USOO6682O77B1

(12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 6,682,077 B1

(54) LABYRINTH SEAL FOR DISC TURBINE 3,610,387 A * 10/1971 Vom Stein ................... 193/37
3,755,870 A * 9/1973 Young et al. ............ 29/898.11
(76) Inventor: Guy Louis Letourneau, 33470 4,199,154 A 4/1980 Mueller ...................... 277/420
Chinook Plz., Scappoose, OR (US) 4.277,114. A 7/1981 Lindegger ................... 384/144
97.056 s s 4,304,310 A 12/1981 Garrett ....................... 175/195
4,895,460 A 1/1990 Grzina ....................... 384/132
-- - - 4.955,462 A * 9/1990 Bilodeau et al. .............. 193/37
(*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this 5,676,472 A * 10/1997 Solomon et al. ............ 384/607
patent is extended or adjusted under 35
U.S.C. 154(b) by 65 days. * cited by examiner
(21) Appl. No.: 10/075,467 Primary Examiner Anthony Knight
(22) Filed: Feb. 13, 2002 Assistant Examiner E Peavey
Related U.S. Application Data (57) ABSTRACT
(60) pyisional application No. 60/268,605, filed on Feb. 14, A disc turbine has a rotor assembly of Spaced apart discs
with at least one disc equipped with an annular labyrinth Seal
(51) Int. Cl. ............................................... F16J 15/447 whose grooves interdigitate with a corresponding labyrinth
(52) U.S. Cl. ....................... 277/412; 277/409; 277/411; Seal mounted in the Sidewall of the rotor housing. A pattern
277/418; 277/420; 277/421 of aligned through holes in the rotor housing and the rotor
(58) Field of Search ................................. 277/409, 411 housing Seal assist in the axial and concentric alignment of
277/412,418, 419, 420, 421,321 the rotary assembly with respect to the Stationary assembly,
and the inspection of Same, and provide access through at
(56) References Cited least one Sensing port to working fluid proximal to the Seal
entrance.
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
3,085,809 A * 4/1963 Cooper ....................... 277/415 13 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
U.S. Patent Jan. 27, 2004 Sheet 1 of 3 US 6,682,077 B1

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PRIOR ART
Fig. 6A
 US 6,682,077 B1
1 2
LABYRINTH SEAL FOR DISC TURBINE unfortunately generates foreign matter Such as material
chips or Swarf, which must be removed or contained by
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED Some additional Sealing Stratagem. A relative alignment shift
APPLICATIONS of the complimentary Sides of the Seal releases more foreign
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional matter; should this occur while the turbine is running, Said
Patent Application 60/268,605, filed Feb. 14, 2001. foreign matter may diffuse into the working fluid and be
carried off and deposited at unwanted locations.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Tesla in U.S. Pat. No. 1,329,559 discloses a device which
1. Field of the Invention impedes fluid flow by means of a series of labyrinthine
This invention relates to a disc turbine rotor assembly passages which turn the fluid flow back on itself. In this
equipped with at least one labyrinth Seal whose concentric device, Violent eddies are produced which Substantially
Sealing rings interdigitate with a corresponding features of a impede fluid flow in an unwanted direction.
labyrinth Seal mounted in the Sidewall of the rotor housing, A disadvantage inherent in the prior art is that following
and affordances which assist in assembly alignment and 15
final assembly of a turbine rotor in its housing it becomes
inspection, positional verification, and which provide acceSS difficult to assess whether the rotational components con
to working fluid in the immediate vicinity of the labyrinth tained in the inner chamber of the housing are properly
Seal for Sensing or Sampling. centered. One prior art method of eliminating concentricity
2. Description of the Related Art errors consists of turning the end rotor and rotor Seal glands
out of a single mass of material. The disadvantages of this
Turbines comprised of Spaced-apart rotor discS were first method include increased machining time required to make
described by Nikola Tesla in U.S. Pat. No. 1,061,142 and Such a part, and a significant increase in material waste
1,061206. For this reason, these turbines are sometimes driven by the larger volume of material which must first be
referred to as Tesla turbines, but are alternatively known as Secured and then removed. Both of these factors detrimen
Prandtl layer turbines, boundary layer turbines, cohesion tally increase the cost of Such a part.
