Quantitative analysis method for laminar-turbulence transition process of mechanical seal by a catastrophic model

Fluid flow regime has an important influence on the lubrication performance of mechanical seal. A novel method is proposed to analyze the flow regime transition quantitatively based on a cusp catastrophic model with dimensionless analysis. Furthermore, from this method, a turbulence transition factor is derived strictly to describe the turbulent transition process of mechanical seal, which is verified by the published results. Then this factor is applied to hydrodynamic lubrication mechanical seal to analyze the influence of flow regime on sealing performance. The results indicate that the performance parameters of mechanical seal are greatly influenced by the transition of fluid flow regime, and the stability of mechanical seal decreases in the transition to turbulent flow. The novel method of flow regime transition analysis provides a new insight into the turbulence model.