Elastohydrodynamic lubrication of Offset O-Ring rotary seal

A fundamental research into the lubrication mechanism and operation of a new type of seal for rotary shaft applications has been conducted. Optical interference technique has been successfully extended to study the film profiles at the sealing interface.by producing optically smooth elastomer seals. Elastohydrodynamic lubrication was found to exist over a wide range of operating conditions. A study of the other performance variables for the Offset-Seal define its useful application range to be between the Packing-Gland and Face-Seal. Hydrodynamic pressures were calculated using the finite element method. Results indicate the need to consider the departure of hydrodynamic pressures from static pressure distributions, in order to refine the inverse-hydrodynamic approach to predict seal operation.