Abstract
Leakage resistance of advanced design, stepped labyrinth seals has been examined based on geometric considerations. Leakage measurements were obtained in an attempt to identify geometric and flow characteristics contributing to a desired seal performance. Experimental tests were conducted using two test rigs. one of these test rigs was a 100:1 scale and the other was a 4:1 scale of an actual labyrinth seal. Both test rigs operated based on a two-dimensional planar flow concept. Tests were performed by individually varying geometric variables and obtaining corresponding leakage measurements. Dimension variables under investigation were surface roughness, radial clearance, step height, annular groove configuration in stator surface, and annular groove configuration in rotor surface. Results showed that several geometric variables can be used to produce substantial changes in seal leakage resistance. Surface roughness was found to significantly impact seal leakage. Clearance and step height proved to be reliable in improving seal performance. Annular grooves in the stator and rotor surfaces provided additional opportunities to increase labyrinth seal leakage resistance.
Reed, Thomas Stanley (1993). Investigation of stepped labyrinth seal leakage performance. Master's thesis, Texas A&M University. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /ETD -TAMU -1993 -THESIS -R326.