Rotordynamic-coefficient and leakage test results are presented for three grooved seals with helix angles of 0, 15, and 30 deg against rotation. The seals are 50.8 mm long and 152.4 mm in diameter. Tests were done for two supply pressures (up to 17 bars), three speeds (5000, 12,000, and 16,000 rpm), four pressure ratios, and three inlet fluid prerotation conditions. The results showed that increasing the helix angle yields a progressive reduction in the cross-coupled stiffness coefficient k and a progressive increase in leakage. The helically grooved seals consistently yield negative cross-coupled stiffness coefficients for nonprerotated inlet flow; hence, k in these seals would oppose forward whirl of a rotor. Helically grooved seals become less effective at reducing k with increasing preswirl; hence, for optimum effectiveness they should be used with a swirl brake. Comparison between helically grooved and honeycomb-stator seals showed that helically grooved stators had reduced (negative) whirl-frequency ratios for nonprerotated flows but were no better than honeycomb-stator seals for elevated fluid prerotation. The 15 and 30 deg helix grooves leaked about 1.6 and 2.2 times, respectively, as much as the honeycomb-stator seals.
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April 1996
Research Papers
Experimental Leakage and Rotordynamic Results for Helically Grooved Annular Gas Seals
D. W. Childs,
D. W. Childs
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843
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A. J. Gansle
A. J. Gansle
Sanden International (U.S.A.), Inc., Wylie, TX 75098
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D. W. Childs
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843
A. J. Gansle
Sanden International (U.S.A.), Inc., Wylie, TX 75098
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power. Apr 1996, 118(2): 389-393 (5 pages)
Published Online: April 1, 1996
Article history
Received:
February 13, 1995
Online:
November 19, 2007
Citation
Childs, D. W., and Gansle, A. J. (April 1, 1996). "Experimental Leakage and Rotordynamic Results for Helically Grooved Annular Gas Seals." ASME. J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power. April 1996; 118(2): 389–393. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2816601
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