Analysis of Sealing Performance in Aeronautical Flared Tube Fittings Under Transversal Vibration Conditions
Citations
CAI Hongye, LI Muxiao, GONG Hao, et al. Analysis of sealing performance in aeronautical flared tube fittings under transversal vibration conditions[J]. Aeronautical Manufacturing Technology, 2026, 69(1/2): 25020119.
1.School of Mechanical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing100081, China
2.Chengdu Aircraft Industrial (Group) Co., Ltd, Chengdu610213, China
3.Tangshan Research Institute, Beijing Institute of Technology, Tangshan063015, China
4.Hebei Key Laboratory of Intelligent Assembly and Detection Technology, Tangshan063015, China
Citations
CAI Hongye, LI Muxiao, GONG Hao, et al. Analysis of sealing performance in aeronautical flared tube fittings under transversal vibration conditions[J]. Aeronautical Manufacturing Technology, 2026, 69(1/2): 25020119.
Abstract
Aeronautical flared tube fittings are widely used in aircraft hydraulic, fuel and pneumatic systems for pipeline connections and sealing. These fittings frequently experience fluid leakage under vibration conditions, with transversal vibration being the primary cause of thread loosening and seal failure. This paper establishes a coupled analysis framework integrating vibration behavior, microscopic contact characteristics, and leakage rate calculation for flared tube fittings. The study systematically reveals the contact stress distribution and leakage evolution at sealing interfaces under transversal vibration. Results indicate that transversal vibration transforms uniform circumferential contact pressure into non-uniform distribution, reduces contact area, and expands leakage channels on the vibration-direction side. After 10 vibration cycles, leakage rate increases to 2.68 times initial value. The research quantifies leakage variations under different bolt preloads, vibration amplitudes, surface roughness levels, and medium pressures. Design recommendations propose minimum preload force of 4180 N, maximum surface roughness of 1.6 μm, and clamp installation near fitting connections to mitigate vibration effects.
扩口式管接头作为液体和气体管道系统的重要连接部件[ 刘勇, 任新江, 闫方超. 梁式管接头结构的稳健性优化设计[J]. 航空动力学报, 2024, 39(10): 20220868.LIU Yong, REN Xinjiang, YAN Fangchao. Structural robust optimization design of beam seal[J]. Journal of Aerospace Power, 2024, 39(10): 20220868. 1],具有结构简单、安装方便、密封性好等优点[ 赵兴平, 郭娟, 李振水, 等. 飞机液压管路连接工艺技术[J]. 航空精密制造技术, 2020, 56(5): 44–47, 52.ZHAO Xingping, GUO Juan, LI Zhenshui, et al. Aircraft hydraulic pipeline connection technology research[J]. Aviation Precision Manufacturing Technology, 2020, 56(5): 44–47, 52. 2],在航空、航天、船舶、兵器等机械工业中得到了广泛应用[ YAN Y Y, CHAI M J. Sealing failure and fretting fatigue behavior of fittings induced by pipeline vibration[J]. International Journal of Fatigue, 2020, 136: 105602. 