Next generation sealing solution for hydraulic aircraft systems

04 September, 2023

Torben Andersen, Director Aerospace Segment Management, said: “With Turcon VL Seal II, Trelleborg Sealing Solutions clearly shows that it is leading the revolution in aircraft hydraulic sealing. The performance of this seal is well beyond other seals on the market.”

Torben continued: “During the five year development period, we undertook among other tests, rapid multi-million cycle testing on an advanced test bench that achieves pressure rise rates of up to 360,000 psi per second, and enables accelerated high frequency cycling up to 5 Hz, under maximum pressure or extreme temperature conditions. This meant that testing of potential designs for the improved seal occurred in just weeks rather than months, considerably shortening the proving time, and enabling us to reach the perfect seal design early in the testing phase.”

Demonstrating the performance of Turcon VL Seal II against Turcon VL Seal, which now represents the standard for this type of hydraulic seal, back-pumping performance was more than doubled up to 3000 psi and almost doubled up to 5000 psi. Accumulative leakage was around 4 millilitres less and significantly lower (around a half) from 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 cycles.

Optimised seal design improves leakage control eases installation

Turcon VL Seal II is a unidirectional rod seal for reciprocating movements, consisting of an “L” shaped Turcon jacket energised by an O-Ring. The design of the seal combines the unique back pumping capability of Turcon VL Seal with new patented features. An angled seal back allows seal width adjustment to service pressure, improving leakage control, while a leading protective front lip safeguards the sealing edge during hardware assembly. In addition, the seal’s FEA optimised design improves support for and containment of the O-Ring.

‘Sealed for life’ means the seal lasts as long as the actuator itself. In addition, negating the need for drain lines and with a profile that allows smaller hardware design, the seal can make a significant contribution to an aircraft manufacturer’s goal of weight saving and fuel efficiency. Used in a tandem sealing system, flight safety is increased, and back pumping enhanced.

Turcon VL Seal II is available in a range of Turcon materials for use in a wide variety of extreme operating conditions. These are combined with O-Ring compounds suitable for use in all hydraulic fluids and service parameters.

Exceeding current aerospace standards for seal performance, Turcon VL Seal II is designed for installation in AS4716 O-Ring housing grooves, enabling fitment in place of other O-Ring-energised and Turcon solutions, including the original Turcon VL Seal, Turcon Plus Seal, Turcon Wedgpak and Turcon Variseal, as well as other seal designs for these housing grooves. A metric version is also available

https://twitter.com/trelleborggroup

https://www.linkedin.com/company/trelleborggroup/