Effects of Snake-Bioinspired Surface Texture on the Finger-Sealing Performance under Varied Working Conditions

The tribological performance of the friction pair between rotor and finger feet is a crucial index affecting service life seals. In recent years, surface texture has attracted considerable number researchers owing to its extraordinary potential in improving antifriction wear resistance. This paper, inspired by snakeskins, introduces three forms (e.g., diamond, ellipse, hexagon) into rotor. effects on finger-sealing are analyzed considering seals’ varied working conditions. First, numerical model textured seals under hydrodynamic lubrication established based Reynolds equation. Then, sealing analysis performed conditions given rotation speed, pressure difference, seal clearance, temperature. results show that: (1) domain produces noticeable effect cavitation, which effectively improves bearing capacity fluid film; (2) higher speed or lower inlet/outlet stronger dynamic better resistance; (3) for good resistance seal, clearance should be as shallow possible (?10 ?m), temperature low (?120 °C); (4) ellipse average dimensionless coefficient, superior diamond hexagon ones terms performance.