The design of an experimental testing fixture to test seals of various geometries exposed to extreme operational conditions while operating in dynamic rectilinear motion

Abstract

Radial reciprocating seals are available in a multitude of materials and physical configurations. The most used seal configuration is a circular cross section polymer ring shaped seal, O-ring seal. While affordable and small in cost, seals are essential to the functionality of many mechanical direct to consumer purchased products and industrial implements. Seal design and material selection is essential to the performance and functionality of the seal. With the multitude of different seal configurations, quantifying seal performance characteristics remains difficult. Efforts taken by the manufacturer to publish technical data of seals often only tailors to a very specific application. Being that a seals performance relies highly on parameters such as pressure, compression, lubrication, and application specifics such as remaining static or sealing dynamically, some means of classifying sealing behavior needs development. In this thesis an outline of the eight-phase morphology of design process will be employed to develop a means of identifying inefficiencies and achievements of varying seal architectures used for seals in components of dynamic rectilinear motion. With this design process an experimental testing fixture will be designed and commissioned. This fixture serves as a device to answer research questions revolving around the testing of seals experiencing the exposure to assorted operational environments. Performance data of interest will be recorded in real time and then analyzed to give a statistical identifier of seal efficiencies or inefficiencies.