Thermal-Mechanical Coupled FE Analysis for Rotary Shaft Seals

Background: The use of electric vehicles is expected to increase day by day. The operating conditions of the rotary shaft seals used in the powertrain of electric vehicles are more challenging than those of internal combustion engines. The maximum operating temperature of seal used in electric vehicles is 150℃ and the maximum operating speed is 16,000RPM. It is impossible for a standard seal with a garter spring not to leak under these operating conditions, which has led us to turn to alternative designs. Objective: The objective of starting this study is to develop a new generation rotary shaft seal to be used in electric vehicles with finite element analysis (FEA) and optimization. Methods: During this study, finite elements, optimization and geometry development methods were used. First of all, alternative spiral knurled seal that can operate at high speeds was designed in this study. Secondly, our alternatively designed seal was tested to determine lifetime. Results: When we checked the results coming from test machines, the first design seal had approximately 5g of leakage at the end of 7 days. In the examinations made after the experiment, it was observed that the spirals were deleted at the end of 7 days. A finite element model of the first designed seal was created and radial load control was performed. When the radial load value obtained from the finite element model and the experimental radial load value are compared, it is seen that there is a deviation of around 4.3%. In the light of these data, the accuracy of the FEA model created in the Abaqus has been proven. The created finite element model was optimized within the boundary conditions with the help of Isight. A prototype of the optimized design seal was produced and a life-time test was carried out. The prototype seal of the optimized design had approximately 4g of leakage after 13 days under the same test conditions. Since the lifetime requested by the customer is 10 days, the optimization made on the seal is considered appropriate. The lifetime of the seal was approximately 95% improved. Conclusion: As a result, a new generation rotary shaft seal that can be used in electric vehicles, which is the aim of our study, has been developed. The prototype rotary shaft seal has been validated according to DIN 3761 specification.

FTIR spectra and mechanical strength analysis of some selected rubber derivatives

The primary task of rotary shaft seals is to prevent an unwanted fluid transfer between two areas. In shaft passages of gearboxes, for example, rotary shaft seals avoid the leakage of transmission oil to ambient air. This means the flow in the lubricant film in the sealing gap between the sealing edge and the shaft surface consists of at least two phases. Taking the phenomenon of cavitation into account, the flow consists of three phases. This study aims to provide an in-depth understanding of the multiphase flow in the lubricant film of rotary shaft seals. As experimental studies of the flow processes on a microscale have proven to be quite difficult, a simulation-based approach is applied. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) serves to compute the transient multiphase flows in the lubricant film in the sealing gap. The computational domain is a three-dimensional microscale model of the lubricant film. The results show the transient hydrodynamic pressure buildup and the dynamic phase interactions during operation. This study provides far-reaching insights into the multiphase flow processes in the lubricant film in the sealing gap and simulation-based evidence of the lubrication and sealing mechanism of rotary shaft seals.

Electricity generated by nuclear power is now common in Japan. The present commercialized status of nuclear power generation technology has been established due to efforts of many engineers and also as a result of information accumulated from other advanced countries. Presently 23 percent of total electricity generated in Japan depends on nuclear power, and in the long run, this proportion is expected to increase further. Although accumulation of various important technological knowledge is required in nuclear power generation, the conversion of heat generated in nuclear reactors into electrical energy by means of a working medium is one of the most essential problems in the relevant technology. This paper deals with rotary shaft seals used in the circulation pump for the primary coolant, as an important functioning component in such a system. Once this sealing system causes trouble such as excessive leakage, it results in quite serious social problems; i.e., not only power failure but also possibly radioactive contamination. This paper explains the significant points of the development carried out on the shaft seal system for the primary coolant circulation pumps in PWR (pressurized water reactor) type nuclear power plants and describes the present status of design technology and results of practical operation.

