Steady-state and dynamic performance of a gas-lubricated seal

Steady-state and dynamic performance of a gas-lubricated, self-acting face seal was determined using numerical methods based on a variable grid, finite-difference, time-transient procedure. Results were obtained for a gas turbine main shaft seal operating at 206.9 newton per square centimeter (300 psi) sealed air pressure and 152.4 meters per second (500 ft/sec) sliding velocity. Analysis of the seal dynamics revealed that the response of the seal nosepiece to runout of the seat face is markedly affected by secondary seal friction and by nosepiece inertia. The nosepiece response was determined for various levels of secondary seal friction and seat face runout magnitudes.