Ferrofluidics Corporation

Frank Bloom

Kuldip Raj

Ronald Moskowitz

James Bonvouloir

Joseph Moses

Hanumaiah L Gowda

Charles J Cheever

A long-life, stacked pole-piece magnetic fluid seal for sealing between a housing and magnetically permeable shaft, in one embodiment is comprised of an annular magnet, having poles of opposite polarity on first and second end surfaces thereof, an annular, magnetically permeable primary pole-piece axially abutting the first end surface of the magnet, and one or more annular, magnetically permeable secondary pole-pieces stacked axially adjacent the primary pole-piece and separated therefrom and from each other by one or more annular spacers which define intermediate spaces between the pole-pieces. The pole-pieces are in a closely-spaced, non-contacting relationship with the shaft to define one or more radial gaps which, in conjunction with the intermediate spaces collectively form an annular ring in which a magnetic fluid is disposed and retained. In a second embodiment, the annular magnet is separated from the primary pole piece by a spacer which defines an intermediate space therebetween. The magnet and primary pole-piece are in closely-spaced, non-contacting relationships with the shaft to define first and second gaps respectively, which, in conjunction with the intermediate space, collectively form an annular ring in which a magnetic fluid is disposed and retained.

Stacked pole-piece ferrofluid seal apparatus

In a ferrofluid seal which comprises a magnet and at least one pole piece, the pole piece is fabricated from a ferromagnetic material which directly bonds to the magnet face. Since the pole piece material directly bonds to the magnet, no additional adhesive is necessary. Thus, the conventional steps of applying an adhesive and mounting pole pieces on the magnet are eliminated. In addition, voids and bubbles in the adhesive are eliminated, thus, enhancing seal integrity. In one embodiment, the ferromagnetic material is a ferromagnetic epoxy compound comprising a mixture of conventional epoxy materials plus a fine powder of ferromagnetic material such as iron, cobalt, nickel or various metal alloys.

Ferrofluid seal with epoxy pole pieces

A ferrofluid seal wherin the amount of ferrofluid which may be used is increased by tapering the gap in which the ferrofluid is retained from one end of the gap to the other. One side of this gap is the magnet and, where used, pole pieces used to generate the magnetic field retaining the sealing ferrofluid, and the other side is a wall forming the opening to be sealed. The tapering of the gap width may be achieved by tapering either side forming the gap or by tapering both sides. The taper is preferably uniform from one end of the gap to the other.

Tapered ferrofluid seal

A multi-stage ferrofluid seal incorporates a ferrofluid reservoir for extending seal life. The reservoir is located between seal stages and contains a quantity of ferrofluid sufficient to replace ferrofluid in the seal stages which is lost due to evaporation or contamination. The seal is designed to withstand a pressure drop between a high pressure area and a low pressure area and the location of the reservoir is selected so that the pressure capacity of the seal stages between the low pressure area and the reservoir is sufficient to withstand the entire pressure drop. The pressure capacity of the seal stages between the high pressure area and the reservoir is less than the entire pressure drop. Failure of the seal stages between the reservoir and low pressure area causes failure of the seal stages between the reservoir and the high pressure area. The total failure of all of the seal stages allows fluid to flow through the seal which fluid sweeps ferrofluid from the reservoir into the seal stages between the reservoir and low pressure area. This latter ferrofluid replenishes the ferrofluid in the failed seal stages and restores pressure capacity of the seal. A preferred embodiment is described which utilizes a single pole piece to define the seal stages and the reservoir.

Long-life multi-stage ferrofluid seals incorporating a ferrofluid

A ferrofluid seal for a bearing application with a stationary shaft about which a hub rotates. The seal consists of a permanent magnet and one or more annular pole pieces which form a magnetic circuit with the bearing shaft. The magnetic circuit includes an annular gap between the shaft and the pole pieces in which the magnetic flux traps a magnetic fluid which bridges the gap to form a seal. The shaft is tapered in the gap area to form a wedge-shaped gap which accommodates changes in the magnetic fluid volume due to temperature variations while holding the fluid within the magnetic field to maintain the seal. The pole piece which forms the gap has a straight annular face located at a constant radial distance from the shaft axis. At high operating temperatures expansion of the magnetic fluid causes the fluid to fill the taper of the shaft, but, since the shaft is stationary, fluid spash is eliminated. The straight surface of the pole piece controls fluid splash caused by centrifugal force.

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Windham, NH, United States of America

Frank Bloom