Lynn,
Thanks for confirming that a retainer is a wise thing to add. I sometimes over engineer things. But this is one place where a little extra engineering is prudent.
Also, you're correct, this seal does not see 90-100 psi as it is in the pathway with the drainback line. So, it should only see a few psi at most.
Mark On Sun, Sep 19, 2010 at 7:14 AM, <Lehanover@aol.com> wrote:
In a message dated 9/19/2010 5:41:35 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
msteitle@gmail.com writes:
Kelly,
My custom adapter plate was built on a Bridgeport mill. The hole
spacing (and sizes) were obtained from a drawing for the actual RD-2C plate.
Could it be a thou or two oversize? I guess that's possible, but I
don't think so. The machinist that did the work is very meticulous.
However, before reassembly, I'll definitely check it to be sure.
The bottom line is that there is 90-100 psi trying to push it out of
place. So, I feel that a mechanical fastener is the only real way to
guarantee that it stays put 100% of the time.
Mark
Anything not positively retained in aircraft, will eventually fall off.
Garlock style lip seals will just barely hold back oil splash with little to no
pressure. You see Garlocks pressed into cavities that are cast or formed
with retaining lips at the end. Not into smooth bores. More than a few pounds
against a lip seal over heats the seal and fails the lip allowing a leak. Note
the oil drainback paths in the rotary, so seals see no pressure even beside a
main bearing other than from crank case gasses..
I had a weaver Brothers three section dry sump pump that had the pressure
section in the blind end of a casting so no high pressurized oil was
exposed to a seal of any kind. The drive shaft extended from the scavenge pump
end, so any pressure pulses would of minimal size against the Garlock seal
pressed into a smooth bore in the end plate. Each session the seal would be
found dancing along the shaft with oil dripping off of everything. A competitor
told me to retain the seal with a plate of some kind. Once that very long
weekend was over I did that with a plate and three little screws. I replaced the
single lip seal with 2 half width lip seals and the plate and never had
another problem. I also cut a tiny groove from the suction side of the pump to
the center of the shaft cavity. Oil drain-back to a lower pressure
area.
Lip seals are the most freedom loving seals of all. If pressurized they
turn their lips inside out and leak on you.
If you persist, they will escape the bore and dump your oil out on the
ground. They have been that way since the first day. Thought should be expended
on the release of crank case gasses. The street engine has a tiny tube sticking
out of the oil filler neck. This is way too small for operation above about 3500
RPM.
Lynn E. Hanover
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