Leaf Seal Arrangement

Abstract

A leaf seal arrangement is provided in which within a housing there are edge portions to inter associate with non parallel chamfer edges in leaf seal elements. In such circumstances, deflection of the leaf seal elements in an outward direction or inward direction relative to a rotating shaft creates variation in a control gap X, XX between the edges and the chamfer edge. Such increase or decrease in the control gap X, XX adjusts the aerodynamic radial force that is presented to the leaf seal elements whereby those elements can be more accurately maintained at a desired leaf position for optimizing leakage whilst achieving better wear resistance performance.

1 - 9 . (canceled)  
   
   
       10 . A leaf seal arrangement comprising leaf seal elements projected within a housing, at least some of the leaf seal elements having an edge chamfer and the housing having an edge portion associated with the edge chamfer whereby, in use, deflection of the leaf seals varies any control gap between the edge chamfers and the edge portion to vary the resistance by the leaf seal element to deflection.  
   
   
       11 . An arrangement as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the leaf seal elements project radially within the housing.  
   
   
       12 . An arrangement as claimed in  claim 10  wherein all the leaf seal elements have the same chamfer edge whereby opposite sides of the leaf seal are not parallel with one another.  
   
   
       13 . An arrangement as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the edge chamfer is a straight inward truncation or outward slope from the leaf seal.  
   
   
       14 . An arrangement as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the edge portion of the housing comprises an inward bulbous foot directed towards the edge chamfer.  
   
   
       15 . An arrangement as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the leaf seal elements are angularly presented within the housing in use towards a rotating shaft.  
   
   
       16 . An arrangement as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the edge portion is normally arranged in use to be at a high pressure side of the arrangement.  
   
   
       17 . A leaf seal combination comprising a plurality of leaf seal arrangements as claimed in  claim 10 .  
   
   
       18 . An engine incorporating a leaf seal arrangement as claimed in  claim 10 .  
   
   
       19 . An engine incorporating a leaf seal combination as claimed in  claim 17.