Numerical Analysis Of Face Deformation Of A Laser Textured Micro-Pore Face Mechanical Seal

The laser-textured micro-pore face mechanical seal (LST-MS) can run non-contacting depending on the hydrodynamics effect produced by micro-pore, which had good sealing and lubricating performance, and reduce temperature grade, friction and wear effectively, as a new sealing technology the LST-MS has wide development prospect. During operation, the deformation is produced due to mechanical load and thermal load. The dimension of micro-pore and the liquid film of LST-MS are in micrometer range, therefore any tiny deformation of the seal ring will affect the sealing performance. Large deformation will increase leakage and wear and reduce the operating life. The research on deformation is of great importance to theory and application. In this paper, the equation for liquid film pressure between the two faces of LST-MS was established and solved by a finite element analysis. The leakage, liquid film stiffness and the ratio of liquid film stiffness to leakage were obtained also. Besides, the stable temperature distribution of seal ring was calculated, on the base of which the deformation of seal ring on the force load, thermal load and the coupling of them respectively was studied, the stator of which is with different restriction and structure. The results stated that the deformation had great effect on the seal performance, which results in leakage larger and the decrease of the ratio of liquid film stiffness to leakage. The constriction had great effect on the face deformation. Therefore, it was imperative and feasible to decrease and even avoid the face deformation by selecting suitable constrictions, which hence made it possible to increase the stability of the LST-MS.