Sealing assembly for use in turbomachines and method of assembling same

Abstract

A method of assembling a sealing assembly for a turbomachine is provided. The method includes positioning at least one sealing element that includes a substantially tortuous flow path defined therein within at least one channel defined in a rotatable element of the turbomachine. The sealing element is extended circumferentially about the rotatable element such that the sealing element extends into a cavity defined between the rotatable element and a stationary element. This facilitates substantially reducing flow leakage from an upstream region of the cavity to a downstream region of the cavity.

1 . A method of assembling a sealing assembly for use in a turbomachine, said method comprising:
 positioning at least one sealing element that includes a substantially tortuous flow path defined therein within at least one channel defined in a rotatable element of the turbomachine; and   extending the at least one sealing element circumferentially about the rotatable element such that the at least one sealing element extends into a cavity defined between the rotatable element and a stationary element to facilitate substantially reducing flow leakage from an upstream region of the cavity to a downstream region of the cavity.   
     
     
         2 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising inserting the at least one sealing element at least partially within the at least one channel such that said sealing element extends radially outward from the at least one channel. 
     
     
         3 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising forming the at least one sealing element integrally with the rotatable element. 
     
     
         4 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said positioning at least one sealing element further comprises positioning at least one sealing element substantially centered within the at least one channel. 
     
     
         5 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising:
 positioning an upstream portion of the at least one sealing element to extend axially from a centerline of the at least one channel; and 
 positioning a downstream portion of the at least one sealing element to extend axially from the channel centerline. 
 
     
     
         6 . A method in accordance with  claim 5  further comprising extending a first portion of the at least one sealing element axially from the channel centerline in a first direction; and
 extending a second portion of the at least one sealing element axially from the channel centerline in an opposite direction than first portion. 
 
     
     
         7 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said positioning at least one sealing element further comprises positioning at least one sealing element having a substantially sinusoidal shape within the at least one channel. 
     
     
         8 . A sealing assembly for use in a turbomachine, said sealing assembly comprising at least one sealing element that comprises a substantially tortuous flow path defined therein, wherein said at least one sealing element is sized and shaped to be positioned within at least one channel defined in a rotatable element of said turbomachine, said at least one sealing element substantially circumscribes said rotatable element such that said at least one sealing element extends into a cavity defined between the rotatable element and a stationary element to facilitate substantially reducing flow leakage from an upstream region of said cavity to a downstream region of said cavity. 
     
     
         9 . A sealing assembly in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein said at least one sealing element is sized and shaped to be positioned within said channel such that said at least one sealing element extends radially outward from said at least one channel. 
     
     
         10 . A sealing assembly in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein said at least one sealing element is at least partially inserted within said at least one channel. 
     
     
         11 . A sealing assembly in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein said at least one sealing element is integrally formed with said rotatable element. 
     
     
         12 . A sealing assembly in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein said at least one sealing element is substantially centered within said at least one channel. 
     
     
         13 . A sealing assembly in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein said at least one sealing element comprises an upstream portion extending axially from a centerline of said at least one channel and a downstream portion extending axially from said channel centerline. 
     
     
         14 . A sealing assembly in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein said at least one sealing element further comprises:
 a first portion extending axially from said channel centerline in a first direction; and   a second portion extending axially from said channel centerline in an opposite direction than said first portion.   
     
     
         15 . A sealing assembly in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein said at least one sealing element has a substantially sinusoidal shape. 
     
     
         16 . A turbomachine comprising:
 a rotatable element having at least one channel defined circumferentially therein;   a stationary element that at least partially circumscribes said rotatable element such that said stationary element and said rotatable element at least partially define a cavity therebetween; and   at least one sealing element comprising a substantially tortuous flow path defined therein, wherein said at least one sealing element is sized and shaped to be positioned within said at least one channel, said at least one sealing element substantially circumscribes said rotatable element to facilitate substantially reducing flow leakage from an upstream region of said cavity to a downstream region of said cavity.   
     
     
         17 . A turbomachine in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein said at least one sealing element is substantially centered within said at least one channel. 
     
     
         18 . A turbomachine in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein said at least one sealing element comprises an upstream portion extending axially from a centerline of said at least one channel and a downstream portion extending axially from said channel centerline. 
     
     
         19 . A turbomachine in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein said at least one sealing element further comprises:
 a first portion extending axially from said channel centerline in a first direction; and   a second portion extending axially from said channel centerline in an opposite direction than said first portion.   
     
     
         20 . A turbomachine in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein said at least one sealing element has a substantially sinusoidal shape.