Jmse 10 00404 v2

Journal of
Marine Science
and Engineering
Article
Structural Analysis and Experimental Study on the Spherical
Seal of a Subsea Connector Based on a Non-Standard
O-Ring Seal
Dong Liu 1 , Feihong Yun 1,2, *, Kefeng Jiao 1 , Liquan Wang 1 , Zheping Yan 2 , Peng Jia 1 , Xiangyu Wang 1 ,
Weifeng Liu 1 , Xiaoquan Hao 1 and Xiujun Xu 1
1 College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, No. 145 Nantong Street,
Nangang District, Harbin 150001, China; 18853640448@hrbeu.edu.cn (D.L.); jiaokefeng@hrbeu.edu.cn (K.J.);
wangliquan@hrbeu.edu.cn (L.W.); jiapeng@hrbeu.edu.cn (P.J.); wangxiangyu@hrbeu.edu.cn (X.W.);
liuweifeng@hrbeu.edu.cn (W.L.); haoxiaoquan@hrbeu.edu.cn (X.H.); xuxiujun@hrbeu.edu.cn (X.X.)
2 College of Intelligent Systems Science and Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, No. 145 Nantong
Street, Nangang District, Harbin 150001, China; yanzheping@hrbeu.edu.cn
* Correspondence: yunfeihong@hrbeu.edu.cn; Tel.: +86-159-4568-3623
Abstract: Underwater oil and gas pipelines are prone to alignment differences and angle offsets
during docking, and the spherical flange connector can address this problem. Its main function
is to enable compensation of the different angles of the pipeline during docking and to apply a
non-standard spherical sealing structure using O-rings to the connection. In this paper, the study
of a spherical sealing structure using O-rings was based on a spherical structural model of the
connector. The Mooney–Rivlin constitutive equation and material parameters of the O-ring were
determined according to nonlinear theory. The structure of the non-standard spherical sealing groove
Citation: Liu, D.; Yun, F.; Jiao, K.; was designed and analysed with reference to the standard sealing groove, the calculation expression
Wang, L.; Yan, Z.; Jia, P.; Wang, X.; of the spherical groove specific size was deduced, and the width and depth of the groove were
Liu, W.; Hao, X.; Xu, X. Structural
determined. A finite element analysis of the non-standard O-ring sealing structure was carried out
Analysis and Experimental Study on
using ANSYS Workbench software; the effects of different pressures and compression ratios on the
the Spherical Seal of a Subsea
O-ring sealing performance were analysed and studied in terms of von Mises stress, contact pressure
Connector Based on a Non-Standard
and contact width of different contact surfaces so as to determine a more reasonable compression
O-Ring Seal. J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10,
404. https://doi.org/10.3390/
ratio in the sealing structure. Finally, the theoretical analysis of the non-standard spherical sealing
jmse10030404 structure using O-rings was validated by testing, and it was proven that it could maintain a good seal
under high pressure.
Academic Editors: Weicheng Cui,
Lian Lian and Guang Pan
Keywords: spherical structure; O-ring; sealing groove; finite element analysis; pressure test
Received: 19 February 2022
Accepted: 9 March 2022
Published: 10 March 2022
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral

1. Introduction
with regard to jurisdictional claims in As a key part of offshore oil and gas engineering equipment, subsea connectors are
published maps and institutional affil- mainly used for pipeline connection in subsea production systems [1,2]. The working
iations. environment of underwater connectors features high pressure and low temperature, and
the influence of ocean currents [3]. In recent years, as a flexible structure that can realize
multi angle transformation, a spherical structure is increasingly being used in the design of
underwater connectors. In underwater pipeline construction, problems related to alignment
Copyright: © 2022 by the authors. differences of the parts being connected may occur due to installation error; the advantage
Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
that the spherical structure has is that it can achieve angle compensation, and so is a good
This article is an open access article
solution to this problem.
distributed under the terms and
Scholars have conducted some research on spherical structures. In 1976, Watkins et al. [4]
conditions of the Creative Commons
designed a flexible support joint, which is composed and connected by ball structure and
Attribution (CC BY) license (https://
socket-like structure. The socket-like structure is fixed on the support, and the structure
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/
4.0/).
is movable and can be flexibly adjusted. If the connecting structure is damaged due to
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10, 404. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10030404 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/jmse

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10, 404 2 of 23
corrosion while in use, it is difficult to replace, and the maintenance cost is high. In 2003,
Moog et al. [5] proposed a flexible joint for transporting oil or natural gas, which can
achieve a certain angle of deflection. The sealing structure is made of rubber, however, the
spherical structure, the rubber sealing structure and the shell structure of this device are
one unit, and the repair cost is high if the rubber is damaged. In 2011, Moon, Il Yoon [6]
applied a spherical seal in the low-temperature and high-pressure pipeline of a liquid fuel
rocket engine, and a hermetic seal was realized inside it.
As for the spherical seal, YL Feng et al. [7] proposed a spherical connector for deep-
sea mining systems, which adopted two metal spheres to closely fit together to form a
metal seal. XG Song et al. [8] advocated the use of nitrile rubber as the sealing ring of
the ball valve joint, and carried out a finite element simulation of its sealing structure,
showing that it can meet the sealing requirements. Zhou XH [9] analysed the stern shaft
spherical mechanical seal and developed a new mechanical sealing structure with a metal
seal to achieve its function. Zhang Y [10] innovatively adopted the technology of a ceramic
coating on a spherical seal, showing it can reduce the wear of the contact surface and
improve the sealing performance of the seals. Yongjun Hou et al. [11] proposed a new
type of spherical seal with silicone rubber and PTFE composites as the main materials.
O-rings and PTFE elastic material are able to mitigate any lack of precision in the spherical
joint manufacturing process, which reduces the processing accuracy requirements for the
spherical surface. Based on this research, the sealing structure has two forms: a metal seal
or a rubber seal. From the perspective of application and maintenance costs, the use of a
rubber sealing ring on the spherical surface is more beneficial to the connector, nonetheless,
most of the subsea connectors have a metal seal. However, the spherical structure studied
here is difficult to adopt to the form of a metal seal because the inner and outer spherical
surfaces need to be closely matched and rotated during installation. Therefore, whether
its sealing structure can work properly under high pressure is the key to the design of the
spherical structure. Rubber materials enjoy excellent elastic properties and resistance to
compressive changes, which can effectively prevent the leakage of the pressure medium.
The O-ring made of rubber has multiple advantages in sealing. It is widely used in marine,
automotive, aerospace, traditional machinery and other fields, which provides direction
and ideas for the design of a spherical sealing structure [12].
When the O-ring is used as a sealing element, there are many influencing factors to
consider, such as the internal pressure of the sealing cavity, the pre-compression shrinkage
of the sealing ring, the parameters of the sealing groove, and so on. An example of this
is the study carried out by Ko, Jun bok [13], in which the O-ring seal at the head of a
solid-propellant rocket motor was studied and analysed. The contact stress distribution
on the O-ring’s sealing surface under high pressure was studied by numerical analysis,
and it was found that the contact stress distribution and deformation behaviour of the
O-ring were greatly influenced by the friction coefficient, squeeze gap and stress relaxation.
Liang BL [14] analysed the effects of O-ring parameters and working conditions on the
performance and reliability of the O-ring by tests, and found that material and geometric
parameters have a greater impact on the reliability of rubber O-rings. Chen SH [15] studied
the O-ring dynamic sealing structure of the swing hydraulic cylinder. The results showed
that the factors affecting the O-ring sealing were not identical under the two working
conditions, with and without a medium. There are relatively few studies on spherical,
non-standard, O-ring seals. To fill this research gap, using an analysis of spherical O-ring
sealing structures, this paper aimed to study and analyse the material parameters of the
O-ring, and to determine the influence of a non-standard spherical sealing groove and
pressure and compression ratios on sealing, to provide a reference for future scholars.
This paper is divided into four parts that describe the study on the spherical seal of
the underwater connector. In the first section, the sealing structure model is discussed, and
the parameters such as material, contact and friction coefficient are determined. The second
section is about the design and calculation of the spherical sealing groove. By comparing
the standard sealing groove and the spherical sealing groove, a more ideal design of a
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10, x FOR PEER REVIEW 3 of 24
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10, 404 3 of 23

