Magnetic fluid seal device

Abstract

A cartridge-type magnetic fluid seal device has a flanged sleeve fixed to an external peripheral surface of the radially inside member of two members and which rotates together with the inside member is provided facing a pair of magnetic pole members. A packing is disposed in an annular space formed by the radial inside of a magnetic source and the pair of magnetic pole members. The packing is provided in the annular space so as to slide on an external peripheral surface of the flanged sleeve, and a magnetic fluid seal part, the packing, and the flanged sleeve form a unit.

Claims

1. A seal device for sealing a gap between two members which are assembled so as to be able to rotate relative to each other in concentric fashion, the seal device comprising a magnetic fluid seal part having: a magnetic source for generating magnetic force, the magnetic source being disposed on a radially outside member of said two members; a pair of magnetic pole members disposed on two sides of said magnetic source; and a magnetic fluid for sealing said gap, the magnetic fluid being magnetically retained between said two members by the magnetic force of said magnetic source; wherein a flanged sleeve which is fixed to a radially inside member of said two members, and which rotates together with the inside member is provided facing radially internal ends of said pair of magnetic pole members, and a packing is disposed in an annular space formed by the radial inside of said magnetic source and the pair of magnetic pole members, the packing being slidable on said flanged sleeve, and wherein said flanged sleeve comprises: (a) a cylindrical sleeve main body integrally formed and having an external peripheral surface which faces the radially internal ends of said magnetic pole members and slidably contacts said packing, (b) a first outward-facing flange part provided on an outboard side of said sleeve main body which projects outwardly from the external peripheral surface of said sleeve main body, (c) an inward-facing flange part provided on an inboard side of said sleeve main body, which projects inwardly from an internal peripheral surface of said sleeve main body, wherein when the sleeve main body is assembled onto the radially inside member of the two members, a continuous gap is formed between an inner diameter surface of the sleeve main body and an outer diameter surface of the inside member, and (d) a second outward-facing flange part provided on the inboard side, which projects outwardly from the external peripheral surface of said sleeve main body, and wherein said first outward-facing flange part and said sleeve main body are welded onto or integrally formed with each other, said second outward-facing flange part and said sleeve main body being welded onto each other, said first and second outward-facing flange parts having outer diameters larger than inner diameters of said magnetic pole members, said inward-facing flange part being fixed to the radially inside member of said two members.

2. The magnetic fluid seal device according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve main body the first outward-facing flange part and the inward-facing flange part are integrally formed to one another, and the second outward-facing flange part is formed as a separate body.

3. The magnetic fluid seal device according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve main body and the inward-facing flange part side are integrally formed, and the first and second outward-facing flange parts are formed as separate bodies.

4. The magnetic fluid seal device according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve main body, the first outward-facing flange part, the second outward-facing flange part and the inward-facing flange part are formed as separate bodies.

5. The magnetic fluid seal device according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve main body and the first outward-facing flange part are formed of a magnetic material, and the second outward-facing flange part is formed of a non-magnetic material.

6. The magnetic fluid seal device according to claim 1, wherein first and second folded parts folded toward the side of the magnetic pole members are provided to outer edges of the first and second outward-facing flange parts.

7. The magnetic fluid seal device according to claim 1, wherein a partition wall formed of a non-magnetic material is provided between said magnetic source and the packing.

8. The magnetic fluid seal device according to claim 1, wherein said packing comprises an X-ring.

9. The magnetic fluid seal device according to claim 2, wherein the sleeve main body and the first outward-facing flange part are formed of a magnetic material, and the second outward-facing flange part is formed of a non-magnetic material.

10. The magnetic fluid seal device according to claim 3, wherein the sleeve main body and the first outward-facing flange part are formed of a magnetic material, and the second outward-facing flange part is formed of a non-magnetic material.

11. The magnetic fluid seal device according to claim 4, wherein the sleeve main body and the first outward-facing flange part are formed of a magnetic material, and the second outward-facing flange part is formed of a non-magnetic material.

