Seal assembly and rotary machine containing such seal assembly

摘要

Seal segments (22) are formed along circumference of channel (20) of a casing (16) movable between radially inward and outward positions. A resilient and imperforate spring (40) is engaged in each surface groove (34) between adjacent segments, where in the grooves extend along a radial distance equal to atleast three quarters of the seal segments. The rotor has a generally longitudinally extending axis (18). Circumferentially adjacent seal segments have opposing and generally matching surface grooves. Resilient and imperforate springs made of spring steel having a C shape or W shape are engaged in the grooves. The springs urge apart the adjacent seal segments which have several rows of labyrinth seal path (44) and also several brush seal bristles (46) which provide the primary sealing.