type turbines, and bladeleSS turbines. 25
The turbine rotor consists of a Stack of discS spaced apart SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
and fixed to a rotatable shaft. The rotor assembly is con Experimentation has shown, and commonly published
tained in a housing closely fitted to the perimeter of the tables of discharge coefficients Show, that abrupt Squared-off
discs. The discS have vents near the center, and the housing passages, Sharp edges, and abrupt changes of flow croSS
includes at least one outlet near the center. In operation, an Sections also sharply reduce fluid flow. For the purposes of
energetic fluid at preSSure and temperature is introduced at this specification, the term “re-entrant corner' shall be used
the periphery of the disc Stack and contained in a housing to define an edge interface between two Surfaces that meet
which closely follows the perimeter of the discs. The fluid at a dihedral angle. The inventive labyrinth Seal impedes
passes between the discS and exits the Stack assembly 35 fluid flow acroSS the outside face of an end disc by forcing
through vents near the center, leaving the housing through its the fluid through a Sequence of Sharp-edged features and
outlets.
Squared-off or re-entrant corners which effect abrupt
The tangential flow component of the working fluid changes in fluid direction and Sectional flow areas, as well
creates centripetal force within the working fluid, which as abrupt and turbulent changes in momentum, Velocity and
must be overcome by additional fluid entering the housing. 40 preSSure in the fluid attempting to pass through the Seal. The
Therefore, in the Steady State, a significant drop in pressure Second law of thermodynamics reveals that Such changes of
exists between the inlet and the outlet of the machine. fluid State waste internal energy. Such dissipation of internal
For a turbine that introduces working fluid at the periph energy is a Source of resistance to fluid flow.
ery of the rotor assembly and exhausts Said fluid axially The inventive labyrinth seal complicates the flow pattern
through outlets near the center, any portion of the working 45 by varying the dimensions of adjacent portions of the
fluid allowed to circumvent the rim of an end disc will passage defined between the Seal elements Such that passage
traverse the outward facing Surface of the end disc and portions having a Small Sectional flow area are followed by
escape through the outlet, and will impart Significantly leSS passages with a greater Sectional flow area. Empirical for
momentum to the turbine rotor than the fluid which enters mulae commonly applied in the Science of fluid friction to
between a pair of discS and departs though the disc vents. 50 find fluid energy loSS parameterS Such as the Darcy friction
It is therefore understood that flow of working fluid across factor, relate frictional loSS to the Square of the flow Sectional
the outward facing Surface of an end disc represents a loSS area. Under this relation, in choosing between an area
of mechanical efficiency, and that methods and devices reduction of 5% and of 10% for example, marginal analysis
which impede fluid flow along this route are desirable and shows that the first 5% of area reduction will effect a 9.75%
useful, and represent advances in the State of the art. 55 loss effect, while the second 5% will effect an additional loss
Several prior art Solutions, including Burgess (U.S. Pat. effect of only 9.25%, with continually diminishing effect for
No. 6,000,701) for example, employ rubbing or wiping further degrees of flow Sectional area reduction. Thus, a
components which physically close the gap between the Sequence of Sectional flow area differences can be arranged
Stationary turbine housing and the rotating Surfaces of the to produce any desired energy loSS or impedance.
end disc or of the Shaft. However, physical contact increases 60 A labyrinth Seal in accordance with the present invention
rotational friction, impedes Starting, and introduces mainte has features on a rotating component that must be correctly
nance and wear issues and their concomitant costs of opera aligned with complimentary features on a Stationary com
tion. ponent in order to operate properly. The inventive labyrinth
Other solutions, such as Ackermann (U.S. Pat. No. 4,218, Seal includes inspection ports through the housing to ascer
066) require that a set of abrasive Surfaces on one part are 65 tain the proper assembly position and optimal adjustment
assembled So that they tear close-fitting running grooves into during the final Stages of assembly. The labyrinth Seal also
comparatively cancellous or friable material. This method provides both adjustable and centralizing features that coaxi
 US 6,682,077 B1
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ally align all Salient features of the rotating components to FIG. 4: Cross section of labyrinth seal components;
a first axis, and align all Salient features of the Stationary FIG. 5: Cross section of seal assembly with captured
housing components to a Second axis. hardware, and
Run-out and other errors of concentricity are inherent in FIGS. 6A and 6B: Prior art and improved rotor seal glands
any object containing features desired to be concentric. and components.