12. The magnetic fluid seal device according to claim 2, wherein said packing comprises an X-ring.

13. The magnetic fluid seal device according to claim 3, wherein said packing comprises an X-ring.

14. The magnetic fluid seal device according to claim 4, wherein said packing comprises an X-ring.

15. The magnetic fluid seal device according to claim 5, wherein said packing comprises an X-ring.

16. The magnetic fluid seal device according to claim 6 wherein said packing comprises an X-ring.

17. The magnetic fluid seal device according to claim 7, wherein said packing comprises an X-ring.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing the magnetic fluid seal device according to a first embodiment of the present invention installed in a machine;

(2) FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing the magnetic fluid seal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and shows three aspects labeled (a), (b), and (c);

(3) FIG. 3 is a view showing the results of magnetic field analysis of the relevant parts of the magnetic fluid seal device according to the first aspect of the present invention;

(4) FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view showing the magnetic fluid seal device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and shows two aspects labeled (a) and (b);

(5) FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing Prior Art 1;

(6) FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing Prior Art 2; and

(7) FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing Prior Art 3.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(8) Embodiments of the magnetic fluid seal device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, these embodiments shall not be interpreted as limiting the present invention, and various modifications, revisions, and improvements based on the knowledge of one skilled in the art can be made within the intended scope of the present invention.

(9) (First Embodiment)

(10) FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing the magnetic fluid seal device according to a first embodiment of the present invention installed in a machine.

(11) The magnetic fluid seal device 1 (referred to simply as the “seal device” below) is provided between a support member 3 and a rotating shaft 2 that extends over two regions referred to as an outboard side A (e.g., atmosphere side) and an inboard side L (e.g., the internal side of a fishing reel).

(12) The support member 3 is a non-magnetic body provided with a cylinder part 4 for retaining and sealing the rotating shaft 2, and a flange part 5 for retaining the seal device 1 on the outboard side A of the cylinder part 4.

(13) Bearings 11, 11 are provided between the rotating shaft 2 and the cylinder part 4 of the support member 3, and support the rotating shaft 2 so as to allow the rotating shaft to rotate.

(14) The flange part 5 of the support member 3 is composed of a disk-shaped part 5-1 spreading in the radial direction, and a large-diameter cylinder part 5-2 extending in the axial direction, and the seal device 1 is housed in an annular space 6 of the flange part, formed by the disk-shaped part 5-1 and the large-diameter cylinder part 5-2.

(15) A male screw part 7 is formed on an external peripheral surface of the large-diameter cylinder part 5-2 of the support member 3, and a presser ring 8 L-shaped in cross-section is screwed onto the male screw part 7. An annular spacer 9 is disposed between the presser ring 8 and the outboard side A surface of the seal device 1, and when the presser ring 8 is tightened in the axial direction, the seal device 1 is pressed in the axial direction from the outboard side A via the spacer 9.

(16) A collar 10 for fixing the axial positioning of the bearings 11, 11 and the axial positioning of the seal device 1 is formed on the rotating shaft 2, the bearings 11, 11 are held in position against the collar 10 on the inboard side L thereof, and a flanged sleeve 17 (described hereinafter) of the seal device 1 is held in position against the collar 10 on the outboard side A thereof.

(17) A male screw part 12 is formed at an end of the rotating shaft 2 on the outboard side A, and the flanged sleeve 17 of the seal device 1 is fixed in place against the collar 10 of the rotating shaft 2 by a nut 13 screwed onto the male screw part 12, a spacer 14 being provided between the nut and the flanged sleeve.

(18) FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing the magnetic fluid seal device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and the magnetic fluid seal device 1 will be described on the basis of FIG. 2.

(19) The magnetic fluid seal device 1 is composed primarily of a magnet or other magnetic source 15, a pair of magnetic pole members 16, 16 disposed on both sides of the magnetic source 15, a flanged sleeve 17 fixed to an external peripheral surface of a rotating shaft 2 so as to face the pair of magnetic pole members 16, 16 and rotate together with the rotating shaft 2, a packing 18 disposed in an annular space s formed by the radial inside of the magnetic source 15 and the pair of magnetic pole members 16, 16 and provided to slide along an external peripheral surface of the flanged sleeve 17, and a magnetic fluid 19 magnetically retained between the magnetic pole members 16, 16 and the flanged sleeve 17 so as to seal a gap therebetween.

(20) In the present invention, the portion formed by the magnetic source 15, the magnetic pole members 16, 16, and the magnetic fluid 19 is referred to generically as the magnetic fluid seal part.

(21) The magnetic source 15 is annular in shape, and has unlike poles in the axial direction.

