Turbomachine seal assembly and method of sealing a rotor region of a turbomachine

Abstract

A turbomachine seal assembly includes a rotor disposed about an axial centerline, the rotor having an outer surface. Also included is a stationary component extending circumferentially about the rotor. Further included is at least one primary annular seal ring operably coupled to the stationary component and extending radially inwardly to close proximity with the outer surface of the rotor. Yet further included is a secondary annular seal ring operably coupled to the stationary component and integrally formed with the at least one primary annular seal ring, the secondary annular seal ring extending radially inwardly to close proximity with the outer surface of the rotor.

1 . A turbomachine seal assembly comprising:
 a rotor disposed about an axial centerline, the rotor having an outer surface;   a stationary component extending circumferentially about the rotor;   at least one primary annular seal ring operably coupled to the stationary component and extending radially inwardly to close proximity with the outer surface of the rotor; and   a secondary annular seal ring operably coupled to the stationary component and integrally formed with the at least one primary annular seal ring, the secondary annular seal ring extending radially inwardly to close proximity with the outer surface of the rotor.   
     
     
         2 . The turbomachine seal assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one primary annular seal ring extends to a first radial location and the secondary annular seal ring extends to a second radial location. 
     
     
         3 . The turbomachine seal assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the second radial location is closer to the outer surface of the rotor. 
     
     
         4 . The turbomachine seal assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the first radial location and the second radial location are spaced relatively equally from the outer surface of the rotor. 
     
     
         5 . The turbomachine seal assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary annular seal ring is disposed at an axially forward location relative to the at least one primary annular seal ring. 
     
     
         6 . The turbomachine seal assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary annular seal ring is disposed at an axially rearward location relative to the at least one primary annular seal ring. 
     
     
         7 . The turbomachine seal assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of secondary annular seal rings, wherein at least one of the plurality of secondary annular seal rings is disposed at an axially forward location relative to the at least one primary annular seal ring, wherein at least one of the plurality of secondary annular seal rings is disposed at an axially rearward location relative to the at least one primary annular seal ring. 
     
     
         8 . The turbomachine seal assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary annular seal ring comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is disposed in close proximity with the stationary component and the second end is disposed in close proximity to the outer surface of the rotor. 
     
     
         9 . The turbomachine seal assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the second end of the secondary annular seal ring comprises a toothed geometry. 
     
     
         10 . The turbomachine seal assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the second end of the secondary annular seal ring comprises a plurality of teeth segments. 
     
     
         11 . The turbomachine seal assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one primary annular seal ring is disposed at least partially within a slot of a plate member operably coupled to the stationary component. 
     
     
         12 . The turbomachine seal assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a housing operably coupled to the stationary component, wherein at least one of the at least one primary annular seal ring and the secondary annular seal ring are integrally formed with the housing. 
     
     
         13 . The turbomachine seal assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a housing operably coupled to the stationary component, wherein at least one of the at least one primary annular seal ring and the secondary annular seal ring are operably coupled to the housing. 
     
     
         14 . The turbomachine seal assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a housing biasedly supported by a spring disposed between the housing and the stationary component. 
     
     
         15 . A method of sealing a rotor region of a turbomachine comprising:
 integrally forming a primary annular seal ring and a secondary annular seal ring; and   operably coupling the primary annular seal ring and the secondary annular seal ring to a stationary component extending circumferentially about a rotor, wherein the primary annular seal ring and the secondary annular seal ring extend radially inwardly to close proximity with an outer surface of the rotor.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising disposing the secondary annular seal ring at an axially forward location relative to the primary annular seal ring. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising disposing the secondary annular seal ring at an axially rearward location relative to the primary annular seal ring. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising integrally forming a plurality of secondary annular seal rings with the primary annular seal ring and disposing at least one of the plurality of secondary annular seal rings at an axially forward location relative to the primary annular seal ring and at least one of the plurality of secondary annular seal rings at an axially rearward location relative to the primary annular seal ring. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising operably coupling the primary annular seal ring and the secondary annular seal ring to a housing operably coupled to the stationary component. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 operably coupling a plate member to the stationary component,   disposing the primary annular seal ring within a slot of the plate member; and   extending the secondary annular seal ring to a seal radial location at least as close in proximity to the outer surface of the rotor as a plate member radial location.