Topology optimization of liquid lubricating zero-leakage mechanical face seals

Abstract

Reaction-diffusion equation (RDE)-based topology optimization is introduced to obtain optimal hydrodynamic grooves of liquid lubricating mechanical face seals with the largest load-carrying capacity (LCC) and the given leakage constraint. The finite element method is applied to conduct the optimization procedure. Two bearing optimization cases are firstly solved to verify the methodology. Then the Y-shaped or V-shaped hydrodynamic grooves have been achieved for the zero-leakage mechanical face seals. The results show that the optimal groove is sensitive to the diffusion coefficient, the groove-dam ratio, the groove depth ratio, the groove number and the seal pressure, and is independent on the initial groove configuration and the higher characteristic number.