This article describes a methodology used to achieve a numerical analysis of hydraulic seals by the inverse hydrodynamic lubrication method. The main novelties consist of taking into account the influence of the shear stresses in the lubricant film and in the treatment of hydrodynamic effects on the seal inlet. Each step is detailed and discussed in terms of possible error over the predicted seal performances. It has been shown that the pressure field computed directly from the structure model does not give a realistic approximation of the hydrodynamic pressure in the inlet zone, and a hydrodynamic correction is necessary. Furthermore, it has been shown that if the tangential friction due to the shear stress in the lubricant film is not taken into account, error of about 5 per cent can be made, concerning the predictions of leakage and friction force.
NikasG. K.Eighty years of research on hydraulic reciprocating seals: review of tribological studies and related topics since the 1930s. Proc. IMechE, Part J: J. Engineering Tribology, 2010, 2241–23.
2.
NauB. S.An historical review of studies of polymeric seals in reciprocating hydraulic systems. Proc. IMechE, Part J: J. Engineering Tribology, 1999, 213215–226.
3.
NikasG. K.SaylesR. S.Nonlinear elasticity of rectangular elastomeric seals and its effects on EHD numerical analysis. Tribol. Intern., 2004, 37(8), 651–660.
4.
NikasG. K.SaylesR. S.Computational model of tandem rectangular elastomeric seal for reciprocating motion. Tribol. Intern., 2006, 39(7), 622–634.
5.
NikasG. K.Theoretical study of solid back-up rings for elastomeric seals in hydraulic actuators. Tribol. Intern., 2004, 37(9), 689–699.
6.
NikasG. K.Transient EHD lubrication of rectangular elastomeric seals for linear actuators. Proc. IMechE, Part J: J. Engineering Tribology, 2003, 217461–473.
7.
KantersA. F. C.VerestJ. F. M.VisscherM.On reciprocating elastomeric seals: calculation of film thicknesses using the inverse hydrodynamic lubrication theory. Tribol. Trans., 1990, 33301–306.
8.
ÖngünY.AndréM.BartelD.DetersL.An axisymmetric hydrodynamic interface element for finite-element computations of mixed lubrication in rubber seals. Proc. IMechE, Part J: J. Engineering Tribology, 2008, 222471–481.
9.
StupkiewiczS.MarciniszynA.Elastohydrodynamic lubrication and finite configuration changes in reciprocating elastomeric seals. Tribol. Int., 2009, 42615–627.
10.
SchmidtT.AndréM.PollG.A transient 2D finite-element approach for the simulation of mixed lubrication effects of reciprocating hydraulic rod seals. Tribol. Int., 2009, 431775–1785.
11.
NikasG. K.SaylesR. S.Study of leakage and friction of flexible seals for steady motion via a numerical approximation method. Tribol. Int., 2006, 39921–936.
12.
NikasG. K.SaylesR. S.Modelling and optimization of composite rectangular reciprocating seals. Proc. IMechE, Part J: J. Engineering Tribology, 2006, 220395–412.
13.
NikasG. K.BurridgeG.SaylesR. S.Modelling and optimization of rotary vane seals. Proc. IMechE, Part J: J. Engineering Tribology, 2007, 221699–715.
14.
GreenwoodJ. A.WilliamsonJ. B. P.Contact of nominally flat surfaces. Proc. R. Soc. Lond., 1966, A295300–319.
15.
PatirN.ChengH. S.An average flow model for determining effects of three-dimensional roughness on partial hydrodynamic lubrication. ASLE Trans.10012–17.
16.
YangB.SalantR. F.Numerical model of a tandem reciprocating hydraulic rod seal. ASME J. Tribol., 2008, 130032201:1–032201:7.
17.
ThatteA.SalantR. F.Transient EHL analysis of an elastomeric hydraulic seal. Tribol. Int., 2009, 421424–1432.
18.
ThatteA.SalantR. F.Elastohydrodynamic analysis of an elastomeric hydraulic rod seal during fully transient operation. ASME J. Tribol., 2009, 131031501:1–031501:11.
19.
ThatteA.SalantR. F.Visco-elastohydrodynamic model of a hydraulic rod seal during transient operation. ASME J. Tribol., 2010, 132041501:1–041501:13.
20.
NikasG. K.Elastohydrodynamics and mechanics of rectangular elastomeric seals for reciprocating piston rods. ASME J. Tribol., 2003, 12560–69.
21.
OgdenR. W.Large deformation isotropic elasticity: on the correlation of the theory and experiment for compressible rubberlike solids. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. A, 1972, 326565–584.
22.
Ogden, R. W. Non-linear elastic deformations, 1984 (Ellis Horwood, Chichester).
23.
Kanters A. F. C. and Visscher M. Lubrication of reciprocating seals: experiments on the influence of surface roughness on friction and leakage. In Proceedings of the 15th Leeds–Lyon Symposium on Tribology, Leeds, September 1988, pp. 69–77.
