Analysis of the leakage path in an air-lubricated seal

作者：Visconte C^*; Conte M; Mattone M C

来源：Tribology International, 2009, 42(6): 844-848.

DOI：10.1016/j.triboint.2008.11.001

• Film thickness
• Lip seal
• Numerical analysis

An experimental methodology is described. conceived to support the design of an air-lubricated lip seal for pneumatic actuators. The aim of the work was to measure the very narrow gap occurring between a new radial sealing device and the counterpart during working conditions, when compressed air in the sealed volume detaches the mating surfaces, causing a small and controlled leakage flow. A spring-energized lip seal, suitably assembled, was chosen as case on study, and a Fizeau interferometer was employed to measure the leakage path thickness. In order to compare leakage data, numerical simulations were carried out by means of a commercial CFD code on the gap geometries defined during experiments. The achieved results are presented.

• 出版日期2009-6