Hydrodynamic Characteristics of Gas Upstream Pumping Face Seals Texturing with Inclined-Ellipse-Dimples

Hydrodynamic effect of an upstream pumping gas seal texturing with orientation ellipse dimples is theoretically analyzed. A parametric investigation of the texturing parameters such as slender ratio, dimple inclination angle, dimple depth, and dimple area rate is presented for the presented gas seal under different operating parameters of rotation speed, seal pressure, and clearance. Results show that the inclined-ellipse-dimple gas upstream pumping face seals may present significant hydrodynamic effect, which lead to open force improved more than 50% greater in the analysis. A complete backward leakage may be achieved by the inclined-ellipse-dimple upstream pumping face seals in high speed cases.