A numerical simulation method for hydrodynamic lubrication of lip seal

Abstract

A numerical simulation method is proposed to analyse the hydrodynamic lubrication performances of lip seal based on surface topography of sealing lip and shaft, lip interference, lip deformation, etc. The method, which can simulate the lubrication characteristics of lip seal under different interferences, is more reasonable than other existing methods. The proposed method was applied to auto water pump bearing’s seal. The surfaces of sealing lip and shaft are modelled, and the maximum film pressure, the average film pressure, the minimum film thickness, the average film thickness, and the friction on lip surface of stable working stage are calculated. Therelationship between the lubrication characteristics and initial interference are obtained. The results will be very helpful for lip interference determination and optimization of auto water pump bearing’s seal.

Keywords

lip seals lubrication characteristics numerical simulation method

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