The effect of axial position of contact zone on the performance of radial lip seals with a texturing shaft surface

On the basis of elastohydrodynamic model established by the present authors in advance, the present study numerically analyzes the influence of the axial position of contact zone on the sealing performances of lip seals with different micro-dimple texture shapes (circle, square and triangle) on the shaft surface, assuming a smooth elastomer and that the contact zone spans only a few rows of texture. It is found that the triangle micro-dimple texture shape that can always produce positive pumping rate no matter where the contact zone locates on the shaft surface. According to the determined texture shape, parameter analysis is conducted to select the optimal shape parameter that is less sensitive to the axial position of contact zone and produces more pumping rate and less friction torque.