Seal Ring Leakage Test Program

Diana Chicuri

Daniel A Garcia

Oswaldo Noriega

Problem Statement

Common knowledge amongst metallic seal ring manufacturers is that seal rings are not 100% efficient

A main problem faced by ring manufacturers is that data concerning ring efficiencies is not readily available

Another issue faced is that there is also no defined experiment readily available to evaluate the efficiencies of the seal rings

Taking into account the previous problems, Precision Rings Incorporated has inquired on developing a testing method to find the improved efficiencies of their rings when they are placed in series

Design Parameters

There are several parameters which had to be met in order to create a successful, repeatable testing bed

The first was listing and acquiring the necessary equipment that would be required to build the test bed as well as collect and analyze data

The following slide describes a list of the necessary components that would be used in constructing the test bed

Design Parameters (cont.)

Component list:

- Flexible Hoses - Ring Housing

- Nitrogen Tank -Collection Cylinder

- High Pressure Water Tank

- Flow meter

- Gas Regulator - Water Filter

- Pressure Gauges - Transducer

- Valves - Data Acquisition Unit

H20 Test-Bed Representation

•Testing one ring as a base for each ring design•Testing 6 metallic seal rings, in series of two’s, for a total of 36 combinations.

N2 Test-Bed Representation

Design Parameters (cont.)

The metallic seal rings are used in high pressure applications

Compressible Fluid

Goal: Testing at 2000 psi

Due to the budget, we will be testing at 600 psi.

Incompressible Fluid

Goal: Testing at 2000 psi

Due to availability, we will be testing at 1500 psi.

Both fluids will be simulated in ANSYS CFX

Simulated at 2000 psi

Ambient Temperature

Overview

Main goal – Test leakage characteristics of multi-ring sets in one assembly

Predictions – New ring configuration set-up will reduce seal ring leakage and increase efficiency

There are three designs formulated prior to testing

Common characteristics between the three designs are:

Fixture – acts as piston in most applications that holds the rings

Assembly set ups for testing Water and Nitrogen Gas

Alternate Conceptual Designs:Cavity

•1st Design: Cup shaped, but not financially feasible

•2nd Design: Reinforcement of bolts, but extra machining

Final Design

•Material of the Housing is 4340 Alloy Steel per AMS 6415•Metallic Ring Material: HP 17-4

Conclusion

Designing a test bed to analyze the leakage efficiency by putting rings in series for both, incompressible and compressible fluid

Designing the housing, where these metallic seal rings will be located, during testing

6 Metallic seal ring designs, in series of two, for a total of 36 combinations

Testing

Incompressible: 600 psi

Compressible: 1500 psi

Simulating the leakage using ANSYS CFX

Thank you!