Magnetic fluid feedthrough primer — page 2/4

Application factors

Magnetic fluid feedthroughs are appropriate for many applications, but it is important to consider two groups of application factors when selecting a specific model for a particular application. Environmental factors always include process operating pressure and ambient temperature, and may include other process-related factors as well. Mechanical factors include speed, loads (radial and thrust), duty cycle, and bearing ratings.

Environmental factors

Figure 5 shows some broad operating guidelines for process pressure and feedthrough temperature. Water cooling (or heating) extends the useful temperature range. Units can be designed for use at high pressure.

Temperature limits are based on the properties of magnetic fluids and other construction materials. Although rarely encountered, low temperatures can increase fluid viscosity sufficiently to require unacceptably large driving torque. High temperatures cause deleterious chemical and physical changes in fluids and other materials.

Pressure limits are determined by magnetic design and fluid properties. The lower limit is set by the vapor pressure of the base liquid (temperature dependent) in combination with the process tolerance for fluid vapors. Higher pressure ratings can be achieved by adding more stages. Standard products offer maximum pressure capacity of as much as 2.4 atmospheres (2.4 kg/cm²).

In cases of high-speed operation, the self-heating of the viscous magnetic fluid becomes a significant cause of elevated temperature. Surface speeds up to 7 m/sec are possible without water cooling (DN= diameter x rpm =120,000 mm-rpm). With water cooling, surface speed can be increased to about three times this value.

Mechanical factors

Except for light-duty applications, mechanical operating factors have great impact on the performance and lifetime of feedthroughs. Wholly apart from vacuum considerations, bearings and shafts must support each application's requirements for speed, load, duty cycle, torque transmission, end play, and so on. Thorough consideration of these factors is beyond the scope of this discussion, but a few key points can be mentioned here.

Shaft sizes must be large enough to transmit the required torque from motor to load over the full range of anticipated acceleration and speed. Possibilities of jamming should be taken into account.

Bearings must be rated to handle the radial and axial loads to be experienced in service. Significant tradeoffs exist between radial load, axial load, operating speed, duty cycle, operating temperature, lubrication, and bearing lifetime. Thus, any "load rating" of a feedthrough as a single number cannot be an adequate characterization over a realistic range of applications. Users should be aware that bearing lifetime varies strongly with load and speed, according to the following equation:

LIO = [A(C/P)³]/N

where:

• LlO = bearing life expectancy (90% confidence)

• A = lubrication factor (normally less than 1)

• N = operating speed, RPM

• C = "dynamic load rating" of the bearing (depends on bearing size)

• P = "dynamic equivalent load" (combination of radial and axial loads)

The main point to note from this equation is that bearing life varies linearly with rpm and exponentially (as the third power!) with load and rating. Loading the bearings beyond their rating leads to very rapid failure. 

As a practical matter, selection of appropriate models can often be guided by previous experience in similar applications. We should be consulted for recommendations and application assistance in selecting feedthroughs for unusual applications.

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