Simulation of the Effects of a Plunge Ground Rod on Hydraulic Rod Seal Behavior

A numerical analysis of a reciprocating hydraulic rod seal with a plunge ground rod has been performed. It consists of coupled fluid mechanics, contact mechanics, and deformation analyses. The fluid mechanics analysis consists of a finite volume solution of the Reynolds equation. The deformation is computed with a finite element analysis. The contact of the seal asperities with the rod utilizes the Greenwood-Williamson model and the rod surface geometry is treated deterministically. The fluid transport, friction force, contact pressure distribution, and fluid pressure distribution in the sealing zone have been computed for a polyurethane U-cup seal and for a step seal with a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) sealing element and a nitrile energizer. These have been compared with the results for a smooth rod.     

Fluid-solid interaction model for hydraulic reciprocating O-ring seals

Elastohydrodynamic lubrication characteristics of hydraulic reciprocating seals have significant effects on sealing and tribology performances of hydraulic actuators,especially in high parameter hydraulic systems.Only elastic deformations of hydraulic reciprocating seals were discussed,and hydrodynamic effects were neglected in many studies.The physical process of the fluid-solid interaction effect did not be clearly presented in the existing fluid-solid interaction models for hydraulic reciprocating O-ring seals,and few of these models had been simultaneously validated through experiments.By exploring the physical process of the fluid-solid interaction effect of the hydraulic reciprocating O-ring seal,a numerical fluid-solid interaction model consisting of fluid lubrication,contact mechanics,asperity contact and elastic deformation analyses is constructed with an iterative procedure.With the SRV friction and wear tester,the experiments are performed to investigate the elastohydrodynamic lubrication characteristics of the O-ring seal.The regularity of the friction coefficient varying with the speed of reciprocating motion is obtained in the mixed lubrication condition.The experimental result is used to validate the fluid-solid interaction model.Based on the model,The elastohydrodynamic lubrication characteristics of the hydraulic reciprocating O-ring seal are presented respectively in the dry friction,mixed lubrication and full film lubrication conditions,including of the contact pressure,film thickness,friction coefficient,liquid film pressure and viscous shear stress in the sealing zone.The proposed numerical fluid-solid interaction model can be effectively used to analyze the operation characteristics of the hydraulic reciprocating O-ring seal,and can also be widely used to study other hydraulic reciprocating seals.     

A Numerical Model of a Reciprocating Rod Seal With a Secondary Lip

A numerical model of an elastomeric reciprocating hydraulic rod seal, with both a primary and a secondary lip, has been developed. It is applicable to cases in which the stroke length is significantly larger than the seal width. Coupled fluid mechanics, contact mechanics, and deformation analyses are applied to each lip. Mass conservation and the pressure of the intervening fluid couple the two lips to each other. The leakage, the film thickness distribution, the fluid and contact pressure distributions, and the friction force are predicted for both the outstroke and the instroke for a typical seal, operating with mixed lubrication.     

Elastohydrodynamics of the rotary lip seal

An elastohydrodynamic model of the non-leaking equilibrium behaviour of the rotary lip seal has been developed. It consists of a fluid mechanics analysis of the lubricating film, a structural analysis of the lip, an analysis of the meniscus on the air side of the seal, and an iterative computation procedure. A uniform distribution of microasperities on the lip surface is assumed. The model predicts the location of the meniscus, the film thickness and pressure distributions, and the locations of cavitation regions. It also predicts the maximum pressure that can be sealed with zero leakage, and the maximum speed above which the meniscus is ingested into the sealing zone.     

Photoelastic measurements and computation of the stress field and contact pressure in a pneumatic lip seal

This work regards the analysis of the structural behaviour of a typical elastomeric lip seal for pneumatic cylinders under actual working conditions. In situations of relative motion between the lip seal and the cylinder, coulombian friction is taken into account. The analysis has been carried out by means of both numerical and experimental methods. In particular, the behaviour of the seal with respect to the two contact zones, i.e. between seal and rod and between seal and mounting housing, has been studied. In order to describe the seal stress and strain fields, isoclinic lines and isochromatic fringes have been determined both by means of a two-dimensional finite element model and by reflection and transparent photoelastic methods. The contact pressure between the lip seal and the rod has been computed numerically, with the FEM model and analytically from photoelastic data. The comparisons between experimental and numerical data have permitted numerical model validation.     