欧阳小平, 方旭, 朱莹, 等. 航空液压管接头综述[J]. 中国机械工程, 2015, 26(16): 2262–2271.OUYANG Xiaoping, FANG Xu, ZHU Ying, et al. Overview of aviation hydraulic fittings[J]. China Mechanical Engineering, 2015, 26(16): 2262–2271. 3-4]。扩口式管接头的密封性能依赖于预紧力作用下扩口导管与管接头锥面的紧密接触,其密封可靠性直接影响整个系统的安全性和服役寿命[ 熊影辉, 丁晓宇, 刘检华, 等. 扩口式管接头拧紧过程扭拉关系研究[J]. 润滑与密封, 2017, 42(5): 46–52.XIONG Yinghui, DING Xiaoyu, LIU Jianhua, et al. Study on relationship between preload and tightening torque of flared coupling in tightening process[J]. Lubrication Engineering, 2017, 42(5): 46–52. 5]。在实际工程中,由于外部振动、交变温度载荷与结构动态响应的复合作用,扩口式管接头可能面临泄漏的风险,严重时甚至会引发安全事故[ 陈果, 罗云, 郑其辉, 等. 复杂空间载流管道系统流固耦合动力学模型及其验证[J]. 航空学报, 2013, 34(3): 597–609.CHEN Guo, LUO Yun, ZHENG Qihui, et al. Fluid-structure coupling dynamic model of complex spatial fluid-conveying pipe system and its verification[J]. Acta Aeronautica et Astronautica Sinica, 2013, 34(3): 597–609. LIANG Y B, FENG Q, LI D S, et al. Loosening monitoring of a threaded pipe connection using the electro-mechanical impedance technique—Experimental and numerical studies[J]. Sensors, 2018, 18(11): 3699. 6-7]。相关研究表明,横向振动是导致管接头松动和泄漏的主要载荷形式之一[ 郭雪杰. 扩口式管路接头密封性能研究[D]. 大连: 大连理工大学, 2020.GUO Xuejie. Research on sealing performance of flared pipe joint[D]. Dalian: Dalian University of Technology, 2020. 8],因此,揭示了横向振动载荷下扩口式管接头密封界面的动态接触行为与泄漏率演化规律,对提升管路系统密封可靠性具有重要的工程应用价值。
为了提高管接头结构的密封性能,相关学者围绕宏微观尺度下管接头的密封性能展开了系统研究。在宏观尺度上,田笑添[ 田笑添. 安装拧紧力矩对航空导管接头密封性能影响规律研究[D]. 沈阳: 沈阳航空航天大学, 2023.TIAN Xiaotian. Research on the influence of installation tightening torque on the sealing performance of aviation conduit joints[D]. Shenyang: Shenyang Aerospace University, 2023. 9]通过有限元仿真揭示了安装拧紧力矩对扩口式管接头密封锥面接触特性的非线性影响规律,指出过度预紧会引发结构弹塑性变形,并导致密封失效,为预紧力优化提供了理论依据。刘静等[ 刘静, 张岭, 庞凯月, 等. 环形凹槽对振动工况下管接头密封性能稳定性的影响研究[J]. 地震工程与工程振动, 2025, 45(1): 229–235.LIU Jing, ZHANG Ling, PANG Kaiyue, et al. Research on the influence of circular grooves on the sealing performance stability of pipe joints under vibration condition[J]. Earthquake Engineering and Engineering Dynamics, 2025, 45(1): 229–235. 10]通过旋转弯曲疲劳试验,证明了环形凹槽可以显著提升振动工况下锥面管接头密封性能稳定性,并基于有限元仿真证明了环形凹槽的边缘可以产生接触压强集中带,起到线密封的作用,解释了环形凹槽密封性能稳定性提升的原因。在微观尺度上,杨铮鑫等[ 杨铮鑫, 时圣状, 闫洋洋. 基于多尺度模型的航空管接头密封状态影响分析[J]. 润滑与密封, 2024, 49(1): 46–51.YANG Zhengxin, SHI Shengzhuang, YAN Yangyang. Influence analysis of aviation pipeline fittings on sealing states based on multi-scale model[J]. Lubrication Engineering, 2024, 49(1): 46–51. 11]针对双卡套式管接头的实际粗糙密封面,建立有限元接触模型,通过仿真分析发现当卡套材料的屈服强度接近管路材料的屈服强度时,管接头密封效果最好。Tang等[ TANG J, LIAO Z H, LU X, et al. Influence of high pressure pulsating excitation on pipe joint sealing based on multiscale contact analyses[J]. AIP Advances, 2022, 12(10): 105022. 12]建立了无扩口管接头的多尺度有限元模型,发现在流体压力和流体脉动的影响下,管接头密封面的接触应力随工作时间的增加而逐渐减小,从而影响密封特性。
