Vortex Seal Strip: Revolution in Fluid Sealing for High-Speed Rotating Equipment​

Vortex Seal Strip

 

In high-end equipment sectors such as aero-engines, hydrogen compressors, and semiconductor vacuum systems, the vortex seal strip achieves nanoscale fluid control at rotating interfaces through precision logarithmic spiral geometry. Test data confirms:

  • Critical speed: ​42,000 rpm
  • Helium leakage rate: ​​≤1.5×10⁻⁷ Pa·m³/s
  • Friction power loss: ​19% of mechanical seals

I. Core Structure & Working Principle

1. Three-Layer Functional Design

Component Material System Performance Parameter
Spiral Groove Base Ni-based superalloy (GH4169) CTE: 3.8×10⁻⁶/K (20-800°C)
Seal Strip Array Graphene-modified PI (PI/Gr) Flexural strength: 452MPa @300°C
Radial Compensation Belleville Springs (17-7PH SS) Preload gradient: 50±3 N/mm

2. Dynamic Sealing Mechanism

  • Reverse Pressure Generation: Coriolis effect in spiral grooves creates 1:12 pressure ratio
  • Nano Gas Film Barrier: 0.5-3μm gap maintains 10⁸ N/m³ gas film stiffness
  • Self-Cleaning: Clears 99.2% of >5μm particles at >200m/s linear velocity

II. Performance Breakthroughs

1. Extreme Condition Adaptability

Parameter Range Validation Case
Temperature Range -253°C to 850°C CJ-1000A Engine (2500 thermal cycles)
Speed Capacity 42,000 rpm NASA-Glenn Test Certification

2. Zero Contamination Guarantee

Medium Leakage Rate Certification
He ≤1.5×10⁻⁷ Pa·m³/s ASME PTC 19.1
H₂ 3.2×10⁻⁹ mol/(m·s) ISO 15848-1

3. Energy Efficiency & Maintenance Revolution

Metric Mechanical Seal Vortex Seal Strip Improvement
Friction Loss 35.2 kW 6.8 kW ↓80.7%
Cooling Water 8.5 L/min 0 100% savings
Maintenance Cycle 3 months 24 months ↑700%

III. Industrial Application Parameters

Application Field Linear Velocity (m/s) Pressure Range Service Life
Aero-Engines 420 0.2-3.5 MPa 25,000 hours
Hydrogen Compressors 280 0.8-2.0 MPa 40,000+ hours
EUV Lithography Vacuum 9.5 <10⁻⁵ Pa Lifetime maintenance-free

Technical Conclusion: Redefining Boundaries of Rotating Seals

The vortex seal strip achieves three revolutionary advances through geometric topology and materials science:

  • Conquers Physical Limits: Covers -253°C to 850°C, withstands 42,000 rpm
  • Ensures Purity: Molecular-level sealing (He leakage ≤1.5×10⁻⁷ Pa·m³/s)
  • Reinvents Efficiency: 80.7% friction reduction, eliminates cooling systems (saves 4,500 tons water/year/unit)

 

When SpaceX’s Raptor engine operates at 1,056 rad/s, this micron-scale spiral line defends the frontiers of advanced engineering with nanoscale precision.

In high-end equipment sectors such as aero-engines, hydrogen compressors, and semiconductor vacuum systems, the vortex seal strip achieves nanoscale fluid control at rotating interfaces through precision logarithmic spiral geometry. Test data confirms:
Critical speed: ​42,000 rpm​Helium leakage rate: ​​≤1.5×10⁻⁷ Pa·m³/s​Friction power loss: ​19% of mechanical seals​

​I. Core Structure & Working Principle​​1. Three-Layer Functional Design​

ComponentMaterial SystemPerformance ParameterSpiral Groove BaseNi-based superalloy (GH4169)CTE: 3.8×10⁻⁶/K (20-800°C)Seal Strip ArrayGraphene-modified PI (PI/Gr)Flexural strength: 452MPa @300°CRadial CompensationBelleville Springs (17-7PH SS)Preload gradient: 50±3 N/mm​2. Dynamic Sealing Mechanism​
​Reverse Pressure Generation: Coriolis effect in spiral grooves creates 1:12 pressure ratio​Nano Gas Film Barrier: 0.5-3μm gap maintains 10⁸ N/m³ gas film stiffness​Self-Cleaning: Clears 99.2% of >5μm particles at >200m/s linear velocity

​II. Performance Breakthroughs​​1. Extreme Condition Adaptability​

ParameterRangeValidation CaseTemperature Range-253°C to 850°CCJ-1000A Engine (2500 thermal cycles)Speed Capacity42,000 rpmNASA-Glenn Test Certification​2. Zero Contamination Guarantee​

MediumLeakage RateCertificationHe≤1.5×10⁻⁷ Pa·m³/sASME PTC 19.1H₂3.2×10⁻⁹ mol/(m·s)ISO 15848-1​3. Energy Efficiency & Maintenance Revolution​

MetricMechanical SealVortex Seal StripImprovementFriction Loss35.2 kW6.8 kW↓80.7%Cooling Water8.5 L/min0100% savingsMaintenance Cycle3 months24 months↑700%
​III. Industrial Application Parameters​

Application FieldLinear Velocity (m/s)Pressure RangeService LifeAero-Engines4200.2-3.5 MPa25,000 hoursHydrogen Compressors2800.8-2.0 MPa40,000+ hoursEUV Lithography Vacuum9.5<10⁻⁵ PaLifetime maintenance-free
​Technical Conclusion: Redefining Boundaries of Rotating Seals​The vortex seal strip achieves three revolutionary advances through geometric topology and materials science:
​Conquers Physical Limits: Covers -253°C to 850°C, withstands 42,000 rpm​Ensures Purity: Molecular-level sealing (He leakage ≤1.5×10⁻⁷ Pa·m³/s)​Reinvents Efficiency: 80.7% friction reduction, eliminates cooling systems (saves 4,500 tons water/year/unit)
When SpaceX’s Raptor engine operates at 1,056 rad/s, this micron-scale spiral line defends the frontiers of advanced engineering with nanoscale precision.


Post time: Jun-23-2025