• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers Conference
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• 2001.11a
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• pp.204-211
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• 2001

For the treatment of high compressibility number in the Reynolds equation, a new class of exponential high-order shape functions has been recently introduced in the literatures. In this paper a FE lubrication analysis method of high speed gas mechanical face seals is developed, implementing these shape functions. Their validity and usefulness are presented using 1-D gas bearing models. And a validation of developed 2-D analysis code is shown with a gas flat and spiral groove face seal models.

• 유체기계공업학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2000.12a
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• pp.153-157
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• 2000

Honeycomb seals are used widely in gas turbines due to their good sealing performance and rotor-dynamic stability. Three-Dimensional complex flows in a honeycomb seal were analyzed in the present study. Friction factors were computed to predict the performance of a honeycomb seal based on pressure drop results for various honeycomb cell geometry and Reynolds numbers. Computed results for friction factor are compared to the available experimental data. Unlike in the experiment, where 'Friction-Factor Jump' phenomena are reported for some cases, computed results show no jump phenomena. The friction factors, however, are in good agreement with the experiment in no-jump cases.

• Aerospace Engineering and Technology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.170-176
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• 2008

The concept design of Flexible Seal for thrust vector control of solid motor was performed. Through the concept design, the optimum pivot point of flexible seal, cross-section configuration of flexible seal and thermal protection system from combustion gas was decided. The pivot point of flexible seal has aft pivot type and cross-section view is conical type. For satisfying a spring torque rate, the shear modulus of rubber has the value of under about 0.6MPa and failure shear stress has over about 2.5MPa.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.154-159
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• 2016

This paper presents an experimental study of the leakage performance and endurance performance of a mechanical face seal in the 7-ton-class turbopump of the Korea Space Launch Vehicle 2 third-stage engine. We install a mechanical face seal between the fuel pump and turbine to prevent the mixing of the fuel and turbine gas. We design and manufacture a prototype mechanical face seal, which has two parts, namely, a bellows seal assembly and mating ring. We set up a test facility to measure the leakage and endurance of the mechanical face seal. For the similarity tests, we use water under real operating conditions such as high rotational speed, high temperature, and high pressure. Through investigation of the leakage and carbon wear rate, it is possible to evaluate the performance of the mechanical face seal. The results of the leakage and endurance performance test demonstrate the absence of any leakage from the prototype mechanical face seal after a trial run and clarify that the acceptable wear rate fully satisfies the turbopump requirements. Finally, we install a qualified mechanical face seal in a 7-ton-class turbopump and perform a validation test in the turbopump real-propellant test facility in the Korea Aerospace Research Institute. The test results confirm that the mechanical face seal works well under real operating conditions.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.49-58
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• 2017

Many research efforts on the effect of nitrogen on the corrosion resistance of stainless steels have been reported, but little research has been conducted on the effect of nitrogen for the weldment of stainless steels by the seal-weld method. Therefore, this work focused on the determining the corrosion resistance of tube/tube sheet mock-up specimen for sea water condensers, and elucidating the effect of shielding nitrogen gas on its resistance. The pitting corrosion of autogenously welded specimen propagated preferentially along the dendritic structure. Regardless of the percent of shielding nitrogen gas, the analyzed nitrogen contents were very much lower than that of the bulk specimen. This can be arisen because the nitrogen in shielding gas may partly dissolve into the weldment, but simultaneously during the welding process, nitrogen in the alloy may escape into the atmosphere. However, the pitting resistance equivalent number (PREN) of the interdendrite area was higher than that of the dendrite arm, regardless of the shielding gas percent; and the PREN of the interdendrite area was higher than that of the base metal; the PREN of the dendrite arm was lower than that of the base metal because of the formation of (Cr, Mo) rich phases by welding.

• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.25-30
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• 2024

High-temperature superconducting rotors offer advantages in terms of output-to-weight ratio and efficiency compared to conventional phase conduction motors or generators. The rotor can be cooled by conduction cooling, which attaches a cryocooler, and by refrigerant circulation, which uses circulating liquid or gas neon, helium and hydrogen. Recent work has focused on environmental issues and on high-temperature superconducting motors cooled with liquid hydrogen that can be combined with fuel cells. However, to ensure smooth supply and return of the cryogenic cooling fluid, a cryogenic rotational coupling between the rotating and stationary parts is necessary. Additionally, the development of a sealing structure to minimize fluid leakage applicable to the coupling is essential. This study describes the design and performance evaluation of a non-contact sealing method, specifically a labyrinth seal, which avoids power loss and heat load caused by friction in contact sealing structures. The seal design incorporates a spiral flow path to reduce leakage using centrifugal force, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were conducted to analyze the flow path and rotational speed. A performance evaluation device was configured and employed to evaluate the designed seal. The results of this study will be used to develop a cryogenic rotational coupling with supply and return flow paths for cryogenic applications.

