Bionic Improvement of a Spiral-Grooved Dry Gas Seal at Mid-and-Low Speed

In order to solve the problem of poor stability in the dry gas seal at mid-and-low speed or start-stop phase, a new type of dry gas seal with multi-path spiral groove was presented based on design of common spiral groove and bionic. Reynolds equation was resolved by using numerical analysis method. A comparison study on gas film pressure distribution of a dry gas seal with bionic multi-path spiral grooves and common spiral grooves was carried out. Analysis and comparison on opening force, leakage rate, stiffness and ratio to leakage of a dry gas seal with bionic multi-path spiral grooves and common spiral grooves was studied under different pressure and film thickness. The influence of number of channels on sealing performance was made. The results show that a dry gas seal with bionic multi-path spiral grooves had lower leakage and better stability at mid-and-low speed. The grooves with annular can improve seal stability and reduce leakage rate.