Fluid-Structure Interaction Analysis of the Adaptive Finger Seal Assembly Using CFD-ACE+/FemStress Available to Purchase

This paper presents base approach and methodology for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of adaptive finger seals. Finger seals can be utilized to separate high (HP) and low pressure (LP) zones in high speed rotating shaft environment. Seal reduces axial leakage and typically consists of first and second rows of bristles (sticks), which are packed in the staggered arrangement. First row faces high pressure side and second row faces low pressure side. First row of sticks is used to close circumferential gaps between the bristles of the second row, thus forming air tight package. Second row sticks are made with pads, which ride on the thin layer of film and are (in theory) capable of adjusting radial clearance (film thickness) in response to shaft radial movements or to axial pressure fluctuations. Seal adaptivity will depend on its solid structural stiffness, and on fluid film damping and stiffness characteristics. These characteristics are calculated implicitly during the coupled FSI (fluid-structure interactions) simulations.