Stiffness and efficiency optimization of a hydrostatic laser surface textured gas seal

Microdimples generated by laser surface texturing (LST) can be used to enhance performance in hydrostatic gas-lubricated mechanical seals. This is achieved by applying microdimples with high area density over a certain portion of the sealing dam width adjacent to the high-pressure side, leaving the remaining portion untextured. The textured portion provides an equivalent larger gap that results in converging clearance in the direction of pressure drop and hence, hydrostatic pressure buildup, similar to that of a radial step seal. A mathematical model based on the solution of the Reynolds equation for compressible Newtonian fluid in a narrow gap between two nominally parallel stationary surfaces is developed. A detailed dimensionless analysis of the texturing parameters is performed to achieve maximum gas film stiffness with minimum gas leakage.