Experimental Study of High Speed Sealing Capability of Single Stage Ferrofluidic Seals

Abstract

Several different configurations of single-stage ferrofluidic seals were tested on a spindle which was capable of operating at very high rotational speeds (up to 55 KRPM). A dimensionless number based on the ratio of magnetic force to centrifugal force was defined. It was discovered that this ratio is not a good predictor of high speed seal failure. Reynolds number was found to be a better predictor of seal failure; therefore an empirically derived model for predicting seal failure based on Reynolds number is proposed. The data herein may provide a basis for developing new theoretical models for ferrofluidic seal failures at high speed.