Means of adjustment permit an assembly Strategy capable of
counteracting the accumulation of radial dimensional and DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
radial positional errors in manufacture. It is also advanta PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
geous to afford adjustment to assembly concentricity and
axial position with the least degree of required disassembly. 1O According to the present invention as shown in FIG. 1, a
This is accomplished by means of a plurality of inspection disc turbine includes, among other components, an end wall
ports through which gages can be inserted to align the Seal 1 of the Stationary rotor housing, and an end disc 2) being
members to the housing during assembly. A plurality of the first or last of a Stacked Series of discs which rotate
counterSunk fastener openings in the housing receive within the turbine housing, affixed to a shaft 3 rotatably
complementary fasteners which can be tightened while the 15 coupled to the Stationary assembly by means of at least one
Seal member is aligned by the gages. The fastener openings bearing.
are enlarged relative to the fastener Shank to permit move Working fluid leaves the turbine through an exhaust port
ment of the Seal member relative to its mounting Surface. 4). In the preferred embodiment the housing end wall
Working fluid is accessible from a point substantially accepts a cover plate 7 which includes an exhaust port 4).
upstream from the final exit of the fluid past the innermost However, in a second embodiment the features in the cover
gland and into the exhaust through one or more of the plate are included in a single end wall component 1 which
inspection ports. The working fluid So Sampled represents an includes an exhaust port 4).
intermediate condition between the thermodynamic States of Fluid passing between the end wall 1 and the outer
the fluid at inlet and exhaust. The thermodynamic state of facing Surface of the end disc 2 must pass through a
such sampled matter will vary in similarity with the state of 25 labyrinth seal 5), which impedes said flow. Details of the
inaccessible working fluid within the turbine itself. Mea components and features of the labyrinth Seal are enlarged
Surements of its State and variations thereof can provide a and illustrated in FIG. 2.
useful means of investigating and controlling the operation Referring to FIG. 2, the end wall 1 and rotor disc 2)
of the mechanical System of which the turbine is a part. AS include opposed facing circular recesses, which respectively
an example, an automatic control System may include varia accept annular labyrinth seal members 9 and 8 respec
tions of pressure and temperature measured at this acceSS tively. These recesses include centralizing receiving features
point as disturbance inputs in an algorithm used to control a 10 and 11 respectively. In the preferred embodiment, the
combustion process upstream of the turbine, in order to receiving feature 10 of the housing is a taper feature which
Secure a System providing controllable power output and 35
accepts and coaxially aligns the annular housing Seal mem
predictable fuel consumption. ber 9 to its designated recess in the housing. In the
An object of the present invention is to provide a new and preferred embodiment, the receiving feature 11 of the end
improved labyrinth seal for a disc turbine that improves disc is a taper feature which accepts and coaxially aligns the
turbine efficiency by impeding in a manner free of rotational annular rotor Seal member 8 to its designated recess in the
friction, the flow of working fluid Seeking to escape acroSS 40
housing.
an outward-facing Surface of an end disc. Concentrating on the labyrinth seal members 8 and 9
Another object of the present invention is to provide a of FIG. 2, the housing seal member 9 axially extends a first
new and improved labyrinth seal for a disc turbine that plurality of cylindrical glands 13 in a direction facing the
permits inspection of the installed position of the compo rotor seal member 8). The rotor seal member 8 axially
nents of the labyrinth seal from outside the disc turbine 45 extends a second plurality of cylindrical glands 12 in the
housing. opposite direction, that is, towards the housing Seal member.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a Close proximity of the seal members effect that the first
new and improved labyrinth seal for a disc turbine that and Second pluralities of cylindrical glands mutually
compensates for cumulative dimensional variations, or tol interdigitate, forming a radially convoluted, Serpentine,
erance Stack up to maintain the concentricity of the 50 annular gap comprising alternating axial and radial direc
assembled components of the labyrinth Seal. tions.
