Non-contact seal with resilient biasing element(s)
A seal device includes a plurality of seal shoes, a seal base, a plurality of spring elements and a resilient biasing element. The seal shoes are arranged around an axis. The seal base circumscribes the seal shoes. Each of the spring elements is radially between and connects a respective one of the seal shoes and the seal base. A first of the spring elements includes a first mount, a second mount and a spring beam. The first mount is connected to a first of the seal shoes. The second mount is connected to the seal base. The spring beam connects the first mount to the second mount. The resilient biasing element is radially between and engaged with first and second components of the seal device, where the first component is configured as or otherwise includes the first mount or the second mount.
1. An assembly for rotational equipment, comprising:
a seal device comprising a plurality of seal shoes, a seal base, a plurality of spring elements and a resilient biasing element;
the seal shoes arranged around an axis in an annular array;
the seal base circumscribing the annular array of the seal shoes;
each of the spring elements radially between and connecting a respective one of the seal shoes and the seal base, a first of the spring elements including a first mount, a second mount and a spring beam, the first mount connected to a first of the seal shoes, the second mount connected to the seal base, and the spring beam connecting the first mount to the second mount; and
the resilient biasing element radially between and engaged with first and second components of the seal device, the first component comprising the first mount or the second mount,
wherein the resilient biasing element comprises a coil spring.
2. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the resilient biasing element is configured to increase a stiffness of the first of the spring elements.
3. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the resilient biasing element is configured to bias a first portion of the first of the seal shoes radially away from the seal base and a second portion of the first of the seal shoes radially towards the seal base.
4. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein
the first component comprises the first mount; and
the second component comprises the seal base.
5. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein
the first component comprises the first mount; and
the second component comprises a mount of a second of the spring elements that is circumferentially adjacent to the first of the spring elements.
6. The assembly of claim 5 , wherein
the first mount comprises an inner surface;
the mount of the second of the spring elements comprises an outer surface radially below the inner surface; and
the resilient biasing element is radially between and engages the inner surface and the outer surface.
7. The assembly of claim 5 , wherein
the mount of the second of the spring elements comprises a second mount;
the second of the spring elements further includes a first mount and a spring beam;
the first mount of the second of the spring elements is connected to a second of the seal shoes;
the second mount of the second of the spring elements is connected to the seal base; and
the spring beam of the second of the spring elements connects the first mount of the second of the spring elements to the second mount of the second of the spring elements.
8. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein
the first component comprises the second mount; and
the second component comprises the first of the seal shoes.
9. The assembly of claim 8 , wherein
the second mount comprises an inner surface;
the first of the seal shoes comprises an outer surface radially below the inner surface; and
the resilient biasing element is radially between and engages the inner surface and the outer surface.
10. The assembly of claim 8 , wherein
the first of the seal shoes comprises an inner surface;
the second mount comprises an outer surface radially below the inner surface; and
the resilient biasing element is radially between and engages the inner surface and the outer surface.
11. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein
the first component comprises the first mount; and
the seal device further includes a second resilient biasing element engaged with the second mount.
12. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the seal device further includes a second resilient biasing element engaged with the first component.
13. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first of the spring elements further includes a second spring beam connecting the first mount to the second mount.
14. The assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
a ring structure axially engaged with the seal base; and
a secondary seal device mounted with the ring structure, the secondary seal device configured to substantially seal an annular gap between the ring structure and the annular array of the seal shoes.
15. The assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
a stationary structure;
a rotor structure; and
a non-contact seal assembly comprising the seal device, the seal assembly configured to substantially seal an annular gap between the stationary structure and the rotor structure;
wherein the seal shoes circumscribe and sealingly mate with the rotor structure; and
wherein the seal base is mounted to and radially within the stationary structure.
16. An assembly for rotational equipment, comprising:
a seal device comprising a plurality of seal shoes, a seal base, a plurality of spring elements and a spring;
the seal shoes arranged around an axis;
the seal base extending circumferentially around the seal shoes and the spring elements;
each of the spring elements connecting a respective one of the seal shoes to the seal base, a first of the spring elements including a first mount, a second mount and a plurality of spring beams, the first mount connected to a first of the seal shoes, the second mount connected to the seal base, and each of the spring beams connecting the first mount to the second mount; and
the spring abutted against first and second components of the seal device, the first component comprising the first mount or the second mount,
wherein the spring comprises a coil spring.
17. An assembly for rotational equipment, comprising:
a seal device comprising a plurality of seal shoes, a seal base, a plurality of spring elements and a spring;
the seal shoes arranged around an axis;
the seal base extending circumferentially around the seal shoes and the spring elements;
each of the spring elements connecting a respective one of the seal shoes to the seal base, a first of the spring elements including a first mount, a second mount and a plurality of spring beams, the first mount connected to a first of the seal shoes, the second mount connected to the seal base, and each of the spring beams connecting the first mount to the second mount; and
the spring abutted against first and second components of the seal device, and the spring configured to increase a stiffness of the first of the spring elements, wherein the first component comprises the first mount or the second mount,
wherein the spring comprises a coil spring.