second section is about the design and calculation of the spherical sealing groove. By com-
paring the standard sealing groove and the spherical sealing groove, a more ideal design
of a spherical sealing groove can be obtained. The third section is a finite element analysis
spherical
of sealingsealing
the spherical groovemechanism.
can be obtained. The third
The effects section is pressures
of different a finite element analysis com-
and different of the
sphericalratios
pression sealing
onmechanism. The effects ofof
the sealing performance different pressures
the O-ring and different
are analysed compression
and studied from
ratios
the on the
aspects ofsealing performance
von Mises of the pressure,
stress, contact O-ring areandanalysed
contactand studied
width from thecontact
of different aspects
of von Mises
surfaces. stress, section
The fourth contact is
pressure, and contact
the experimental width of different
verification contact
of the sealing surfaces. The
performance of
fourth section is the experimental verification of the sealing performance of the
the spherical sealing structure. In this study, an experimental device with the same sealing spherical
sealing structure.
structure In this
is designed, andstudy, an experimental
the pressure device
test is carried with
out. Thethe same sealing
experimental structure
results are inis
designed,
line with theand the pressure
theoretical test is carried out. The experimental results are in line with the
expectation.
theoretical expectation.
2. Model and Parameters of the Sealing Structure
2. Model and Parameters of the Sealing Structure
The spherical sealing structure studied here is part of a spherical flange connector
The spherical sealing structure studied here is part of a spherical flange connector
that has been designed. In this section, the working process of this structure and its sealing
that has been designed. In this section, the working process of this structure and its
principle will be introduced, and the rubber constitutive model of the O-ring will be es-
sealing principle will be introduced, and the rubber constitutive model of the O-ring will
tablished.
be established.
2.1.
2.1.Structural
StructuralModel
Modelofofthe
theSpherical
SphericalFlange
FlangeConnector
Connector
The spherical flange connector is mainly
The spherical flange connector is mainly used usedforforthe
the butt
butt joint
joint of underwater
of underwater pipe-
pipelines,
lines, and the angle error of connecting pipeline can be compensated
and the angle error of connecting pipeline can be compensated by the structure rotation. by the structure ro-
tation. As shown in Figure 1, the spherical flange connector adopts the
As shown in Figure 1, the spherical flange connector adopts the bolted flange connection bolted flange con-
nection
method.method.
It takes Itadvantage
takes advantage of rubber’s
of rubber’s propertyproperty
of easilyof easily achieving
achieving sealing
sealing after after
compres-
compression and deformation. Two O-rings are used as the main sealing
sion and deformation. Two O-rings are used as the main sealing structure in the spherical structure in the
spherical structure. The installation angle of the connector is adjusted
structure. The installation angle of the connector is adjusted by rotating the spherical by rotating the
spherical
structure.structure. The connection
The connection flange,
flange, the the positioning
positioning flange andflangetheand the spherical
spherical structurestruc-
are
ture are squeezed mutually by bolt connection to realize the locking of
squeezed mutually by bolt connection to realize the locking of the entire structure. As the entire structure.
As shown
shown in in Figure
Figure 2, the
2, the connector
connector cancan compensate
compensate thethe alignment
alignment error
error angle
angle of of
thethe pipe
pipe by
by rotating
rotating thethe sphericalstructure,
spherical structure,and andits
itsadjustable
adjustableangle range θθis is
angle range relatedtotothe
related theoverall
over-
all structure
structure of of
thethe connector.
connector.
Connecting Positioning Spherical

Bolt
flange flange structure
Sealing ring
Diagramofofthe
Figure1.1.Diagram
Figure thespherical
sphericalstructure.
structure.
The O-ring is physically squeezed to generate a certain amount of pre-compression

and is fixed in position by the sealing groove. The contact surface between the sealing
ring and the flange generates contact stress. After the inside of the connector is filled
with medium, the fluid medium pressure will further squeeze the O-ring, and the contact
pressure between the sealing ring and the flange will always be greater than the fluid
medium pressure, thus achieving the spherical seal of the O-ring structure.
2.2. Mooney–Rivlin Constitutive Model of O-Ring

The spherical sealing structure studied here adopts the O-ring as the main sealing ring,
its main failure mode is leakage. In this section, based on the strain energy density function
consisting of invariants of the left Cauchy–Green deformation tensor and comparing the
properties of different models of hyper-elastic materials [16], the Mooney–Rivlin [17,18]
constitutive equation for the rubber is determined.
J. J. Mar.Sci.
Mar. Sci.Eng.
Eng. 10,10,
2022,
2022, 404 PEER REVIEW
x FOR 4 of
4 of 2423
Connecting Positioning Spherical

flange flange structure
θ
Axisymmetric
Adjustable
Angle
Figure Diagramofofthe
Figure2.2.Diagram theadjustable
adjustableangle
angleofofthe
theconnector.
connector.
TheO-ring
The material of the O-ring
is physically used in to
squeezed thisgenerate
study was nitrile amount
a certain rubber, which has a density of
of pre-compression
1100 kg/m 3 and an elastic modulus of 0.499. As a hyper-elastic material, the mechanical
and is fixed in position by the sealing groove. The contact surface between the sealing ring
properties
and the flangeof rubber
generateshascontact
the followingstress. three
Aftermain characteristics
the inside [19]: incompressibility,
of the connector is filled with me- the
dium, the fluid medium pressure will further squeeze the O-ring, and the contact pressureis
property of large deformation, and the property of being nonlinear. The latter property
reflectedthe
between in three
sealing aspects [12]: the
ring and geometric nonlinearity,
flange will always be material
greaternonlinearity
than the fluid and medium
boundary
nonlinearity. The hyper-elastic properties of rubber
pressure, thus achieving the spherical seal of the O-ring structure. should be considered during the rubber
material construction on ANSYS Workbench finite element software(ANSYS, Inc., Pitts-
burgh,
2.2. PA, USA). Constitutive
Mooney–Rivlin Based on theModel nonlinear theory, the Mooney–Rivlin strain energy density
of O-Ring
function was used to establish the rubber material model [17,20,21], and its constitutive
The spherical sealing structure studied here adopts the O-ring as the main sealing
relations are shown in Equations (1) and (2) [22,23]:
ring, its main failure mode is leakage. In this section, based on the strain energy density
function consisting of invariants N of the left Cauchy–Green N deformation tensor and com-
1
i j
U =
paring the properties of different ∑ modelsC (
ij 1I − 3 ) ( I − 3
of hyper-elastic
2 ) + ∑ materials
D i
( J − 1)2i[16], the Mooney–Ri- (1)
i + j = 1
vlin [17,18] constitutive equation for the rubber is determined. i = 1
The material of the O-ring  used in2this study was nitrile rubber, which has a density
 I1 = λof + λ2 2 + λ3 2
1 0.499.
of 1100 kg/m3 and an elastic modulus As a hyper-elastic material, the mechanical
I2 = λ1 2 λ2 2 + λ2 2 λ3 2 + λ3 2 λ1 2 (2)
properties of rubber has the following 2three main characteristics [19]: incompressibility,
I3 = λ1 λ2 2 λ3 2
the property of large deformation, and the property of being nonlinear. The latter prop-
where:
erty U is the in
is reflected strain energy
three aspects [12]: N
density; is the order
geometric Cij is thenonlinearity
of function;material
nonlinearity, material constant,
and
which is usually
boundary obtained
nonlinearity. Theby tests; I1 , I2 , properties
hyper-elastic I3 are the strain of rubber shouldDbe
invariants; i isconsidered
the material con-
dur-
stant,
ing the which
rubberismaterial
related to the compressibility
construction on ANSYS of the material; finite
Workbench J is theelement
volumesoftware(AN-
rate; λ1 , λ2 , λ3
are the
SYS, Inc.,principal
Pittsburgh,elongation
PA, USA). rates.BasedFor incompressible
on the nonlinear rubber
theory, materials, I3 = λ1 2 λ2 2 λstrain
the Mooney–Rivlin
2
3 = 1.
energyThe Mooney–Rivlin
density function was two-parameter
used to establish model thewas used,
rubber therefore,
material N is[17,20,21],
model taken as 1,andand
the model constitutive relation is shown in Equation
its constitutive relations are shown in Equations (1) and (2) [22,23]: (3) [24]:
N N 1 2
+ 1 ( J(−J −

= =C10 ( IC
UU
i + j =1
1− ( I3)−+
ij 1
3)C( I 2 − 3) j +3)
i 01 ( I2 −
D
i =1 Di
1
1) i)
21 (3)
(1)
where: C10 and C01 are the material parameters obtained from tests; D1 is the material
 I1compressibility
parameter, which is related to the = λ12 + λ2 2 + λ3 2 of the material.

