The present invention relates to sealing in rotating machines and in particular relates to a leaf seal for sealing a shaft rotating about an axis.

A turbine engines includes a rotor, on which various stages with compressor blades and turbine blades are provided, and stator housing.

The control of the working medium flow (gas or steam) inside the rotating machine is of paramount importance with regard to both the functionality and the effectiveness. Sealing techniques are used at various locations along the rotor shaft in order to reduce the axial working medium flow along the shaft.

One of the sealing techniques are traditionally used in this situation is leaf seals, proposed, for example in U.S. Pat. No. 6,267,381 Bl . This leaf seal performing the same function as either a labyrinth seal or a brush seal but having the advantages of both.

In a turbine engine, leaf seals may be used to form a seal between a static component and a rotating component, between two relatively rotating components in order to maintain a relatively high pressure on one side of the seal and relatively low pressure on the other.

Two variants of leaf seal designs are possible: in the one variant the leaves are blown downward, but in the other they are blown upward. The present invention relates to the case of leaf seal assemblies with the seal elements blown downward.

Leaf seal assemblies are formed from sections of seal elements appropriately presented in order to create a seal surface from juxtaposed leaf edges of respective leaves in an assembly. Typically the seal elements are arranged circumferentially about a rotating shaft in order to present the leaf edges and therefore the seal surface towards that shaft in order to provide a seal barrier. The leaf edges and so the seal surface effectively floats upwards and downwards relative to a rotating surface.

FIG. 1 shows schematically a cut-away perspective view of a portion of a leaf seal assembly 1 (prior art, US2013/0200569) comprising a plurality of seal elements 2 extending from a spacer element 3 secured in a housing comprising a backing ring 4 with upstream 5 and downstream 5 ' rigid coverplates. The seal elements 2 present leaf end surfaces 6 towards a surface 7 of a rotating component 7' generally rotating in the direction depicted by arrowhead 8.

The seal elements 2, and in particular the leaf end surfaces 6 of the seal elements 2 act against the surface 7 in order to create a seal across the leaf seal assembly 1.

Seal elements 2 rely on their coverplates 5, 5' to block the bulk of the flow area through the leaf seal assembly 1, flow area being strongly linked to seal leakage performance.

Initially, before the rotating component 7' run up, the seal elements 2 are in contact with the surface 7 with initial radial interference - rotor interference force. It means that seal elements 2 are in compression condition, like a spring. When the rotating component 7' starts rotating, air hydrodynamic pressure starts growing up and as result provides a hydrodynamic lifting force to the leaf end surface 6 and the seal elements 2 are rising up in radial direction. Balance of rotor interference force and hydrodynamic lifting force produce requisite radial gap. In this way, a radial gap of a few microns can be produced and maintained, so that the wear, the friction heat and the friction losses can be reduced virtually to zero.

Typically each leaf seal assembly may comprise 1000 seal elements of 70 micron thickness each. Typically a leaf seal for, for example, a gas turbine comprises of 8 - 12 leaf seals assemblies, each of which is produced and assembled with high accuracy. The accuracy with which each leaf seal assembly 1 and each seal elements 2 in it are produced, assembled and connected is critical for the successful implementation of every possible leaf seal design.

In case each seal element is of rectangular profile 9 as it is shown on FIG 2, while the rotating component 7' rotates the radial gap varies in circumference direction from one seal element to another as it is shown on FIG 2. That brings the lack of the effectiveness for a whole turbine engine. In preferable case the radial gap should be the same on all circumferences along the surface 7 of the rotating component 1' .

In case each seal element has a profile 9 with slanted edge as it is shown on FIG 4, while the rotating component 7' rotates the radial gap will be the same on all circumferences along the surface 7 of the rotating component T as it is shown on FIG 5. However providing such geometry with high accuracy separately for each seal element is not possible.

In the light of the foregoing discussion, it is evident that there is a strong need of an easy, convenient and appropriate finishing processing of leaf seal assemblies to provide required geometry of seal elements with high accuracy.

Solution according the invention

The object is solved by a honing tool for providing abrasive treatment of leaf end surface of a seal element of a leaf seal assembly as defined in claim 1 and a method for providing abrasive treatment of leaf end surface of a seal element of a leaf seal assembly as defined in claim 9.

