SBIR-STTR Award

The purpose of this proposal is to secure funding for the building and initial testing of a ceramic brush seal. The technical objectives of the proposed work are to identify appropriate ceramic materials for the manufacture of brush seals, demonstrate that a ceramic brush seal can be built and to test the integrity of the ceramic seal. The ceramic industry will be called upon to provide both ceramic fibers and ceramic materials with which to build the seal. Two methods of achieving a ceramic brush seal will be tried. A mechanically held bristle seal will be compared to a bonded bristle seal to evaluate their respective benefits. The proposed work will produce a ceramic brush seal that will be tested for wear and sealing capabilities. The test data will be compared to that of similiar metallic brush seals. It is expected that ceramic brush seals will prove to be superior to their metallic counterparts in both wear and temperature capabilities. These superior attributes of ceramic brush seals can greatly enhance the industry acknowledged performance and efficiency of brush seals.

The purpose of this proposal is to develop ceramic brush shaft seals for gas turbine engines. Phase I demonstrated that ceramic brush seals can be manufactured and identified the appropriate materials. The technical objectives of this proposal are to: (1) Perfect the manufacture of an all-ceramic brush seal; (2) Test appropriate aspects of the seal; (3) Demonstrate the seal's worthiness in an engine test rig; and (4) Provide sufficient test data to fully describe the all-ceramic brush seal. Testing of the ceramic brush seals will include leakage, pressure drop, bristle wear and rotor wear for selected coatings. Bristle tufts will be used to determine wear rate, bristle load and bristle drag. These tests will be carried out over a temperature range of 80 degrees F to 1550 degrees F. Attempts will be made to determine the rotors temperature rise due to bristle rubbing. All testing will be carried out on existing rigs. A gas turbine manufacturer will be involved in all phases of the work and will test the capabilities of a ceramic brush seal in an engine rig test. It is expected that ceramic brush seals will prove to be superior to their metallic counterparts in both wear and temperature capabilities. These superior attributes of ceramic brush seals can greatly enhance the industry acknowledged performance and efficiency of brush seals