RTX Corporation
Controlled contact surface for a secondary seal in a non-contact seal assembly

Abstract:

A rotational equipment assembly includes a plurality of seal shoes, a seal base, a plurality of spring elements and a secondary seal assembly. The seal shoes are arranged circumferentially around an axial centerline and include a first seal shoe. The first seal shoe includes a first seal shoe base and a first seal shoe rib that projects axially out from the first seal shoe base to an axial distal end of the first seal shoe rib. The seal base extends circumferentially around the axial centerline. The spring elements include a first spring element that connects and extends between the first seal shoe and the seal base. The secondary seal assembly is configured to seal a gap between the seal base and the seal shoes. The secondary seal assembly includes a free floating seal plate that axially contacts and is configured to slide radially along the first seal shoe rib.