Consequently, the present invention provides a honing tool for providing abrasive treatment of leaf end surface of a seal element of a leaf seal assembly, wherein each seal element of the leaf seal assembly extends in radial direction from spacer element and has a leaf end surface to be treated. The honing tool comprises a plurality of radial running heads and at least one honing tool body of cylindrical shape that is adapted to rotate around its axis. The plurality of the radial running heads is located in the at least one honing tool body in such way that the radial running heads are spaced from each other in circumference direction along the at least one honing tool body.

Each radial running head comprises a radial edge surface covered with abrasive material. Such radial edge surfaces of the radial running heads are adapted to trim the leaf end surface. Moreover each radial running head is adapted to move radially outwards.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for providing abrasive treatment of leaf end surface of a seal element of a leaf seal assembly, wherein each seal element of the leaf seal assembly extends in radial direction from spacer element and has a leaf end surface to be treated. First the leaf seal assembly and a honing tool should be arranged such that the leaf end surface of each seal element of the leaf seal assembly is not in direct contact with the radial edge surfaces of the radial running heads. After that the honing tool body and the leaf seal assembly should be brought in rotation with respect to each other such that the leaf end surface of each seal element of the at least one leaf seal assembly is trimmed by the radial running heads

The present invention is based on the insight that finishing processing of the leaf seal assembly can be performed on the honing tool with implemented movable radial running heads. In fact honing tool body imitates rotating components, but it has movable radial running heads covered with abrasive material . Therefore as soon as the honing tool body and the leaf seal assembly are in rotation with respect to each other, the leaf end surface of each seal element of the leaf seal assembly gets in contact with the radial edge surface of the radial running head, wherein the radial edge surface is covered with abrasive material, and are being trimmed.

Since the whole leaf seal assembly is arranged around the honing tool body, every seal element is trimmed at the same manner. Therefore it is possible to provide required geometry of seal elements. It means that further on a radial gap is the same on all circumferences along the surface of the rotating component.

Thus, the present invention is proposed to provide a new honing tool and a new method for providing abrasive treatment of leaf end surface of a seal element of a leaf seal assembly.

Further embodiments of the present invention are subject of the further sub-claims and of the following description, referring to the drawings.

In possible embodiment of the honing tool the plurality of the radial running heads are evenly distributed in circumference direction of the at least one honing tool body. This feature allows providing accuracy in finish processing of the leaf seal assemblies and achieving required geometry of seal elements.

In enhanced embodiment of the honing tool the length of each radial running head is equal to the distance between two neighboring radial running heads. This feature allows providing optimal and the same treatment of seal elements.

In a possible embodiment of the honing tool, each radial running head is arranged in such that it does not protrude outwards of the edge of the at least one honing tool body in case the at least one honing tool body does not rotate. This feature allows arranging the leaf seal assembly around the honing tool body without disassembling the leaf seal assembly. And after finish processing to get out the leaf seal assembly out of the honing tool also without disassembling the leaf seal assembly.

On the other hand in case the at least one honing tool body rotates each radial running head is adapted to move outwards in radial direction to get in contact with the leaf end surface till the state when the leaf end surface of each seal element of the leaf seal assembly is trimmed by the radial running heads. While the honing tool rotates the radial running heads with a radial edge surface covered with abrasive material protrude outwards of the edge of the at least one honing tool body under centrifugal force. Therefore the leaf end surfaces of the seal elements are trimmed. Therefore as soon as rotation of the honing tool is provided the abrasive treatment of the leaf end surfaces is provided as well.

In enhanced embodiment of the honing tool , the honing tool further comprises an elastic component that is located under at least one radial running head of the plurality of the radial running heads. The elastic component is adapted to allow moving the at least one radial running head outwards up to a given height out of the at least one honing tool body in case the at least one honing tool body rotates. First of all this feature allows to prevent falling out the respective radial running head from the honing tool body. In addition to this feature allows providing control of the given height the respective radial running head protrudes while the respective honing tool body rotates.

Moreover the elastic element is adapted to move the respective radial running head at inwards in case the rotation frequency of the at least one honing tool body is less than a given threshold. It means that after finish processing the leaf seal assembly can be taken away from the honing tool without disassembling the leaf seal assembly.

