Finite element simulation of spring energized seals

Abstract

The study is focused to understand static sealing performance of spring energized seal having V-type spring. For evaluating sealing performance of spring energized seals finite element analysis was used as a research tool. 3D finite element model have been developed and simulations were done on four different seal designs. Two different types of simulations were used one by considering jacket and spring as linear elastic-plastic material and other by considering jacket as viscoelastic material and spring as elastic material. The main of this study is to evaluate sealing performance of spring energized seals in terms of stresses produced in spring component, contact forces between seal and the counter surfaces, plastic deformation of jacket and its effect on contact forces, also effect of viscoelastic creep on contact forces. The results of four different seal designs were compared and the difference between them was analyzed.