Influence of leakage flow through labyrinth seals on rotordynamics: numerical calculations and experimental measurements

An extensive investigation of the influence of the leakage flow through a labyrinth seal at supply pressure of 12 bar on the rotordynamics was performed by using numerical calculations and experimental measurements. Toward this end, an experimental rotor setup was established in Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Two labyrinth seals were chosen for comparison, e.g., an interlocking seal and a stepped one. The numerical calculations based on the bulk-flow theory and the perturbation analysis were accomplished. Simultaneous acquisitions of the fluctuating static pressure at the stator wall and the displacement of the whirling rotor were made. The influence of the aerodynamic forcing on the rotor was analyzed in terms of the axial distribution of the mean static pressure, the circumferential distribution of the fluctuating pressure, the fist critical speed and the destabilization rotating speed of the rotor. The experimental results demonstrated that the sinusoidal distribution of the fluctuating static pressure on the stator wall was closely related to the whirling motion of the rotor. The first critical speed of the rotor was reduced by the aerodynamic forcing, resulting in intensified destabilization of the rotor system. Furthermore, the numerical analyses were in good agreement to the experimental measurements.