Leakage Characteristics of Rotating Stepped Labyrinth Gas Seals

The leakage characteristics of the stepped type labyrinth gas seals were investigated both in stationary and rotating states by varying the thickness and position of the throttling fin.

As a result, it was found that the leakage in the downward stepped type labyrinth seal was less than that in the upward stepped type. It was also found that, when compared with the conventional straight-through type labyrinth seal, the downward stepped type had a better sealing effect where the leakage rate decreased by about 70% in the stationary state and by 80% in the rotational state.