Predicted Effects of Sealing Gap Convergence on Performance of Plain End Face Seals

End face seals often operate with full fluid film lubrication because of convergence in the direction of leakage through the sealing gap. The degree of convergence can generally be calculated for the seal or designed into it by deflection analysis of the structural components. It is, therefore, necessary to know tile effect of convergence on seal performance. This paper presents results for laminar, incompressible, isoviscous, inward flow through a balanced end face seal. Performance for any degree of convergence of any size and balance ratio of seal can be predicted using the nondimensionalized curves. Results show the significance of each parameter. Of particular importance is the effect of balance ratio on stability of the seal. Presented at the 32nd Annual Meeting in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, May 9–12, 1977