A yet further object of the invention is to provide a new Continuing to examine FIG. 2, it is evident that fluid
and improved labyrinth Seal having means for adjusting at passing between the end wall1 and the Outer facing Surface
least Some components during a final assembly Stage, So that of the end disc 2 must next pass between labyrinth Seal
radial dimensional and radial positional errors in manufac 55 members 8 and 9). In doing so, the fluid is forced through
ture and assembly can be minimized. an alternation of radial and axial passages punctuated by
Finally, an object of this invention is to provide access to abrupt transitions. Fluid moving through this Sequence of
working fluid in the immediate vicinity of the labyrinth seal passages is Subjected to Substantial and reversing modes of
for Sensing or Sampling. transverse shear. Dissipative eddies and Vortices also arise,
60 especially along the root edges of re-entrant corners. The
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS resistance to flow exhibited by fluid in such turbulent
conditions Serves to attenuate Said flow, achieving the
FIG. 1: ASSembly including a rotor housing, end disc, and impedance objective of this invention.
labyrinth Seals; Although reductions and expansions of flow Sectional
FIG. 2: Detailed view of labyrinth seal components vis 65 area of as little as 5% may effect a change of the fluid energy
ible in FIG. 1; loss parameter of nearly 10%, FIG. 2 depicts the preferred
FIGS. 3A & 3B: Cross section views of labyrinth seals; embodiment in which the change is a reduction in flow
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sectional area by nearly 30%, reducing the value of the fluid The preferred assembly holds the gland features of rotor
energy loSS parameter by up to 49%. The change is seen seal member 8 concentric with shaft 3. It should further
Specifically in FIG. 2 by comparing the radial dimension of be understood that the adjustability afforded by this scheme
the gap on the left or right Sides of an end disc Sealing includes the ability to negate run-out inherent in rotor Seal
member gland 12 as nestled in between the housing Seal member 8, in this case being the concentricity of the center
glands 13, with the axial gap between the underside of the hole pattern in 8 accepting of the screws 43 versus
Surface of a housing Seal gland 13 and the floor of the the center axis defined by the glands of rotor Seal member
annular Surface of end disc Seal member 12. 8).
FIGS. 3A and 3B further illustrate the interdigitated Similarly, the housing seal member 9 is fastened to the
structure of the labyrinth seal. FIG. 3A illustrates a prior art end wall 1 by a plurality of threaded fasteners. The
design by Tesla. Gland wall features 21, 23, 25, 27 reside preferred embodiment shown includes a radial array of
on a housing Seal member, and features 22, 24, 26, 28 counterbored mounting holes 44 in end disc 2, each of
reside on a rotor Seal member. It is understood that the
features shown are part of a larger plurality extending which receive fasteners 45). In this illustration, a receiving
beyond the figure. aperture in the housing end wall 1 accepts housing Seal
15 member 9).
The Tesla design offerS Substantially Similar gaps between
pairs of opposed surfaces 21-22, 23-24, 25-26), and Also Similarly, by means of boring the mounting holes
27-28). Fluid flow through this device is rendered some 42 Sufficiently larger than fasteners 45 So as to accom
what turbulent during its excursion through the directional modate radial positioning errors, housing Seal member 9
changes of the gaps. may be located and fixed in a position concentric with Shaft
However, the present invention enhances the degree to 3 regardless of manufacturing run-out errors. Each fastener
which turbulence and flow attenuation is developed, by 45 in each hole 44 will individually locate and bear
Superimposing variances in Sectional flow areas upon the against a portion of the counterbored Surface, and in
Tesla Stratagem explained previously. In this invention, then, combination, the entire plurality of Screws will rigidly fix
as illustrated in FIG. 3B, gaps between pairs of opposed 25
rotor seal member 8 in any desired radial offset on the end
surfaces 31–32), 33–34), 35–36), and 37–38 are sub disc 2). The preferred assembly holds the gland features of
Stantially different. Especially, fluid emerging from a com housing seal member 9 concentric with shaft 3.
