Analysis of a ring-type seal by the finite element method

Abstract

The ring-type seal used in high speed turbogenerators contains a hydrodynamic oil film to prevent the leakage of cooling hydrogen. The ring floats on the rotor shaft and its gravity load is supported by the film. The ring-type seal must operate at a very low eccentricity in order to maintain an uninterrupted oil film around the rotor. The seal studied consisted of two lands, one plain and the other having wedges. The two lands were separated by a circumferential oil supply groove. Using the finite element method the static performance characteristics of the seal in terms of load, moment, flow, attitude angle, friction force and temperature rise were evaluated at different eccentricities for the various wedge parameters.