 I 2 = λ1 λ2 + λ2 λ3 + λ3 λ1
2 2 2 2 2 2
(2)
 I = λMaterial
2.3. Form of Contact between the Rubber 2
λ2 λ3
2 2 and a Rigid Rough Surface
 3 a1rigid
In the surface contact between surface and the hyperelastomer, the friction
mainly
where: U depends onenergy
is the strain the roughness of isrigid
density; N surface.
the order Therefore,
of function; it the
Cij is wasmaterial
assumed that the
constant,
which is usually obtained by tests; I1, I2, I3 are the strain invariants; Di is the material con-in
rigid surface is rough and the surface of rubber hyperelastomer is smooth, as shown
the Figure
stant, which3.is related to the compressibility of the material; J is the volume rate; λ1, λ2, λ3
are the principal elongation rates. For incompressible rubber materials, I 3 = λ12 λ2 2 λ3 2 = 1 .
The Mooney–Rivlin two-parameter model was used, therefore, N is taken as 1, and
the model constitutive relation is shown in Equation (3) [24]:
rameter, which is related to the compressibility of the material.
2.3. Form of Contact between the Rubber Material and a Rigid Rough Surface
In the surface contact between a rigid surface and the hyperelastomer, the friction
mainly depends on the roughness of rigid surface. Therefore, it was assumed that the rigid
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10, 404 5 of 23
surface is rough and the surface of rubber hyperelastomer is smooth, as shown in the Fig-
ure 3.
Elastomer
Rigid Rough Surface
Figure 3.
Figure Contact Micrograph.
3. Contact Micrograph.
By use of the contact mechanics of a rough surface to calculate the deformation in the
By use of the contact mechanics of a rough surface to calculate the deformation in the
hyper-elastic body, there will be continuous “peaks” [25] on the contact surface of rigid
hyper-elastic body, there will be continuous “peaks” [25] on the contact surface of rigid
rough surface. Our model was based on the assumption in Greenwood and Williamson
rough surface. Our model was based on the assumption in Greenwood and Williamson
model: all rough “peaks” (micro bulges) have the same radius of curvature, and the height
model: all rough “peaks” (micro bulges) have the same radius of curvature, and the height
of peaks is randomly distributed near the mean value. Using the square root l of the height
of peaks is randomly distributed near the mean value. Using the square root l of the height
distribution of each “peaks” and its radius of curvature R to describe the rough surface, the
distribution of each “peaks” and its radius of curvature R to describe the rough surface,
average contact area of a micro bulge is:
the average contact area of a micro bulge is:
∆A ≈ Rl (4)
ΔA ≈ Rl (4)
Then the
Then the characteristic
characteristic radius
radius of
of aa micro
micro contact
contact is
is equal
equal to:
to:
√ √
r ≈ ∆A ≈ Rl (5)
r ≈ ΔA ≈ Rl (5)
The time
The time taken
taken for
for the
the object
object to
to cross
cross the
the distance
distance with
with characteristic dimension rr at
characteristic dimension at
speed v is:
speed v is: √
r Rl
t≈ ≈ (6)
vr vRl
t≈ ≈ (6)
The order of magnitude of the characteristic
v vfrequency is:
1
The order of magnitude of the characteristic v
e ≈ ≈ frequency is:
ω (7)
t r
 in 1 v
The average pressure of each “peaks”ω ≈ micro
≈ contact is: (7)
t r
F
σ i = N in=micro
The average pressure of eachh“peaks” κ −1 · Econtact
·∇z is: (8)
A
where, E is the elastic modulus of rubber FN
= κ −1  Eκ∇isz a constant coefficient, here κ =(8)2,
σ  = material;
A
FN is the load pressure between elastomer and rigid body; The square root of the surface
gradient ∇z [26] is expressed as: rD Eκ is a constant coefficient, here κ = 2
where, E is the elastic modulus of rubber material;
, FN is the load pressure between elastomer z0 2 body; The square root of the surface
∇z =and rigid (9)
gradient ∇z [26] is expressed as:
where: z is the maximum height of “peaks”.
Here, the frequency dependent modulus is introduced to calculate the energy con-
sumption per unit volume of micro contact:
1 G 00 (ω
e)
P= e h σ i2
ω 2
(10)
2 ∧
G (ω e)
∧
where, G 00 (ω
e ) is the loss modulus and G (ω
e ) is negative shear modulus. The energy
consumption P is multiplied by the characteristic radius r of the deformation volume to
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10, 404 6 of 23
obtain the energy loss per unit area, and then divided by the normal stress to obtain the
friction coefficient between the hyper-elastic surface and the rigid rough surface:
G 00 (v/r )
µ = ξ ∇z ∧
(11)
G (v/r )
where, ξ is the dimensionless coefficient with the order of magnitude of 1. In this calculation,
ξ = 1.
In the middle of the frequency, for a hyperelastomer like rubber, G 00 G 0 , so we can
G 00 (v/r )
get, ∧ ≈ 1. Then the friction coefficient between the hyperelastic body and the rough
G (v/r )
surface of the rigid body is: µ ≈ ∇z.

Therefore, a simple conclusion is obtained: the friction coefficient between elastic body
and rigid body rough surface is equal to the square
rD root of surface gradient.
E √
According to the formula [26] in reference: z0 2 = 2·∆, which can determine the
value of the square root of the surface gradient. Where ∆ is the root mean square of the
changes in two spatial directions related to the constant coefficient κ. And when κ is taken
as 2, ∆ = 0.13. Therefore, the friction coefficient between rubber material and rigid material
can be obtained, µ = 0.2.
2.4. Determination of Rubber Material Parameters C10 , C01 and Its Hardness
Reference [27] analysed the relationship between the elastic modulus and the IRHD
hardness of rubber material based on the elastic theory of rubber, and predicted the
parameters of Mooney–Rivlin model. Under high contact pressure, the hardness needs
to be appropriately increased (Shore hardness is used below). When the compression of
the O-ring is certain, the greater the hardness of the rubber, the greater the contact stress
generated, and the greater the pressure that the O-ring can seal. To eliminate the tendency
of the O-ring to move and bounce in the sealing groove, the hardness of the material in
a high pressure environment is usually selected to be above 80 HA [28]. The connector
sealing structure studied herein is required to work underwater and to withstand the high
pressure in the oil pipeline, therefore, the rubber O-ring with a hardness of 85~90 HA was
selected. The cross-sectional size of the O-ring affects the sealing effect of the sealing ring.
Under the same compression, the larger the cross-sectional dimension d0 of the O-ring, the
better the sealing effect. Therefore, an O-ring with a diameter of 7 mm and a hardness of
85~90 HA was selected. The hardness of the material will be calculated below.
The relation between the elastic modulus E0 and the shear modulus G of the rubber
material is as follows [29,30]:
E0
G= (12)
2(1 + µ )
The Poisson’s rate µ = 0.49 is determined by the incompressibility of rubber, therefore,
E0 = 3 G.
The relation between G, E0 and C1 , C2 is as follows:
C01
E0 = 6C10 (1 + ) (13)
C10
The relation between the IRHD hardness Hr of the rubber material and the elastic
modulus E0 of the rubber is as follows:
lgE0 = 0.0198Hr − 0.5432 (14)

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10, 404 7 of 23
It can be seen from Equations (13) and (14) that the values of material parameters C1
and C2 depend on the IRHD hardness and are numerically similar to the Shore hardness
used in China.
The rubber material used for the O-ring in this study is nitrile rubber. Reference [31]
studied the Mooney–Rivlin parameters of the O-ring, and determined the two parameters
of the Mooney–Rivlin 2-constant model as follows:
C10 = 1.9461, C01 = 0.4619
By calculating Equation (14), it can be obtained that the hardness of the rubber O-ring
under this parameter is about 86 HA.
3. Study on Non-Standard O-ring Spherical Sealing Groove

For the spherical sealing groove of the O-ring, based on the principle that the volume
of a standard groove is consistent with that of a spherical groove, this section designs and
calculates the size of a non-standard O-ring spherical sealing groove on the premise of full
football surface groove design criteria.
3.1. Design Criteria

Referring to the design method of standard O-ring sealing grooves [32], the design
criteria for spherical grooves are given as follows.
1. A good sealing effect of an O-ring depends to a large extent on the correct matching
of the O-ring size to the groove size.
2. The O-ring is required to have enough compression and there should be enough
compensation space in the groove of the sealing ring.
3. The O-ring has a certain stretching rate, which can ensure that the O-ring can clamp
the sealing groove.
The non-standard spherical sealing structure using O-rings examined in this study
is difficult to model using regular geometry because the sealing groove is open over a
spherical surface. Therefore, when designing the spherical sealing groove, two groove
structures were designed. One was similar to the rectangular groove on the shaft structure.
The sealing groove was set on the spherical structure. The bottom surface of the sealing
groove was parallel to the pipe wall of the pipe, and the upper surface is cut out by the
spherical surface. The advantage of this structure is that the sealing groove also rotates with
the spherical structure of the connector when it rotates, the position of the seal will not be
affected by the change of its structure. The disadvantage is that the existence of the groove
may affect the stiffness of the pipeline itself. Another structure opens the groove on the
inner cavity surface of the flange. The shape of the groove is a dovetail groove, on which
the bottom surface is parallel to the spherical surface. This structure will not affect the
stiffness of the pipeline itself because the groove is not opened onto the spherical structure,
however, its manufacture is difficult. During the rotation of the spherical structure, the
groove on the inner cavity surface of the flange will limit the rotation range of the spherical
structure and affect its range. Considering the advantages of the two different structures,
installation difficulty and processing cost, opening the sealing groove onto the spherical
structure is more conducive to the realization of the function of the sphenecal mechanisam
3.2. Determination of the Position and Size of the Sealing Groove

