Hole Pattern Seals

A Simplified Seal with Optimized Damping

Hole pattern seals work on a principle similar to the honeycomb seal. They were developed in an effort to simplify the manufacturing process for honeycomb seals.

Like the honeycomb seal, the hole pattern seal geometry and design is optimized and analyzed using a bulk-flow engineering program. Oftentimes these seals are packaged with a swirl break to further enhance the effective damping and minimize the location of the effective damping cross-over frequency.

Closeup of hole pattern damper seal pattern

The Pattern

Individual holes are machined and then brazed into a housing to create pressure drop and prevent circumferential flow.

While the hole area ratio of the hole pattern seal is lower than that of the honeycomb, allowing slightly more leakage, it can take higher pressures.

In addition, hole pattern seals are usually manufactured from aluminum to allow for a smaller clearance; in the event of intermittent rotor-stator interaction, minimal damage would be sustained by the rotor.

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