Title: Numerical modelling and experimental study of fluid friction torque for clearance sealing of hydraulic rotary joints

Authors: Xiuxu Zhao; Jing Zhang; Kyaw Thiha Soe; Jiantao Nie

Addresses: School of Mechatronics Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, China ' School of Mechatronics Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, China ' Military Heavy Industries, Ministry of Defence, Yangon, Myanmar ' School of Mechatronics Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, China

Abstract: In high-speed hydraulic rotary joints, the frictional torque generated by the rotation of fluid in the sealing gap can affect the fluid delivery efficiency, increase the possibility of locking between the spindle and the fixed housing, and lead to the functional failure of the rotary joint. Therefore, it is of great significance to solve this problem through the reasonable design of the structural parameters of the rotary joint. This study first derived the calculation method for the friction torque of hydraulic rotary joints from a theoretical perspective, and then studied the relationship between the friction torque of hydraulic rotary joints and structural parameters (clearance value, effective sealing length, spindle diameter) through simulation and experiment. A corresponding mathematical model was established, and the effectiveness of the model was verified with actual rotary joint products, providing a theoretical basis for optimising the performance of high-speed hydraulic rotary joints.

Keywords: high-speed hydraulic rotary joints; gap seal; friction torque; structural parameters.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHM.2025.148505

International Journal of Hydromechatronics, 2025 Vol.8 No.3, pp.249 - 271

Received: 17 Sep 2024
Accepted: 12 Dec 2024
Published online: 09 Sep 2025 *

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