(22) The magnetic pole members 16 are annular in shape and composed of a magnetic material, support the magnetic source 15 at a position toward the outside in the radial direction, and form the annular space s for housing the packing 18 at a position toward the inside in the radial direction. Partition walls 20, 21 composed of a non-magnetic material are provided on the external peripheral side and the internal peripheral side of the magnetic source 15. The partition walls 20, 21 are provided to maintain the degree of parallelism between the magnetic pole members 16 and to maintain dimensional precision with respect to the support member 3, and the partition wall 21 has the role of positioning (positioning to provide the appropriate clearance gap) the packing 18. In this regard, the partition wall 20 on the external peripheral side can be omitted, but the partition wall 21 on the internal peripheral side is essential for positioning the packing 18.

(23) The flanged sleeve 17 is formed in parts according to fabrication and assembly requirements, and is composed of a cylindrical sleeve main body 22, an outward-facing flange part 23 provided on the outboard side A of the sleeve main body 22, and an inward-facing flange part 24 and outward-facing flange part 25 provided on the inboard side L.

(24) In FIG. 2(a), the sleeve main body 22, outward-facing flange part 23 on the outboard side A, and inward-facing flange part 24 on the inboard side L of the flanged sleeve 17 are formed integrally with each other, and the outward-facing flange part 25 on the outboard side A of the flanged sleeve 17 is formed as a separate body and is attached by welding or other means after the magnetic source 15, the pair of magnetic pole members 16, 16, and the packing 18 have been fitted in the sleeve main body 22.

(25) In FIG. 2(b), the sleeve main body 22 and the inward-facing flange part 24 on the inboard side L of the flanged sleeve 17 are formed integrally with each other, and the outward-facing flange part 23 on the outboard side A and the outward-facing flange part 25 on the inboard side L of the flanged sleeve 17 are formed as separate bodies and attached by welding or other means, but one of the outward-facing flange part 23 on the outboard side A and the outward-facing flange part 25 on the inboard side L is attached first, and the other is attached after the magnetic source 15, the pair of magnetic pole members 16, 16, and the packing 18 have been fitted in the sleeve main body 22.

(26) In FIG. 2(c), the sleeve main body 22, the outward-facing flange part 23 on the outboard side A, the outward-facing flange part 25 on the inboard side L, and the inward-facing flange part 24 on the inboard side L of the flanged sleeve 17 are formed as separate bodies and subsequently integrated and attached by welding or other means, but one of the outward-facing flange part 23 on the outboard side A and the outward-facing flange part 25 on the inboard side L is first attached, and the other is attached after the magnetic source 15, the pair of magnetic pole members 16, 16, and the packing 18 have been fitted in the sleeve main body 22.

(27) The sleeve main body 22 of the flanged sleeve 17 is formed of a magnetic material in order to form a magnetic circuit. The rotating shaft 2 may therefore be formed of a non-magnetic material. The outward-facing flange part 23 on the outboard side A, and the inward-facing flange part 24 and outward-facing flange part 25 on the inboard side L may be formed of a magnetic material or a non-magnetic material, and the outward-facing flange parts 23, 25 may be formed of rubber, resin, or another non-magnetic material rather than a metal material. The inward-facing flange part 24 on the inboard side L is used for fixing the flanged sleeve 17 to the rotating shaft 2, and is therefore preferably formed of a metal material.

(28) The outward-facing flange parts 23, 25 are formed at a distance of approximately 0.5 to 1 mm from the outer surfaces of the magnetic pole members 16, and serve to prevent leakage of the magnetic fluid 19. A configuration may be adopted in which the outward-facing flange part 23 on the side on which leakage of the magnetic fluid 19 would cause problems, e.g., the outboard side A, is formed of a magnetic material, and any magnetic fluid 19 that leaks out is trapped by the outward-facing flange part 23. Of course, the outward-facing flange part 23 on the outboard side A and the outward-facing flange part 25 on the inboard side L may also both be formed of a magnetic material, and the magnetic fluid 19 may be trapped on both sides.

(29) The packing 18 may be an O-ring, a gland packing, or any other packing capable of sealing against mist or liquid by sliding on the external peripheral surface of the flanged sleeve 17 and elastically deforming.

(30) In the first embodiment, the magnetic fluid 19 is used as a lubricant for the packing 18, and an X-ring is therefore used, which is adapted for retaining the magnetic fluid 19 in the vicinity of the sliding part.

