Spring loaded seal assembly for turbines

Abstract

A spring loaded seal assembly is disclosed for sealing a gap between adjacent turbine components. The seal assembly may generally include a turbine seal and a spring member. The turbine seal may extend between the adjacent turbine components and may be configured to seal the gap defined between the turbine components. The spring member may be configured to engage the turbine seal so as to maintain the seal in sealing engagement with the adjacent turbine components.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A spring loaded seal assembly for sealing a fluid leakage gap between adjacent turbine components, the spring loaded seal assembly comprising:
 a turbine seal extending between aligned seal grooves defined in adjacent stationary turbine components, said turbine seal configured to seal a fluid leakage gap defined between said turbine components; and   at least one spring member configured to maintain said turbine seal in sealing engagement with said turbine components, said at least one spring member extending between said aligned seal grooves and being attached to said turbine seal.   
     
     
         2 . The spring loaded seal assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one spring member is biased against a forward surface of said aligned seal grooves. 
     
     
         3 . The spring loaded seal assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one spring member is bowed along its length. 
     
     
         4 . The spring loaded seal assembly of  claim 3 , wherein said at least one spring member is attached to a side of said turbine seal such that said at least one spring member is bowed concavely with respect to said side. 
     
     
         5 . The spring loaded seal assembly of  claim 3 , wherein said at least one spring member is attached to a side of said turbine seal such that said at least one spring member is bowed convexly with respect to said side. 
     
     
         6 . The spring loaded seal assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one spring member comprises a horizontal segment attached to said turbine seal and first and second arms extending from said horizontal segment, said first and second arms being biased against a forward surface of said aligned seal grooves. 
     
     
         7 . The spring loaded seal assembly of  claim 6 , wherein said first and second arms extend from said horizontal segment at an acute angle. 
     
     
         8 . The spring loaded seal assembly of  claim 6 , wherein said first and second arms are formed from a resilient material. 
     
     
         9 . The spring loaded seal assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one spring member extends longitudinally along the length of said turbine seal. 
     
     
         10 . The spring loaded seal assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one spring member is configured as a leaf spring. 
     
     
         11 . The spring loaded seal assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one spring member is segmented along its length.