In addition to that it is possible to select the elastic component of particular elasticity and select a particular rotation frequency of the honing tool body in order to provide moving the at least one radial running head outwards up to the given height out of the at least one honing tool body that is specifically required to provide given geometry of the leaf end surface.

The elastic component can be for example a spring, or a bellow.

In enhanced embodiment of the honing tool it further comprises a control unit to control the rotation frequency of the at least one honing tool body. By controlling the rotation frequency of the honing tool body it is possible to control the height at which each radial running head protrudes outwards of the edge of the honing tool body in case the honing tool body rotates. Therefore it is possible to select appropriate rotation frequency to provide required geometry of the seal elements of the leaf seal assembly.

In possible enhanced embodiment of the method the honing tool is performed in accordance with any of claim 1 - 8. Moreover at the step of providing rotation of the honing tool body and the at least one leaf seal assembly relative to one another the at least one leaf seal assembly does not rotate, and the honing tool body rotates such that each radial running head of the honing tool body moves outwards in radial direction till the state when the leaf end surface of each seal element of the at least one leaf seal assembly is trimmed by the radial running heads .

The centrifugal force is used in this embodiment of the method to move the radial running head outwards in radial direction and to trim the leaf end surface of each seal element of the at least one leaf seal assembly

In possible enhanced embodiment of the method the rotation frequency of the honing tool body is controlled to provide given geometry of the leaf end surface of each seal element of the leaf seal assembly.

The higher rotational frequency of the honing tool body is selected the sharper geometry of the leaf end surface of each seal element of the leaf seal assembly is provided. And vise versa the slower rotational frequency of the honing tool body is the blunter geometry of the leaf end surface of each seal element of the leaf seal assembly is provided.

Therefore it is possible to select appropriate rotation frequency to provide required geometry of the seal elements of the leaf seal assembly.

In possible enhanced embodiment of the method the honing tool is performed in accordance with any of claim 1 - 3. In addition to that the method further comprises a step of moving each radial running head of the honing tool body outwards in radial direction such that the radial running heads protrude outwards of the edge of the at least one honing tool body on a given height. This step is performed after the step of arranging the at least one leaf seal assembly and the honing tool .

Further on the honing tool body does not rotate, and the at least one leaf seal assembly rotates such that the leaf end surface of each seal element of the at least one leaf seal assembly is trimmed by the radial running heads.

This feature allows providing treatment of the leaf seal assembly without rotating the honing tool body that may be desirable .

In possible enhanced embodiment of the method the given height on which the radial running heads protrude outwards of the edge of the at least one honing tool body is controlled to provide required geometry of the leaf end surface of each seal element of the leaf seal assembly.

Therefore it is possible to select appropriate height of the radial running head protrusion to provide required geometry of the seal elements of the leaf seal assembly.

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description taken in accompanying drawings. The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments which are specified in the schematic figures of the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows schematically a cut-away perspective view of a portion of a leaf seal assembly (prior art) ;

Fig. 2 shows schematically a portion of seal elements with rectangular profile;

Fig. 3 shows schematically a view of a portion of seal elements with rectangular profile while a rotating component rotates; Fig. 4 shows schematically a portion of seal elements with profile with slanted edge;

Fig. 5 shows schematically a view of a portion of seal elements with profile with slanted edge while the rotating component rotates;

Fig. 6 shows schematically a honing tool for providing abrasive treatment of leaf end surface of a seal element of a leaf seal assembly according to the present invention;-

Fig. 7 shows schematically a view of a portion of honing tool body with radial running heads according to the present invention;

Fig. 8 shows schematically an enhanced embodiment of the honing tool for providing abrasive treatment of leaf end surface of a seal element of a leaf seal assembly according to the present invention;

Fig. 9 shows a block diagram of a method for providing abrasive treatment of leaf end surface of a seal element of a leaf seal assembly according to the present invention;

Fig. 10 shows a block diagram of another embodiment of a method for providing abrasive treatment of leaf end surface of a seal element of a leaf seal assembly according to the present invention;

Various embodiments are described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purpose of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more embodiments. It may be evident that such embodiments may be practice without these specific details.

FIG 6 illustrates a honing tool 10 for providing abrasive treatment of leaf end surface 6 of a seal element 2 of a leaf seal assembly 1. The honing tool 10 comprises at least one honing tool body 11. The honing tool 10 can have plurality of the honing tool bodies 11, wherein each honing tool body has the plurality of the radial running heads 12.

