Reverse Pressure Capable Finger Seal (Preprint)

摘要

Current pressure balanced finger seals are designed to be operated with the axial pressure difference across the seal acting in one direction. This limits their application and prevents finger seals from being used in locations where the axial pressure differential may reverse. Currently, the typical solution for locations requiring reverse capable sealing are labyrinth seals which can exhibit significantly higher leakage than finger seals as well as more degradation due to rubbing against the seal land. In this paper we discuss the application of two separate stacks of finger seal laminates oriented in axially opposed directions thereby providing sealing in both directions.