As shown in Figure 4, the spherical structure adopts two O-ring sealing rings as the
sealing structure, which are installed on the upper and lower sides of the spherical struc-
ture respectively and are symmetrically distributed along the x-axis. Due to geometrical
limitations, the side walls of the O-ring sealing groove are uneven in depth, and the O-ring
is installed against the upper side wall of the sealing groove during installation, therefore,
may affect the stiffness of the pipeline itself. Another structure opens the groove on the
inner cavity surface of the flange. The shape of the groove is a dovetail groove, on which
the bottom surface is parallel to the spherical surface. This structure will not affect the
stiffness of the pipeline itself because the groove is not opened onto the spherical struc-
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10, 404 ture, however, its manufacture is difficult. During the rotation of the spherical structure, 8 of 23
the groove on the inner cavity surface of the flange will limit the rotation range of the
spherical structure and affect its range. Considering the advantages of the two different
structures,
the angle installation
between thedifficulty
two sidesand processing
of the cost, opening
sealing groove and thethe sealing
x-axis line groove onto the
can be calculated,
spherical structure is more conducive
as shown in Equations (15) and (16). to the realization of the function of the sphenecal
mechanisam
d0
−1 L − 2
3.2. Determination of the Position and Size = the
θ1 of sinSealing Groove (15)
R
As shown in Figure 4, the spherical structure adopts two O-ring sealing rings as the
d0
sealing structure, which are installed on the−upper 2 − lower
L + band sides of the spherical struc-
θ2 = sin 1 2
(16)
R
ture respectively and are symmetrically distributed along the x-axis. Due to geometrical
limitations,
where: L isthe theside wallsfrom
distance of the
theO-ring sealing
installation axisgroove are uneven
of the O-ring to thein depth, and
spherical axis;the
d0 isO-
the
ring
sizeis of
installed against the upper
the cross-sectional sideof
diameter wall
theof the sealing
O-ring; groove
R is the during
spherical installation,
radius there-
of the spherical
fore, the angle
structure; between
b2 is the two
the groove sides
width of of
thethe sealing
sealing grooveθ1and
groove; the the
, θ2 are x-axis line can
angles be cal-
between the
culated, as shown in Equations (15) and
two sides of the sealing groove and the x-axis.(16).
y axis
Axisymmetric
Lower Flange
Spherical
structure
θ2 θ1 x axis
L O-ring
R
Upper Flange
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10, x FOR PEER REVIEW 9 of 24
Figure 4. 4.
Figure Diagram of of
Diagram O-ring sealing
O-ring position
sealing structure.
position structure.
TheThedimensions
dimensions of of
thethe
standard O-ring
standard O-ring groove
groove structure onon
structure thethe
shaft structure
shaft areare
structure
shown in Figure 5.
shown in Figure 5. d
L− 0
2 (15)
θ1 = sin −1
R
base d
L + b2 − 0
δ θ 2 = sin −1 2 (16)
R
O-ring seal
where: L is the distance
groove
from the installation axis of the O-ring to the spherical axis; d0 is
the size of the cross-sectionalh diameter of the O-ring; R is the spherical radius of the spher-
r
ical structure; b2 is the groove width of the sealing groove; θ1 , θ 2 are the angles between
the two sides of theb sealing groove and the x-axis.
axis
Figure
Figure 5. Diagram
5. Diagram of standard
of standard O-ring
O-ring groove
groove structure.
structure.
And
And thethe volume
volume of of
thethe sealing
sealing grooveVV1 is:
groove is:
1
Z r
V1 = r 2πb1 xdx (17)
V1 =  r−h21π b1 xdx (17)
r − h1
where: b1 is the groove width; h1 is the groove depth; δ is the sealing gap; and r is the
shaft radius of the shaft structure. The calculation expression of V1 can be obtained as
δ
O-ring seal
groove
h
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10, 404 r 9 of 23
b
axis
where: b1 is the groove width; h1 is the groove depth; δ is the sealing gap; and r is the shaft
radius of the shaft structure. The calculation expression of V 1 can be obtained as follows.
Figure 5. Diagram of standard O-ring groove structure.
V1 = 2b1 πrh1 − b1 πh2 2 (18)
And the volume of the sealing groove V1 is:
The volume of the O-ring groove on the sphere V2 can be calculated with the parame-
ters shown in Figure 6: r
V1 =  2π b1 xdx (17)
r − h1
Z 2π Z θ
1 p
V = b2 dϕ R cos θ − ( R2 − L2 − h2 )dx (19)
where: b1 is the groove2 width;
0 h 1 is θ2 groove depth; δ is the sealing gap; and r is the
the
shaft radius of the shaft structure. The calculation expression of V1 can be obtained as
where: h2 is the depth of the groove, b2 is the width of the groove. The expression for the
follows.
calculation of V 2 can be obtained as follows.
V1 = 2b1π rh1 − b1π h2 2 d d0 (18)
−1 L + b2 − 2 −1 L − 2
p 0
2 2 2
V2 = 2πb2 ( R − L − h2 )(sin − sin ) (20)
The volume of the O-ring groove on the sphere RV can be calculated 2
R with the pa-
rameters shown in
V 2 is the volume ofFigure 6:
non-standard spherical sealing groove.
Axisymmetric
L Spherical
structure
δ δ Spherical
structure
h h
Displacement t
O-ring r2
Flange b
R r2
O-ring
r1
Oil pressure Oil pressure
Flange R
Φ140
Figure
Figure 6.
6. Diagram
Diagram of
of O-ring
O-ring sealing
sealing groove
groove structure.
structure.
The volume of the O-ring sealing ring V0 can be obtained after determining its specific
type.
πd0 2 0 π 2 d0 2 p 2
Z 2π
V0 = r dx = R − L2 (21)
0 4 2
Comparing the calculation formula of the standard sealing groove volume V 1 on the
shaft structure and the spherical sealing groove V 2 , let the radius of the shaft structure
r be equal
√ to the radial radius of the installation position of the spherical sealing O-ring
r 0 = R2 − L2 , the depth of the O-ring sealing groove h affects the sealing pre-compression
ratio of the O-ring, therefore, keep the shaft structure groove depth h1 equal to the spherical
structure groove depth h2 , and discuss the relationship between the sealing groove width
b1 and b2 . Let the volume V 1 of the sealing groove on the shaft structure be equal to the
volume V 2 of the sealing groove on the spherical structure, the equation can be obtained as
follows:
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10, 404 10 of 23
d0
p p L + b2 − L − d20
2b1 π R2 − L2 h − b1 πh2 = 2πb2 2 ( R2 − L2 − h)(sin−1 2
− sin−1 ) (22)
R R
According to Equation (22), the relation between the groove widths b1 and b2 can be
obtained, and b1 is determined according to the standard groove size, therefore, the groove
width of the O-ring spherical sealing groove b2 can be determined. The spherical sealing
groove studied here has a calculated design width of 9.5 mm. Therefore, it can be calculated
that V 2 = 37,822.73 mm3 , V 0 = 27,807.61 mm3 .
The comparison between the volume of the spherical sealing groove V 2 has been
determined and the volume of the O-ring V 0 is as follows.
V2 − V0 37,822.73 − 27,807.61
= × 100% = 26% (23)
V2 37,822.73
As shown in Equation (23), the sealing groove volume of the O-ring is 26% larger than
that of the O-ring, which satisfies the design criteria for the O-ring sealing groove, and
also leaves enough compensation space for the possible temperature rise expansion of the
O-ring.
In summary, based on the structure of the standard O-ring sealing groove, the dimen-
sional requirements of the O-ring spherical sealing groove are explored from the perspective
of the volume equality of the groove dimensions, which provides ideas for the design of
the spherical sealing groove and enriches the theoretical basis of connector design.
4. Finite Element Analysis of a Non-Standard spherical sealing structure using O-rings

The spherical flange connector is required to work underwater with complex working
conditions. Table 1 shows the key technical specifications of its product prototype:
Table 1. Connector key technical indicators.
Applicable Water
Design Temperature Design Pressure Device Specification
Depth
Suitable for 6-inch
100 m −18 ◦ C~121 ◦ C 5000 psi
pipe connection
To study the sealing performance of the spherical sealing structure using O-rings,
this section mainly explores the influence of pressure acting on the O-ring and the pre-
compression of the O-ring on its sealing. Within the pressure range that the O-ring can
withstand, the maximum pressure on the contact surface will always be greater than the
pressure of the fluid medium, which also verifies the self-sealing principle of the O-ring.
At the same time, this section also explores the effects of different compression ratios
on the sealing performance of the O-ring. The internal von Mises stress and the maximum
contact surface pressure of the O-ring will increase with the increase of the compression
ratio. However, if the compression ratio is too large, the equivalent stress inside the O-ring
will be too large, especially under high pressure, the equivalent stress will exceed the
allowable stress of the rubber material, thereby destroying the structure of the O-ring.
Through the finite element calculation results, it can be found that when the compression
ratio is 17.6%, the contact width of the main seal of the O-ring is the largest, which can
reach an ideal sealing effect of the O-ring.
4.1. Establishment of ANSYS Finite Element Model

The spherical sealing structure of the underwater connector is modelled in three-
dimensional software and imported into ANSYS Workbench. As the sealing structure is
a rotating body structure, to reduce the number of grids, the imported model structure
adopted a 2D axisymmetric model.
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10, 404 11 of 23
For the selection of the flange material and the spherical structure material, F22
alloy material was selected, which is widely used as the main material of underwater
connector. The F22 material enjoys excellent corrosion resistance and tensile properties,
and its performance parameters are shown in Table 2.
Table 2. F22 alloy material parameters.
Tensile Yield 2 in (50 mm)

Reduction of Brinell
Level Code Strength, Strength, Elongation,
Area, ≥, % Hardness
≥ksi (MPa) ≥ksi (MPa) ≥, %
F22 class 1 60 (415) 30 (205) 20.0 35.0 ≤170
F22 class 3 75 (515) 45 (310) 20.0 30.0 156~207
The most widely used nitrile rubber material was selected as the O-ring material, with
a diameter specification of 7 mm and a hardness of 85 ha. According to the analysis of
Mooney–Rivlin constitutive model in Section 2.3, the constants C10 and C01 are 1.9461 and
0.4619 respectively.
The connector sealing structure has two O-ring sealing rings and they are symmetrical.
The flange and the sealing ring were divided by quadrilateral and triangular composite
grids, and the grids of the O-ring sealing ring and contact flange surface were
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10, x FOR PEER REVIEW 12 ofrefined.
24
The whole model was divided into 6965 elements and 21,950 nodes in total, as shown
in Figure 7.
Step 1:
Displacement
Spherical
Structure
Flange
O-ring
Step 2: Fluid
Pressure
Fixed Support
Figure
Figure 7. Diagram
7. Diagram of O-ring
of O-ring sealing
sealing structure
structure grids.grids.
Instatic
In the the static analysis,
analysis, the contact
the contact between
between the O-ring
the O-ring andflange
and the the flange andspherical
and the the spherical
structure was set to be frictional contact, and the friction coefficient was
structure was set to be frictional contact, and the friction coefficient was 0.2; the contact 0.2; the contact
between the flange and the spherical structure was also a frictional contact,
between the flange and the spherical structure was also a frictional contact, the friction the friction
coefficient was 0.15, the settings of the contact interface were to adjust the contact. Due Due
coefficient was 0.15, the settings of the contact interface were to adjust the contact. to to
the large deformation and nonlinear characteristics of the rubber material, the analysis was
the large deformation and nonlinear characteristics of the rubber material, the analysis
was set
set to
toenable
enableLarge
LargeDeflection,
Deflection,and andthe Newton–Raphson
the Newton–Raphson option in Nonlinear
option in NonlinearControls
Con- was
set to Unsymmetric. The axial constraint fixed support was applied to the lower surface
trols was set to Unsymmetric. The axial constraint fixed support was applied to the lower
of the flange to limit the movement of the simulation structure in the axial direction. To
surface of the flange to limit the movement of the simulation structure in the axial direc-
simulate the working environment, we set two load steps to apply the working load to
tion. To simulate the working environment, we set two load steps to apply the working
the simulation model. The load was applied in two load steps, the first load step applies
load to the simulation model. The load was applied in two load steps, the first load step
displacement to the flange so that the flange compresses the O-ring and reaches the pre-
applies displacement to the flange so that the flange compresses the O-ring and reaches
compression of the O-ring; the second load step exerts pressure on the contact part of the
the pre-compression of the O-ring; the second load step exerts pressure on the contact part
O-ring with the fluid medium, and further increases the contact stress between the O-ring
of the O-ring with the fluid medium, and further increases the contact stress between the
and the flange pseal , making it greater than the medium pressure pw to meet the sealing
O-ring and the flange pseal, making it greater than the medium pressure pw to meet the
requirements of the O-ring structure.
sealing requirements of the O-ring structure.
4.2. Influence of Medium Pressure on Sealing Performance

