Sealing segment and sealing-segment arrangement

1. A sealing assembly comprising a first and second adjacent structural component part ( 4 , 6 ) of a flow machine which in an installed position are movable relative to one another about an axis; a plurality of sealing segments ( 10 , 12 ), each sealing segment comprising a central web ( 18 ) and first and second sealing bodies ( 14 , 16 ) having a circular cross-section connected to one another by said central web ( 18 ), said central web ( 18 ) comprising a unitary surface that defines a substantially flat plane extending in the axial direction and between said opposed circular first and second sealing bodies ( 14 , 16 ), said central web having a thickness and a length in the axial direction, said axial length being larger than said thickness; said structural component parts of a flow machine each having a U-shaped, rectangular longitudinal recess ( 20 , 22 ) therein; said first circular sealing body ( 14 ) being in contact only with said U-shaped recess of said first structural part ( 4 ) and said second circular sealing body ( 16 ) being in contact only with said U-shaped recess of said second structural part ( 6 ) so that each of said first and second sealing body ( 14 , 16 ) is contactingly arranged in an articulated manner only in a respective one of said U-shaped recesses ( 20 , 22 ) of said first and second structural component parts ( 4 , 6 ); a circular connection element ( 54 , 56 ) extending through each of said first and second circular sealing bodies thereby connecting said plurality of sealing segments and wherein said sealing bodies ( 14 , 16 ) and said recesses ( 20 , 22 ) are constructed to form a sliding bearing.

2. The sealing assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said sealing bodies ( 14 , 16 ) are constructed so as to be radially springing.

3. The sealing assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said sealing bodies ( 14 , 16 ) extend axially parallel to one another.

4. The sealing assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said sealing bodies ( 14 , 16 ) and said web ( 18 ) are formed from a tubular sealing element ( 96 ).

5. The sealing assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said sealing bodies ( 14 , 16 ) and said web ( 18 ) are formed from a sheet-shaped sealing element ( 92 ) having free end portions ( 70 , 72 ); said free end portions ( 70 , 72 ) being guided along said web ( 18 ).

6. The sealing assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said sealing bodies ( 14 , 16 ) and said web ( 18 ) are formed from a sheet-shaped sealing element ( 92 ) having free end portions ( 70 , 72 ); said free end portions ( 70 , 72 ) being at a distance from said web ( 18 ).

7. The sealing assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said sealing bodies ( 14 , 16 ) and said web ( 18 ) are formed from two sheet-like sealing elements ( 58 , 60 ) fixedly connected to one another in their respective center region to form said web ( 18 ).

8. The sealing assembly according to claim 7 , additionally comprising two opposed free end portions ( 70 , 72 ); and wherein said sealing elements ( 58 , 60 ) are identically shaped and said opposing free end portions ( 70 , 72 , 74 , 76 ) being at a distance from one another.

9. The sealing assembly according to claim 7 , wherein said sealing elements ( 58 , 60 ) are arranged so as to be offset relative to one another in longitudinal direction.

10. The sealing assembly according to claim 1 , additionally comprising a transverse slit ( 108 , 110 , 112 , 114 , 116 ) extending into said web ( 18 ) formed in at least one of said sealing bodies ( 14 , 16 ).

11. The sealing assembly according to claim 9 , wherein said at least one transverse slit ( 108 , 110 , 112 , 114 , 116 ) extends from one said sealing body ( 14 ) through said web ( 16 ) into said other sealing body ( 16 ).

12. The sealing assembly according to claim 9 , wherein a plurality of transverse slits ( 108 , 110 , 112 , 114 , 116 ) are alternately arranged in said sealing bodies ( 14 , 16 ).

13. The sealing assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said sealing bodies ( 14 , 16 ) comprise an at least partially perforated sealing surface ( 24 , 26 ).

14. The sealing assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said sealing bodies ( 14 , 16 ) comprise a profiled sealing surface ( 24 , 26 ).

15. The sealing assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said web ( 18 ) is formed so as to comprise a large surface area having at least one through-hole ( 102 , 104 ).

16. The sealing assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said sealing elements ( 58 ; 60 ; 84 ; 86 ; 90 ; 96 ) are made of a metal material.

17. A sealing assembly arrangement comprising first and second structural component parts of a flow machine each having a U-shaped, rectangular longitudinal recess therein; at least two connection elements ( 54 , 56 ); and a plurality of sealing segments ( 10 , 12 ; 80 ; 82 ; 88 ; 92 ; 94 ; 106 ) each sealing segment comprising a central web ( 18 ) and first and second sealing bodies ( 14 , 16 ) connected to one another by said central web, said central web ( 18 ) comprising a unitary surface that defines a substantially flat plane extending in the axial direction and between said opposed circular first and second sealing bodies ( 14 , 16 ), said central web having a thickness and a length in the axial direction, said axial length being larger than said thickness; each first sealing body of said sealing segment in contact only with said U-shaped rectangular recess of said first structural component part and each second sealing body in contact only with said U-shaped rectangular recess of said second structural component part; said plurality of sealing segments being arranged axially adjacent to one another and supported in an articulated manner in said U-shaped recesses ( 20 , 22 ) by said two structural component parts ( 4 , 6 ); said structural component parts being movable relative to one another and connected to one another by said at least two circular connection elements ( 54 , 56 ).

18. The sealing assembly arrangement according to claim 17 , wherein said connection elements ( 54 , 56 ) comprise coils which are guided axially through said sealing bodies ( 14 , 16 ).

19. The sealing assembly arrangement according to claim 17 , wherein said connection elements ( 54 , 56 ) are flexible rods which are guided axially through said sealing bodies ( 14 , 16 ).

20. The sealing assembly arrangement according to claim 17 , wherein said connection elements ( 54 , 56 ) are bars with spherical end heads guided axially through said sealing bodies ( 14 , 16 ).

21. A flow machine with a sealing assembly arrangement comprising two structural component parts each having a U-shaped, rectangular, longitudinal recess therein; at least two connection elements ( 54 , 56 ); and a plurality of sealing segments ( 10 , 12 ; 80 ; 82 ; 88 ; 92 ; 94 ; 106 ) arranged axially adjacent to one another and supported in an articulated manner in said recesses ( 20 , 22 ) by said two structural component parts ( 4 , 6 ), each sealing segment comprising a central web ( 18 ) and first and second sealing bodies ( 14 , 16 ) having a circular cross-section connected to one another by said central web ( 18 ), said central web ( 18 ) comprising a unitary surface that defines a substantially flat plane extending in the axial direction and between said opposed circular first and second sealing bodies ( 14 , 16 ), said central web having a thickness and a length in the axial direction said axial length being larger than said thickness; said structural component parts being movable relative to one another and connected to one another by said at least two connection elements ( 54 , 56 ).

22. The sealing assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said sealing bodies are arranged in an articulated manner in said recesses so as to compensate for one of a swiveling movement and an axial movement between said structural component parts.