Mechanical Seals
Mechanical seals are used to retain a high pressure liquid inside a chamber at a shaft entry point. There are usually a minimum of two active components – the stationary seal and the rotating seal. Between these two parts there is a thin layer of liquid – either the process fluid or some other flushing fluid. If the thin layer is two thin then the surfaces come into contact and the seal fails. If the layer is too thick then there is excessive leakage from the seal.

Reciprocating Seals
Reciprocating seals such as hydraulic cylinders and pistons depend on the seal or piston ring for operation and efficiency. Ultrasensor has been applied to this application to give an understanding of the effect of pressure and sliding speed on film thickness.

Hydrodynamic Bearings
Hydrodynamic bearings are used in wide range of engineering applications to support an axial or thrust load from a rotating shaft. Once again the lubricant film thickness is crucial to operation. Ultrasensor is an ideal tool for monitoring theses bearings.

Contact Pressure
The contact pressure between components can vary spatially due to surface finish and geometric variability. This variability can result in local contact pressure spikes. These in turn can become failure initiation points. Ultrasensor is able to look inside components and examine the interface between them.



Above: Computer generated images of contact pressure regions between plastic food packaging container and closure.

Real Area of Contact
The real area of contact between two components in an engineering system can be substantially different from the predicted area. Ultrasensor technology can help aid understanding in both the design and failure modelling process.