Sealing arrangement

Abstract

A sealing arrangement, for example between adjacent nozzle guide vane platform segments (2A, 2B) in a gas turbine engine, comprises a seal (12) which extends across a gap (13) between the platform segments (2A, 2B) and engages, at opposite ends, in grooves (8A, 8B). The seal (12) comprises a web element (14) having recesses (20A, 20B) at its opposite edges, which receive sealing elements (16A, 16B). The sealing elements (16A, 16B) may comprise a braided amorphous silica yarn or other filamentary temperature-resistant material.

Description

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a nozzle guide vane segment including inner and outer platform segments;

FIG. 2 shows a sealing arrangement between two adjacent platform segments;

FIG. 3 shows a seal of the sealing arrangement of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows an alternative form of seal; and

FIG. 5 shows a portion of the seal of FIG. 3.

Claims

1. A sealing arrangement between first and second components arranged side by side comprising a first component formed with a groove which opens towards the second component, a second component formed with a groove which opens towards the first component, and a seal member which extends between the components comprising a web element having a first side thereof located in the groove in the first component, and a second side opposite the first side located in the groove in the second component, the seal element being formed with a first recess along the first side and a second recess along the second side, and compressible sealing elements located in each of the first and second recesses such that said compressible sealing elements make sealing engagement with the interior of the grooves in the first and second components.

2. A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 1, in which each compressible sealing element is located in a respective groove with its surface partly exposed so that, in operation, the exposed surface of the element directly contacts an interior of the surface of the respective groove.

3. A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 1, in which at least one of the sealing elements and the respective recess have cooperating shapes which cause the sealing element to be retained in the recess.

4. A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 1, in which at least one of the sealing elements is bonded into the respective recess.

5. A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 1, in which at least one of the sealing elements has a generally circular cross-section when uncompressed.

6. A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 1, in which at least one of the sealing elements has a flat surface, when uncompressed, which engages the respective groove surface.

7. A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 1, in which at least one of the sealing elements comprises a bundled yarn.

8. A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 7, in which the sealing element comprises a braided yarn.

9. A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 7, in which the sealing element is made from a material which predominantly comprises amorphous silica yarn.

10. A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 1, in which at least one of the sealing elements is made from a material capable of withstanding a temperature in excess of 900° C.

11. A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 1, in which the web element is made from a metallic material.

12. A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 11, in which the web element is made from steel strip.

13. A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 2, in which at least one of the sealing elements and the respective recess have cooperating shapes which cause the sealing element to be retained in the recess.

14. A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 8, in which the sealing element is made from a material which predominantly comprises amorphous silica yarn.