A numerical formulation is presented for the dynamic analysis of spiral-grooved gas lubricated mechanical face seals with a flexibly mounted stator. Axial and angular modes of motion are considered. Both finite volume and finite element methods are employed for the spatial discretization of the unsteady, compressible form of the Reynolds equation. Self-adapting unwinding schemes are employed in both methods, making them suitable for situations when the compressibility number is high. Both the lubrication analysis and the kinetic analysis are arranged into a single state space form, which makes coupling the two analyses straightforward. The resulting set of equations is solved using a linear multistep ordinary differential equation solver. Examples of the transient response to static stator misalignment and rotor runout are given. Although a properly designed spiral grooved face seal provides good dynamic performance, it is shown that unacceptably large face separation can occur when large angle spiral grooves are employed together with a sealing dam.

Issue Section:
Technical Papers
Keywords:
seals (stoppers), leak detection, fluid mechanics, aerodynamics, lubrication, finite element analysis, flow, modelling, tribology
Topics:
Dynamic analysis, Finite element methods, Lubrication, Pressure, Rotors, Stators, Flow (Dynamics), Finite element analysis, Compressibility, Dams, Sealing (Process)
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