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The main purpose of the research work carried out is to investigate the hydraulic balance conditions of the sealing ring of a mechanical radial face seal in terms of the residual load acting on the ring by employing the theoretical model developed mentioned in the first part of the investigation.

The end load balance conditions for the movable seal ring have been examined by considering the residual load acting on the ring under all running conditions. The main lubrication and sealing mechanism is assumed to be due to the existence of the relative tilt between the mating surfaces, which is formed by the bearing misalignment. The aim of the theoretical model developed is to predict the necessary minimum film thickness between the relatively moving surfaces by considering the non‐dimensional running (operating) conditions and the geometrical parameters defined. The theoretical model is based on the main differential equation (Reynolds' equation) which is achieved by adopting the standard finite difference form.

Under the combination of the hydrostatic clamping forces and hydrodynamic restoring forces, an equilibrium position is reached with the seal ring displaced from its central position. At a particular non‐dimensional pressure, the seal ring comes into contact with the stationary plate and this limits the upper value of pressure that can be resisted by the mechanical seal type examined without metal‐metal contact. With the theoretical model developed, it was found that the minimum film thickness between the realtively moving surfaces could be predicted.

This paper provides a considerable scientific contribution to the field of lubrication and sealing aspect of the mechanical radial face seals. The results presented in the first part of the investigation and the remarks outlined in this paper would be considered as a design tool for the seal designers with special reference to ring behaviour under hydrodynamic and hydrostatic conditions.

The main purpose of the study is to develop a theoretical model being capable of analysing the sealing and hydrodynamic‐hydrostatic lubrication mechanisms occuring between the mating surfaces of mechanical face seals.

The theoretical model developed is based on solving the governing basic lubrication equation (Reynolds differential equation) by employing a finite difference method. The main lubrication machanism is assumed to be converging‐diverging wedge which is formed by the relative tilt of the sealing surfaces. The non‐dimensional Reynolds equation was solved to give the pressure distribution and consequently the load and moment acting on the movable seal ring. The aim of the model is to predict the non‐dimensional hydrodynamic and hydrostatic load carrying capacity of the system.

Theoretical model developed is capable of estimating the hydrodynamic and hydrostatic behaviour of mechanical radial face seals. It is shown that a converging‐diverging wedge mechanism produces hydrodynamic pressure which in turn maintains the seperation of the surfaces. The tilt appears to be caused mainly by bearing misalignment. It has been shown that hydrostatic load or pressure centre is an important parameter for load balance of moving seal ring. It is easy and useful to calculate the dimensional parameters defined taking into account the different geometrical and operating parameters.

This paper offers a quick and easy opportunity to examine the hydrodynamic behaviour of movable seal ring of a mechanical face seal and provides a considerable contribution to the lubrication and sealing research area. With the general theoretical model developed, the behaviour of the seal ring can be modelled and estimated.