Gas turbine engine seal and corresponding passive sealing clearance control system

摘要

A seal for restricting leakage of a fluid through a gap disposed between rotating and stationary components concentrically aligned within a gas turbine engine comprises a sealing member (42) and a land (44). The sealing member (42) is positioned on either the rotating or stationary component of the gas turbine engine and closes a gap between the rotating member (28) and the stationary member (23C). The land (44) is positioned opposite the sealing member (42) on either the rotating or stationary component of the gas turbine engine such that a clearance height is provided between the sealing member (42) and the land (44). In one embodiment, the land (44) is geometrically shaped according to expected changes in the gap and relative axial position of the sealing member (42) and land (44) during operation of the gas turbine engine. The sealing member (42) and the land (44) are positioned with respect to each other so that the clearance height is maintained approximately constant during operation of the gas turbine engine.