Elastohydrodynamic Analysis of a Rotary Lip Seal Using Flow Factors

Authors: Rocke, Ann; Salant, Richard

Source: Tribology Transactions, Volume 48, Number 3, July-September 2005 , pp. 308-316(9)

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Abstract:

An elastohydrodynamic analysis of a rotary lip seal is performed numerically, incorporating both the fluid mechanics of the lubricating film and the elastic deformation of the lip. Asperities on the lip surface dominate the behavior of the flow field in the lubricating film and are taken into account through the use of flow factors. Because previous analyses treated those asperities deterministically, they required very large computation times. The present approach is much less computationally intensive because the asperities are treated statistically. Because cavitation and asperity orientation play important roles, these are taken into account in the computation of the flow factors. An asperity distortion analysis is introduced to model the complex variations in the asperity distribution on the surface of the lip. Results of the analysis show how the operating parameters of the seal and the characteristics of the asperities affect such seal characteristics as the thickness of the lubricating film, reverse pumping rate, power dissipation, and liftoff speed.

Keywords: Rotary Seals; Elastomeric Seals; Lip Seals; Compliant Surface EHL

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/05698190590965639

Affiliations: 1: George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, 30332-0405, USA

Publication date: 2005-07-01