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Ferrofluid seals are known for their low friction torque and high tightness. However, they have some limitation due to the allowable rotational speed. The work presented here analyzes the performance of newly designed seals which are a combination of a ferrofluid and a centrifugal seal. The new seals can operate at high speeds. The purpose of this study is to theoretically predict the performance of combined seals.

Three seals were designed and selected for analysis. A version of the seals with a nonmagnetic insert is also considered, the purpose of which is to facilitate the installation and return of ferrofluid during low rotational speeds. The analyses were based on combining the results of numerical simulation of magnetic field distribution with mathematical models.

A combination of ferrofluid sealing and centrifugal sealing is possible. Analyses showed that the combined seal could hold a minimum pressure of 190 kPa in the velocity range of 0–100 m/s. The problem with this type of seal is the temperature.

New seal designs are presented. Key parameters that affect the seal operation are discussed. A methodology that can be used in the design of such seals is presented.

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-07-2023-0221/.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of slip position on the performance of liquid film seal.

A mathematical model of liquid film seal with slip/no-slip surface was established based on the Navier slip model and JFO boundary condition. Liquid film governing equation was discretized by the finite difference method and solved by the SOR relaxation iterative algorithm and the effects of slip position on sealing performance are discussed.

The results indicate that boundary slip plays an important role in the overall performance of a seal and a reasonable arrangement of slip position can improve the steady-state performance of liquid film seal.

Based on the mathematical model, the optimal parameters for liquid film seal with boundary slip at groove are obtained. The results presented in this study are expected to provide a theoretical basis to improve the design method of liquid film seal.

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-03-2020-0082/

This paper aims to study the effect of isosceles triangle micro concave texture with different parameters on the performance of oil seal to obtain a reasonable combination of parameters.

Based on the theory of elastohydrodynamic lubrication, a numerical model is established by coupling the texture parameters of isosceles triangle with concave lip with the two-dimensional average Reynolds equation considering surface roughness.

The results show that there is an optimal combination of parameters to improve the performance of the oil seal. When hp = 5µm-6.5 µm, a = 110°−130°, O = 1.4, C = 1.6 mm-2.2 mm, the oil seal with isosceles triangle micro concave texture can show good lubrication characteristics, friction characteristics and sealing ability.

The model provides a new idea for the design of new oil seal products and provides a theoretical support for the application of surface texture technology in the sealing field in the future.

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.

SELECTING the correct bearing for any particular application involves more than the determination of the correct type and size. It is true that the calculation of the nominal working life will give an indication of the operational life before failure, but this calculation only takes into account the fatigue life of the material. If this theoretical life is to be obtained—and perhaps exceeded—then additional factors must be taken into account when initially designing the bearing arrangement. Lubrication and protection from the operating environment are two very important considerations.

This paper aims to acquire the phase distribution and sealing performance of supercritical carbon dioxide (SCO₂) dry gas seals with phase transitions.

The SCO₂ spiral groove dry gas seal is taken as the research object. The finite differential method is applied to solve the governing equations. Furthermore, the phase distribution and the sealing performance are obtained. Compared to the ideal gas model, the effect of phase transitions on sealing performance is also explored.

Vaporization is likely to occur near the inner radius when SCO₂ dry gas seals are operated near the critical point. Whether phase transitions are considered in the model affects the sealing performance seriously. When phase transitions are considered, the sealing performance depends significantly on the working conditions, and unexpected results are produced when inlet conditions approach the critical point.

The numerical model for SCO₂ dry gas seals with phase transitions is established. The phase distribution and the sealing performance of SCO₂ dry gas seals are explored.

This study aims to investigate the service performances of a new full-section asphalt concrete waterproof sealing structure (FSACWSS) for the high-speed railway subgrade through on-site tracking, monitoring and post-construction investigation.

Based on the working state of the waterproof sealing structure, the main functional characteristics were analyzed, and a kind of roller-compacted high elastic modulus asphalt concrete (HEMAC) was designed and evaluated by several groups of laboratory tests. It is applied to an engineering test section, and the long-term performance monitoring and subgrade dynamic performance testing system were installed to track and monitor working performances of the test section and the adjacent contrast section with fiber-reinforced concrete.

Results show that both the dynamic performance of the track structure and the subgrade in the test section meet the requirements of the specification limits. The water content in the subgrade of the test section is maintained at 8–18%, which is less affected by the weather. However, the water content in the subgrade bed of the contrast section is 10–35%, which fluctuates significantly with the weather. The heat absorption effect of asphalt concrete in the test section makes the temperature of the subgrade at the shoulder larger than that in the contrastive section. The monitoring value of the subgrade vertical deformation in the test section is slightly larger than that in the contrastive section, but all of them meet the limit requirements. The asphalt concrete in the test section is in good contact with the base, and there are no diseases such as looseness or spalling. Only a number of cracks are found at the joints of the base plates. However, there are more longitudinal and lateral cracks in the contrastive section, which seriously affects the waterproof and sealing effects. Besides, the asphalt concrete is easier to repair, featuring good maintainability.

This research can provide a basis for popularization and application of the asphalt concrete waterproof sealing structure in high-speed railways.

The purpose of this paper is to analyze and improve the lubrication performance of a floating cylindrical seal by investigating micro spiral groove.

The lubrication model of is solved by finite difference, considering the influence of convergence eccentricity and Rayleigh step on the gas film period. A lubrication model, which is a gas film of floating microgroove cylindrical seal, is solved under high-precision central difference (finite-difference method-center) for the critical problems of convergence eccentricity and Rayleigh step. And then, an idea on the opening-leakage ratio is proposed, and a multiobjective optimization model is established. Finally, an experiment is conducted on a narrow gap to determine the gas film opening force and leakage by the modules of testing system, and the theoretical results are verified by real tests.

The theoretical calculation results agree well with the experimental data, which proves the correctness of the lubrication optimization model, and the optimized groove has better lubrication performance. On the other hand, the sealing pressure plays a more important role in the seal operation.

The theoretical model carries out low complexity and high sparseness, thus being very suitable for large-scale gas film problems. A multiobjective optimal function is established based on the opening-leakage ratio for optimizing groove. Finally, a curved groove of high precision and gas film opening force is obtained completely.

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-02-2020-0048/