An unsteady mixed soft EHL model, with application to a rotary lip seal

A rotary lip seal usually operates with full-film lubrication. However at low speeds, such as those encountered during startup and shutdown, mixed lubrication occurs and asperities on the lip contact the shaft. To simulate this condition, a mixed soft EHL model has been constructed. The fluid mechanics of the lubricating film is described by a Reynolds equation that can handle interasperity cavitation. The bulk deformation of the lip is computed using influence coefficients, while the junctions between the asperities and the shaft are modeled as Hertzian contacts. Since the shaft is rough, the flow is unsteady and an unsteady analysis is required. The model shows how the shaft roughness affects such seal characteristics as load support, contact load ratio, contact area ratio, cavitation area ratio, reverse pumping rate and average film thickness.     

斯特林机活塞杆帽式组合密封动密封性能分析

为研究斯特林发动机活塞杆无油润滑帽式组合密封的动密封性能,利用有限元分析软件Abaqus建立帽式密封的二维轴对称有限元模型,基于系统实际工况,研究工质压力对帽式密封性能的影响,得到不同压力下的有效密封区域。静态密封性能分析结果表明,帽式密封环与活塞杆的接触应力是密封的关键,动态密封性能分析结果表明,两者接触应力和密封区域随压力增大而增大,且外行程接触应力略大于内行程。通过热力耦合动态仿真模拟,分析环境温度、摩擦因数、往复运动速度对动密封性能的影响。结果表明:环境温度对帽式密封温度场影响不大,热源主要来自摩擦热;往复运动速度对其密封性能影响也不大,而摩擦因数的影响较大,摩擦因数越小,帽式密封的密封效果越好,使用寿命越长。     

波度端面机械密封温度场的有限元分析

考虑波度密封端面的粘性生热和润滑液膜与密封环之间的热作用,建立了包括密封环和液膜在内的流固热耦合模型,采用流线迎风有限单元法求解了雷诺方程、热传导方程和能量方程,研究了液膜膜厚、波数、波幅、坝宽比、转速及密封压力等参数对密封环温度场和液膜温度场的分布规律的影响。结果表明:波度对密封端面起到了冷却作用;密封环和液膜温度随着膜厚、波幅增大而降低,随转速、坝宽比增大而升高,波数和密封压力对温度的影响不大。     

钻井工况下单金属密封接触分析及实验研究

结合钻井领域高温高压工况,对单金属密封的装配过程和双侧受压情况进行有限元分析,求得动密封面接触压力梯度分布,并结合MATLAB和雷诺方程提出了一种计算动密封泄漏率的新方法;然后根据钻井工况搭建了旋转动密封实验台,对动密封面的接触压力分布情况和泄漏率进行测试。实验和仿真结果表明,在低压工况下动密封面呈收敛状态,有利于润滑油膜的形成,而高压工况下则发散;随着润滑油和钻井液压差的增大,动密封面内侧的接触压力逐渐减小,而外侧逐渐增大;泄漏率随着动密封转速的升高而增大,随着动密封轴向位移的增加而降低。     

温度对组合型织构油封密封性能的影响

耦合流体力学、变形分析、接触力学、能量守恒方程和黏温黏压方程,建立具有表面组合型织构油封的密封区域混合润滑数值模型,研究温度对表面组合型织构油封密封性能的影响;通过有限差分法对数值方程离散求解,得到不同表面织构油封唇口的温度分布及不同转速下油封唇口的最高温度,对比分析温升对油封泵吸率、油膜厚度、摩擦扭矩等密封性能的影响。结果表明：油封最高温度位于唇尖处,无织构油封最高温度略高于织构油封,随着转速的增加,油封最高温度也都随之增加;织构的存在会引起油封泵吸率的增加和平均油膜厚度变大;随着温度的升高,油封泵吸率、摩擦扭矩、油膜厚度都会逐渐减小,油封密封性能明显下降,温度升高至一定程度,油封泵吸率会变为负值。     

Solution and analysis of VL combined seal lubrication model under the effect of wear

Through the finite element calculation of VL combined seal models under different wear conditions, contact pressure distributions of models are obtained. Considering the coupling effect between seal deformation and lubricating oil film, a mathematical model of elastohydrodynamic lubrication for VL combined seal is established. Based on the theory of small deformation, the elastic deformation of VL composite seal under high pressure is obtained by the deformation influence coefficient matrix method. Considering the influence of sealing surface wear and surface roughness, the oil film thickness distribution and oil film pressure distribution of VL combined seal are solved by the finite difference method. The analysis results show the wear of VL combined seal, the decrease of viscosity, the increase of roughness and rotational speed can raise the thickness and pressure of lubricating oil film. The correctness of numerical simulation is verified by experimentally measuring the friction torque and leakage rate of seal.

