A High Pressure Sealing System for Linear Actuators

A unique sealing system for actuators operating at 8000 psi has been designed and tested. Two actuators incorporating this sealing system have been tested, one with MIL-H-83282 hydraulic fluid and the other with chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE) fluid. The rod sealing system is a two-stage seal; the first stage is a laminar pressure drop and the second stage is a conventional low-pressure rod seal. The piston sealing system consists of standard seals supported by pressure-energized metal backup rings.

This paper describes the sealing system, test actuators, pumping systems and test results.