Analysis of parameters and performance for spiral grooved cylindrical gas film seal

Aimed at the downstream spiral groove structure in the cylindrical gas seal, the analysis and calculation were carried out with the change of different structure parameters and the stability performance of the seal. The three dimensional model of spiral groove cylindrical seal were built and simulated by Fluent. The hydrodynamic gas pressure distribution and the related regular curves including load, frictional torque and leakage were obtained with the change of seal structure parameters. The calculated results indicate that the gas film pressure shows as indention distributing and pressure peaks appear in the film thickness reducing area. Sealing structure parameters on the sealing stability performance have different effects, but the frictional torque is hardly influenced by spiral groove parameters. The recommended parameters of sealing structure are obtained.