A new ferrofluid lubrication system for ball bearings

Rolling bearings are essential components in machinery and equipment, and their proper functioning relies heavily on effective lubrication. Traditionally, oils are used for lubrication, but this can complicate the design of the system. This paper presents an alternative lubrication system for ball bearings that utilizes a magnetic circuit and ferrofluid. This innovative design allows the lubricant to be delivered directly to the bearing balls and evenly distributed across the rest of the bearing components. The study included various types of steel ball bearings with different bearing clearances and cage materials, as well as non-magnetic options like ceramic and plastic bearings. To evaluate the effectiveness of maintaining the lubricating film, friction torque measurements were carried out. The results confirmed that the system is effective, particularly when the speed is optimized to minimize the impact of centrifugal force (below 3000 rpm). Notably, better results in maintaining the lubricating film were achieved with steel bearings. One significant advantage of this system is that it would probably work without the need for gravity, since the ferrofluid is secured in place by a magnetic field, which also prevents leakage.