Patent ID: 7052240
Filing Date: 2006-05-30
Classification: F01D,F05D

Abstract:
1. A seal assembly for a turbine comprising: a turbine wheel having a plurality of wheelposts circumferentially spaced from one another about a periphery of said wheel defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced generally axially extending grooves, said wheel having a generally annular projection extending axially from a first face thereof interrupted by the grooves; a spacer having an annular arm engaging said interrupted projection; a plurality of turbine buckets each having an airfoil and a base, said bases being disposed in said grooves, each said base having an axial projection radially overlying and radially spaced from said arm; an annular surface of said arm and axial faces of said wheelposts and said bucket bases radially inwardly of said projection defining an annular cavity; and a seal disposed in said cavity and in sealing engagement with generally axially opposed wall portions of said arm and wall portions of said axial faces of said wheelposts and bucket bases in response to centrifugal forces on said seal upon rotation of the wheel, buckets and spacer.