METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVING THE AIRSEALING EFFECTIVENESS IN A TURBINE ENGINE

摘要

A method for improving the effectiveness of a labyrinth seal (40) between coannular components (22, 30) in a turbine engine (10) includes reconfiguring one of the components to provide means for receiving and retaining a replaceable brush seal (60) and installing the brush seal so that the seal bristles impede the leakage of air through an intercomponent gap (41). In the preferred embodiment the reconfiguring step is applied to a hollow, cylindrical barrel (30) and includes machining the barrel to reduce its axial length and its wall thickness and also includes attaching a retainer (52). The retainer cooperates with the barrel to define a groove (56) within which the brush seal is trapped radially and axially. The brush seal slides circumferentially within the groove to facilitate seal installation and removal. The invention dispenses with the need to carry out an expensive and time consuming replacement or renovation of the worn labyrinth seal.