Rolls-royce Corporation

Brad Chaplin

Al Cookerly

Doug Cook

A method for evaluating a lubrication containment system is set forth herein. In one lubrication containment system, a seal runner can be fixed to the rotatable structure and seal against a static radial seal supported by the sump housing. The method also includes the step of rotating the structure relative to the sump housing. The method also includes the step of directing test fluid to the structure inside the sump housing. The method also includes the step of quantifying an accumulation of test lubricant at the seal runner during rotation by omitting the radial seal from the lubrication containment system. As a result, test lubricant can pass out of the sump housing. The amount of test lubricant that passes out of the sump housing, past the location where the seal runner would be or would have been, corresponds to the amount of lubricant that accumulates at the seal runner during operation in the field. It is desirable to minimize this accumulation; accumulation of lubricant at the seal runner can compromise the life and effectiveness of the seal runner. The test results derived from practicing the method can be applied to design aspects of the lubrication containment system, including the seal runner as well as other structures. A test fixture is also set forth for practicing at least one embodiment of the method.

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Speedway, IN, United States of America

Brad Chaplin