     

多唇往复滑环式组合密封数值模拟与分析

构建一种适用于多唇往复滑环式组合密封的数值模型,数值模型中包含固体力学分析、流体力学分析、接触力学分析、流固耦合分析。以含有3段密封唇的PS封为例,基于数值模型求解得到密封面油膜厚度分布、油膜压力分布、粗糙峰接触压力分布,以及内外行程的流量和密封界面的摩擦力。该数值计算方法解决了多唇密封中边界条件难确定的问题,通过迭代计算可得到稳态运行时各密封唇的边界条件。明确多唇PS封的密封机制,分析不同往复速度对密封性能的影响。结果表明：多唇PS封内外行程中各唇边界条件差异较大,外行程中,两唇之间的空隙处存在一定压力,内行程中空隙压力为0;外行程的密封面接触压力要小于内行程;增大往复速度会使多唇PS封净泄漏增加,摩擦力减小。     

激光加工多孔端面机械密封的参数研究

建立了激光加工多孔端面机械密封的流体动力学分析模型。根据基本假设,一个孔栏上的液膜压力分布可表征整个密封面上的液膜压力。将参数进行无量纲化,采用有限差分法对激光加工多孔端面机械密封进行了参数研究,并利用MATLAB计算机软件得到了无量纲液膜压力的三雏分布规律。由计算分析可知,液膜平均压力随着液体粘度和转速的增加、液膜厚度的减小而增大;随着流体压力的增大,微孔产生的动压效应减弱。另外,微孔密度和微孔深径比的对液膜平均压力有很大影响,对其进行优化,可使平均液膜压力达到最大。     

Study of leakage and friction of flexible seals for steady motion via a numerical approximation method

A numerical model has been developed to solve the steady-state, smooth-surface elastohydrodynamic problem of flexible (polymeric or elastomeric) seals of nominally rectangular or toroidal shape, most commonly found in linear and rotary hydraulic actuators for reciprocating motion. The seals can be fluid-pressurized or even act as wipers. The model offers the advantage of stable and very fast, approximate numerical solution of the EHL sealing problem, which has not been given much attention in the literature in the last 40 years. This model by-passes common obstacles in elastohydrodynamics of soft contacts. It uses an approach similar to that at the beginning of the Inverse Hydrodynamic theory but then deviates from it, avoiding the tricky part of solving a cubic equation. It is relatively easy to program and requires no more than a few hundredths of a second of processing time of a modern personal computer for a complete solution and performance analysis, which is a leap forward compared with previous studies in the literature that required hundreds of iterations and finite element analysis to achieve similar results. In this study and for demonstration purposes, it is applied for a wide range of operating conditions, namely operating temperature between −54 and +99 °C, average contact pressure between 5 and 180 MPa and sliding speed between 0.6 and 38 mm/s (although these limits can safely be exceeded with the model). Results are presented for the contact pressure and film thickness distribution, seal leakage and hydrodynamic friction force. A study on the effects of the seal initial interference, sliding speed, seal geometry, and fluid starvation on lubrication and sealing performance have been derived for the previously mentioned range of operating conditions and for initially conformal and non-conformal sealing contacts, with the seals both stationary and non-stationary. The results are in agreement with those of several well-known theoretical and experimental studies in this field. The present study is for steady-state conditions and will be extended to a transient elastohydrodynamic analysis in another study.     

