Inventors:
Ernest W. Wilcox - Lake Park FL
Jack W. Wilson - West Palm Beach FL
Assignee:
United Technologies Corporation - Hartford CT
International Classification:
F16J 1534, F16J 1540
Abstract:
A seal between co-rotating, opposed annular surfaces of interconnected elements comprises a multi-filament wire rope disposed within an annular groove formed at the interface between the two surfaces, the groove being wedge-shaped in cross-section, one side of the wedge being formed by each element. The wire rope is forced into sealing relationship with the groove surfaces along its entire length by centrifugal forces. The multi-filament wire rope has improved sealing capability over solid, single filament wire seals of the prior art. The seal is particularly well suited for use in the hot turbine section of a gas turbine engine and is resistent to damage and failures due to multiple engine cycles.