The honing tool body 11 is of cylindrical shape and is adapted to rotate around its axis 13. The honing tool body 11 might be hollow (as it is shown on FIG 6) or solid.

A plurality of radial running heads 12 are implemented into and located in the respective honing tool body 11. The radial running heads 12 are spaced from each other in circumference direction along the respective honing tool body 11.

The plurality of the radial running heads 12 can be evenly distributed in circumference direction of the respective honing tool body 11. Even more the length L" of each radial running head 12 can be equal to the distance L ^HT between two neighboring radial running heads 12 (shown on FIG 7) . The length L ¹ ^ refers to the extension of the radial running head 12 in radial direction.

In ideal case to provide the ideal accuracy in the seal element treatment the honing tool body 11 with the plurality of the running radial heads 12 while rotating should represent the surface covered continuously with an abrasive material . Therefore the more radial running heads 12 are located in the honing tool body 11 (it means the less the length of each radial running head 12 is and the less the distance L ^HT is) , the more the surface of the honing tool body 11 with the plurality of such radial running heads 12 will be close to the ideal case mentioned above.

The width of each running head 12 should be not less than the width of the seal element . I.e. the width of the running head 12 should be enough to provide full contact of whole leaf end surface 6 of each seal element 2 of the leaf seal assembly 1.

A radial edge surface 14 of each radial running head 12 is covered with abrasive material and is adapted to trim the leaf end surface 6. Abrasive material should be chosen by an expert. It can be well known abrasive materials, for example diamond grit or electocorundum (Al ₂ 0 ₃ ) . In addition to that each radial running head 12 is adapted to move radially outwards.

The number of the radial running heads 12 and their sizes should be defined by experts.

The honing tool 10 works as the following. The leaf seal assembly 1 and the honing tool 10 should be arranged such that the leaf end surface 6 of each seal element 2 of the leaf seal assembly 1 is not in direct contact with the radial edge surfaces 14 of the radial running heads 12.

Several leaf seal assemblies 1 can be arranged around the honing tool body 11. In preferable case all leaf seal assemblies 1 that are parts of a whole leaf seal should be arranged around the honing tool body 11 for treatment. It provides the same geometry of the seal elements 2 for the whole leaf seal . Therefore the same radial gap along the surface 7 of a rotating component 7' will be provided after installing such leaf seal assemblies 1 into the turbine engine .

After that the respective honing tool body 11 and the leaf seal assembly 1 should be brought in rotation relatively to one another around its axis 13. Such rotation should be arrange in such way that the leaf end surface 6 of each seal element 2 of the least one leaf seal assembly 1 is trimmed by the radial running heads 12, in particular by the radial edge surfaces 14 of the radial running heads 12. Such trimming is provided due to contact of the leaf end surface 6 with the abrasive material that is on the radial edge surface 14 of each radial running head 12.

The relative rotation of the honing tool body 11 and the leaf seal assembly 1 can be provided by different ways.

One way is to rotate the honing tool body 11 and keep the leaf seal assembly 1 still. The honing tool body 11 should be rotated in the same direction as the rotation direction 8 of the rotating component 7' on which the leaf seal assembly 1 will be installed later. In this particular case the honing tool 10 comprises, radial running heads 12 wherein

each radial running head 12 is arranged in such that it does not protrude outwards of the edge 15 of the at least one honing tool body 11 in case the at least one honing tool body 11 does not rotate, and

each radial running head 12 is adapted to move outwards in radial direction to get in contact with the leaf end surface 6 in case the respective honing tool body 11 rotates. In enhanced embodiment of the honing tool 10, an elastic component 16 is located under at least one radial running head 12 of the plurality of the radial running heads 12. I.e. the elastic component 16 is located on the opposite side of the radial edge surface 14 covered with abrasive material. Such elastic component 16 is adapted to allow moving the respective radial running head 12 outwards up to a given height out of the respective honing tool body 11 in case the respective honing tool body 11 rotates. In fact the elastic component 16 prevents the respective running head 12 falling out from the respective honing body tool 11. On the other hand the height the respective radial running head 12 moves outwards depends on centrifugal force, i.e. rotation frequency of the honing tool body 11. The given height is defined by experts, but not more that the height H ^m of the radial running head 12.