paratively narrow gap Such as 31-32 turbulently expands It should further be understood that the adjustability
to fill a wider gap 33-34), thereafter being forced in to a afforded by this Scheme includes the ability to negate run-out
comparatively narrow gap 35-36), and expanded again inherent in housing Seal member 9, in this case being the
through gap 37-38. concentricity of the center of the hole pattern in 9 accept
AS explained previously, changes in flow Sectional area of ing of the fasteners 45 versus the center axis defined by the
as little as 5% are sufficient to effect substantially differing glands of housing Seal member 9).
degrees of loss which vary on the order of nearly 10%, and Also, it has been experimentally determined that com
in the preferred embodiment a 30% change in flow area 35 pared to a pattern of counterSunk holes, of which only three
reduces a fluid energy loSS parameter to 49% of its original are required to restrain an annular member in position, for a
value. pattern of counterbored holes, a larger number of holes is
Note also, that although the foregoing example provides required; Such as at least eight.
in the preferred embodiment a strict alternation of narrow Continuing with FIG. 4, the functionality of inspection
gaps followed by wide gaps, the present invention addition 40 ports 14, 15), and 16 through housing seal member 9,
ally includes other progressions of clearance variations end wall 1), can be fully explained. For the labyrinth seal
within a plurality of interdigitated glands as well. For to function as desired, it is most important that the glands of
example, FIG. 3B provides gap 39-40 as an example of both members 8,9) are axially aligned so as to be concentric
two adjacent narrow gaps included in the overall Sequence with the axis of rotation of the shaft assembly.
of wide and narrow gaps. 45 During assembly of the rotor, concentricity of rotor Seal
Referring next to FIG. 4, a new method of adjustment of member 8 can be adjusted and assured. However, once
the Seal members to overcome non-concentricity errors of encapsulated by assembly of the turbine housing, assess
manufacture can be explained. The rotor seal member 8 is ment and adjustment of precise concentric alignments of the
fastened to the end disc 2 by a plurality of threaded seal glands becomes very difficult. This invention over
fasteners. The preferred embodiment shown includes a 50 comes Said difficulty by providing a plurality of Substantially
radial array of countersunk mounting holes 42 in end disc coaxial inspection ports, which run through Stacked com
2), each of which receive countersunk head screws 43). In ponents to expose the glands themselves.
this illustration, the receiving aperture which accepts rotor In the embodiment of FIG. 4, housing seal member 9
Seal member 8 is shown with a non-concentricity error, or includes at least one inspection port 14, which is aligned
run-out error. The radial clearances 40, 41 between cor 55 with a similar port 15 in the rotor-housing. In the embodi
rectly manufactured features and the perimeter of rotor Seal ment illustrated in Figure 2), the cover plate 7 also
member 8 are seen to be unequal due to run-out with includes at least one port 16 as well. In the preferred
respect to the centerline of shaft 3. embodiment, inspection ports 14, 15, and 16 in the case
By means of boring the countersunk mounting holes 42 of a cover plate, all align to admit of Visual inspection of the
Sufficiently larger than Screws 43 So as to accommodate 60 clearance and axial position of the Seal gland members.
