Refined Model of a Groove Seal and Calculation of Angular Hydrodynamic Force Coefficients

We propose a solution to the problem of calculating the coefficients of the radial and angular forces in a groove seal (with the use of a refined model of a smooth groove seal) as functions of two independent variables, the eccentricity of the rotor and the angle of misalignment of the rotor axis in the seal. Unsteady turbulent flow of a viscous incompressible fluid in the channel of the seal, due to both the axial pressure drop in the seal and the nature of the travel of the inner channel wall, is investigated. The problem is solved under the assumption of small radial and angular displacements of the shaft. The coefficients for forces determined by the angular misalignments of the rotor are obtained here for the first time.