Numerische Untersuchungen zum Dichtmechanismus von Radial-Wellendichtungen

Abstract

In numerous applications, the tribological system rotary shaft seal is subjected to various dynamic loads on multiple scales. Trends and challenges towards electromobility have further increased the exposure of rotary shaft seals to extreme operating conditions and loads. The associated increasing demand for shorter development times with simultaneously growing requirements and changing conditions make the use of numerical models for the simulation of tribological systems inevitable. Within the scope of this study, a multiscale model has been developed for the transient simulation of the lubrication and sealing mechanism of rotary shaft seals. A multiscale finite element model divided into two subdomains provides the computation of the structural mechanics. The macroscopic subdomain is utilized to compute the large deformations of the sealing ring during mounting, while the second subdomain is used to determine the microscopic distortions of the surface roughness on the sealing edge. An efficient and automated modeling approach allows the direct integration of physical surface measurement data into the numerical model. A transient computational fluid dynamics model enables the simulation of the dynamic flow processes in the sealing gap on the microscale. Lubricant film thickness equations serve as an indirect coupling between structural mechanics and fluid mechanics. The temperature dependence of the lubricant data is taken into account in the fluid mechanics model and in the determination of the sealing gap height. An empirical model is introduced, in conjunction with the computational fluid dynamics model, to account for mixed lubrication effects, considering only the viscous portion of friction. Established test rig experiments, extended experimental approaches, and data from previous work validate and verify the developed and applied methods. The numerical analyses demonstrate reasonable outcomes and a high level of consistency between the numerical simulation results and experimental data across the scales under consideration. Deviations between the simulation and experimental results increase as the scale moves from macroscale to microscale, potentially due to various factors that have a more significant influence on the microscale and extrapolation errors. In conclusion, the multiscale analyses provide unique insights into the complex flow dynamics in the sealing gap of rotary shaft seals. This presents clear evidence of the active dynamic lubrication and sealing mechanism. Additionally, the model presents various possibilities for extension and application to other tribological problems.