The Flow of Air through Radial Labyrinth Glands

Abstract

A theory for the flow of air through a radial gland has been worked out for both outward and inward flow. Expressions are derived for the pressure distribution in each kind of flow, and it is shown that the critical pressure ratio can be reached only in the final constriction. Experiments were made on a gland having a single ring and also on a 20-ring gland of the staggered type. The discharge coefficients in the latter gland were lower than those in the single-ring gland, possibly due to the different approach conditions. The observed pressure distribution in the multi-ring gland agreed well with the theoretical value. Finally, some experiments were made with unstaggered radial glands under various conditions. Discharge coefficients greater than unity were measured.