Brush sealing with potting compound for rotary mechanisms

Abstract

A brush seal for use in a rotary machine includes a rotary component disposed inside a stationary component. A brush sealing system is disposed between the stationary component and the rotary component. The brush sealing system includes a seal housing that contains a matrix of potting compound, coupled to the stationary component. A plurality of bristles is provided, each bristle having a first end embedded in the potting compound and a second end protruding from the seal housing towards the rotary component. The potting compound is formed from a ceramic suitable for use at high temperatures that is capable of bonding to non-metallic bristles.

1 . A rotary machine, comprising:
 a first component;   a second component rotatably disposed with respect to the first component; and   a brush sealing system disposed between the first component and the second component, comprising:   a seal housing coupled to the first component;   a plurality of bristles, each bristle having a first end and a second end; and   a matrix of potting compound disposed upon the seal housing and configured to bond to the first end of the bristles and to hold the bristles such that the second end of the bristles protrude from the seal housing toward the second component, wherein the potting compound comprises a ceramic cement.   
   
   
       2 . The rotary machine of  claim 1 , wherein the potting compound comprises a cured composition of an aqueous sodium silicate solution and a zirconium silicate powder. 
   
   
       3 . The rotary machine of  claim 2 , wherein the potting compound comprises a cured composition with a pre-cure aqueous sodium silicate mass fraction between 15 percent and 60 percent. 
   
   
       4 . The rotary machine of  claim 2 , wherein the potting compound comprises a cured composition with a pre-cure aqueous sodium silicate mass fraction between 40 percent and 55 percent. 
   
   
       5 . The rotary machine of  claim 1 , wherein the potting compound is stable at a temperature of 700 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 10,000 hours. 
   
   
       6 . The rotary machine of  claim 1 , wherein the bristles comprise a non-metallic fiber. 
   
   
       7 . The rotary machine of  claim 6 , wherein the bristles comprise carbon fibers. 
   
   
       8 . The rotary machine of  claim 6 , wherein the bristles comprise a polyaramid fiber. 
   
   
       9 . The rotary machine of  claim 1 , wherein the first component comprises a bearing seal on a gas turbine engine. 
   
   
       10 . The rotary machine of  claim 1 , wherein the first component comprises a sump seal on an engine. 
   
   
       11 . The rotary machine of  claim 1 , wherein the second end of each bristle is configured to contact the second component to reduce leakage of pressurized fluid between the first component and the second component during operation of the machine. 
   
   
       12 . A brush sealing system, comprising:
 a first component having a seal housing;   a matrix of ceramic cement potting compound disposed upon the seal housing; and   a plurality of non-metallic bristles, each bristle having a first end embedded in the matrix and a second end protruding from the seal housing towards a second component which is rotatably disposed relative to the first component, wherein the bristles are configured to contact the rotary component to reduce leakage of a pressurized fluid between the first component and the second component.   
   
   
       13 . The brush sealing system of  claim 12 , wherein the potting compound comprises a cured composition of an aqueous sodium silicate solution and a zirconium silicate powder. 
   
   
       14 . The brush sealing system of  claim 13 , wherein the potting compound comprises a cured composition with a pre-cure aqueous sodium silicate mass fraction between 15 percent and 60 percent. 
   
   
       15 . The brush sealing system of  claim 13 , wherein the potting compound comprises a cured composition with a pre-cure aqueous sodium silicate mass fraction between 40 percent and 55 percent. 
   
   
       16 . The brush sealing system of  claim 12 , wherein the potting compound is stable at a temperature of 700 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 10,000 hours. 
   
   
       17 . The brush sealing system of  claim 12 , wherein the bristles comprise a non-metallic fiber. 
   
   
       18 . The brush sealing system of  claim 17 , wherein the bristles comprise carbon fibers. 
   
   
       19 . The brush sealing system of  claim 17 , wherein the bristles comprise a polyaramid fiber. 
   
   
       20 . The brush sealing system of  claim 12 , wherein the first component comprises a bearing seal on a gas turbine engine. 
   
   
       21 . The brush sealing system of  claim 12 , wherein the first component comprises a sump seal on an engine.