• The KSFM Journal of Fluid Machinery
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• v.2 no.3 s.4
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• pp.52-58
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• 1999

The leakage and rotordynamic coefficients of see-through type gas labyrinth seals are determined using a two-control-volume-model analysis with Moody's wall-friction-factor formula which is defined with a large range of Reynolds number and relative roughness. Jet flow theory are used for the calculation of the recirculation velocity in the cavity. For the reaction force from the labyrinth seal, linearized zeroth-order and the first-order perturbation equations are developed for small motion about a centered position. The leakage and rotordynamic coefficient results of the present analysis are compared with Scharrer's theoretical analysis using Blasius' wall-friction-factor formula and Pelletti's experimental results. The comparison shows that the present analysis using Moody's wall-friction-factor formula and Scharrer's theoretical analysis using Blasius' wall-friction-factor formula give the same results for a smooth seal surface and the range of Reynolds number less than $10^5$.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.75-81
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• 2020

In this paper, we present an experimental investigation of the leakage and endurance performances of mechanical face seals in a 75-tonf turbopump for the Korea Space Launch Vehicle II first-stage engine. A mechanical face seal is used between the fuel pump and turbine to prevent mixing of the fuel and turbine gas. However, excessive leakage occurs through the carbon attached to the mechanical face seal bellows. To reduce this leakage, we redesign the mechanical face seal such that the contact area between the fuel and carbon is reduced, height of the carbon nose is reduced, and stiffness of the bellows is increased. Then, we conduct static and dynamic leakage tests and endurance tests to compare the performances of the original and modified mechanical face seals. The investigation of the leakage of the old and new mechanical face seals confirms that the leakage performance is significantly improved, by 80%, in the new design in comparison with the old design. The endurance tests demonstrate that the average wear rate of carbon in the new mechanical face seal is 0.1094 ㎛/s. The service lifetime is predicted to be 4,200 s, which is 28 times greater than the requirement. Finally, we present a new mechanical face seal in a 75-tonf turbopump, and perform a validation test in the real-propellant test facility at the NARO Space Center. Based on the test results, we can confirm that the modified mechanical face seal works well under real operating conditions.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.42 no.12 s.283
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• pp.842-845
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• 2005

Glass composites containing ceramic fiber have been developed for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) seals. Effect of glass type, loading pressure and thermal cycle the leak rates of composite seals was investigated. Seal performance of two commercial glasses was compared with that of $SiO_2BaO-B_2O_3$ glass synthesized in this work. The leak rate for seals made of pyrex(R) increases from $\~0.0005\;to\;\~0.004sccm/cm$ as the gas pressure increases from 10 to 50 kPa. The soda lime silicate glass seal shows the leak rate two times higher than the one made of pyrex(R) or $SiO_2BaO-B_2O_3$ glass. The viscosity of glass at the seal test temperature is presumed to affect the leak rate of the glass seal. As the applied loading pressure increases from 0.4 to 0.8 MPa at $750^{\circ}C$, the leak rate decreases from 0.038 to 0.024 sccm/cm for composite seals. It has been found that during 50 thermal cycles between $450^{\circ}C\;to\;700^{\circ}C$ leak rates remained almost constant, ranging from 0.025 to 0.03sccm/cm. The results showed an excellent thermal cycle stability as well as sealability of the glass matrix ceramic fiber composite seals.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.1-6
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• 2007

This paper provides the effects on the leakage characteristics of the surface roughness of a valve stem in LPG automotive. The valve stem seal is to stop an oil leakage through a sealing gap between a valve stem and a valve stem seal. The sealing performance of two components is related to a leak safety and a long life of a valve stem and a valve stem seal. The experimental results show that the optimal surface roughness of a valve stem is to recommend as $0.4{\sim}0.5{\mu}m$ in a centerline average roughness, Ra and a uniformly distributed profile of the roughness. Basically the smooth surface and uniform profiles of the roughness may reduce an oil leakage between a valve stem and a valve stem seal.