CIRCUMFERENTIAL SEAL WITH CERAMIC RUNNER

摘要

The disclosure describes a circumferential seal (46) applicable to turbine engines. The circumferential seal (46) includes a ceramic runner (52), an annular seal ring (49), at least one tolerance ring (70, 71), and a pair of sealing rings (68, 69). The runner (52) is circumscribed about a shaft (57) or a carrier (91) within a recess (98) along the shaft (57) and is bounded by a shoulder (55 or 92) and a clamping ring (74). At least one non-sealing spring mechanism (58 or 88) is disposed between and directly contacts the shoulder (55 or 92) and the first end (53) of the runner (52). A second end (54) of the runner (52) directly contacts the clamping ring (74). In other embodiments, at least one non-sealing spring mechanism (58 or 88) is disposed between and directly contacts the second end (54) and the clamping ring (74) and the first end (53) directly contacts the shoulder (55 or 92). An anti-rotation element (76, 89, or 96) is attached to the clamping ring (74), carrier (91), or shaft 57 and extends into a slot (78) or hole or slot (97) along the runner (52). The spring(s) (58 or 88) applies a biasing force (99) onto the runner (52) toward the clamping ring (74) or shoulder (55 or 92). The annular seal ring (49) is rotationally stationary and circumscribed about the runner (52). The tolerance ring(s) (70, 71) directly contacts the runner (52) and the shaft (57). The runner (52) is fixed to the shaft (57) or carrier (91) via the tolerance ring(s) (70, 71), anti-rotation element (76, 89, or 96), and spring(s) (58 or 88) so that the runner (52) rotates with the shaft (57). The sealing rings (68, 69) directly contact the runner (52) and the shaft (57) along the annular gap (72) about the tolerance ring(s) (70, 71).