The O-ring sealing structure as an extruded self-sealing structure; only when the seal-
ing ring has initial deformation and initial prestress pseal, and the fluid pressure pw > pseal,
can the sealing structure not leak. The upper flange of the connector and the spherical
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10, 404 12 of 23
4.2. Influence of Medium Pressure on Sealing Performance

The O-ring sealing structure as an extruded self-sealing structure; only when the seal-
ing ring has initial deformation and initial prestress pseal , and the fluid pressure pw > pseal ,
can the sealing structure not leak. The upper flange of the connector and the spherical
body structure mutually squeeze the O-ring to deform it to generate a certain prestress.
After the O-ring is physically squeezed, it generates internal prestress and contact pressure
with the flange contact surface. We then apply pressure to the upper part of the O-ring to
further compress the O-ring sealing ring, so that the contact pressure between the O-ring
and the flange and spherical body is greater than the pressure of the liquid medium, the
stress inside the O-ring increases, and the contact pressure pseal between the O-ring and
flange as well as sealing groove > fluid pressure pw .
To explore the influence of the fluid medium pressure on the sealing performance
of O-ring sealing structure on the spherical surface, a fluid pressure of different amounts
was applied to one side of the O-ring after it has been pre-compressed, and the size of the
maximum equivalent force inside the O-ring and the contact pressure with the compressed
surface were compared to identify whether it met the sealing requirements.
Results of applying a displacement load to the flange, compressing the O-ring and
not applying pressure, are shown in Figures 8 and 9. Figure 8 shows the nephogram of
the O-ring von Mises stress, from which the maximum internal stress of the O-ring at a
pre-compression
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10, x FOR PEER REVIEW of 17.6% was obtained as 6.6443 MPa. Figure 9 shows the contact pressure
13 of 24
distribution of the O-ring. When no pressure is applied to the model, the maximum
pressure on the metal surface where the O-ring was in contact with it can reach 8.413 MPa.
Static structure
Project type : Equivalent stress
(Von-Mises)
Unit : MPa
6.6443 5.1857 3.7272 2.2686 0.8100

5.915 4.4564 2.9979 1.5393 0.8075
Figure 8. Nephogram
Figure 8. Nephogram of
of O-ring
O-ring von
von Mises stress under
Mises stress under no
no pressure.
pressure.
After the O-ring produces the pre-compression, a working pressure of 52 MPa was
Static structure
applied to the contact surface of the O-ring and the medium, and the results shown in
Figures 10 and
Project type 11 were obtained. Figure 10 shows the nephogram of the O-ring von Mises
: pressure
stress, from
Unit : MPa
which the maximum internal stress of the O-ring at the pre-compression of
17.6% was 13.262 MPa. Figure 11 shows the contact pressure distribution of the O-ring.
When no pressure was applied to the model, the maximum pressure on the metal surface
where the O-ring was in contact with it can reach 59.064 MPa.
8.1413 6.3322 4.523 2.7138 0.9046

7.2368 5.4276 3.6184 1.8092 0
Figure 9. Contact pressure distribution of O-ring under no pressure.

6.6443 5.1857 3.7272 2.2686 0.8100
5.915 4.4564 2.9979 1.5393 0.8075
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10, 404 13 of 23
Figure 8. Nephogram of O-ring von Mises stress under no pressure.
Static structure
Project type : pressure
Unit : MPa
8.1413 6.3322 4.523 2.7138 0.9046

J. Mar. Sci. Sci.
J. Mar. Eng.Eng.
2022, 10, x10,
2022, FOR PEER
x FOR REVIEW
PEER REVIEW 14 of1424of 24
7.2368 5.4276 3.6184 1.8092 0
Figure 9. Contact
Contact pressure distribution of O-ring under no pressure.
Static
After the O-ring produces the pre-compression, a working pressure of 52 MPa was
structure
Static structure
applied to the contact surface of the O-ring and the medium, and the results shown in
Project typetype
Project : Equivalent stress
: Equivalent stress
Figures 10 and 11 were obtained. Figure 10 shows the nephogram of the O-ring von Mises
stress, from (Von-Mises)
(Von-Mises)
which the maximum internal stress of the O-ring at the pre-compression of
17.6%
Unit : MPa
Unit was 13.262 MPa. Figure 11 shows the contact pressure distribution of the O-ring.
: MPa
When no pressure was applied to the model, the maximum pressure on the metal surface
where the O-ring was in contact with it can reach 59.064 MPa.
13.262
13.262 9.9652
9.9652 6.6685
6.6685 3.3718
3.3718 0.0752
0.0752
11.614
11.614 8.3169
8.3169 5.0202
5.0202 1.7235
1.7235
Figure
Figure 10.Nephogram
Figure
10. Nephogram
10. ofofO-ring
Nephogram O-ring vonMises
of O-ring
von Mises
von stress
Mises
stress under
stress
under working
under pressure.
working
working pressure.
pressure.
Static structure
Static structure
Project typetype
Project : pressure
: pressure
UnitUnit
: MPa
: MPa
59.064
59.064 45.939
45.939 32.813 32.813 19.688
19.688 6.5227
6.5227
52.502
52.502 39.376
39.376 26.251
26.251 13.125 13.125 0 0
Figure
Figure 11.Contact
Figure
11. Contact
11. pressure
Contact distribution
pressure
pressure ofofO-ring
distribution
distribution O-ring under
of O-ring
under working
under pressure.
working
working pressure.
pressure.
The simulation
TheThesimulation
simulationresults
resultsshow
show
results that
show based
thatthat
based ononthe
based thesealing
on sealing
the principle
principle
sealing ofofthe
principle of O-ring,
the O-ring,
the the
thethe
O-ring,
sealing
sealing performance
performance
sealing performanceofofO-ring
O-ring spherical
of O-ringspherical sealing
sealing
spherical structure
sealingstructure was
structure reliable.
waswas
reliable.ToTofurther
reliable. further
To analyse
analyse
further analyse
the
theinfluence
influence
the ofofthe
influence of medium
the medium
the pressure
medium pressure on
pressureonthe
theO-ring,
on O-ring,
the a asimulation
O-ring, simulation
a simulationanalysis
analysis ofofthe
analysis ofO-ring
the O-ring
the O-ring
sealing
sealing structure
structure
sealing under
structureunder different
different
under pressures
pressures
different was
pressureswascarried
wascarried out.
carried out.out.
TheThedata shown
data shown in Table 3 were
in Table 3 wereobtained
obtained through
through simulation,
simulation, andandthethe relation be-be-
relation
tween
tweenthethe
O-ring
O-ring equivalent
equivalentforce, thethe
force, contact
contact pressure
pressure andand
thethe
fluid pressure
fluid pressure acting on on
acting
thethe
O-ring
O-ringwaswascollated (Figures
collated (Figures12 and
12 and13),13),
andand thethe
following
following conclusions
conclusions obtained:
obtained:
Table 3. Maximum
Table equivalent
3. Maximum stress
equivalent andand
stress maximum contact
maximum pressure
contact under
pressure different
under medium
different pres-
medium pres-
sure.
sure.
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10, 404 14 of 23
The data shown in Table 3 were obtained through simulation, and the relation between
the O-ring equivalent force, the contact pressure and the fluid pressure acting on the O-ring
was collated (Figures 12 and 13), and the following conclusions obtained:
Table 3. Maximum equivalent stress and maximum contact pressure under different medium
pressure.
Fluid Pressure/MPa 0 5 15 25 35 45 52 60
Maximum Equivalent
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 6.3965REVIEW
2022, 10, x FOR PEER 8.1941 10.315 10.598 10.877 10.978 10.999 10.989
Stress/MPa
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10, x FOR PEER REVIEW
Maximum Contact
7.9414 12.034 21.816 31.859 41.841 52.18 59.261 67.444
Pressure/MPa
12
12
11
Von-mises(MPa)
11
Von-mises(MPa)
10
10
9
9
8
8 Max Von-mises Stress
7 Max Von-mises Stress
7
6
6 0 10 20 30 40 50 60
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Apply O-ring pressure (MPa)
Figure 12. Equivalent stress of O-ring affected by fluid pressure.
Figure Equivalent
Figure12.12. stressstress
Equivalent of O-ring affected affected
of O-ring by fluid pressure.
by fluid
pressure.
70
(MPa)
70
60
(MPa)
60
50
50
pressure
40
pressure
40
30
30
20
20 Max contact stress
Contact
10 Max contact stress

