Using multiphase conjugate heat transfer analyses to predict the contact temperature of rotary shaft seals

Abstract

Rotary shaft seals are used to seal shaft passages and prevent the exchange of fluids. The performance and service life of rotary shaft seals is strongly dependent on the temperature in the contact area between the sealing edge and the rotating shaft. Multiphase conjugate heat-transfer analyses covering different assembly scenarios, for example additional bearings or different shaft geometries, were performed in the software Ansys CFX 2021 R2. A model for predicting the maximum temperature in the sealing contact and for determining the heat dissipation from the sealing contact to the surrounding geometry was developed. This model provides the ability to predict the influence of the design of the surrounding sealing system on the contact temperature. Thus, the surrounding geometry of rotary shaft seals can be optimally designed to reduce the contact temperature between the sealing ring and the shaft as much as possible in order to achieve a longer service life.