dynamic seal for scramjet variable geometry
View Patent ↗A seal assembly for use in an engine, such as a scramjet engine, having a movable element, such as inlet cowl flap, is provided. The movable element has an outboard structural member which requires thermal protection. The seal assembly includes a sealing element and a support block for thermally isolating the outboard structural member and for supporting the sealing element. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing element comprises a rope seal having a tadpole construction.
1. An engine comprising:
a movable element;
said movable element having a pair of sides and a cavity in each of said sides;
a seal assembly adjacent each of said sides; and
each said seal assembly comprising a support block which fits into said cavity and a sealing member supported by said support block.
2. An engine comprising:
a movable element;
said movable element having a pair of sides and a cavity in each of said sides;
a seal assembly adjacent each of said sides;
each said seal assembly comprising a support block which fits into said cavity and a sealing member supported by said support block; and
said sealing member comprising a rope seal which sits on a shelf portion of said support block.
3. An engine according to claim 2 , wherein said rope seal has a tadpole construction.
4. An engine according to claim 2 , wherein said rope seal has means for retaining said rope seal in position.
5. An engine according to claim 4 , wherein said retaining means comprises a tail on said rope seal.
6. An engine according to claim 2 , wherein said rope seal has a fiber core and a cloth like overbraid surrounding said fiber core.
7. An engine comprising:
a movable element;
said movable element having a pair of sides and a cavity in each of said sides;
a seal assembly adjacent each of said sides;
each said seal assembly comprising a support block which fits into said cavity and a sealing member supported by said support block; and
said movable element having an inner heat exchange panel and an outer heat exchange panel and an outboard structural member.
8. An engine according to claim 7 , further comprising an engine sidewall and said sealing member being sandwiched between said inner and outer heat exchange panels and the engine sidewall.
9. An engine according to claim 7 , wherein said support block extends out past edges of said inner and outer heat exchange panels.
10. An engine comprising:
a movable element;
said movable element having a pair of sides and a cavity in each of said sides;
a seal assembly adjacent each of said sides;
each said seal assembly comprising a support block which fits into said cavity and a sealing member supported by said support block; and
said support block being formed from an insulating material so as to thermally insulate an outboard structural member of said movable element.
11. An engine comprising:
a movable element;
said movable element having a pair of sides and a cavity in each of said sides;
a seal assembly adjacent each of said sides;
each said seal assembly comprising a support block which fits into said cavity and a sealing member supported by said support block; and
said engine being a scramjet engine and said movable element is a movable cowl inlet flap.
12. A seal assembly for use in an engine with a movable element and an outboard structural member, said seal assembly comprising:
a sealing element; and
means for thermally isolating said outboard structural member and for supporting said sealing element, said thermally isolating means being formed from a material selected from the group consisting of a ceramic matrix composite material and a monolithic ceramic material.
13. A seal assembly for use in an engine with a movable element and an outboard structural member, said seal assembly comprising:
a sealing element;
means for thermally isolating said outboard structural member and for supporting said sealing element, said thermally isolating and supporting means being formed from a material selected from the group consisting of a ceramic matrix composite material and a monolithic ceramic material; and
said sealing element comprising a rope seal which surrounds said thermally isolating and supporting means.
14. A seal assembly for use in an engine with a movable element and an outboard structural member, said seal assembly comprising:
a sealing element;
means for thermally isolating said outboard structural member and for supporting said sealing element, said thermally isolating and supporting means being formed from a material selected from the group consisting of a ceramic matrix composite material and a monolithic ceramic material; and
said sealing element comprising a rope seal which surrounds said thermally isolating and supporting means,
wherein said rope seal has a tail structure for retaining said rope seal in position.
15. A seal assembly according to claim 14 , wherein said rope seal has a fiber core and an overbraid material surrounding said fiber core.
16. A seal assembly according to claim 15 , wherein said tail structure is formed from said overbraid material.
17. A seal assembly for use in an engine with a movable element and an outboard structural member, said seal assembly comprising:
a sealing element;
means for thermally isolating said outboard structural member and for supporting said sealing element;
said means for thermally isolating said outboard structural member and for supporting said sealing element comprising a support block formed from an insulating material; and
said outboard structural member having a cavity and said support block being sized to fit within said cavity.
18. A seal assembly according to claim 17 , wherein said support block has a shelf for supporting said sealing element.
19. A support block for use in a seal assembly to support a rope seal, said support block being formed from an insulating material and having a shelf means for supporting said rope seal, and said insulating material being selected from the group consisting of a ceramic matrix composite material and a monolithic ceramic material.