Study on EHL Film Thickness of Non-Rectangular Section Vane Seal

The sealing contact pressure is critical in determining the film thickness of elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) on the seal. Contact pressure in sealing surface of non-rectangular section vane seal was obtained via FEA, and the polynomial equation of the contact pressure distribution was fitted with regression analysis. Therefore, the numerical model for the EHL film thickness can be developed and solved. Typical results of film thickness distribution and frictional force for the vane seal at room temperature were obtained. The EHL film thickness distributions follow the variation of the related contact pressure, and the sliding speed is also significant on the average film thickness and the hydrodynamic friction.