(31) The packing 18 composed of an X-ring is an annular ring X-shaped in cross-section, and has four projections 26, 27, 28, 29 protruding toward the respective corners of a rectangular shape having the cross-sectional shape of the annular space s. The projections 26 and 27 on the internal peripheral side protrude toward a gap between the pair of magnetic pole members 16, 16 and the external peripheral surface of the flanged sleeve 17, and a retaining groove 30 shaped so as to be able to retain the magnetic fluid 19 is formed between the projections 26 and 27 on the internal peripheral side. The surface tension of the magnetic fluid 19 on both sides of the projections 26, 27 causes the magnetic fluid to penetrate into the sliding area between the projections 26, 27 and the external peripheral surface of the flanged sleeve 17, and the magnetic fluid 19 accumulates in the retaining groove 30. The sliding area between the projections 26, 27 and the external peripheral surface of the flanged sleeve 17 is therefore adequately lubricated.

(32) Since the magnetic fluid 19 used in the first embodiment is obtained by dispersing magnetic particles having a particle diameter of approximately 5 to 50 nm in a solvent or oil (base oil) through use of a surfactant, the magnetic fluid 19 characteristically moves along magnetic force lines and is trapped in a magnetic field. In the magnetic fluid seal device 1 of the first embodiment, the magnetic fluid 19 is used as a lubricant for the sliding surfaces of the flanged sleeve 17 and the X-ring 18, and the service life of the X-ring 18 is thus prolonged. The magnetic fluid 19 can also maintain seal integrity at the sliding surfaces of the X-ring 18 and the flanged sleeve 17 and suppress the emission of dust near the sliding surfaces.

(33) As the flanged sleeve 17 rotates about a rotational center O, the magnetic fluid 19 is magnetically retained between the magnetic pole members 16, 16 and the flanged sleeve 17, and seals the gap therebetween. A large quantity of the magnetic fluid 19 is also retained in the retaining groove 30 and near the distal ends of the projections 26, 27 of the X-ring 18. The magnetic fluid 19 can therefore also be used as a lubricant for the sliding area between the flanged sleeve 17 and the X-ring 18.

(34) During production at a factory, the flanged sleeve 17, the X-ring 18, and the magnetic fluid seal part composed of the magnetic source 15, the magnetic pole members 16, 16, and the magnetic fluid 19 as shown in FIG. 2 are usually assembled, and the magnetic fluid 19 is also injected prior to shipment.

(35) The magnetic fluid seal device of the present invention is thus characterized in being configured as a unit, and in the case that the unitized magnetic fluid seal device of the present invention is installed in an apparatus at another factory or on-site, the seal device can be easily and reliably installed by inserting the seal device 1 from the outboard side of the rotating shaft 2 and tightening the nut 13 via the spacer 14. In the case of replacement, a seal device 1 unitized at the production factory may be transported to the installation site and used intact for replacement, and there is no need for complicated operations such as injecting the magnetic fluid 19 on-site.

(36) FIG. 3 is a view showing the results of magnetic field analysis of the relevant parts of the magnetic fluid seal device according to the first aspect of the present invention.

(37) In the configuration shown in FIG. 3, the outward-facing flange part 23 on the outboard side A is formed of a magnetic material, and the outward-facing flange part 25 on the inboard side L is formed of a non-magnetic material. The magnetic force lines are dense at the distal end of the outward-facing flange part 23 on the outboard side, and it can be confirmed that the magnetic field is strong. Therefore any magnetic fluid 19 that leaks out as a result of an impact or the like can be trapped by the distal end of the outward-facing flange part 23. Since the magnetic force lines are sparse near the outward-facing flange part 25 on the inboard side L, the leaked magnetic fluid 19 cannot be trapped, but this outward-facing flange part 25 can still serve to prevent leakage of the magnetic fluid. Although some time is required, the leaked magnetic fluid near the outward-facing flange part 25 on the inboard side L is returned by the attraction of a strong magnetic field that occurs at the end part on the internal peripheral side of the magnetic pole members 16.

(38) (Second Embodiment)

(39) FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view showing the magnetic fluid seal device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and shows two aspects labeled (a) and (b).

(40) In the magnetic fluid seal device 40 according to the second embodiment, the shape of the flanged sleeve 41 differs from the shape of the flanged sleeve 17 provided to the magnetic fluid seal device 1 of the first embodiment. However, the other aspects of the seal device of the second embodiment are the same as in the magnetic fluid seal device 1 of the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals used in the first embodiment are used to refer to the members in the second embodiment that are the same as in the first embodiment.