电液锤活塞密封窜漏的原因分析及改进

电液锤液气缸活塞密封采用由PTFE制造的格莱圈密封,在使用中液压油会窜入气腔,导致气体压力升高。本文分析了由于缸体膨胀、密封失效而发生窜漏的两种原因,即液膜流过密封环时在气腔积聚和收锤造成的压力冲击。并提出了在格莱圈后安装Yx圈的改进措施。     

空化效应对斜线槽机械密封性能的影响

润滑膜的空化效应对流体动压型机械密封的密封性能影响显著。以煤油基磁流体润滑斜线槽上游泵送机械密封为研究对象,考虑空化热效应以及黏温效应,建立润滑液膜特性的数值分析模型,以液膜中的气相体积分数为指标,研究工况和结构参数对密封性能的影响规律,并与仅考虑黏温效应的模型进行对比。结果表明：因空化热模型考虑液膜介质饱和蒸汽压力随温度变化,考虑空化热效应时的开启力、泄漏率和气相体积分数均小于仅考虑黏温效应下的对应值,但2种条件下各参数的变化趋势基本一致;转速和槽径比增大,空化效应增强,而进口压力、膜厚、径向夹角和槽数的增大会削弱空化效应;转速、槽深、径向夹角、槽径比增加,会导致泄漏率增加,而进口压力和槽数的增加能够提升密封性能。     

Modelling of non-laminar phenomena in high reliability hydrostatic seals operating in extreme conditions

A numerical study of hydrostatic seals is presented. The theoretical model takes account of the transition to turbulence and inertia effects in the lubricant fluid film. The thermo-elastic deformations of the seal faces and heat transfer are considered using influence coefficient matrices. To obtain a good correlation between numerical simulations and measurements taken in French nuclear power stations, it is necessary to deal with entrance and exit pressure losses. It is shown that the seal operates in a laminar or near turbulent flow regime, depending on the inlet temperature.     

Elastohydrodynamic lubrication and finite configuration changes in reciprocating elastomeric seals

A computational framework has been developed for a fully coupled analysis of elastohydrodynamic lubrication and finite deformations of elastomeric reciprocating seals in hydraulic actuators. The relevant formulation is provided, which consistently treats finite configuration changes of the seal modelled as a hyperelastic (Mooney-Rivlin) solid. The steady-state hydrodynamic lubrication is modelled using the classical Reynolds equation. Coupling of the solid and fluid parts is fully accounted for, including friction due to shear stresses in the lubricant film. Detailed results of finite element simulations are provided for two benchmark problems of O-ring and rectangular rod seals in a wide range of process parameters.     

Coaxial twin-shaft magnetic fluid seals applied in vacuum wafer-handling robot

Compared with traditional mechanical seals,magnetic fluid seals have unique characters of high airtightness,minimal friction torque requirements,pollution-free and long life-span,widely used in vacuum robots.With the rapid development of Integrate Circuit(IC),there is a stringent requirement for sealing wafer-handling robots when working in a vacuum environment.The parameters of magnetic fluid seals structure is very important in the vacuum robot design.This paper gives a magnetic fluid seal device for the robot.Firstly,the seal differential pressure formulas of magnetic fluid seal are deduced according to the theory of ferrohydrodynamics,which indicate that the magnetic field gradient in the sealing gap determines the seal capacity of magnetic fluid seal.Secondly,the magnetic analysis model of twin-shaft magnetic fluid seals structure is established.By analyzing the magnetic field distribution of dual magnetic fluid seal,the optimal value ranges of important parameters,including parameters of the permanent magnetic ring,the magnetic pole tooth,the outer shaft,the outer shaft sleeve and the axial relative position of two permanent magnetic rings,which affect the seal differential pressure,are obtained.A wafer-handling robot equipped with coaxial twin-shaft magnetic fluid rotary seals and bellows seal is devised and an optimized twin-shaft magnetic fluid seals experimental platform is built.Test result shows that when the speed of the two rotational shafts ranges from 0-500 r/min,the maximum burst pressure is about 0.24 MPa.Magnetic fluid rotary seals can provide satisfactory performance in the application of wafer-handling robot.The proposed coaxial twin-shaft magnetic fluid rotary seal provides the instruction to design high-speed vacuum robot.     

A Numerical Model of a Rock Bit Bearing Seal

The mechanical seal with metal faces, used to seal the bearings in rock drill bits, plays a critical role in ensuring a long service life of the drill bit. A numerical model of such a seal has been developed for use as a design tool. The axisymmetric model encompasses a mixed lubrication elastohydrodynamic analysis, and predicts such quantities as leakage rate, film thickness distribution, fluid pressure and contact pressure distributions, interface temperature and face deformation. Model results show that the behavior of this seal, unlike that of conventional industrial seals, depends strongly on the ambient pressure, not just on the pressure drop across the seal.