Dynamic simulation and monitoring of a non-contacting flexibly mounted rotor mechanical face seal

Mechanical face seal rotor dynamics is investigated through both simulation and real-time monitoring of a non-contacting flexibly mounted rotor (FMR) mechanical face seal in a seal test rig. Dynamic simulation is performed to investigate the seal rotor angular response to the stator misalignment, the stator angle, the initial rotor misalignment and clearance. Rotor angular response orbit is introduced and is able to characterize the rotor dynamic response. A real-time monitoring system is constructed in the test rig to monitor the instantaneous dynamic behaviour of the seal rotor, including its angular response, precession angle and angular response orbit. Experimental results agree qualitatively well with those of the dynamic simulation. Potential applications of the monitoring system for detecting seal face contact and for seal control are stated.