Patent ID: 6435514
Filing Date: 2002-08-20
Classification: F16J

Abstract:
Apparatus for minimizing fluid leakage between two components separated by a gap, comprising.a brush seal carried by one of said components for disposition between the two components and including a plurality of bristles projecting from said brush seal and having free ends terminating in bristle tips in engagement with the other of said components so as to seal the gap between said components, said brush seal being mounted for movement relative to said one component and toward and away from said other component; a member disposed between said one component and said brush seal and responsive to heat applied to said member so as to expand or contract, when heat is applied or removed, respectively, thereby displacing said brush seal relative to said one component toward or away from said another component, respectively; a heating element for applying heat to said member wherein said heating element comprises an electrically actuated element; and a circuit for controllably energizing said electrically actuated heating element.