Carbon Seals - Turbine Engines: A Closer Look

Carbon seals are high performance oil seals used in aircraft and industrial turbine engines. Let's take a close look at what makes them so different from the rubber lip seals used in automotive engines...

[@billkratzer1]

am really enjoying these clips, you actually break it down so it is understandable, and not so mysterious. just love the sound of a turbine spooling up, and getting all those horses lined up and pulling in the same direction.

[@SquillyMon]

Each and every part I see...I wonder... How much does that part cost? Everything is made so beautifully. Engineering marvels all.

[@welshpete12]

As always, fascinating ! Thank you for posting

[@fjs1111]

Turbo seals and bearings have always amazed me. Engineering and machining genius!!

[@DonW21G]

Always look forward to your vids. Thanks.

[@eddywow8508]

very clear AgentJayZ.. you are my best instructor.. thank you so much

[@nodariel]

Awesome vid. Thanks for uploading.

[@superman53144]

I don't know why but I cant stop watching these videos.

[@iSKILLFUL]

Thank you so much! Great vids!

[@blancolirio]

Excellent Thanks 'Subscribed!' Juan.

[@akhilg90]

very very good work bro.. thank you vry mch :)

[@rawat744]

thanks for this informative video.......

[@luuko656]

I worked on the R&R Tay for nearly 2 years...had a great time...

[@dieseldave71]

Although not the subject of this video you mentioned in passing about the flame holder keeping the flame from being blown out. I'm sure you have something on the channel that covers this, I'll have to search for it sometime to see if there is a more detailed description, but it does answer something I've wondered about, which is what keeps the afterburner from being blown out like someone blowing out a candle

[@jthiakz]

very useful info..

[@maricidevamega939]

For this Transfer Gear Box 7:35 This one is Starter 7685 RPM CCW 7:59 This one is A/B Fuel Pump 8:05 This one is Control Alternator 8:34 This one is Main Fuel Pump 8:41 This is Tachometer Generator 4210 RPM CW Happened to find them on a J79-15/-17 accident investigation procedures report.

[@Randy1958morris]

Do you have a video on the carbon seal Vacuum test after being installed in the 3rd stage bearing frame, I remember setting the testing equipment to the standard day settings and preforming a vacuum check. I really enjoy your videos, brings back a lot of memories. Thank you.

[@AgentJayZ]

We do check the seal with that test, but I have not made a video of it.

[@Madkite]

Super cool 🤘

[@AgentJayZ]

@NoWattz Typically the engine is mounted by two of the three Heim joint mounts on the rear frame, and is suspended by a single mount at the top of the front frame. There are two other mounting points, one on each side of the front frame, which are used for mounting the engine in its shipping container. So that makes six points in all. They are never all used at once.

[@NecroGoldevil]

Hey, great video! Would you like to see some shaft seals from industrial centrifugal pumps for comparison? They are surprisingly similar!

[@FlyGuyF119]

Rebuilding Carbons Seals can be quite fun as long as one of the MANY springs doesn't go flying away.

[@OneRoundDown]

I used to make that fuel manifold for the LM1500, '04-'08 I wonder if that's one of mine.

[@AgentJayZ]

@NecroGoldevil Yes !

[@morbos]

if those precision parts go out of spec, what are your choices to replace? Are there warehouses full of 1950's era parts or are there specialty shops that will machine new ones to OEM spec? fab vid again! tnx!

[@AgentJayZ]

@sharrynuk That's what it is...

[@AgentJayZ]

@morbos Not warehouses, but there are a few parts around. The OEM would never give us their information... we have to design anything we want made.

[@TheEternalHermit]

So do they not use rubber o-rings because of the heat?

[@sharrynuk]

The "whale eye" mounting points look kind of like a heim joint (aka rose joint or rod-end bearing).

[@josephvallejo2094]

those parts are from Rexnord aerospace

[@steveeisenburger6011]

How much thermal expansion/contraction can the system basically deal with?

[@MrROTD]

Why couldn't a generator also be used as a starter to save weight?. have a DC generator/starter and convert its output to AC if needed.

[@DoRC]

are the carbon seals used because of the heat they endure or are they actually better than standard rubber/viton?

[@AgentJayZ]

I think both reasons.

[@SuburbAllied]

At 7:21, note that the fifth blade to the right is wiggling in its mount and seemingly very loose compare to the other blades. Is it suppose to be that loose?

[@AgentJayZ]

SuburbAllied Note that this is the subject being discussed at that exact moment in the video. No unusual movement occurs here. Have a look at a short video I made a long time ago, which is quite popular. It's called Jet engine turbine blade noise

[@FrozenHaxor]

Is there a reason why we don't see much of this type of seals in auto industry and engines / gearboxes in general?

[@AgentJayZ]

The seal on the water pump shaft of my gen 1 Sv650 race bike is an axial carbon seal. They are around, just not so much in cars...

[@Kyosheen]

how is the carbon ring mounted to the driveshaft? with a key or just fits on the shaft with an edge?

[@AgentJayZ]

Shiny shaft spins in a stationary carbon seal

[@kevinmiller6693]

How much wear is acceptable on the races before they become un-serviceable? Does it need to be zero-damage?

[@AgentJayZ]

None. The flatness of the carbon seal mating rings is checked optically to be within a couple millionths of an inch.

[@AgentJayZ]

@mightyfinejonboy ;)

[@Braeden123698745]

When you hand spin the turbine are you spinning things like the fuel pump?

[@AgentJayZ]

Braeden Hamson Always list a time when an event you are curious about occurs. I have almost 400 videos, made over a span of over 8 years. OK. I think I turn the compressor of the Spey in this one. That'd be the LP... so short answer is no.

[@Braeden123698745]

AgentJayZ this was a general question, if the rotor is spinning is are the fuel pumps spinning? I think you answered this with the saber engine. You said "the fuel pumps when we got this engine (made a bad noise) but now it's quiet." I think it simplify, in some engines is the fuel pump mechanically attached to the turbine?

[@AgentJayZ]

In a single rotor engine, the accessories are driven by the turbine. In a multi rotor engine, the accessories are driven by the HP turbine, So it may be a general question, but there is no general answer, except " it depends " Also... mechanically attached to the turbine... in a literal sense? No, but then in another way of looking at it... sure, I guess so.

[@Braeden123698745]

AgentJayZ Thanks for the answer! Love the videos

[@ramprasadsharda556]

It is I think a taper Bearing could you please specify its number.

[@AgentJayZ]

Not a bearing

[@mightyfinejonboy]

i thought you-tube had a no porn videos policy ?