(41) The flanged sleeve 41 is formed in parts according to fabrication and assembly requirements, and is composed of a cylindrical sleeve main body 42, an outward-facing flange part 43 provided on the outboard side A of the sleeve main body 42, and an inward-facing flange part 44 and outward-facing flange part 45 provided on the inboard side L, the same as in the first embodiment.

(42) However, the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that folded parts 46, 47 are provided in which the outer edges of the outward-facing flange part 43 on the outboard side A and the outward-facing flange part 45 on the inboard side L are folded toward the magnetic pole members 16, 16.

(43) In FIG. 4(a), the sleeve main body 42 and the inward-facing flange part 44 on the inboard side L of the flanged sleeve 41 are formed integrally with each other, and the outward-facing flange part 43 on the outboard side A and the outward-facing flange part 45 on the inboard side L of the flanged sleeve 41 are formed as separate bodies and attached by welding or other means, but one of the outward-facing flange part 43 on the outboard side A and the outward-facing flange part 45 on the inboard side L is attached first, and the other is attached after the magnetic source 15, the pair of magnetic pole members 16, 16, and the packing 18 have been fitted in the sleeve main body 42.

(44) In FIG. 4(b), the sleeve main body 42, outward-facing flange part 43 on the outboard side A, and inward-facing flange part 44 on the inboard side L of the flanged sleeve 41 are formed integrally with each other, and the outward-facing flange part 45 on the outboard side A of the flanged sleeve 41 is formed as a separate body and is attached by welding or other means after the magnetic source 15, the pair of magnetic pole members 16, 16, and the packing 18 have been fitted in the sleeve main body 42.

(45) The folded parts 46, 47 of the outward-facing flange part 43 and the outward-facing flange part 45, respectively, are provided to prevent movement, relative to each other, of the flanged sleeve 41 and the X-ring 18 and magnetic fluid seal part, which is composed of the magnetic source 15, the pair of magnetic pole members 16,16, and the magnetic fluid 19.

(46) Since the X-ring 18 and the flanged sleeve 41 are tightly fitted together, friction prevents any misalignment absent a strong impact. However, in the case that the unitized seal device 40 is subjected to strong impacts in truck transport or the like, when a gap is present between the magnetic pole members 16, 16 and the outward-facing flange parts 23, 25 on the outboard side A, such as in the first embodiment, it is possible for the flanged sleeve 41 and the magnetic fluid seal part and X-ring 18 to become misaligned.

(47) When folded parts 46, 47 are provided at the outer edges of the outward-facing flange parts 43, 45 as in the second embodiment, no misalignment occurs between the flanged sleeve 41 and the magnetic fluid seal part and X-ring 18. There is therefore no need to provide special packaging, and the work of packaging can also be facilitated.

(48) Key to Symbols

(49) 1 seal device (first embodiment)

(50) 2 rotating shaft

(51) 3 support member

(52) 4 cylinder part

(53) 5 flange part

(54) 5-1 disk-shaped part

(55) 5-2 large-diameter cylinder part

(56) 6 annular space of flange part

(57) 7 male screw part

(58) 8 presser ring

(59) 9 spacer

(60) 10 collar

(61) 11 bearings

(62) 12 male screw part

(63) 13 nut

(64) 14 spacer

(65) 15 magnetic source

(66) 16 magnetic pole members

(67) 17 flanged sleeve

(68) 18 packing

(69) 19 magnetic fluid

(70) 20 partition wall

(71) 21 partition wall

(72) 22 cylindrical sleeve main body

(73) 23 outward-facing flange part on outboard side

(74) 24 inward-facing flange part on inboard side

(75) 25 outward-facing flange part on inboard side

(76) 26 packing projection

(77) 27 packing projection

(78) 28 packing projection

(79) 29 packing projection

(80) 30 retaining groove

(81) 40 seal device (second embodiment)

(82) 41 flanged sleeve

(83) 42 sleeve main body

(84) 43 outward-facing flange part on outboard side

(85) 44 inward-facing flange part on inboard side

(86) 45 outward-facing flange part on inboard side

(87) 46 folded part

(88) 47 folded part

(89) A outboard side

(90) L inboard side

(91) O rotational center

(92) s annular space