Patent ID: 9046179
Filing Date: 2015-06-02
Classification: F01D,F05D,F16J

Abstract:
1. An axial seal structure in which multiple thin sheet seal pieces are arranged within an annular space between an outer peripheral surface of a rotating shaft and a casing surrounding a periphery of the rotating shaft with a minute gap between each of the multiple thin sheet seal pieces in a circumferential direction of the rotating shaft such that respective thickness directions of the multiple thin sheet seal pieces are directed towards the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft, radial inner ends of the multiple thin sheet seal pieces are free ends, and radial outer ends of the multiple thin sheet seal pieces are coupled together and divide the annular space into a high-pressure-side region and a low-pressure-side region in an axial direction of the rotating shaft, the axial seal structure comprising: a high-pressure-side regulating device that is arranged within the annular space and configured to regulate the flow of a fluid from the high-pressure-side region to the multiple thin sheet seal pieces along a high pressure side of the multiple thin sheet seal pieces and along the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft, wherein the high-pressure-side regulating device has multiple wires that are flexible and densely arranged in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft, wherein respective longitudinal directions of the multiple wires face a direction having a radial component of the rotating shaft, wherein tips that are respective radial inner ends of the multiple wires are free ends, and are in close proximity to or in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft, wherein base ends that are respective radial outer ends of the multiple wires are coupled together and sandwiched between a wire base formed from two plates, the wire base being fitted to a high-pressure-side recess of each of the multiple thin sheet seal pieces, and wherein the base ends of the multiple wires are coupled together such that adjacent ones of the multiple wires in the circumferential direction are in contact with each other at least partially in the longitudinal directions.