Lubrication Performance Analyses of Spiral Groove Dry Gas Seals - Part II: Detailed Performance Evaluation of Groove Design Parameters

Applying a general Galerkin FE lubrication analysis method to spiral groove dry gas seals, this study intends to analyze in detail the effects of groove design parameters, such as a spiral angle, groove width ratio, groove radius ratio, groove depth ratio, and groove taper ratio, on the lubrication performances of an opening force, leakage, axial stiffness and damping, and angular stiffness and damping at low and high rotating speeds: 3,600 and 15,000 nm. Results show that, for the primary design consideration performances such as the opening force and axial and angular stiffnesses, a spiral angle of , a groove width ratio of 0.46, a groove radius ratio of 1.1, a groove depth ratio of 1.0, and a groove taper ratio of 0.0 are preferred. Where the recommended relatively low values of groove depth and taper ratios are to keep the axial and angular dampings positive or higher than 0 particularly at the high rotating speed.