New Designs of Magnetic Fluid Seals for Reciprocating Motion

The operating conditions of magnetic fluid seals during reciprocating motion are so different from those observed in rotating motion that the use of their conventional structures for reciprocating motion seals yields no good results. The analysis of the sealing mechanism of magnetic fluid seals in reciprocating motion shows that the operation of these seals is affected by the carry-over phenomenon and magnetic fluid film deformation in the sealing gap, which depends on the velocity of the reciprocating motion. The reduced amount of magnetic fluid in the sealing gap caused by the reciprocating motion of the shaft is the main reason for seal failures. The paper presents a short characterisation of magnetic fluid sealing technology, the principle of sealing, the operation of the magnetic fluid and the seal failure mechanism in linear motion of the shaft. Moreover, some new structural designs of hybrid seals, being combinations of typical hydraulic seals with magnetic fluid seals for reciprocating motion, and some examples of magnetic fluid sealing structures for hydraulic cylinders and piston compressors which have practical application values are presented.

Variable Gap Sealing Technology of a Hydraulic Cylinder Based on Magnetic Shape Memory Alloy

The synergistic control of resistance reduction and sealing poses challenges to enhancing the rapid dynamic response ability of servo hydraulic cylinders; the key to solving this problem is effectively controlling the sealing gap value. In this study, a micro-variation between the hydraulic cylinder and the piston based on the disadvantage of conventional seals, constant gap seals, and lip gap seals was constructed; MSMA assist support blocks were designed on the piston to form a gap seal strip; then, the sealing gap value could be changed by controlling the magnetic field intensity. Simultaneously, the effects of magnetic field strength, parts-manufacturing precision, temperature, and hysteresis on the micro-variation in the MSMA were analyzed, and effective solutions were proposed. Finally, experiments on the magnetic field, temperature, and hysteresis were conducted by the measurement system. The results showed that the variable value of the sealing gap with the MSMA is feasible under ideal conditions, and can effectively change the amount of MSMA expansion by controlling the magnetic field strength, temperature, preload, etc., and then change the amount of the sealing gap of the hydraulic cylinder. This is the key to achieving friction and sealing control, which plays a crucial and active role in improving the efficiency of hydraulic systems. However, the impact of hysteresis effects cannot be ignored, which will be the main problem to be solved in the future.

Experimental Studies on Dry Gas Seals With Time-Resolved Film Thickness Measurements

Dry gas lubricated non-contacting mechanical seals (DGS) are acknowledged as the sophisticated shaft end sealing solution which is most commonly found in turbo-compressors. Especially under demanding conditions where high speed is combined with high pressure, DGS becomes the preferred choice over other sealing alternatives. A reliable operation of DGS, due to the non-contact running between its rotating and stationary rings, is secured by the gas film in the region of a few microns in thickness. This paper presents the measurement method of obtaining the thickness of the running gap in two radial positions, namely the inner and outer diameter of the sealing gap, by integrating the proximity sensors in the stationary ring. The experimental investigations concerning film thicknesses, pressure distributions in the gas film and axial vibrations are carried out in an industry DGS up to 50 bar and 10,000 rpm, whereby a good insight into the dynamic behaviour of the sealing gap is provided. The results demonstrate the practicability of obtaining the gas film parameters in a grooved gas seal, bridging the gap between theory and practice. In combination with the experimental work presented in this paper, the numerical model for simulating the seal performance programmed in MATLAB is compared and validated. The comparisons for various operating conditions and groove profiles are discussed with the focus lying on the hydrodynamic effect in the gas film.

Numerical study on key parameters of a Magnetorheological Fluid reciprocating seal with increasing width of pole teeth and pole piece

In order to solve the problem of reciprocating seal for hydraulic cylinder, a new structure of Magnetorheological fluid (MRF) reciprocating seal with increasing width of pole teeth and pole piece was designed. The theoretical analysis of MRF reciprocating seal is carried out. The magnetic field intensity distribution in the sealing gap of MRF reciprocating seal was analyzed by finite element method. According to the pressure capability formula of MRF, the theoretical pressure capability is calculated. The influences of structure parameters such as the number of magnetic sources, sealing gap height, pole teeth length, the ratio of permanent magnet height to its length, the ratio of pole piece height to shaft radius on the sealing capabilities were studied. The results showed that the pressure capability of MRF reciprocating seal increases with the increase of the number of magnetic sources and with the decrease of the sealing gap height. With the increase of the pole tooth length, the pressure capability of the reciprocating seal increases. With the increase of the ratio of permanent magnet height to its length, the pressure capability of the reciprocating seal increases first and then decreases. With the increase of the ratio of the pole piece height to shaft radius, the pressure capability of the MRF reciprocating seal increases first and then decreases.

