Title: Study of a magnetorheological fluid damper with multiple annular flow gaps

Authors: Janusz Goldasz

Addresses: Technical Center Krakow, BWI Group, ul. Podgorki Tynieckie 2, 30-399 Krakow, Poland

Abstract: One of the challenges when engineering Magnetorheological (MR) fluid based devices is the development of a model that is capable of fairly accurate predictions of the device performance characteristics. In the case of MR dampers engineering and modelling studies are complicated due to a large number of multidisciplinary variables and mutual interactions between them. Therefore, it is the intent of the author to propose a math-based model of a monotube MR damper capable of simulating a wide range of piston configurations. The model utilizes a dimensionless representation of the Bingham model for simulating the fluid flow through the piston and data reduction. The study is complemented by extensive simulations of the magnetic circuit as well as the damper hydraulics. The model can be extended for the cases involving any number of parallel concentric annular flow paths in the piston. The obtained results are presented in the form of averaged flux density vs. coil ampere turns graphs, steady-state force-velocity maps and force-velocity as well as force-displacement phase planes, respectively.

Keywords: magnetorheological fluid dampers; multiple flow gaps; lumped parameter modelling; magnetostatic analysis; Bingham model; annular flow; mathematical modelling; simulation; fluid flow; magnetic circuits; damper hydraulics; flux density; coil ampere turns; force velocity; force displacement.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.2013.051601

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 2013 Vol.62 No.1, pp.21 - 41

Received: 27 Jul 2011
Accepted: 21 May 2012
Published online: 12 Apr 2013 *

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