Patent ID: 6079945
Filing Date: 2000-06-27
Classification: F01D,F16J

Abstract:
A brush seal for generally sealing a leakage gap which extends radially between a rotor and a circumferentially-surrounding stator and which extends longitudinally between a higher pressure area and a lower pressure area, said brush seal comprising:a) a seal housing attached to said stator and having a first surface which is generally planar;b) a plurality of bristles defining a bristle packet, wherein said bristle packet has a fixed end which is attached to said seal housing, a free end which extends beyond said seal housing, and a first side which is generally planar and which is generally parallel to, and perpendicularly offset from, said first surface of said seal housing, wherein said first side of said bristle packet faces towards said lower pressure area and away from said higher pressure area, and wherein said free end of said bristle packet extends towards, and makes contact with, said rotor;c) a seal member slideably-attached to said seal housing, wherein said seal member has a first surface portion which is generally planar and which is generally parallel to, and slideably in contact with, said first surface of said seal housing, and wherein said seal member has a second surface portion which is generally planar and which is generally parallel to, and slideably in contact with, said first side of said bristle packet; andd) a mechanical spring disposed in compression between said seal housing and said seal member, wherein the mechanical spring does not bias the seal member into contact with the rotor.