Rotordynamic coefficient test results for a four-stage brush seal

Abstract

Experimental results are presented for the direct and cross-coupled stiffness and direct damping coefficients for a four-stage brush seal. Variable test parameters include the inlet pressure, pressure ratio, shaft speed, fluid prerotation, and seal spacing. Direct damping slightly increases with running speed; otherwise, the rotordynamic coefficients are relatively insensitive to changes in the test parameters. Cross-coupled stiffness is generally unchanged by increasing the inlet tangential velocity to the seals, in contrast to conventional labyrinth seals. Comparisons of test results for the four-stage brush seal with an eight-cavity labyrinth showed superior rotordynamic performance for the brush seal, namely, larger values for direct stiffness and lower values for the (destabilizing) cross-coupled stiffness coefficient.