IP Library Granted Patent US 8,439,220
Granted Patent B2
US 8,439,220 · App. 11/822,848 · Granted May 14, 2013

Cross flange seal for a pressure vessel, especially for a turbomachine casing

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,439,220
App. No.
11/822,848
Granted
May 14, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention relates to a pressure vessel for a machine, especially a turbomachine, which comprises at least 3 casing shell sections, wherein the intersection region of the parting joints is sealed off by a plug which in its interior has a system of holes and passages through which a sealing compound is pressed into the region between plug and casing shell sections, so that after its setting, an elastic, leakproof and non-destructively disassemblable sealing of the intersection region of the parting joints is created. The plug can be fastened on the casing shell sections by means of an integrated flange.

Claims (26)

1. A seal for an intersection region of parting joints of a pressure vessel which includes at least three casing shell sections, the seal comprising:

a plug including at least two sealing chambers, for inserting in the intersection region of the parting joints;

a liquid, settable sealing compound poured into the at least two sealing chambers which are constructed on the plug as annular grooves formed on an outer circumference of the plug, each groove separated by a radial rib formed on the outer circumference of the plug, the sealing compound connected in a gastight manner to the casing shell sections;

a passage formed through the radial rib between adjacent annular grooves, the passage being formed on an outer circumference of the plug for guiding the liquid sealing compound through successive sealing chambers;

wherein the plug comprises:

a filling hole for the sealing compound,

a vent outlet hole for escape of surplus sealing compound and air which is displaced by the sealing compound,

a plug flange on a free end of the plug for being fastened on the casing shell sections, and

a vent inlet hole arranged in a sealing chamber of the plug, the vent inlet hole connected inside the plug to the vent outlet hole, wherein the vent outlet hole extends from the plug flange parallel to the filling hole.

2. The seal as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the plug comprises a system of holes and passages, through which a sealing compound is directed to sealing regions of the plug.

3. The seal as claimed in claim 2 , wherein

the plug, after cleaning of plug and plug seat, is reusable.

4. The seal as claimed in claim 1 , comprising:

a pressure screw, wherein the filling hole being sealed off by means of the pressure screw for pressing in the sealing compound.

5. The seal as claimed in claim 3 , wherein

the plug, after cleaning of plug and plug seat, is reusable.

6. The seal as claimed in claim 1 , comprising:

a sealing screw for sealing off the vent outlet hole, and which, when screwing in, creates an overpressure in the sealing compound.

7. The seal as claimed in claim 1 , wherein

the plug, after cleaning of plug and plug seat, is reusable.

8. The seal as claimed in claim 1 , wherein

the sealing compound, after setting, is high pressure-resistant and elastic.

9. The seal as claimed in claim 8 , wherein

the sealing compound has a higher thermal volumetric expansion (beta coefficient in m3/m3K) than the material of the pressure vessel.

10. The seal as claimed in claim 1 , wherein

the plug is non-destructively removable.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 11, 2017
From: GENERAL ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY GMBH
To: ANSALDO ENERGIA SWITZERLAND AG
Reel/Frame 041686/0884 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 22, 2016
From: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
To: GENERAL ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY GMBH
Reel/Frame 038216/0193 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 19, 2007
From: NORMAN, DARRAN-LEE; MATAN, MLADEN
To: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
Reel/Frame 019845/0150 →