Contact
10
0
00 10 20 30 40 50 60
0 10 Apply
20 O-ring
30pressure
40 (MPa)
50 60
Figure Contact
Figure13.13. pressure
Contact affected
pressure by fluidby
affected pressure.
fluid pressure.
Figure 13. Contact pressure affected by fluid pressure.
The internal equivalent stress of the O-ring is closely related to the initial pre-compression
amount. The Asinternal equivalent
the fluid pressure stress
increases, theof the O-ring
internal is closely
equivalent stress ofrelated
the O-ring tobegins
the initial p
pressionThe internal equivalent stress of the O-ring is closely related to the initial p
to increase amount.
rapidly. The AsO-ring
the fluid pressure
is deformed increases,under
significantly the internal equivalent
high-pressure medium,stress o
pression
and
ring the
begins amount.
O-ring As compressed,
toisincrease
further the fluid pressure
rapidly. resulting
The O-ringincreases,
in an increase
is deformed theininternal
the internalequivalent
significantly understress
equivalent high-po
ring begins
force.
medium, Whenand thetointernal
increase
the O-ring rapidly.
equivalent Theincreases
stress
is further O-ring is adeformed
to
compressed, certain significantly
extent,
resulting the
in deformationunder
an increase high-p
of in the
the O-ring will
medium, and become
the smalleris
O-ring and smaller,compressed,
further therefore, the internal
resulting equivalent
in an stress will in the
increase
equivalent
gradually
force. When the internal equivalent stress increases to a certain extent,
stabilize.
equivalent
formation offorce.
the When will
O-ring the internal smaller
equivalent stress increases to athecertain extent
The contact surface pressurebecome
between the O-ring, andthesmaller,
flange and therefore,
the spherical internal
body equ
formation
increase
of
with
the O-ring
stress will gradually stabilize.
will the increase
will
of
become
the fluid
smaller
pressure
and
acting
smaller,
on the
therefore,
surface of the
the
O-ring,
internal
and
eq
stress
the two will
Theshow gradually
a linear
contact stabilize.
trend.
surface Therefore,
pressure the contact the
between pressure pseal the
O-ring, will flange
always be and greater
the spheric
than theThe contact
fluid surface
pressure pw as pressure between
far as the pressure the
allows. O-ring,
will increase with the increase of the fluid pressure acting on the surface
The O-ringthe flange
requires and the spheric
sufficient
of the
sealing
will contact
increase area
with (contact
the width)
increase in terms
of the of sealing
fluid requirements,
pressure acting that
on is,
thethe O-ring
surface of the
and
is the two
required show
to have a linearcompression,
sufficient trend. Therefore, the the
the smaller contact pressure
compression, thepseal will the
smaller always be
and the
than thetwo
fluidshow a linear
pressure trend.
pw as Therefore,
far as the contact
the pressure allows. pressure
The O-ring will always
psealrequires be
sufficie
thancontact
ing the fluid pressure
area pw as
(contact far asin
width) the pressure
terms allows.requirements,
of sealing The O-ring requires
that is,suffici
the O
ing contact area (contact width) in terms of sealing requirements,
required to have sufficient compression, the smaller the compression, the smallerthat is, the O
required
tact to have
pressure pseal,sufficient
which is compression,
prone to lead the smaller
to seal the compression,
leakage; if the pressure theissmaller
large, t
tact pressure pseal, which is prone to lead to seal leakage; if the pressure is large, t
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10, 404 15 of 23
contact pressure pseal , which is prone to lead to seal leakage; if the pressure is large, the
pressure relaxation will also cause leakage.
Previous research on O-ring sealing focused on the overall von Mises stress distribution
of the O-ring; the maximum contact pressure of the O-ring is also commonly used, as the
sealing pressure of the O-ring structure on parameters such as the maximum contact
pressure of the O-ring. Wang Jun [33] and other scholars had analysed the pressure and
contact width of the O-ring with different primary and secondary contact surfaces; with the
increase of fluid pressure, the maximum von Mises stress increased significantly, however,
the increase of the pressure of different contact surfaces was inconsistent, and the change
of contact width of two contact surfaces with the growth of pressure was not obvious. As
shown in Figure 14, the O-ring used for spherical sealing has three surfaces in contact with
the O-ring surface during sealing: the contact surface between the flange and the O-ring,
the contact surface between the side surface of the sealing groove and the O-ring, and the
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10, x FOR PEERcontact
REVIEW surface between the bottom surface of the sealing groove and the O-ring, which are
written in the following as: flange contact surface, groove side contact surface, and groove
bottom contact surface.
Contact Status
Over Constrained
Far
Near Flange contact
Groove bottom
Sliding contact surface surface
Sticking
Groove side contact surface
Figure 14.Schematic
Figure 14. Schematic diagram
diagram of contact
of contact surface.surface.
As shown in Figure 15, the contact width of the O-ring increases as the pressure of the
As shown in Figure 15, the contact width of the O-ring increases as the pres
external fluid medium increases, however, the contact width of the three contact surfaces
the external fluid
grows differently. Themedium
growth ofincreases, however,
the flange contact theis contact
surface width
the smallest, and of
thethe three cont
growth
faces
rate ofgrows differently.
the contact width in theThe growth
interval fromof the
0 to flange
5 MPa contact surface
is significantly is the
larger than thatsmallest,
in
the interval
growth from
rate of 5the
to 60 MPa. This
contact widthis because
in thethe flange contact
interval from 0surface is theismain
to 5 MPa sealing
significantly larg
surface, and the contact width of the flange contact surface can be very
that in the interval from 5 to 60 MPa. This is because the flange contact surface is th large after the
pre-compression of the flange on the O-ring. The contact surface on the side of the groove
sealing surface,
and the contact andon
surface thethecontact
bottom of width of theareflange
the groove used ascontact
secondarysurface
sealingcan be very lar
surfaces,
the
and pre-compression
the contact width at theof the flangeis on
beginning the O-ring.
relatively The contact
small, however, with thesurface
increaseonofthe side
groove and the
fluid medium contact
pressure, thesurface
growth rateon the bottom
of the contactof the groove
width of the twoare usedsurfaces
contact as secondary
becomes larger,
surfaces, and thethegrowth
contactratewidth
is relatively
at thesmall in the interval
beginning from 0 to 5 small,
is relatively MPa, and the
however, w
growth rate shows a smooth trend in the interval from 5 to 60 MPa. This is due to the large
increase of fluid medium pressure, the growth rate of the contact width of the two
deformation of the compressed side of the O-ring under high pressure. This leads to a
surfaces becomes
large contact pressurelarger,
on the the growth
bottom and sideratecontact
is relatively
surface of small in theand
the groove, interval
with thefrom 0 to
and theingrowth
increase pressure,rate
the shows
increase a ofsmooth
stress ratetrend
insidein thethe interval
O-ring from 5 level
will gradually to 60offMPa.
and This is
converge to the allowable stress value of the material. The width
the large deformation of the compressed side of the O-ring under high pressure. Thof the side and bottom
contact surfaces of the groove are related to the internal stress of the O-ring.
to a large contact pressure on the bottom and side contact surface of the groove, an
the increase in pressure, the increase of stress rate inside the O-ring will gradual
off and converge to the allowable stress value of the material. The width of the s
bottom contact surfaces of the groove are related to the internal stress of the O-rin
4
(mm)
surfaces becomes larger, the growth rate is relatively small in the interval from 0 to 5 MPa,
and the growth rate shows a smooth trend in the interval from 5 to 60 MPa. This is due to
the large deformation of the compressed side of the O-ring under high pressure. This leads
to a large contact pressure on the bottom and side contact surface of the groove, and with
the increase in pressure, the increase of stress rate inside the O-ring will gradually level
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10, 404 16 of 23
off and converge to the allowable stress value of the material. The width of the side and
bottom contact surfaces of the groove are related to the internal stress of the O-ring.
Contact width (mm)

3
2
O-ring and Flange contact width
O-ring and sealing groove side contact width
1 O-ring and sealing groove bottom contact width
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Figure
Figure 15.
15. Contact
Contact width
width affected
affected by
by medium
medium pressure.
pressure.
4.3. Influence
4.3. Influence of
of Compression
Compression Ratio
Ratio of
of the
the Non-Standard
Non-Standard Groove
Groove O-Ring
O-ring onon Sealing
SealingPerformance
Performance
The O-ring with an appropriate compression ratio can ensure a good
The O-ring with an appropriate compression ratio can ensure a good sealing perfor- sealing perfor-
mance and low friction, and its initial compression ratio generally ranged from 10%20%.
mance and low friction, and its initial compression ratio generally ranged from 10% to to
The O-ring
20%. sealing
The O-ring structure
sealing of theofconnector
structure usedused
the connector herehere
was was
a static sealing
a static structure
sealing and
structure
it worked
and under
it worked highhigh
under pressure, therefore,
pressure, the selection
therefore, range
the selection of O-ring
range compression
of O-ring compressionwas
extended to 10~30%. The O-ring groove used for the sealing of this connector
was extended to 10~30%. The O-ring groove used for the sealing of this connector was was standard,
therefore, therefore,
standard, the O-ringthe compression ratio calculation
O-ring compression Equation (24)
ratio calculation was required
Equation (24) wasto be simply
required
modified, as shown in Figure 16.
to be simply modified, as shown in Figure 16.
∆d
E= (24)
d0
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10, x FOR PEER REVIEW
where: E is the O-ring compression;∆d is the height of the O-ring section after compression;
17 of 24
d0 is the free section diameter of the O-ring.
Flange δ
r2 △d
h
O-ring
r1
b
Spherical
structure
Figure 16. Schematic diagram of compression ratio calculation.

