The effect of rub-groove wear on the leakage and heat transfer of aero-engine labyrinth seals
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The current work uses numerical simulation methods to evaluate the leakage and flow heat transfer of labyrinth seals while accounting for rub-groove wear. Firstly, an experimental system for investigating the leakage characteristics of labyrinth seals was established to verify that the computational accuracy of the numerical method used is suitable for this study. Secondly, in order to assess the influence of the clearance on the leakage and heat transfer coefficient distribution for the labyrinth seal with rub-groove wear, airflow velocity near the seal tooth tips is computed under different clearances. The estimated averaged heat transfer coefficient over the rotor surface reduces as the clearance decreases, owing to the lower speed vortices filled in the rub-groove. Finally, the geometric parameters of rub-groove wear (groove width and depth) are thoroughly examined in relation to flow leakage and local heat transfer coefficient distributions of the rotor for the labyrinth seal with rub-groove wear.
Source: Thermal Science
Authors: Peng Sun, Yonghui Chen, Qun Yan, Qinqin Mu
Institution: Aircraft Strength Research Institute (China)
Language: English
Subfield: Aerospace Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $161
OpenAlex ID: W7204991041