Numerical Predication of Rotor-Seal System by an Interpolation Database Method

Rotor-seal system, as a nonlinear system, is easily found in steam and gas turbines. Previous works on rotor-seal system usually considering a simple seal, traditional labyrinth seal (LS). A classical Muszynska nonlinear seal force model was used in dynamic response calculation for LS. An interpolation database method (IDM) was proposed in this paper to expend the application scope. The IDM can be established from computational fluid dynamic (CFD) results, which can be used in calculating all kinds of fluid seals. Detailed dynamic responses by IDM on different rotation speed incentives were compared with those by Muszynska model. The results show a good consistency between IDM and Muszynska model. The current results present a promising way to study rotor-seal system by CFD calculation results, which is applicable to all kinds of seals. It can be seen from the future that the studies of rotor-seal system will not limit to labyrinth seal then.