Experimental Study on the Sealing Effect Due to Rotational Oil Flow

In this experimental investigation of the sealing mechanism, the rate of oil leakage through the gap formed by rigid seals and the shaft was measured as the function of the shaft speed, oil level, oil temperature and the gap geometry. It has been found that the oil can dynamically seal itself within a range of the shaft speed, even when the gap size is relatively large. This sealing phenomenon is due to the rotational oil flow generated by the shaft. The results of the investigation suggested that the radial seals can be functioning under the unfavorable condition of a gap between the shaft and the seal lip, if the operating parameters are carefully chosen.