A Hydrodynamic Theory of Radial-Face Mechanical Seals

The existence of a lubricating fluid film between the faces of a mechanical seal has been amply demonstrated, but the mechanisms of lubrication and sealing have yet to be convincingly established. Experimental evidence to show that mechanical seal faces are most probably lubricated by a hydrodynamic action induced by the waviness of one of the surfaces has recently been published by the authors. Following this work a modified form of the narrow bearing approximation to Reynolds' equation for hydrodynamic lubrication has been applied to an idealized wavy faced seal. The resulting theory of seal face lubrication has been extended to include radial flows in the fluid film and predicts a net inward flow of fluid which may be utilized to oppose the flow due to the sealed fluid pressure. Predicted lubrication and sealing characteristics are in substantial agreement with measured values. It is suggested that the performance of mechanical seals can be improved by giving one face an appropriately wavy surface at the time of manufacture; a number of other observations on mechanical seal design are also made.