IP Library Granted Patent US 8,240,675
Granted Patent B2
US 8,240,675 · App. 12/667,568 · Granted Aug 14, 2012

Seal structure

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,240,675
App. No.
12/667,568
Granted
Aug 14, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A seal structure includes a thick abradable film, thereby improving sealing performance. A seal structure ( 1 ) is provided with at least one fin ( 5 ) that projects in a ring-shape from a circumferential surface of a rotating shaft ( 3 ) and that is provided along an axial direction (L) and a seal member ( 9 ) having a ring-shaped sealing surface ( 19 ) opposed to the fin ( 5 ), and on which an abradable layer ( 25 ) is formed by thermally spraying abradable material onto the sealing surface ( 19 ), the seal structure ( 1 ) is provided with tapered portions ( 21 ) inclined in a radial direction (K) at end portions of the sealing surface ( 19 ) in the axial direction (L).

Claims (16)

1. A seal structure comprising:

a plurality of fins that project in a ring-shape from a circumferential surface of a rotating member;

a seal member having a ring-shaped sealing surface opposed to the fins; and

an abradable film formed on the seal member by thermally spraying abradable material onto the sealing surface;

wherein the seal member includes an inclined portion at an end portion of the sealing surface in an axial direction of the seal member, the inclined portion being inclined in a radial direction of the seal member,

wherein a film thickness of the abradable film on the inclined portion is thinner than a film thickness at other portions of the seal member,

wherein the seal member includes recesses and ridged portions extending in a circumferential direction of the seal member and spaced apart in the axial direction of the seal member,

wherein the fins engage the recesses and the ridges, and

wherein each ridged portion has a sealing surface and a tapered portion disposed on each side of the sealing surface in the axial direction of the seal member, each tapered portion is inclined in the radial direction of the seal member, and a film thickness of the abradable film on the tapered portions is thinner than a film thickness on the sealing surface.

2. The seal structure according to claim 1 , wherein the abradable film is formed discontinuously such that residual stress in different portions of the abradable film acts in different directions.

3. The seal structure according to claim 1 , wherein the abradable film is configured such that residual stress in different portions of the abradable film acts in different directions.

4. The seal structure according to claim 1 , wherein the abradable material includes a metallic component, a solid lubricant, and polyester.

5. The seal structure according to claim 4 , wherein the metallic component is selected from the group consisting of cobalt, nickel, chromium, aluminum, and yttrium.

6. The seal structure according to claim 5 , wherein the solid lubricant is boron nitride.

7. The seal structure according to claim 1 , wherein the inclined portion is inclined with respect to the radial direction and the axial direction of the seal member, and

wherein the tapered portions are inclined with respect to the radial direction and the axial direction of the seal member.

Assignments (4)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVING PATENT APPLICATION NUMBER 11921683 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 054975 FRAME: 0438. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded May 26, 2023
From: MITSUBISHI HITACHI POWER SYSTEMS, LTD.
To: MITSUBISHI POWER, LTD.
Reel/Frame 063787/0867 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 13, 2021
From: MITSUBISHI HITACHI POWER SYSTEMS, LTD.
To: MITSUBISHI POWER, LTD.
Reel/Frame 054975/0438 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 26, 2015
From: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
To: MITSUBISHI HITACHI POWER SYSTEMS, LTD.
Reel/Frame 035101/0029 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 21, 2010
From: HIRAKAWA, YUICHI; UEHARA, HIDEKAZU; NAKANO, TAKASHI; NISHIMOTO, SHIN
To: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
Reel/Frame 023824/0317 →