Innovative Aircraft Engine Seal

The mission of the Air Force is to fly, fight, and win in air, space, and cyberspace, which requires faster, lighter, and less expensive engines. It, in turn, requires significant advancements in aircraft fans, compressors, and turbines, and also sub-components including engine seals. Advanced engine seals show great promise for improve engine pressure ratio and cycle temperature, which result in lower engine weight, heavier thrust, and higher fuel efficiency. Labyrinth seal is the single most common seal used at pressure up to 400 psi and temperature up to 1300 F. It is clearance type seal with relatively high leakage rates. Brush seal consists a dense pack of bristles tight sealing and more flexibility. It has initial leakage rates as little as 10-20% of comparable labyrinth seal and can accommodate engine vibration conditions. The bristle wear is the weakness that needs to overcome. To that end, Ultool proposes radically innovative seal concepts to realize full-film gas sealing while keeping leakage to minimal, which will eliminate wear, reduce weight, restrain leakage, increase efficiency, and cut initial and operational costs for aircraft engines.