radial positioning errors, rotor Seal member 8 may be Returning to FIG. 2, the inspection ports 14,15,16 allow
located and fixed in a position concentric with Shaft 3 Visual inspection of and measurement of the radial clearance
regardless of manufacturing run-out errors. Each Screw 43 between the exposed circumferential wall of one of the rotor
in each hole 43 will individually locate and bear against a Seal glands 12 and one of the housing Seal glands 13. The
portion of the counterSunk Surface, and in combination, the 65 inspection port 14 bored into the housing Seal gland 9
entire plurality of screws will rigidly fix rotor seal member extends into the Sealing region and the operation of boring
8 in any desired radial offset on the end disc 2). Such a hole leaves a flat Surface 17. Comparative mea
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surement of this surface and the depth of the floor of the described above. Fasteners commonly include tool
passage cut in rotor Seal member 8 affords a determination receiving features Such as slots, crossed slots, and various
of the axial position of the entire rotor assembly with respect polygonal recesses for receiving torque applied by an instal
to the housing. lation tool Such as a Screw driver or a heX wrench. Operation
Selection of these two Surfaces is preferred because of of the fasteners 45) is by way of an access hole 50
their proximity and because accuracy of this measurement is provided in cover plate 7). In this embodiment, said hole
perturbed by only by the accuracy of placement of the 50 is smaller than the head dimension of the fastener 45,
gauging Surface 17 with respect to any other datum defined thereby trapping the fastener A5 within the assembly stack,
by features comprising the housing Seal member 9. In while Still permitting adjustment. Additional permanence
practice, a measurement made from any housing datum may be Secured by means of pouring babbit metal or a
Surface to any rotor assembly Surface exposed by the inspec similar alloy to fill the screw recess 44 and the hole 50).
tion port 14 is useful in determining relative axial distance Proceeding to FIG. 6A, a prior art rotor 2 is illustrated,
between any internal housing datum feature and any axial wherein rotor Seal glands 43 are features integral to said
surface of the rotor assembly. Thus many factors which rotor 2). The outside dimensions of cylindrical stock from
would otherwise contribute to accumulated tolerance errors 15 which said rotor 2 of the prior art must be turned is shown
are eliminated by gauging access to these features afforded by the phantom line box 47 in FIG. 6A.
by the inspection port 14. In this invention however, as shown in FIG. 6B, rotor seal
Additionally, a plurality of inspection ports 14, 15, 16 glands 12 are features of a discrete component 8, the
arranged in radial array provide a method of concentrically rotor seal member. This rotor seal member 8 resides in a
fixing the gland features pending firm and final assembly. recess provided in rotor 2). The outside dimensions of
The preferred method consists of inserting a first Set of cylindrical stock from which a rotor 2 of this invention
equally-sized gauging rods of a diameter equal to one-half must be turned is shown by the phantom line box 48 in
the difference in diameters between the gland walls exposed FIG. 6B.
by the inspection ports. So posited, these gauging rods force Clearly it is seen that both the volume of stock material
the gland members of seal members 8 and 9 into con 25
required to be secured in order to make a rotor 2 of this
centric alignment. invention, as well as the Volume of material removed from
At this point a further assessment of concentricity may be this Stock, are reduced by this invention. Thus Secured are
made by replacing the Set of gauging rods with a Second Set reductions in material requirements, machining time, mate
of a diameter smaller than the first set by the maximum rial waste, component complexity, and cost.
acceptable run-out, then turning Shaft 3 So as to rotate Seal Lastly, returning to FIG. 2, the inspection ports 14, 15,
glands 12 and 13 with respect to each other. Any radial and 16 are typically plugged with a fastener or Sealant, to
errors or run-out greater than the diameter difference of the prevent the escape of working fluid. However, it is useful to
first and Second Set of gauging rods will cause Simultaneous provide at least one Substantially coaxial inspection port Set
contact of at least one rotor Seal gland 12 and a housing with hose, tube, or pipe fittings, so that connection may be
Seal gland 13 by at least one gauging rod. made to metering or Sampling equipment Such as a preSSure
Conversely, a full rotation resulting in no gauge rod 35 gauge or an oxygen Sensor, wherein an aliquot of working
becoming So Simultaneously contacted represents assurance fluid passes through this port to Such a Sensing device.
of concentricity and run-out to the degree of precision Similarly, a Sensor whose body design provides a Sealing
represented by the diameter difference of the first and second fit, Such as a thermocouple, may be installed into compli
Set of gauging rods. mentary receiving affordances machined into inspection
Returning again to FIG. 4 with the foregoing method of 40 ports 14, 15, and 16. Specific examples of such affor
accuracy assessment and adjustment understood, a further dances include Screw or pipe threads into which a threaded
method of concentricity adjustment during assembly Sensor body Sealingly inserts.
