Case Study

Low Pressure Dynamic Seal Design
Challenge
- 3D simulations are time consuming, and expensive to execute, and it is difficult to extract actionable outputs
- Complex barrel valve with demanding sealing and actuation requirements
KDPD Approach
- Reconsider simulation environment and constraints
- Utilize 2D simulations and 2D sweep along full-length of perimeter
- 2D simulation for reduced computational burden and easy iteration
- This also improved fundamental understanding because of the relative ease of identifying trends and tendencies

Results
Alternate lip-seal geometries that create lower friction forces at a given interference – more robust sealing without impacting actuating torque
- 2D and sweep model permitted efficient exploration of design space and sensitivity to manufacturing variability
Outcomes:
Improvement of final seal design
More direct path towards final seal design
Key Takeaways
- Access to data on expected design capability early on in project would have improved project outcomes:
- Improvement of final seal design
- More direct path towards final seal design
Design iteration in a virtual implementation – quick and efficient.