Numerical and Experimental Investigation of Lambda type Seals in High-Pressure Cryogenic Bolted Joints

S. Vivek, R. Vinayaravi, Suryamani Tripathi, R. Vasudevan, A. K. Asraff

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

Abstract

For propelling new generation Indian launch vehicles, ISRO is developing a liquid oxygen-kerosene based high thrust rocket engine. In liquid rocket engines, bolted flange joints are critical components and leak tightness is to be ensured for all bolted joints for safe operation. For the same reason, various metallic seals are employed and "lambda" (λ) type seal is one among them. There is little information about this type of seals in literature and its geometry is uncommon and intricate. This seal, made of high strength stainless steel has 5 sealing faces and interfaces of mating flanges are spherical in nature. Bolted joint investigated in this study is located at the inlet of an injection valve. Extensive nonlinear finite element simulations were carried out for understanding the normal load variation at each of these sealing faces with increase in internal pressure. For validating the numerical model as well as to verify the seal performance, a simulator joint was designed and tested. Multiple tests were carried out to study the effect of temperature of operating medium on the seal behaviour. The results indicate that, both at cryogenic temperatures as well as at ambient conditions, lambda type seals can provide leak tightness at very high internal pressure with moderately low pre-load values and can accommodate large flange movements. Results are of high relevance for finalizing the preload values for similar bolted joints in flight hardware.

Original languageEnglish
JournalProceedings of the International Astronautical Congress, IAC
Volume2022-September
StatePublished - 2022
Externally publishedYes
Event73rd International Astronautical Congress, IAC 2022 - Paris, France
Duration: Sep 18 2022Sep 22 2022

Keywords

  • Lambda seals
  • bolted joints
  • flange rotation
  • pre-load
  • rocket engine
  • seals

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Numerical and Experimental Investigation of Lambda type Seals in High-Pressure Cryogenic Bolted Joints'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this