Ring thruster – a preliminary optimisation study of ferrofluid seal and propeller

The article reports the course of preliminary examination of a ferrofluid seal applied in liquid environment. A newly built research rig is described, and results of pressure tests performed for different shaft rotations are discussed. Other studies carried out in the past only referred to the gas environment, while the present examination aims at finding an answer to the question whether magnetic liquids can be successfully used in underwater applications. The obtained answer is positive, but further, more comprehensive investigations of the problem are necessary.