This paper introduces a variant on the honeycomb-stator seal, which can extend the already strong stabilizing influence of this seal geometry for centrifugal compressors. The paper presents predicted and measured dynamic characteristics, demonstrating how a clearance, which diverges axially from inlet to outlet, increases the maximum effective damping of a honeycomb-stator seal, even though the average clearance is increased. The results also show a strong negative direct stiffness at zero and low frequency for this seal geometry (termed the “diverging taper honeycomb seal (DTHCS)”). The predictions are made with ISOTSEAL, software developed at The Texas A&M Turbomachinery Laboratory. (This code was developed within the Turbomachinery Laboratory and is not a commercial product (not for sale).) The test data, also obtained at the Turbomachinery Laboratory, confirm the nature and magnitude of both these dynamic characteristics with close fidelity. However, measured leakage falls significantly below predicted leakage. The frequency dependence of the seal dynamic characteristics and the strong negative static stiffness require careful attention in rotor dynamics analysis.
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e-mail: tony@tonysmalleyconsulting.com
e-mail: Massimo.camatti@np.ge.com
e-mail: dchilds@turbo-lab.tamu.edu
e-mail: jhollingsworth@swri.org
e-mail: Giuseppe.vannini@np.ge.com
e-mail: jcarter@swri.org
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October 2006
Technical Papers
Dynamic Characteristics of the Diverging Taper Honeycomb-Stator Seal
Anthony J. Smalley,
Anthony J. Smalley
Mechanical and Materials Engineering Division,
e-mail: tony@tonysmalleyconsulting.com
Southwest Research Institute
, P.O. Drawer 28510, San Antonio, TX 78228-0510
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Massimo Camatti,
Massimo Camatti
Turbocompressors & Steam Turbines Division,
e-mail: Massimo.camatti@np.ge.com
Nuovo Pignone
, Via Felice Matteucci, 2 Firenze, 50127 Italy
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Dara W. Childs,
Dara W. Childs
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Turbomachinery Laboratory,
e-mail: dchilds@turbo-lab.tamu.edu
Texas A&M University
, College Station, TX 77843-3254
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Justin R. Hollingsworth,
Justin R. Hollingsworth
Mechanical and Materials Engineering Division,
e-mail: jhollingsworth@swri.org
Southwest Research Institute
, P.O. Drawer 28510, San Antonio, TX 78228-0510
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Giuseppe Vannini,
Giuseppe Vannini
Turbocompressors & Steam Turbines Division,
e-mail: Giuseppe.vannini@np.ge.com
Nuovo Pignone
, Via Felice Matteucci, 2 Firenze, 50127 Italy
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Jeremy J. Carter
Jeremy J. Carter
Engine and Vehicle Research Division,
e-mail: jcarter@swri.org
Southwest Research Institute
, P.O. Drawer 28510, San Antonio, TX 78228-0510
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Anthony J. Smalley
Mechanical and Materials Engineering Division,
Southwest Research Institute
, P.O. Drawer 28510, San Antonio, TX 78228-0510e-mail: tony@tonysmalleyconsulting.com
Massimo Camatti
Turbocompressors & Steam Turbines Division,
Nuovo Pignone
, Via Felice Matteucci, 2 Firenze, 50127 Italye-mail: Massimo.camatti@np.ge.com
Dara W. Childs
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Turbomachinery Laboratory,
Texas A&M University
, College Station, TX 77843-3254e-mail: dchilds@turbo-lab.tamu.edu
Justin R. Hollingsworth
Mechanical and Materials Engineering Division,
Southwest Research Institute
, P.O. Drawer 28510, San Antonio, TX 78228-0510e-mail: jhollingsworth@swri.org
Giuseppe Vannini
Turbocompressors & Steam Turbines Division,
Nuovo Pignone
, Via Felice Matteucci, 2 Firenze, 50127 Italye-mail: Giuseppe.vannini@np.ge.com
Jeremy J. Carter
Engine and Vehicle Research Division,
Southwest Research Institute
, P.O. Drawer 28510, San Antonio, TX 78228-0510e-mail: jcarter@swri.org
J. Turbomach. Oct 2006, 128(4): 717-724 (8 pages)
Published Online: March 1, 2004
Article history
Received:
October 1, 2003
Revised:
March 1, 2004
Citation
Smalley, A. J., Camatti, M., Childs, D. W., Hollingsworth, J. R., Vannini, G., and Carter, J. J. (March 1, 2004). "Dynamic Characteristics of the Diverging Taper Honeycomb-Stator Seal." ASME. J. Turbomach. October 2006; 128(4): 717–724. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2218891
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