Figure 16. Schematic diagram of compression ratio calculation.
Figure 17 shows the local equivalent stresses

Δd under different compression ratios for
a stretching rate of 0% and a fluid medium E =pressure of 52 MPa. In this study, the pre-
(24)
d0
compression of the O-ring was adjusted by changing the sealing groove depth h, and the
compressions
where: E is thewere calculated
O-ring to be 12.7%,
compression; Δd is 14.1%, 17.6%,
the height 21%,
of the and 24.4%,
O-ring sectionrespectively. It
after compres-
can be seen from the figure that as the compression ratio increased, the shape of the stress
sion; d0 is the free section diameter of the O-ring.
nephogram gradually changed, and the blue low-stress area above the O-ring gradually
becameFigure 17 shows the local equivalent stresses under different compression ratios for
smaller.
a stretching rate of 0% and a fluid medium pressure of 52 MPa. In this study, the pre-
compressions were calculated to be 12.7%, 14.1%, 17.6%, 21%, and 24.4%, respectively. It
became smaller.
Figure 17 shows the local equivalent stresses under different compression ratios for
a stretching rate of 0% and a fluid medium pressure of 52 MPa. In this study, the pre-
compressions were calculated to be 12.7%, 14.1%, 17.6%, 21%, and 24.4%, respectively. It
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10, 404 17 of 23
became smaller.
Compression Compression Compression

ratio：12.7% ratio：14.1% ratio：17.6%
Compression Compression
ratio：21% ratio：24.4%
Figure 17. Diagrams of Diagrams

Figure 17. equivalentofstresses under
equivalent different
stresses undercompression ratios. ratios.
different compression
From the calculation results in results

From the calculation Table 4, in it was4,concluded
Table that, under
it was concluded different
that, under com-compres-
different
pression ratios,
sion the maximum
ratios, contact
the maximum pressure
contact of the
pressure O-ring
of the O-ringwas
wasgreater
greaterthan
than the fluid
fluidmedium
medium pressure of 52 MPa, which therefore meets the sealing conditions. Meanwhile,asasshown in
pressure of 52 MPa, which therefore meets the sealing conditions. Meanwhile,
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10, x FOR PEERFigures
REVIEW18 and 19, as the compression ratio increased, the corresponding maximum contact 18 of 24
shown in Figures 18 and 19, as the compression ratio increased, the corresponding maxi-
mum contact pressure
pressureandandmaximum
maximum equivalent
equivalentforceforce
bothboth
increased, and the
increased, increase
and in the maximum
the increase in
contact stress was greater than the maximum equivalent
the maximum contact stress was greater than the maximum equivalent force. force.
Table 4. Maximum equivalent stress and maximum contact pressure for different compression ra-
Table 4. Maximum equivalent stress and maximum contact pressure for different compression ratios.
tios.
Compression Ratio of the
Compression
O-Ring/%
Ratio of the12.7 14.1 17.6 21.0 24.4
12.7 14.1 17.6 21.0 24.4
O-Ring/%
Maximum Equivalent
Maximum 10.154 10.669 10.999 11.553 12.302
Stress/MPaEquivalent
10.154 10.669 10.999 11.553 12.302
Stress/MPa
Maximum Contact
56.101 58.589 59.261 60.232 61.64
Pressure/MPa
Maximum Contact Pressure/MPa 56.101 58.589 59.261 60.232 61.64
12.5
Max Von-mises Stress
12
Von-mises(Mpa)
11.5
11
10.5
10
12.7 14.1 17.6 21 24.4
Pre-compression ratio (%)
Figure 18.Equivalent
Figure 18. Equivalent stress
stress affected
affected by compression
by compression ratio. ratio.
62
Contact pressure (MPa)
61 Max Contact Stress

60
59
58
57
56
55
12.7 14.1 17.6 21 24.4
11
Von-
10.5
10
12.7 14.1 17.6 21 24.4
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10, 404
Pre-compression ratio (%) 18 of 23
Figure 18. Equivalent stress affected by compression ratio.
62
Contact pressure (MPa)

61 Max Contact Stress
60
59
58
57
56
55
12.7 14.1 17.6 21 24.4
Pre-compression ratio (%)
Figure 19.Contact
Figure 19. Contactpressure
pressure affected
affected by compression
by compression ratio. ratio.
As
As shown
shownin inFigure
Figure20,20,different
differentcompression
compression ratios
ratiosaffected thethe
affected contact
contactwidth
widthof of each
contact surface. The contact width of the flange contact surface was increasinginin the in-
each contact surface. The contact width of the flange contact surface was increasing
the interval of compression ratios from 12.7% to 17.6%, however, the contact width was
terval of compression ratios from 12.7% to 17.6%, however, the contact width was gradu-
gradually decreasing in the interval of compression ratios from 17.6% to 24.4%. The
ally decreasing in the interval of compression ratios from 17.6% to 24.4%. The width of the
width of the lateral contact surface of the groove was increasing in the interval from
lateraltocontact
12.7% surface
14.1%, and of the groove
decreasing was increasing
in the subsequent intervalinwith
the ainterval from
relatively slow12.7%
rate ofto 14.1%
and decreasing
decrease. With theinincrease
the subsequent interval ratio,
of the compression with the
a relatively slowofrate
contact width of decrease.
the groove bottomWith the
increase
surface wasof increasing,
the compression
however,ratio, the contact
it increased width
rapidly of athe
before groove bottom
compression surface
ratio of 14.1%. was in-
creasing,
Combinedhowever, it increased
with the image and takingrapidly before aofcompression
the influence the primary and ratio of 14.1%.
secondary Combined
seals
into consideration,
with the image and the taking
O-ring with a compression
the influence ratio
of the of 17.6%
primary cansecondary
and maximize the contact
seals into consid-
width of the primary seal, and the contact width of the two secondary seals was relativelywidth of
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10, x FOR PEEReration,
REVIEW the O-ring with a compression ratio of 17.6% can maximize the contact 19 of 24
large, therefore, in the O-ring spherical sealing design of the flexible connector, a structural
the primary seal, and the contact width of the two secondary seals was relatively large
design with a compression ratio of 17.6% should be selected.
therefore, in the O-ring spherical sealing design of the flexible connector, a structural de-
sign5.5
with a compression ratio of 17.6% should be selected.
O-ring and Flange contact width
5 O-ring and Sealing groove side contact width
Contact width (mm)
4.5 O-ring and sealing groove bottom contact width
3.5
2.5
2
12.7 14.1 17.6 21 24.1 26
Pre-compression rate (%)
Figure
Figure 20.
20. Contact
Contact width
width affected
affected by
by pre-compression
pre-compression ratio.
5. Inner
5. Inner Cavity
Cavity Sealing
Sealing Test
Test
To verify
To verify the
the sealing
sealingperformance
performanceofofthe
thenon-standard
non-standardspherical
sphericalsealing structure
sealing using
structure us-
O-rings, a test device for the spherical sealing mechanism was designed and
ing O-rings, a test device for the spherical sealing mechanism was designed and pro- processed,
and theand
cessed, corresponding inner cavity
the corresponding innerpressure test wastest
cavity pressure carried
was out.
carried out.
5.1. Model of the Test Device
As shown in Figure 21, the test device of the spherical sealing structure using O-rings
mainly consisted of flange, spherical structure and O-ring, and its sealing principle was the
mainly consisted of flange, spherical structure and O-ring, and its sealing principle was
same as the working principle in Section 2.1.
the same as the working principle in Section 2.1.
Upper Flange
O-ring
ing O-rings, a test device for the spherical sealing mechanism was designed and pro-
cessed, and the corresponding inner cavity pressure test was carried out.
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10, 404

19 of 23
mainly consisted of flange, spherical structure and O-ring, and its sealing principle was
the same as the working principle in Section 2.1.
Upper Flange
O-ring
Spherical
Structure
Lower Flange
Figure 21.
Figure 21. Model
Model of
of the
the test
test device.
device.
5.2.
5.2. Test
Test Procedure
Procedure
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10, xThe
FORsealing
The PEER REVIEW
sealing ofthe
of thespherical
spherical structure
structure waswas tested
tested by test
by the the device
test device as shown
as shown in
in Figure 2
Figure 22, and the specific process was
22, and the specific process was as follows: as follows:
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
Figure 22. Object Figure 22. of

pictures Object pictures
the test of (a)
device. the200
testtdevice. (a) Spherical
press; (b) 200 t press; (b) Spherical
structure, flangestructure,
structure;flange stru
(c) Test device; (d) Hydraulic pump.
(c) Test device; (d) Hydraulic pump.
1. 1. adapter
Install the Installofthe
theadapter of the
hydraulic pumphydraulic
pipe andpump pipeitand
connect connect
to the upperit flange
to the upper f
interface, and put the assembled test device on
interface, and put the assembled test device on the press test bench; the press test bench;
2. Pressend
Press the2.moving theofmoving endagainst
the press of the the
press against
upper the of
flange upper flange and
the device of the device and
apply
pressure to compress and deform the internal O-ring
pressure to compress and deform the internal O-ring to reach the pre-compression to reach the pre-compre
amount,
amount, and also andthe
restrain alsoupper
restrain
andthe upper
lower and lower
flanges flanges up
from moving fromandmoving
down up and
afterwas
after the pressure the applied;
pressure was applied;
3. Open the
Open the3.hydraulic pumphydraulic
valve pump valve apply
and slowly and slowly
pressureapplyto pressure
the innertocavity
the inner
of cavity
testreaching
the test device, device, reaching
5 MPa, 155 MPa,
MPa, 1525MPa,
MPa,25 35MPa,
MPa,3545MPa,MPa,45and MPa,52and
MPa 52 MPa re
tively, and hold the pressure for 15 min at each pressure
respectively, and hold the pressure for 15 min at each pressure stage, then record stage, then record the
the data. According to the requirements of the standard API 17D for the pressure-holdin
According riod, the requirements
to the acceptance criteria
of theare as follows:
standard no visible
API 17D for theleakage during the specifie
pressure-holding
pressure-holding
period, the acceptance period
criteria are shall beno
as follows: accepted. The pressure
visible leakage duringchange observed
the specified on the pre
test
measuring device during the pressure-holding period shall be less than 5% of th
pressure.
The pressure gauge is shown in Figure 23, and the test data is shown in Table 5
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10, 404 20 of 23
pressure-holding period shall be accepted. The pressure change observed on the pressure
measuring device during the pressure-holding period shall be less than 5% of the test
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10, x FOR PEERpressure.
REVIEW 21 of 24
The pressure gauge is shown in Figure 23, and the test data is shown in Table 5.
（Precision （Precision
pressure gauge） pressure gauge）
Figure 23. Data recorded by the pressure gauge.

