What Is a Fluid Bearing?

Magnetic fluid bearings are sliding bearings that use a conductive fluid as a lubricant and have an external magnetic field. Magnetic fluid bearing is a new type of bearing developed in the 1960s in cooperation with nuclear power equipment.

Magnetic fluid bearings are made of conductive fluid

The structure of the magnetic fluid bearing is shown in the figure. The inner surface of the inner sleeve of the bearing is used as the friction surface of the sliding bearing to slide with the working shaft. The inner sleeve of the bearing can be processed from non-magnetic materials such as bronze, brass and bearing alloys; The permanent magnet is processed. The ring magnet and the bearing inner sleeve adopt a sliding fit. The permanent magnet is fixed to the outside of the bearing inner sleeve through the adhesion of the adhesive. The ring permanent magnet is provided with a ring permanent magnet spacer and the permanent magnet. The spacers are made of non-magnetic metal or non-metal materials. The permanent magnet spacers are bonded to the permanent magnet and the bearing inner sleeve with an adhesive. The permanent magnet fixing ring is made of non-magnetic material to fix the ring-shaped permanent magnet. The permanent magnet fixing ring and the bearing inner sleeve are bonded with an adhesive. The entire magnetic fluid bearing is an annular cylinder in appearance. Radial holes are opened in the bearing sleeve and the permanent magnet fixing ring on both sides of the annular permanent magnet, and are used to send magnetic fluid to the inner surface of the bearing sleeve. Affected by the magnetic field of the annular permanent magnet, the magnetic fluid entering the inner surface of the bearing sleeve through the radial hole will form a magnetic field in the gap between the inner surface of the bearing inner sleeve and the rotating shaft corresponding to the two ends of each annular permanent magnet. The annular liquid "O" ring composed of fluid. Due to the existence of this "O" ring, the lubricating surface of the sliding bearing always has sufficient lubricating medium. The "O" ring can not only achieve lubrication, but also have No leakage and certain sealing effect. ^[2]

Magnetic fluid bearings can be made as liquid-lubricated plain bearings

Magnetic fluid bearings are mostly used in cutting-edge science and technology such as aerospace, satellite and submarine guidance.