Abstract
This paper discusses the straight-through type labyrinth seal. This labyrinth seal is used for axial flow fans, which h ave an outer ring at the blade tip to seal the clearance between the ring tip and the fan shroud, in order to prevent the reverse flow or leakage. These fans are used for the cooling of automobile radiators . In these cases, the labyrinth seal is used in an extremely low static pressure difference and a large clearance . A significant decrease of the leakage rate was reported even when the labyrinth seal rotated in comparatively low speed in this unique condition according to the authors’ former report. However, this phenomen on is differ ent from past research. Further more the cause of th is phenomenon has not been determined. Therefore, the internal flow was depicted with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) in or der to clarify the ca use of this phenomenon. The results of CFD show that the leakage rate decreases significantly because the carry -over flow is intercepted in the expansion groove. This is the newly discovered phenomenon which occurs under the unique condition of an extremely low differential pressure. It has not been pointed out before as the reason why the rotation decreases the leakage rate.
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Kota Shimada: He ob taine d his B,S, degree in mechanical engineering from Tokai University in 1992, He has worked for Toyo Radiator Co., Ltd. as an engineer and has been engaged in the development of cooling fan systems for radiators since 1992 . All japanese motorbike companies and some japanese automobiles companies currently use his fan design. His professional interests a re focused on the design and analysis of axial flow fans which ope rate under unusual conditions.
Kazuhide Kimura: He received his B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from Ritsumeikan University
Kazuhide Kimura: He received his B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from Ritsumeikan University
Kazuhide Kimura: He received his B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from Ritsumeikan University
Susumu Ichikawa: He received his B.S, an d M,S, degree in mechanical engineering in 1993 and 1995 from Musashi Institute of Technology, Since 1995, h e has been working for Toyo Radiator Co., Ltd.. His current research interests a re analysis of internal flow and internal phenomenon of numerous different types of heat exchangers for fuel cell systems by using CF D,
Hiroaki Ohta: He received his B. Sc. (Eng.) and M. Sc., (E ng.) degree in mechanica l engineering in 1970 and 1972 from Tokai University, and his P h. Dr. in mechanical engineering in 2000 from the same University. After obtaining his M. Sc., he worked as a research assistant and a lecturer at Tokai University, before taking up his current position as a n associate professor of Tokai University. His current research interests cover performance and flow inside impeller of centrifugal pump for high-viscosity liquids , performance of axial flow fans and flow around a half column.
Katsumi Aoki: He received his M. Sc. (Eng.) degree in mechanical engineering in 1967 from Tokai University, and his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering in 1986 from the same University, After obtaining his M.Sc., he worked as a research assistant, a lecturer, and an associate professor at Tokai University before taking up his current position as a professor of Tokai University. His current research interests cove flow around a rotating circular cylinder with and without grooves, flow around a rotating sphere , possibility of drag reduction using triangle-type cavity, and flow visualization by spark tracing method of complicated flow field as in centrifugal blower.
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Shimada, K., Kimura, K., Ichikawa, S. et al. Phenomenon of labyrinth seal with low static pressure difference and large clearance. J Vis 7, 63–75 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03181486
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03181486