Design and experimental investigation of symmetrical embedded magnetic fluid rotary seal with small gap

Abstract

A novel symmetrical embedded magnetic fluid seal (SEMFS) structure was designed with the aim of enhancing the pressure resistance of the magnetic fluid (MF) seal with small gap under vacuum condition. The magnetic field distribution in the sealing gap (SG) was studied by numerical simulation, and the theoretical pressure resistant-withstanding of the SEMFS was obtained by combining the pressure resistance theories of stepped MFS. An experimental study was conducted to investigate the effects of magnetic fluid injection volume (MFIV), number of pole teeth, SG, and rotational speed of the rotating shaft on the seal's pressure resistance. The pressure resistant-withstanding values obtained were compared with those theoretically projected for the (SEMFS) and the ordinary magnetic fluid seal (OMFS), based on numerical analysis. The results indicate that the measured pressure value for the SEMFS matches well with the calculated pressure value. Furthermore, the SEMFS exhibits superior pressure resistance capabilities compared to the OMFS when subjected to the same parameters, which fully reflects the superiority of SEMFS structure. With an augment in the injection volume of MF, the pressure-withstanding performance of the SEMFS exhibits an initial upward trend followed by a gradual stabilization. Moreover, the pressure-withstanding performance of the SEMFS demonstrates a progressive enhancement with an increase in the number of radial pole teeth (RPT) and a corresponding increment in the number of axial pole teeth (APT). The ability to resist pressure of SEMFS decreases as the radial sealing gap (RSG) and axial sealing gap (ASG) increase. At low shaft speeds, the SEMFS's pressure resistance capability is not impacted by rotational speed and can be considered similar to a static seal.