Experimental Study on Leakage Flow in Labyrinth Seals with Asymmetric Geometries

摘要

The labyrinth seal is one of non-contact seals, which is used as a seal device of rotary machines from reasons of the lubrication free and small losses. So far, many researchers have investigated the characteristics and suitable geometries of labyrinth seals, though only one directional flow of the seal has been focused up to now. As flow direction in the seal becomes changeable depending on the gas-purge system and the inner pressure variation of machines for recent applications, a guideline of designing labyrinth seal with changeable flow directions is required. In the present report, effects of seal characteristics and internal flow behaviors on various shapes of asymmetric convexity in labyrinth seals are experimentally investigated and relations between pressure loss and convexity geometries are discussed for designing a suitable seal.