Brush Seal Hysteresis

The use of Brush Seals continues to expand in both the Power Generation and the Aerospace markets and we continue to learn more about their functionality. This paper continues on from our previous papers and in particular AIAA 2002-3794 which examines, analytically and experimentally the effects of Hysteresis. The 3D Finite Element Model has been developed further to more accurately predict the physics of brush seal hysteresis. This will be demonstrated by comparison of data from the model to test data gathered from manufactured seals tested in the laboratory. This model has full bristle-to-bristle contact, bristle to back plate contact, bristle to rotor contact and can be pressure drop loaded.