Multiobjective Structure–Material Codesign Optimization of Hydraulically Controllable Reciprocating Seals With Mixed Thermoelastohydrodynamic Lubrication Analysis

Abstract

Abstract. The controllable reciprocating seal (CRS) is a new generation of intelligent seal with a performance regulation function, but its high-performance design optimization method remains unclear, which is an important issue that determines its entire life cycle. To address it, this article takes hydraulically controllable reciprocating seals (HCRS) as the research object and employs a mixed thermoelastohydrodynamic lubrication (TEHL) model to establish a structure–material multiobjective codesign optimization model that integrates static and dynamic sealing performance. The optimal combination of sealing structure and material parameters is obtained with the objective functions of minimizing the maximum von Mises stress, net leakage, and frictional power loss. By comparing the static and dynamic sealing performance of seals under three methods of the single structural design optimization, the single material design optimization, and the structure–material collaborative optimization under each of the optimal parameters, the superiority of the collaborative design optimization method proposed in this article has been demonstrated. Compared with the single structural or material optimization methods, its maximum von Mises stress, net leakage, and frictional power loss have been improved by 66.81%, 21.73%, and 43.67%, respectively. Therefore, the collaborative design optimization of structural and material parameters is a more efficient optimization design method and is recommended for engineering applications.