上述研究主要通过接触应力、有效密封区域等参数进行密封性能评价,属于一种间接评价,泄漏率是直接表征密封性能的直接量化指标。Etsion等[ ETSION I, FRONT I. A model for static sealing performance of end face seals[J]. Tribology Transactions, 1994, 37(1): 111–119. 13]开创性地采用G–W弹性接触理论对静密封的泄漏通道进行了建模,建立了微观形貌参数与泄漏率的定量关系,为静密封泄漏率预测奠定了理论基础。许多学者基于G–W弹性接触理论,提出了大量的修正模型,这些模型考虑了微凸体的弹性及塑性变形,具有更好的普适性[ CHANG W R, ETSION I, BOGY D B. An elastic-plastic model for the contact of rough surfaces[J]. Journal of Tribology, 1987, 109(2): 257–263. ZHAO Y W, CHANG L. A model of asperity interactions in elastic-plastic contact of rough surfaces[J]. Journal of Tribology, 2001, 123(4): 857–864. 14-15]。在此基础上,嵇正波等[ 嵇正波, 孙见君, 陆建花, 等. 基于逾渗理论的机械密封界面静态泄漏预测方法[J]. 摩擦学学报, 2017, 37(6): 734–742.JI Zhengbo, SUN Jianjun, LU Jianhua, et al. Predicting method for static leakage of contacting mechanical seals interface based on percolation theory[J]. Tribology, 2017, 37(6): 734–742. 16]系统揭示了泄漏通道在弹性、弹塑性、塑性等多种状态下的孔隙特征及泄漏率变化,其模型预测精度较传统方法有了显著提升。Sun等[ SUN J J, MA C B, LU J H, et al. A leakage channel model for sealing interface of mechanical face seals based on percolation theory[J]. Tribology International, 2018, 118: 108–119. 17]利用分形函数对密封面微观形貌进行表征,基于逾渗理论,建立了密封面泄漏通道模型,以及泄漏率与端面形貌参数的关系。针对复杂的接触界面特性,Ni等[ NI X Y, MA C B, SUN J J, et al. A leakage model of contact mechanical seals based on the fractal theory of porous medium[J]. Coatings, 2021, 11(1): 20. 18]引入多孔介质分形理论,建立了考虑真实接触界面微观形貌的泄漏率计算模型,并从微观角度客观反映界面流体的流动。
扩口式管接头有限元建模的关键在于构建精确的MJ螺纹牙网格模型。传统的建模方法忽略螺纹升角,无法准确模拟扩口式管接头的装配过程,四面体网格模型易导致计算不收敛且精度较低。近年来,日本学者Fukuoka等[ FUKUOKA T, NOMURA M. Proposition of helical thread modeling with accurate geometry and finite element analysis[J]. Journal of Pressure Vessel Technology, 2008, 130: 011204. 19]提出的内外螺纹网格划分方法被广泛采用,该方法能够生成高质量的内外螺纹牙六面体网格,螺纹牙与螺杆部分自然过渡连接。本文采用该方法对扩口式管接头进行有限元建模,图2展示了所建立的扩口式管接头有限元模型,模型中所有结构均采用六面体网格,网格稀疏过渡合理。
图2 扩口式管接头有限元模型及MJ螺纹部分网格模型
Fig.2 Finite element model of flared tube fittings and mesh model of MJ threaded section
Fig.5 Variation curve of contact pressure with ring width
图6 采样区域
Fig.6 Sampling region
图7 接触压力和滑移量变化曲线
Fig.7 Variation curves of contact pressure and slippage
2 密封面微观形貌建模与接触仿真分析
2.1 基于共轭梯度法的密封面微观形貌建模
为了准确表征管接头密封锥面的接触行为,本节采用共轭梯度法[ MANESH K K, RAMAMOORTHY B, SINGAPERUMAL M. Numerical generation of anisotropic 3D non-Gaussian engineering surfaces with specified 3D surface roughness parameters[J]. Wear, 2010, 268(11–12): 1371–1379. 20]建立密封面微观形貌。共轭梯度法是一种高效的迭代算法,适用于求解大规模线性方程组或优化问题,在粗糙表面生成中能够有效模拟表面高度值的统计学分布。
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熊影辉, 丁晓宇, 刘检华, 等. 扩口式管接头拧紧过程扭拉关系研究[J]. 润滑与密封, 2017, 42(5): 46–52. XIONGYinghui, DINGXiaoyu, LIUJianhua, et al. Study on relationship between preload and tightening torque of flared coupling in tightening process[J]. Lubrication Engineering, 2017, 42(5): 46–52.
