Soft EHL Simulations of U-Cup and Step Hydraulic Rod Seals
Keyword(s):
A numerical soft elastohydrodynamic lubrication model of a reciprocating hydraulic seal has been used to simulate the performance of a U-cup seal and a step seal in a conventional actuator. The model consists of coupled steady state fluid mechanics, deformation mechanics, contact mechanics, and thermal analyses, with an iterative computational procedure. The results indicate that for a given seal roughness and stroke length there is a critical rod speed above which the seal will not leak. The critical speed is dependent on both seal roughness and sealed pressure.