Also such elastic component 16, because of its elasticity in radial direction, is adapted move the respective radial running head 12 at inwards in case the rotation frequency of the respective honing tool body 11 is less than a given threshold. The given threshold should be defined by experts and may be even zero. It means that the respective radial running head 12 moves at inwards in case the honing tool body 11 stops rotating. In fact the less rotation frequency of the respective honing tool body 11, the more the respective radial running head 12 moves at inwards. As soon as the respective honing tool body 11 stops rotating, the respective running head 12 does not protrudes outwards of the edge 15 of the respective honing tool body 11.

The elastic component 16 can be a spring, a bellow or sylphon, or any other component that has compliance and elasticity in the radial direction. The elastic component 16 should be chosen by experts based on required elasticity.

Moreover in the enhanced honing tool 10, the honing tool 10 can further comprises a control unit 17 (shown on FIG 8) to control the rotation frequency of the respective honing tool body 11. Controlling the rotation frequency of the respective honing tool body 11 means providing required the height of each radial running head's movement, therefore providing required geometry of the leaf end surface 6 of each seal element 2 of the leaf seal assembly 1. The higher rotational frequency of the honing tool body 11 is selected, the sharper geometry of the leaf end surface 6 of each seal element 2 of the leaf seal assembly 1 is provided. And vise versa: the slower rotational frequency of the honing tool body is, the blunter geometry of the leaf end surface 6 of each seal element 2 of the leaf seal assembly 1 is provided. The rotation frequency of the honing tool body 11 can be changed while the rotation of the honing tool body 11 is performed.

The control unit 17 can be a processor, a computer, etc.

Other way to provide relative rotation of the honing tool body 11 and the leaf seal assembly is to rotate the leaf seal assembly 1 while the honing tool body 11 is kept still. The leaf seal assembly 1 should be rotated in the opposite direction as the rotation direction 8 of the rotating component 7' on which the leas seal assembly 1 will be installed later.

In this case before starting to rotate the leaf seal assembly 1 around the honing tool body 11, the radial running heads 12 of the honing tool body 11 should be moved outwards such that the radial running heads 12 protrude outwards of the edge 15 of the respective honing tool body 11 on a given height. The given height of the running heads 12 protrusion should be defined by experts. The contact of the radial edge surface 14 of the running radial heads 12 should be provided while the leaf seal assembly 1 rotates around the honing tool body 11.

Such movement outwards of the radial running heads 12 can be provided by different means, including well known drives.

Moreover in enhanced embodiment of the honing tool 10, the height of the running heads 12 protrusion can be controlled by the control unit 17. The more height of the running heads 12 protrusion is, the sharper geometry of the leaf end surface 6 of each seal element 2 of the leaf seal assembly 1 is provided. And vise versa: the less height of the running heads 12 is the blunter geometry of the leaf end surface 6 of each seal element 2 of the leaf seal assembly 1 is provided. The height of the running heads 12 protrusion can be changes while the rotation of the leaf seal assembly 1 is performed.

Therefore the required geometry of the leaf end surface 6 of each seal element 2 of the leaf seal assembly 1 is provided.

Potentially it is possible to rotate both part - and the honing tool body 11, and the leaf seal assembly 1 - in different directions.

The external radius R ^HT of the honing tool body 11 and the height H™ of the radial running heads 12 should be chosen by experts in such way that it is possible to arrange the leaf seal assembly 1 and the honing tool body 11 without disassembling the leaf seal assembly 1. I.e. the external radius R ^HT of the honing tool body 11 is less than the radius of the rotating element 7' . On the other hand while the relative rotation of the honing tool body 11 and the respective leaf seal assembly 1 is provided, at least contact of the leaf end surface 6 of each seal element 2 of the leaf seal assembly 1 with the abrasive material of the radial edge surface 14 of the running radial heads 12 should be provided.