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陈果, 罗云, 郑其辉, 等. 复杂空间载流管道系统流固耦合动力学模型及其验证[J]. 航空学报, 2013, 34(3): 597–609. CHENGuo, LUOYun, ZHENGQihui, et al. Fluid-structure coupling dynamic model of complex spatial fluid-conveying pipe system and its verification[J]. Acta Aeronautica et Astronautica Sinica, 2013, 34(3): 597–609.
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田笑添. 安装拧紧力矩对航空导管接头密封性能影响规律研究[D]. 沈阳: 沈阳航空航天大学, 2023. TIANXiaotian. Research on the influence of installation tightening torque on the sealing performance of aviation conduit joints[D]. Shenyang: Shenyang Aerospace University, 2023.
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杨铮鑫, 时圣状, 闫洋洋. 基于多尺度模型的航空管接头密封状态影响分析[J]. 润滑与密封, 2024, 49(1): 46–51. YANGZhengxin, SHIShengzhuang, YANYangyang. Influence analysis of aviation pipeline fittings on sealing states based on multi-scale model[J]. Lubrication Engineering, 2024, 49(1): 46–51.
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TANGJ, LIAOZ H, LUX, et al. Influence of high pressure pulsating excitation on pipe joint sealing based on multiscale contact analyses[J]. AIP Advances, 2022, 12(10): 105022.
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ETSIONI, FRONTI. A model for static sealing performance of end face seals[J]. Tribology Transactions, 1994, 37(1): 111–119.
[14]
CHANGW R, ETSIONI, BOGYD B. An elastic-plastic model for the contact of rough surfaces[J]. Journal of Tribology, 1987, 109(2): 257–263.
[15]
ZHAOY W, CHANGL. A model of asperity interactions in elastic-plastic contact of rough surfaces[J]. Journal of Tribology, 2001, 123(4): 857–864.
[16]
嵇正波, 孙见君, 陆建花, 等. 基于逾渗理论的机械密封界面静态泄漏预测方法[J]. 摩擦学学报, 2017, 37(6): 734–742. JIZhengbo, SUNJianjun, LUJianhua, et al. Predicting method for static leakage of contacting mechanical seals interface based on percolation theory[J]. Tribology, 2017, 37(6): 734–742.
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SUNJ J, MAC B, LUJ H, et al. A leakage channel model for sealing interface of mechanical face seals based on percolation theory[J]. Tribology International, 2018, 118: 108–119.
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NIX Y, MAC B, SUNJ J, et al. A leakage model of contact mechanical seals based on the fractal theory of porous medium[J]. Coatings, 2021, 11(1): 20.
[19]
FUKUOKAT, NOMURAM. Proposition of helical thread modeling with accurate geometry and finite element analysis[J]. Journal of Pressure Vessel Technology, 2008, 130: 011204.
[20]
MANESHK K, RAMAMOORTHYB, SINGAPERUMALM. Numerical generation of anisotropic 3D non-Gaussian engineering surfaces with specified 3D surface roughness parameters[J]. Wear, 2010, 268(11–12): 1371–1379.
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