becomes apparent. With the rotor seal member 8 concen Although the description above contains many
trically aligned with shaft 3), fasteners 45 resting in Specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the
counterbores 44 are brought into light Snugness. The 45 Scope of the invention, but as merely illustrative of the most
assessment and alignment process described above is preferred embodiments. For one example, although it is
invoked, using Substantially coaxial inspection ports 14 understood first, that changes of flow Sectional area of at
and 15. Once the acceptable concentricity of Seal gland least 5% are sufficient to produce sizable frictional losses of
features is attained and verified, fastenerS45 are tightened nearly 10%, and Second, that a preferred Sequence of flow
to final assembly torques. 50 Sectional area changes is one in which reduced areas alter
Optionally, a fixative Such as thread Sealing compound, or nate with enlarged areas, a functional variant comprising a
a filler Such as epoxy or babbit metal may be deposited in at Series of diminishing areas, and another functional variant
least one countersink well or counterbores, So as to firmly comprising a Series of expanding areas, reside within the
lock the fastener in place and also provide evidence of Scope of this invention.
attempted tampering of the individual fastener or of the fixed 55
For another example, a cover plate may or may not
alignment as a whole. include any or all features Such as bearing Support flanges,
Moving on to FIG. 5, the advantages of an additional affordances for shaft Seals, or working fluid exhaust ports.
embodiment of this invention may be explained and under Also, the counterbored accepting recess 44 shown in FIG.
stood. This embodiment resembles that of FIG. 4, but with 5 to be a feature of turbine housing 1 may instead be an
an additional component attached to the outside of the interior feature of cover plate 7), allowing the fasteners 45
housing 1). In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 60 to bear upon the outer Surface of the housing 1). The
2, this component is a cover plate 7 which includes locations of Standard hardware Such as counterSunk Screws
Support for shaft bearings and shaft Seals. However, it is not and cap Screws as mentioned in this invention may be
a necessary item of this invention that the cover plate 7 eXchanged, and other fastenerS may be employed to the
provide those functions. described purposes as well.
In FIG. 5, the cover plate 7 includes a inspection port 65 Furthermore, while the location of the inspection ports is
16 substantially coaxial with inspection ports 14 and 15 shown at or near the most distal gland member of the
as described above to preserve the functions and methods labyrinth Seal, the affordances and methods described also
 US 6,682,077 B1
9 10
apply for ports located to expose any gland members, even 7. A disc turbine as in claim 1, having a Seal member
those closer to the shaft. having a first array of mounting holes, and a housing having
Lastly, while the forgoing elucidates the action of a Single a Second array of counterSunk mounting holes Substantially
labyrinth Seal operating between fluid at an inlet condition congruent to Said first hole array.
and an outlet condition, the Scope of this invention includes 5 8. A disc turbine comprising:
any number of concentric Sets of labyrinth Seal members a housing defining an interior Space and having an end
operating between the fluid at an inlet condition and an
outlet condition, as well Seals offering flow impedance and wall pierced by at least one first inspection port,
Sampling access to working fluid at intermediate conditions a rotatable shaft passing through Said housing and having
existing between the outlet of any one labyrinth Seal and the an axis of rotation;
inlet of any Subsequent labyrinth Seal downstream of the
previous seal outlet as defined by the direction of fluid flow a plurality of rotor discS mounted to Said shaft for con
through the Sets of Seals. centric rotation including at least one end disc having
Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by an outside face, Said end wall and Said outside face
the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than being adjacent, Substantially parallel Surfaces,
by the examples given. 15 a first Seal member comprising an annulus affixed to Said
What is claimed is:
1. A disc turbine comprising: end wall, Said first Seal member having a plurality of
a housing defining an interior Space and having and end cylindrical glands, each gland axially projecting toward
wall; Said end disc from a root to an end face, and at least one
a rotatable shaft passing through Said housing and having Second inspection port aligned with a housing inspec
an axis of rotation; tion port; and
a plurality of rotor discS mounted to Said shaft for con a Second Seal member comprising an annulus affixed to
centric rotation including at least one end disc having Said end disc, Said Second Seal member having a
an outside face, Said end wall and Said outside face plurality of cylindrical glands, each gland axially pro
being adjacent, Substantially parallel Surfaces, 25
jecting toward Said end wall;
a first Seal member comprising an annulus affixed to Said wherein Said cylindrical glands of Said Second Seal mem
end wall, Said first Seal member having a plurality of ber are exposed to view and contact from without the
cylindrical glands, each gland axially projecting toward housing through Said first and Second inspection ports.
