Title: The effect factors for the sealing performance of the labyrinth seal in the air blower based on FEM

Authors: Bin Zhao

Addresses: School of Mechanical Engineering, Liaoning Shihua University, No. 1, West Dandong Road, Wanghua District, Fushun, Liaoning Province, 113001, China

Abstract: In order to design a labyrinth seal with better sealing performance, the numerical investigation is applied. The solution to the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations in velocity-vorticity formulation is calculated by means of finite element method. The velocity vector field, the vorticity field and average pressure in the seal cavity of the labyrinth seal in the air blower are studied. The regularity of pressure changing in the seal cavity with the main geometric sizes of the labyrinth seal changing is calculated. And finally, the effect of the main geometric sizes of the labyrinth seal on the leakage is deduced. These results offer the theoretical guidance for designing a better labyrinth seal.

Keywords: finite element method; FEM; labyrinth seals; sealing performance; air blowers; leakage; seal design; velocity vector; vorticity; average pressure.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCAET.2012.045653

International Journal of Computer Aided Engineering and Technology, 2012 Vol.4 No.2, pp.126 - 142

Published online: 16 Aug 2014 *

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