A Numerical Model of a Reciprocating Rod Seal With a Secondary Lip

Abstract

A numerical model of an elastomeric reciprocating hydraulic rod seal, with both a primary and a secondary lip, has been developed. It is applicable to cases in which the stroke length is significantly larger than the seal width. Coupled fluid mechanics, contact mechanics, and deformation analyses are applied to each lip. Mass conservation and the pressure of the intervening fluid couple the two lips to each other. The leakage, the film thickness distribution, the fluid and contact pressure distributions, and the friction force are predicted for both the outstroke and the instroke for a typical seal, operating with mixed lubrication.

KEY WORDS:

• Seals
• Elastomeric Seals
• Lip Seals
• Reciprocating Seals
• Rod Seals
• EHL

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Cooperative Network for Research, National Fluid Power Association; the National Science Foundation, Engineering Research Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power; and the Georgia Power Company. The technical assistance of Eaton Hydraulics and Hallite Seals is also gratefully acknowledged.

Review led by Jim Netzel