Patent ID: 8794633
Filing Date: 2014-08-05
Classification: F02C,F16J

Abstract:
1. A leaf seal assembly for providing a fluidic seal between a first member and a second member, comprising: first and second cover plates defining a channel therebetween, wherein the first cover plate comprises a first inner edge and a shoulder that extends into the channel, and wherein the second cover plate comprises a second inner edge; a plurality of leaf elements located within the channel, wherein each leaf element comprises: first and second leaf edges adjacent to the first and second cover plates, respectively; and a step portion corresponding to the shoulder of the first cover plate, and wherein a projecting portion of each leaf element extends beyond the first and second inner edges; and a first gap between the first leaf edges of the plurality of leaf elements and an inner surface of the first cover plate and a second gap between the second leaf edges of the plurality of leaf elements and an inner surface of the second cover plate, wherein the size of the first gap and the size of the second gap are selected such that, when the seal assembly is located between a first member and a second member, the plurality of leaf elements (i) move away from the first member to create a fluid passage between the plurality of leaf elements and the first member when subjected to a fluid flow in a first direction from the first cover plate side of the seal assembly to the second cover plate side of the seal assembly, thereby allowing fluid to flow through the seal in the first direction; and (ii) move towards the first member such that a third leaf edge of the projecting portion of each of the plurality of leaf elements contacts the first member when subjected to a fluid flow in a second direction from the second cover plate side of the seal assembly to the first cover plate side of the assembly, thereby opposing the flow of fluid through the seal in the second direction, and wherein when there is fluid flow in the second direction, the step portion of each of the leaf elements contacts the shoulder of the first cover plate.