High-temperature, flexible, thermal barrier seal

Abstract

This device seals the sliding interfaces between structural panels that are roughly perpendicular to each other or whose edges are butted against one another. The nonuniformity of the gap between the panels requires significant flexibility along the seal length. The seal is mounted in a rectangular groove in a movable structural panel. A plurality of particles or balls is densely packed in an outer sheathing. The balls are laterally preloaded to maintain sealing contact with the adjacent wall using a pressurized linear bellows. Distortions in the adjacent panel are accommodated by rearrangement of the particles within the outer sheathing. Leakage through the seal is minimized by densely compacting the internal particles and by maintaining positive preload along the back side of the seal. The braid architecture of the outer sheathing is selected to minimize leakage through the seal and to resist mechanical abrasion.