Numerical analysis and experimental verification of magnetic fluid sealing for air cylinder in Aerospace Engineering

In order to solve the problem of short service life (2 months) and zero leakage of air cylinder in aerospace engineering, this paper innovatively designs a magnetic fluid sealing device of air cylinder in aerospace engineering through magnetic circuit analysis and magnetic fluid sealing theory. The magnetic field finite element method is used to calculate the magnetic field distribution in the sealing gap under different key parameters such as the number of pole teeth, the height of the radial sealing gap, the thickness of the permanent magnet, the slot width, the ratio of pole piece height to shaft. And numerical analysis of the number of pole teeth, the radial sealing gap height, permanent magnet thickness, slot width, the ratio of pole piece height to shaft and other key parameters on the magnetic fluid sealing performance. Finally, the reliability of the reciprocating magnetic fluid sealing withstand voltage is verified by experimental methods. Research indicates. The pressure capabilities of magnetic fluid sealing is increasing with the increase of the number of pole teeth. The pressure capabilities of magnetic fluid sealing is decreasing with the increase of the radial sealing gap. The sealing withstand voltage increases first and then decreases with the increase of the thickness of the permanent magnet, and finally increases, and the value of the withstand voltage is the largest when the thickness of the permanent magnet is 7.8 mm. The sealing pressure capabilities increases as the slot width increases. The sealing withstand voltage increases first and then decreases as the ratio of pole piece height to shaft increases, and when the ratio of pole piece height to shaft is 0.8, the sealing withstand voltage reaches a maximum value. The pressure test finally reaches the pressure value of 6 MPa, which can meet the pressure value demand of medium pressure cylinder, indicating that the magnetic fluid sealing technology can effectively solve the leakage problem existing in the air cylinder technology of Aerospace Engineering, and improve the reliability and service life of the air cylinder.

Analysis of Fluid Flow in the Sealing Gap of Radial Shaft Seals and Elastic Deformation of the Sealing Surface

The function of a radial shaft seal bases on interactions between the sealing edge and the shaft counterface. To better understand these mechanisms, a look inside the sealing contact was taken. The procedure and the testing facility are presented in this paper. In addition, a research methodology was developed, to systematically analyse the fluid flow and the distortion of the sealing surface of shaft seals. The results of the test procedure are documented in an evaluation matrix that allows the comparison of sealing systems with different worn sealing edges. For example, the tests show an influence of the rotation direction of the shaft during running-in on the formation of leakage channels or oil collecting chambers within the sealing contact.

Experimental Inverstigations On the Pressure Fluctuations in the Sealing Gap of Dry Gas Seals with Embedded Pressure Sensors

Dry gas lubricated non-contacting mechanical seals (DGS), most commonly found in centrifugal compressors, prevent the process gas flow into the atmosphere. Especially when high speed is combined with high pressure, DGS is the preferred choice over other sealing alternatives. In order to investigate the flow field in the sealing gap and to facilitate the numerical prediction of the seal performance, a dedicated test facility is developed to carry out the measurement of key parameters in the gas film. Gas in the sealing film varies according to the seal inlet pressure, and the thickness of gas film depends on this fluctuated pressure. In this paper, the test facility, measurement methods and the first results of static pressure measurements in the sealing gap of the DGS obtained in the described test facility are presented. An industry DGS with three-dimensional grooves on the surface of the rotating ring, where experimental investigations take place, is used. The static pressure in the gas film is measured, up to 20 bar and 8,100 rpm, by several high frequency ultraminiature pressure transducers embedded into the stationary ring. The experimental results are discussed and compared with the numerical model programmed in MATLAB, the characteristic and magnitude of which have a good agreement with the numerical simulations. It suggests the feasibility of measuring pressure profiles of the standard industry DGS under pressurized dynamic operating conditions without altering the key components of the seal and thereby affecting the seal performance.

Experimental Investigations on the Pressure Fluctuations in the Sealing Gap of Dry Gas Seals With Embedded Pressure Sensors

Dry gas lubricated non-contacting mechanical seals (DGS), most commonly found in centrifugal compressors, prevent the process gas flow into the atmosphere. Especially when high speed is combined with high pressure, DGS is the preferred choice over other sealing alternatives. Even though the non-contacting seal is proved reliable; the ultra-thin gas film can still lead to a host of potential problems due to possible contact. In order to investigate the flow field in the sealing gap and to facilitate the numerical prediction of the seal performance, a dedicated test facility is developed to carry out the measurement of key parameters in the gas film. Gas in the sealing film varies according to the seal inlet pressure, and the thickness of gas film depends on this fluctuated pressure. In this paper, the test facility, measurement methods and the first results of static pressure measurements in the sealing gap of the DGS obtained in the described test facility are presented. An industry DGS with three-dimensional grooves on the surface of the rotating ring, where experimental investigations take place, is used. The static pressure in the gas film is measured, up to 20 bar and 8,100 rpm, by several high frequency ultraminiature pressure transducers embedded into the stationary ring. The experimental results are discussed and compared with the numerical model programmed in MATLAB [1], the characteristic and magnitude of which have a good agreement with the numerical simulations. It suggests the feasibility of measuring pressure profiles of the standard industry DGS under pressurized dynamic operating conditions without altering the key components of the seal and thereby affecting the seal performance.