FIG 9 illustrates a block diagram of a method 100 for providing abrasive treatment of leaf end surface 6 of a seal element 2 of a leaf seal assembly 1 according to the present invention. The method 100 comprises two steps. 017000248

15

At step 110 the at least one leaf seal assembly 1 and the honing tool 10 are arranged in such that the leaf end surface 6 of each seal element 2 of the at least one leaf seal assembly 1 is not in direct contact with the radial edge surfaces 14 of the radial running heads 12 of the honing tool body 11. Such arrangements are performed without disassembling the respective leaf seal assembly 1. As it was mentioned above it is preferable to arrange all leaf seal assemblies 1 that are parts of a whole leaf seal around the honing tool body 11 for treatment. It provides the same geometry of the seal elements 2 for the whole leaf seal. Therefore the same radial gap along the surface 7 of a rotating component 7' will be provided after installing such leaf seal assemblies 1 into the turbine engine.

At step 120 the honing tool body 11 and the at least one leaf seal assembly 1 should be rotated relative to one another such that the leaf end surface 6 of each seal element 2 of the at least one leaf seal assembly 1 is trimmed by the radial running heads 12. Since the radial running heads 12 are adapted to move radially outwards, the contact of the radial edge surface 14 covered with abrasive material and the leaf end surface 6 occurs. Therefore the abrasive treatment of the leaf end surface 6 is provided.

In enhanced embodiment of the method 100, the honing tool 10 is performed per any of claim 1 - 8. And at the step of providing rotation 120 of the honing tool body 11 and the at least one leaf seal assembly 1 relative to one another, the at least one leaf seal assembly 1 does not rotate, and the honing tool body 11 rotates such that each radial running head 12 of the honing tool body 11 moves outwards in radial direction till the state when the leaf end surface 6 of each seal element 2 of the at least one leaf seal assembly 1 is trimmed by the radial running heads 12.

In preferable case the rotation frequency of the honing tool body 11 is controlled to provide a given geometry of the leaf end surface 6 of each seal element 2 of the leaf seal assembly 1. 48

16

The given geometry of the leaf end surface 6 is defined by experts. By selecting appropriate the rotation frequency of the honing tool body 11 the given geometry of the leaf end surface 6. Since the higher rotational frequency of the honing tool body 11 is selected the sharper geometry of the leaf end surface 6 of each seal element 2 of the leaf seal assembly 1 is provided. And the slower rotational frequency of the honing tool body 11 is selected the blunter geometry of the leaf end surface 6 of each seal element 2 of the leaf seal assembly 1 is provided.

The details of the method 100 when the honing tool body 11 rotates while the leaf seal assembly 1 is still are described above in when the working principles of the honing tool 10 are described.

FIG 10 illustrates shows a block diagram of another embodiment of the method 100 for providing abrasive treatment of leaf end surface 6 of a seal element 2 of a leaf seal assembly 1 according to the present invention. In accordance with this embodiment of the method 100, the honing tool 10 is performed as per any of claim 1 - 3.

After the step 110 of arranging the at least one leaf seal assembly 1 and the honing tool 10, the method 100 further comprises a step of moving 130 each radial running head 12 of the honing tool body 11 such that the radial running heads 12 protrude outwards of the edge 15 of the at least one honing tool body 11 on a given height. The given height is chosen by experts .

At the step 120 of providing rotation the honing tool body 11 and the at least one leaf seal assembly 1 relative to one another, the honing tool body 11 does not rotate, and the at least one leaf seal assembly rotates lsuch that the leaf end surface 6 of each seal element 2 of the at least one leaf seal assembly 1 is trimmed by the radial running heads 12.

In preferable case the given height on which the radial running heads 12 protrude outwards of the edge 15 of the at least one honing tool body 11 is controlled to provide the given geometry of the leaf end surface 6 of each seal element 2 of the leaf seal assembly 1.

The details of the method 100 when the honing tool body 11 does not rotate while the leaf seal assembly 1 rotates are described above when the working principles of the honing tool 10 are described.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail with the help of preferred embodiment, the invention is not limited to the disclosed examples . Other variations can be deducted by those skilled in the art without leaving the scope of protection of the claimed invention.

Reference numerals

1 - leaf seal assembly

2 - seal element

3 - spacer element

4 - backing ring

5, 5' - upstream and downstream rigid coverplates

6 - leaf end surface

7 - surface of a rotating component

T - rotating component

8 - direction of a rotating component rotation

9 - profile of the seal element

10 - honing tool

11 - honing tool body

12 - radial running head

13 - axis of a honing tool body

14 - radial edge surface

15 - edge of the honing tool body

16 - elastic component

17 - control unit

100, 110, 120, 130 - method and its steps