Gas Lubrication Analysis Method of Step-Dimpled Face Mechanical Seals

In solving Reynolds equation with the conventional finite difference method, keeping the flow continuity has ofen been ignored, which will lead to an analysis error in the pressure distribution and leakage rate, especially for discontinuous clearance caused by step structures such as laser surface texturing sealing surfaces. In this paper, a finite difference method is introduced to satisfy the flow continuity to solve the Reynolds equation. Then, the pressure distribution for a typical rectangular step structure is obtained via two different methods: a numerical solution of the exact full Navier-Stokes equations, and a solution of the Reynolds equation solved by the previously mentioned method. A comparison between the two solution methods illustrates that, for both pressure flow and shear flow, the pressure distribution from the new difference method is in good agreement with that from the Navier-Stokes equations, and the new difference method can reflect the characteristic of the pressure sudden-change of the shear flow at the steps. Finally, the pressure distribution and leakage rate of a step-dimpled seal face are acquired with the presented method. The results show that the presented method allows gas-lubricating analysis of mechanical face seals with discontinuous clearance, and can keep the leakage rate continuous in the radial direction.