A Kinematic Model for Mechanical Seals With Antirotation Locks or Positive Drive Devices

A kinematic model of mechanical face seals is presented. Two basic seal arrangements are considered: a flexibly mounted stator with antirotation locks, and a flexibly mounted rotor with positive drive devices. The equation of kinematic constraint is derived and presented in a simple form for all the possible types of antirotation or positive drive mechanisms found in practical seals. This simple form is then used to derive the dynamic moments acting on the flexibly mounted element of the seal.