Numerical Study on the Dynamic Response in Elastomeric Oil Seals

Oil seals will experience a small amplitude dynamic excitation due to the shaft eccentricity as well as out-of-roundness of the shaft. The direct integration method is selected to analyze the time domain response of the seal lip-shaft contact. The physical properties of rubber seal materials are experimentally analyzed. Effects of both frequency and temperature on the material stiffness behavior are investigated for the linear viscoelastic materials of the seal. Using the nonlinear transient model, a finite element analysis of the lip-shaft contact behaviors under dynamic conditions is presented as a function of the shaft eccentricity, the shaft interference and the garter spring stiffness. The FEM results based on the experimental data indicate that the increased rotating speed may produce the separation conditions. These results will be very useful in predicting the leakage of oil seals under dynamic conditions.