THEORETICAL ANALYSIS OF THE AERODYNAMIC FORCES IN THE LABYRINTH GLANDS OF TURBOMACHINES.

Differential equations of the flow of gas in the labyrinth glands of turbomachines are derived for conditions when their shafts oscillate. These equations are applied to some important flow cases. Distributions of pressures and values of transverse forces are obtained. The approximate solution to the problem of flow of medium in glands under conditions of circular precession of the shaft shows that in a linear approximation the cross forces are proportional to the angle of inclination of the axis of the shaft to the axis of the gland bore and the pressure of the medium. The circulation cross forces can be directed both laterally to and against the precessional movement of the shaft.