Figure 23. Data recorded by the pressure gauge.
Table
Table 5.
5. Records
Records of
of inner
inner cavity
cavity pressure test.
pressure test.
Test Pressure Pressure of the Pressure Records(MPa) Pressure
Test Pressure Pressure of Pressure Records(MPa) Pressure
(MPa) Press(T) 0 min 10 min 20 min 30 min 40 min 50 min 60 min Drop (MPa)
(MPa) the Press(T) 0 min 10 min 20 min 30 min 40 min 50 min 60 min Drop (MPa)
5 150 5.2 5.2 5.2 5.2 5.2 5.2 5.2 0
5
15 150
150 5.215.3 5.215.3 5.215.2 5.215.2 5.2
15.2 5.2
15.2 5.2
15.2 0
0.1
15 150 15.3 15.3 15.2 15.2 15.2 15.2 15.2 0.1
25
25 150
150 25.525.5 25.4 25.4 25.425.4 25.325.3 25.3
25.3 25.3
25.3 25.3
25.3 0.2
0.2
35
35 200
200 35.535.5 35.5 35.5 35.335.3 35.435.4 35.4
35.4 35.3
35.3 35.3
35.3 0.2
0.2
45
45 200
200 45.745.7 45.7 45.7 45.545.5 45.545.5 45.5
45.5 45.4
45.4 45.4
45.4 0.3
0.3
52
52 200
200 53.153.1 53.053.0 53.053.0 52.852.8 52.8
52.8 52.8
52.8 52.8
52.8 0.3
0.3
5.3.
5.3. Analysis
Analysis of
of Test
Test Results
The
The test results showed
showed that
thatthe
thespherical
sphericalsealing
sealingstructure
structurecan
canstill
stillensure
ensure good
good seal-
sealing
ing performance
performance whether
whether it works
it works under
under low
low pressure,ororpressure
pressure, pressureasashigh
highasas52
52 MPa.
MPa. AsAs
shown in Figure 24, the maximum internal pressure attenuation of the experimental
shown Figure 24, the maximum internal pressure attenuation of the experimental device de-
vice
in aninhour
an hour was 0.4
was only only 0.4 MPa,
MPa, and
and the the pressure
pressure drop increased
drop increased with thewith the increase
increase of
of the test
pressure,
the the increase
test pressure, was small.
the increase was small.
During the whole pressure maintaining period, the leakage rate of the experimental
0.4 device reached a maximum when the internal pressure reached0.8 25 MPa. Below 25 MPa,
the leakage rate always increased with the increase of internal pressure. After reaching
25 MPa, the fluctuation of the leakage rate of the experimental device decreased, and its
0.3 value fluctuated between 0.57% and 0.67%. This was because the working 0.6 load of the press
holding pressure(MPa)
Pressure drop when
was 150 tons under the pressure below 25 MPa, while the working load of the press reached
Leakage rate(%)
200 tons under the pressure of 25~52 Mpa. When the internal pressure was 25 MPa, the
axial force of 150 t may not completely and effectively seal the experimental device, and
0.2 0.4
when the pressure of the press reached 200 t, the leakage rate of the experimental device
tended to be stable. Therefore, it was considered that if the experimental device wanted
to reach the sealing pressure, the working pressure applied to the axial direction of the
0.1 experimental device needed to reach 200 tons. 0.2
Pressure drop
Leakage rate
0 0
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55
Test pressure (MPa)
Figure 24. Pressure drop and leakage rate for the experimental device.
During the whole pressure maintaining period, the leakage rate of the experimental
device reached a maximum when the internal pressure reached 25 MPa. Below 25 MPa,
5.3. Analysis of Test Results
The test results showed that the spherical sealing structure can still ensure good se
ing performance whether it works under low pressure, or pressure as high as 52 MPa.
shown in Figure 24, the maximum internal pressure attenuation of the experimental
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10, 404 21 of 23
vice in an hour was only 0.4 MPa, and the pressure drop increased with the increase
the test pressure, the increase was small.
0.4 0.8
0.3 0.6
holding pressure(MPa)
Pressure drop when
Leakage rate(%)
0.2 0.4
0.1 0.2
Pressure drop
Leakage rate
0 0
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55
Test pressure (MPa)
Figure drop
Figure 24. Pressure 24. Pressure drop rate
and leakage and for
leakage rate for the experimental
the experimental device. device.
The maximum During the whole

seal leakage ratepressure maintaining
of the test device wasperiod, the leakage
only 0.8%, which israte
muchof lower
the experimen
devicerate
than the leakage reached a maximum
required by the APIwhen the internal
17D standard for pressure reached 25
subsea connector MPa. Below 25 M
equipment.
the leakage rate always increased with the increase of internal pressure. After reaching
6. Conclusions
This paper analysed and studied the structure and sealing performance of the spherical
sealing structure using O-rings, and the following conclusions were drawn:
1. Based on nonlinear theory, the constant parameters of Mooney–Rivlin constitutive
model of the O-ring material were determined, C10 and C01 were 1.9461 and 0.4619
respectively, and its Shore hardness was about 86 HA. The surface contact relationship
between the elastomer and the rigid body was analysed, and the friction coefficient
between them was determined to be 0.2.
2. The dimensions of the O-ring spherical sealing groove are required to ensure the
compression ratio of the O-ring. Referring to the dimensional design of a standard
shaft structure groove, the dimensional design of the spherical groove was developed
from the perspective of groove volume and O-ring volume, and the width and depth
of the spherical groove were determined to be 9.5 mm and 5.85 mm, respectively, and
the installation position of the O-ring was determined.
3. The influence on the spherical sealing structure using O-rings was explored from
two aspects, including pressure and compression ratio. The results revealed that the
internal von Mises stress and the maximum contact surface pressure of the O-ring
increase with the increase of pressure or compression ratio. Through the finite element
calculation results, it was found that the main sealing contact width of the O-ring was
maximum when the compression ratio was 17.6%, which made the sealing effect of
the O-ring reach a more ideal state.
4. The pressure test and pressure-holding of the spherical sealing structure was per-
formed, the results of the pressure test of the test device confirmed that the leakage
rate of the spherical sealing structure using O-rings was very small, and the sealing
effect was good. In this study, a non-standard spherical sealing structure using O-rings
was analysed and verified, and it was identified that the structure can be directly used
in the design and manufacture of subsea connectors and subsea valve products, the
results emerged from this study may be of assistance to provide a reference for the
sealing design of the spherical structure.
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10, 404 22 of 23
Author Contributions: Conceptualization, F.Y., X.H. and X.X.; methodology, F.Y. and X.W.; validation,
D.L., X.H. and W.L.; formal analysis, X.X., K.J. and L.W.; investigation, D.L., P.J. and Z.Y.; resources,
Z.Y., P.J. and L.W.; data curation, D.L., X.W. and W.L.; writing—original draft preparation, F.Y. and
D.L.; writing—review and editing, D.L., F.Y. and K.J.; funding acquisition, L.W. and F.Y. All authors
have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Funding: This research was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, grant
number 52001089; China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, grant number 2020M670889; Heilongjiang
Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China, grant number LH2021E046; Fundamental Research
Funds for the Central Universities, grant number 3072021CFT0701.
Institutional Review Board Statement: Not applicable.
Informed Consent Statement: Not applicable.
Data Availability Statement: Not applicable.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10, 404. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10030404 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/jmse

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10, 404 3 of 23

Connecting Positioning Spherical

The O-ring is physically squeezed to generate a certain amount of pre-compression

2.2. Mooney–Rivlin Constitutive Model of O-Ring

Connecting Positioning Spherical

Rigid Rough Surface

surface of the rigid body is: µ ≈ ∇z.

lgE0 = 0.0198Hr − 0.5432 (14)

C10 = 1.9461, C01 = 0.4619

3. Study on Non-Standard O-ring Spherical Sealing Groove

3.1. Design Criteria

3.2. Determination of the Position and Size of the Sealing Groove

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10, x FOR PEER REVIEW 9 of 24

Oil pressure Oil pressure

4. Finite Element Analysis of a Non-Standard spherical sealing structure using O-rings

Table 1. Connector key technical indicators.

4.1. Establishment of ANSYS Finite Element Model

Table 2. F22 alloy material parameters.

Tensile Yield 2 in (50 mm)

4.2. Influence of Medium Pressure on Sealing Performance

4.2. Influence of Medium Pressure on Sealing Performance

6.6443 5.1857 3.7272 2.2686 0.8100

8.1413 6.3322 4.523 2.7138 0.9046

Figure 9. Contact pressure distribution of O-ring under no pressure.

8.1413 6.3322 4.523 2.7138 0.9046

10 Max contact stress

Groove side contact surface

Contact width (mm)

Figure 16. Schematic diagram of compression ratio calculation.

Figure 17 shows the local equivalent stresses

Compression Compression Compression

Figure 17. Diagrams of Diagrams

From the calculation results in results

61 Max Contact Stress

Contact pressure (MPa)

4.5 O-ring and sealing groove bottom contact width

5.1. Model of the Test Device

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2022, 10, 404

Figure 22. Object Figure 22. of

Figure 23. Data recorded by the pressure gauge.

The maximum During the whole

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