Thermodynamic and Sealing Performance Analysis of Reciprocating O-Rings in Hydraulic Cylinders

Abstract

In mechanical engineering practice, the service life and sealing performance of equipment are inextricably linked to the performance of O-ring rubber seals. Moreover, thermodynamic factors play a significant role in the performance of these sealing rings, especially in the high-speed reciprocating motion of hydraulic cylinders. Consequently, an integration of thermodynamic factors into the performance analysis of O-rings is necessary. Using a specific type of O-ring in a hydraulic cylinder as an example, the mechanical properties of the rubber material are characterized through the Mooney-Rivlin model determined by the finite element method and experimental methods, thereby deriving material parameters. Concurrently, an analysis was conducted on how thermodynamic factors like temperature changes, heat conduction, and thermal expansion influence sealing performance. Subsequently, a finite element model of the O-ring seal was established, and a simulation analysis was performed on the mechanical and thermodynamic behaviors of the reciprocating O-ring seal in a hydraulic cylinder under varying temperature and pressure conditions. Lastly, the impact of different compression rates, friction coefficients, and working oil pressures on maximum Von Mises stress and contact stress were investigated, thus providing a theoretical basis for the thermodynamic performance analysis and structural optimization design of O-ring rubber seals.