Seal runner
A seal runner may have an inner annular member, an outer annular member, and a radial wall member joined to the inner annular member according to an angle and extending from the inner annular member to the outer annular member. The seal runner may be positioned axially along a shaft and a bearing may be positioned axially along the shaft such that it is radially between the inner annular member and the outer annular member. In this regard, the seal runner may resemble a “C-shape.” A seal may interface with a seal land radially outboard of the outer annular member. Thus, the seal may be positioned axially near to the bearing so that the axial length of a shaft and accompanying bearing compartment hardware may be minimized.
1. A seal runner system comprising:
a seal runner disposed circumferentially around a shaft and comprising an outer annular member comprising a seal land configured to mechanically interface with a seal;
an air cavity disposed facially about an annulus of a face of the seal runner and covered by a heat shield;
a bearing disposed circumferentially around the shaft, wherein the bearing abuts a snap portion of an inner annular member of the seal runner; and
a bearing nut disposed circumferentially around the shaft at a position axially abutting the bearing, the bearing nut being configured to retain the bearing and the seal runner in fixed axial position with respect to the shaft, whereby the bearing and the seal runner are prevented from traveling axially in the aft direction,
wherein the outer annular member and the seal extend axially above and radially overlapping the bearing, and
wherein the bearing lies between the outer annular member and the shaft.
2. The seal runner system according to claim 1 , wherein the an inner annular member further comprises:
the snap portion configured to mechanically interface with a circumferential portion of the shaft;
a lower fluid passage configured to receive a cooling fluid;
a radial fluid passage configured to permit the cooling fluid to pass from the lower fluid passage and through the inner annular member of the seal runner; and a radial wall member monolithic with the inner annular member and joined to the inner annular member at-an angle,
wherein the radial wall member extends from the inner annular member to the outer annular member,
wherein the outer annular member is held in mechanical communication with the inner annular member, and
wherein a length of the inner annular member to a radial extension of the radial wall member is defined according to a ratio.
3. The seal runner according to claim 2 , wherein the angle comprises a 75 to 89 degree angle.
4. The seal runner according to claim 2 , wherein the angle comprises a 90 degree angle.
5. The seal runner according to claim 2 , wherein the ratio is approximately 1.
6. The seal runner according to claim 2 , wherein the inner annular member is shorter than the outer annular member.
7. The seal runner system according to claim 2 , wherein the inner annular member comprises a first snap portion proximate the outer annular member and a second snap portion axially distal of the first snap portion.
8. The seal runner system according to claim 2 , wherein the outer annular member extends axially above and over the bearing, and wherein the bearing lies axially inward of a chamfer of the outer annular member.
9. The seal runner system according to claim 2 , wherein the shaft further comprises an axial shoulder, and wherein the seal runner is prevented from traveling axially forward direction.
10. The seal runner system according to claim 1 , further comprising a bearing centering spring adapted to mechanically interface with the bearing, wherein the shaft is supported.
11. The seal runner system according to claim 2 , wherein the outer annular member further comprises a chamfer whereby installation of the seal runner beneath the seal may be facilitated.
12. The system of claim 2 , wherein the seal comprises carbon.
13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the seal runner comprises at least one of titanium and steel.