Elastohydrodynamic lubrication analysis of a radial oil seal with hydrodynamic features

Abstract

Radial oil seals prevent leakage in mechanical systems where a rotary shaft passes a housing interface. Hydrodynamic features are added to augment the self-induced back-pumping effect and extend the lifetime of the seal. A numerical approach for the soft elastohydrodynamic analysis of radial oil seals with pumping structures is introduced, which comprises state of the art sub-models for the elastic deformation of the contacting surfaces and the pressure buildup in the fluid-filled sealing gap. The back-pumping flow in the sealing contact is resolved in conjunction with the surface deformation due to hydrodynamic pressure buildup. From the hydrodynamic pressure and film thickness, characteristic performance parameters such as the pumping rate and the friction torque are presented and discussed in greater detail.