Damping and sealing system for turbine blades

Abstract

With a gas-turbine engine, a sealing and damping element ( 9 ), which is loosely held between two adjacent platforms ( 6 a , 6 b ) of turbine blades attached to a rotor disk, generally has a cross-section in the form of a straight three sided prism corresponding to an equilateral triangle, however with convex rubbing surface sides. Due to small swiveling movements enabled by the curvature of the sides, an increased rubbing and wear area is created during operation, which is adapted to the blade geometry and can be determined in advance, thus increasing damping and sealing efficiency.

1 . A damping and sealing system for turbine blades of a gas-turbine engine, comprising:
 a sealing and damping element generally in the form of a straight three sided prism with equal side faces which, by centrifugal effect during operation of the gas-turbine engine, is retained between opposing surfaces of adjacent platforms of the blades fitted to a rotor of the gas-turbine engine, wherein the side faces of the sealing and damping element are configured as convex rubbing surfaces to allow for a slight swiveling movement of the rubbing surfaces with respect to the opposing surfaces of the adjacent blade platforms to thereby increase rubbing efficiency.   
   
   
       2 . A damping and sealing system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the opposing surfaces of the adjacent platforms form a wedge-shaped, acute-angled gap, in which the sealing and damping element is loosely fixed. 
   
   
       3 . A damping and sealing system in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the gap is formed by a generally straight platform edge of the one platform and by an oblique sealing surface in a recess of the other platform. 
   
   
       4 . A damping and sealing system in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein the gap surfaces in the rubbing/wear area of the sealing and damping element are dimensioned in a manner commensurate with an amount of wear expected. 
   
   
       5 . A damping and sealing system in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein longitudinal edges of the sealing and damping element are rounded. 
   
   
       6 . A damping and sealing system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein longitudinal edges of the sealing and damping element are rounded.