Compatibility and interaction between C6F12O[sbnd]N2 gas mixture and sealing rubber materials

The effects of oxidative aging on the static and dynamic properties of nitrile rubber at the molecular scale were investigated by molecular dynamics simulation. The aged nitrile rubber models were constructed by introducing hydroxyl groups and carbonyl groups into rubber molecular chains to mimic oxidative aging. The static and dynamic properties of the unaged and aged nitrile rubber under different conditions were evaluated by mean square displacement, self-diffusion coefficients, hydrogen bond, fractional free volume, radial distribution function, cohesive energy density and solubility parameter. The results show that the elevated temperature intensified significantly the mobility of rubber molecular chains and fractional free volume, while the compressive strain displayed the opposite effect resulting in packing and rearrangement of rubber chains. The introduction of hydroxyl groups and carbonyl groups enhanced the polarity, intermolecular interactions, the volume and rigidity of molecular chains, implying weaker mobility of molecular chains as compared to unaged models. The compressive strain and oxidative aging both decreased the fractional free volume, which inhibited gaseous and liquid diffusion into the rubber materials, and slowed down the oxidative aging rate. This study provides insights to better understand the effect of molecular changes due to oxidative aging on the structural and dynamic properties of rubber materials at the molecular level.

The effect of clay modification on organo‐montmorillonite/NBR nanocomposites has been studied. Organo‐montmorillonite/NBR nanocomposites were prepared through a melt intercalation process. NBR nanocomposites were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and a universal testing machine (UTM). XRD showed that the basal spacing in the clay increased, which means that the NBR matrix was intercalated in the clay layer galleries. On TEM images, organo‐montmorillonite (MMT) particles were clearly observed, having been exfoliated into nanoscale layers of about 10–20 nm thickness from their original 40 µm particle size. These layers were uniformly dispersed in the NBR matrix. The DMTA test showed that for these nanocomposites the plateau modulus and glass transition temperature (Tg) increased with respect to the corresponding values of pure NBR (without clay). UTM test showed that the nanocomposites had superior mechanical properties, ie strength and modulus. These improved properties are due to the nanoscale effects and strong interactions between the NBR matrix and the clay interface. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry

Influence of radiation temperature on the crosslinking of nitrile rubber by electron beam irradiation

The numerical treatment of free surface problems in ferrohydrodynamics is considered.Starting from the general model, special attention is paid to field–surface and flow–surfaceinteractions. Since in some situations these feedback interactions can be partly or even fullyneglected, simpler models can be derived. The application of such models to the numericalsimulation of dissipative systems, rotary shaft seals, equilibrium shapes of ferrofluid drops,and pattern formation in the normal-field instability of ferrofluid layers is given. Ournumerical strategy is able to recover solitary surface patterns which were discoveredrecently in experiments.

Rotary shaft seals

The paper describes an investigation to establish the mechanism by which sealing is achieved in the conventional synthetic rubber oil seal when used on a rotating shaft. After demonstrating that the contact between the seal and the shaft cannot be dry contact—that there is in fact what appears to be a coherent film of oil between the sealing lip and the rotating shaft—further experiments are described to find out why the oil in the film does not flow out past the seal. The conclusion is reached that there is a meniscus at the oil/air interface and that retention of the oil in the oil film is effected by the surface tension of the oil.

Experimental study on gas transportation in radial shaft seals

Shaft seals made from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) materials, called PTFE lip seals, have been successfully used for decades in the chemical industry. Owing to their chemical and thermal stability, PTFE lip seals are used instead of elastomeric lip seals in many automotive and hydraulic applications. This paper deals with the fundamental tribological properties and effects of filled PTFE materials employed in rotary shaft seals, mainly on the basis of experimental work done in the authors' laboratory. The tribological components of a sealing system and the main influences on the sealing function are briefly surveyed. The test methods and conditions used are also described. The experimental results show that the fillers used in the PTFE compounds, as well as the topography of the shaft, play a crucial role in fluid sealing.

Rotary Shaft Seals

The effects of dynamic vulcanization and blend ratios on mechanical properties and morphology of thermoplastic elastomeric (TPE) compositions, based on blends of nitrile rubber (NBR) and poly(styrene‐co‐acrylonitrile) (SAN), were studied. The TPE composition prepared by adding a rubber‐curatives masterbatch to softened SAN yields higher mechanical properties than that prepared by adding curatives to the softened plastic–rubber preblend. The blends having a higher rubber–plastic ratio (60 : 40 to 80 : 20) display thermoplastic elastomeric behavior, whereas those having a higher plastic–rubber ratio (50 : 50 to 90 : 10) display the behavior of impact‐resistant plastics. DSC studies revealed that NBR and SAN are thermodynamically immiscible. SEM studies of the thermoplastic elastomeric compositions show that SAN forms the matrix in which fine particles of NBR form the dispersed phase. It was further confirmed by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. Dynamic vulcanization causes a decrease in the size of dispersed particles and improvement in mechanical properties. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 1976–1987, 2003