Sealing systems for advanced machines such as gas turbines and aircraft accessories must survive increased speeds, temperatures, and pressures. Reduced energy consumption and increased life are desired. Standard positive contact seals cannot meet these requirements, so lift-off designs are needed. The best solution for these is to inscribe spiral or herringbone grooves into the seal faces. Newly developed (proprietary) carbon-metal composites promise the low wear and adequate hardness necessary for the survival of such grooves. With CAD driven, computer controlled laser machining, flexible manufacture will be possible. Data on pulsed and continuous laser material removal will be obtained to enable design a flexible seal-production system. A man machine interface will be devised. These systems will provide a unique capability for manufacturing bearings and seals for prototype and production applications. Foreign competitors for the material and production technique do not yet exist.The potential commercial application as described by the awardee: This technology would make the manufacturing of beyond the state-of-the-art high pressure and speed seals possible at low cost with high repeatability and reliability.