Said end disc from a root to an end face, Said root being 9. A disc turbine as in claim 8, wherein said inspection
defined between radially spaced concentric re-entrant port of Said first Seal member exposes the cylindrical glands
of said first seal member to view from outside of said
corners and Said end face comprising at least one sharp housing.
edge;
10. A disc turbine as in claim 8, having Sensing means for
and a second Seal member comprising an annulus affixed sampling said working fluid through said first inspection
to Said end disc, Said Second Seal member having a port.
Second plurality of cylindrical glands, each gland axi 35 11. A disc turbine as in claim 8, wherein an inspection port
ally projecting toward Said end wall from a root to an receives a measuring device Selected from the group of
end face, Said root being defined between radially measuring devices consisting of a thermocouple, a preSSure
Spaced concentric re-entrant corners and Said end face Sensor, an oxygen Sensor, a temperature Sensor, a pitot tube,
comprising at least one sharp edge; a flow meter, a heated wire, a Strain gauge, a piezoelectric
wherein Said first plurality and Second plurality of glands 40 crystal, an optical fiber and a cantilevered member.
interdigitate and Said re-entrant corners are complimen 12. A disc turbine as in claim 8, having a Seal member
tary to Said at least one sharp edge, to define a convo having a first array of mounting holes, and a housing having
luted gap which in the radial direction comprises a a Second array of counterSunk mounting holes Substantially
plurality of axial portions each having an axial dimen congruent to Said first hole array.
Sion and at least one of Said axial portions having a 45 13. A disc turbine comprising:
radial dimension which differs from the axial dimen a housing defining an interior Space and having an end
Sion of an adjacent radial portion by at least 5%. wall and a first plurality of through holes,
2. A disc turbine as in claim 1, wherein Said at least one a rotatable shaft passing through Said housing and having
re-entrant corner defines an angle of approximately 90 an axis of rotation;
degrees. 50 a plurality of rotor discS mounted to Said shaft for con
3. A disc turbine as in claim 1, wherein Said at least one centric rotation including at least one end disc having
Sharp edge defines an angle of approximately 90 degrees. an outside face;
4. A disc turbine as in claim 1, wherein Said first Seal
member has a conical taper feature, and the housing end wall a housing Seal member having a Second plurality of
has a complimentary annular receSS for receiving Said coni 55
through holes Substantially congruent to Said housing
cal taper feature. first plurality of holes;
5. A disc turbine as in claim 1, wherein Said Second Seal fastening hardware with a head dimension and a tool
member has a conical taper feature, and an end disc has a receiving feature, residing in Said Second plurality of
complimentary annular receSS for receiving Said conical Seal member holes, and
taper feature. 60 a cover plate having a third plurality of through holes
6. A disc turbine as in claim 1, having a convoluted gap Substantially coaxially congruent to Said first and Sec
having a first axial portion having a first radial dimension ond through hole pluralities,
adjacent to a radial portion having an axial dimension
adjacent to a Second axial portion having a Second radial wherein Said tool receiving feature is exposed by Said
dimension, wherein Said axial dimension of Said radial third plurality of holes and the head dimension of the
portion is 30% smaller than said first radial dimension and 65 fastener interferes with said third plurality of holes.
Said Second radial dimension is at least 5% larger than Said
first radial dimension. k k k k k