US3559725A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Foil seal for rotating heat exchangers of gas turbine engines
Assignee: Ford Motor Co
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Filing: 1969-10-10
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Granted: 1971-02-02
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Expires: 1989-10-10
Abstract
Abstract A flexible metal foil has its longitudinal edges inserted into slots cut into a shoe rubbing on a rotating regenerator core. The intermediate portion of the foil bows outwardly away from the shoe and bears against the engine housing. Gas pressure is admitted to the space between the foil and the shoe to maintain the foil in contact with the housing and the walls of the slots. The seal readily absorbs thermally induced dimensional changes between the core, shoe, foil and housing.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael A Pulick
- 👤 John J Trudeau
- 👤 James K Vallance
- 👤 Carlo A Fucinari
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:19
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28D; F28D19/00; F28D19/04; F28D19/047; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S165/00; Y10S165/009; Y10S165/013; Y10S165/016; Y10S165/017
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
In a gas turbine engine having a regenerator rotating in a housing with sectors of said regenerator being subjected to gas streams of differing pressures, a sealing means for said regenerator comprising; a shoe positioned between said housing and said regenerator with one surface of said shoe sliding against said regenerator and the other surface facing said housing, said shoe being nonrotatable with respect to said housing, the surface of said shoe facing said housing having a pair of laterally spaced longitudinal slots therein; and flexible foil means having its longitudinal portions inserted into said slots so the intermediate portion of said foil means bows resiliently away from the surface of said shoe, said intermediate portion of said foil means contacting said housing to provide a seal between said housing and said regenerator, said foil means absorbing changes in the spacing between the housing and the shoe.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
In a gas turbine engine having a regenerator rotating in a housing with sectors of said regenerator being subjected to gas streams of differing pressures, a sealing means for said regenerator comprising; a shoe positioned between said housing and said regenerator with one surface of said shoe sliding against said regenerator and the other surface facing said housing, said shoe being nonrotatable with respect to said housing, the surface of said shoe facing said housing having a pair of laterally spaced longitudinal slots therein; and flexible foil means having its longitudinal portions inserted into said slots so the intermediate portion of said foil means bows resiliently away from the surface of said shoe, said intermediate portion of said foil means contacting said housing to provide a seal between said housing and said regenerator, said foil means absorbing changes in the spacing between the housing and the shoe.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The engine of claim 1 in which the slots extend into the shoe at diverging angles and the longitudinal portions of said foil means fit loosely in said slots.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The engine of claim 2 comprising means for transmitting the gas pressure of one of said sectors into the space defined by the foil means and the surface of the shoe, said gas pressure assisting in maintaining the intermediate portion of the foil means in contact with the housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
The engine of claim 3 comprising openings in said seals for flowing relatively cool gas from a gas stream of higher pressure through the space defined by the foil means and the surface of a shoe to a gas stream of lower pressure, said gas removing heat from the foil and the shoe to reduce the operating temperature thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
The engine of claim 4 in which one longitudinal edge of said foil means is folded back over itself to project outwardly, said folded edge being inserted into an enlarged slot in said shoe, the end of said folded edge bearing against said housing approximately adjacent the highest point of the bow of the foil means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
The engine of claim 1 comprising openings in said seals for flowing relatively cool gas from a gas stream of higher pressure through the space defined by the foil means and the surface of a shoe to a gas stream of lower pressure, said gas removing heat from the foil and the shoe to reduce the operating temperature thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
The engine of claim 1 in which one longitudinal edge of said foil means is folded back over itself to project outwardly, said folded edge being inserted into an enlarged slot in said shoe, the end of said folded edge bearing against said housing approximately adjacent the highest point of the bow of the foil means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-02-01 | 1974-08-03 | 1975-02-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-02-01 | 1978-08-03 | 1979-02-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-02-01 | 1982-08-03 | 1983-02-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |