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MAGNETORHEOLOGICAL FLUID

Paper Presentation on the Topic

MAGNETORHEOLOGICAL FLUID

Avinash Appukuttan B. M. Nikhilesh

Vth Semester, Mechanical Engineering, Vth Semester, Mechanical

Engineering,
Siddaganga Institute of Technology, and
Tumkur, Siddaganga Institute of Technology,
Tumkur,
Karnataka-572103
Karnataka-572103
E-mail: avinashappukuttan@gmail.com
Ph. No. +91-9731930598 E-mail: bm.nikhilesh@hotmail.com
Ph. No. +91-9945169297

For the paper presentation event in the technical fest

Chakravyuha 08 at
S R M University,
Chennai, Tamil Nadu
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MAGNETORHEOLOGICAL FLUID

CONTENTS
Sl. No. Contents Page No.

1. Abstract 4

2.Introduction: Magnetorheological Fluid43.Features and

Benefits54.Applications55.Conclusion96.References9

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Primary Suspension
Seat Suspension
Seismic Protection
Cable-Stayed Bridges
Clutches
Steer-by-Wire Device
Prosthetic Joint

MAGNETORHEOLOGICAL FLUID

Abstract:
Magnetorheological fluid is a hydrocarbon-based
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MAGNETORHEOLOGICAL FLUID
fluid formulated for general use in controllable,
energy-dissipating applications such as shocks,
dampers and brakes.
MR fluid is a suspension of micron-sized,
magnetizable particle in a carrier fluid. When
exposed to a magnetic field, the rheology of MR
fluid reversibly and instantaneously changes from a
free flowing liquid to a semi-solid with controllable
yield strength. Altering the strength of the applied
magnetic field precisely and proportionally controls
the consistency or yield strength of the fluid.
MR fluid can be used in valve mode (fluid flowing
through an orifice) or in shear mode (fluid shearing
between two surfaces). In the absence of a magnetic
field, MR fluid flows freely or allows free
movement. Upon application of a magnetic field,
the fluid’s particles align with the direction of the
field in chain-like fashion, thereby restricting the
fluid’s movement within the gap in proportion to
the strength of the magnetic field.

Introduction: Magnetorheological Fluid

MR fluids are oils that are filled with iron particles.

Often, surfactants surround the particles to protect
them and help keep them suspended within the
fluid. Typically, the iron particles comprise
between 20 and 40 percent of the fluid's volume.
The particles are tiny, measuring between 3 and 10 When exposed to a magnetic field, the particles
microns. However, they have a powerful effect on in magnetorheological fluid align along the field
the fluid's consistency. When exposed to a magnetic lines.
field, the particles line up, thickening the fluid
dramatically. The term "magnetorheological" comes
The hardening process takes around twenty
from this effect. Rheology is a branch of mechanics
thousandths of a second. The effect can vary
that focuses on the relationship between force and
dramatically d4epending on the composition of the
the way a material changes shape. The force of
fluid and the size, shape and strength of the
magnetic field.

magnetism can change both the shape and the

viscosity of MR fluids.
MR fluids are not highly sensitive to moisture or
other contaminants that might be encountered
during manufacture and usage. Further, because the
magnetic polarization mechanism is unaffected by
temperature, the performance of MR-based devices
is relatively insensitive to temperature over a broad
temperature range (including the range for
automotive use).
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MAGNETORHEOLOGICAL FLUID
MR fluids are usually applied in one of two modes.
MR fluid operating in valve mode, with fixed
magnetic poles, may be appropriate for hydraulic Applications:
controls, servo valves, dampers, and shock MR technology has moved out of the laboratory
absorbers. The direct-shear mode with a moving and into viable commercial applications for a
pole, in turn, would be suitable for clutches and diverse spectrum of products. Applications include:
brakes, chucking/locking devices, dampers,
breakaway devices and structural composites.  Automotive primary suspensions
 Seat suspension
 Seismic protection & Cable stayed bridges
 Clutches
 Steer-By-Wire Devices
 Human prosthetics

I. Primary Suspension
Our Magneto-Rheological (MR) technology enables
Hydraulic controls Clutches & brakes
new levels of performance in automotive primary
Servo valves Chucking/locking suspension systems. In an MR suspension,
Dampers devices controllable MR fluid replaces traditional hydraulic
Shock absorbers Dampers
Actuators Breakaway devices
fluid in each shock absorber. As sensors monitor
Structural composites road and vehicle conditions, a controller modifies
the damping characteristics up to one thousand
times per second. This enables dramatic
improvements in both ride comfort and handling.
Delphi’s MagneRide™ system incorporates MR
Features and benefits fluid to provide real-time optimization of
suspension damping characteristics. MagneRide is
Fast Response Time – responds instantly and incredibly flexible – it can be used to improve the
reversibly to changes in a magnetic field. driving characteristics of any vehicle, from high-
end sports cars, to sedans and SUVs.
Dynamic Yield Strength – provides high yield
strength in the presence of a magnetic field and
very low yield strength in the absence of a magnetic
field; allows for a wide range of controllability.

Temperature Resistant – performs consistently

throughout a broad temperature range, meeting the
requirements of demanding applications such as
automotive shock absorbers.

Hard Settling Resistant – provides high resistance

to hard settling; easily dispersed.

Non-Abrasive – formulated to not abrade the

devices in which the MR fluid is used.
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MAGNETORHEOLOGICAL FLUID

III. a. Seismic Protection

First introduced in the 2002 model year, the system
now appears in more than a dozen models from a
wide variety of OEMs, including:
Acura MDX, Audi TT, Audi R8, Buick Lucerne,
Cadillac DTS, Cadillac SLR, Cadillac SRX,
Cadillac STS, Chevrolet Corvette, Ferrari 599GTB,
Holden HSV Commodore
Civil and structural engineers are protecting
buildings and their occupants with our MR
technology. MR fluid devices enlarge the control
envelope of base-isolation and distributed-damping
systems that protect against earthquakes — against
both initial shocks and aftershocks.

II. Seat Suspension

Truck drivers and heavy machinery operators spend
a lot of their time in harsh and unpleasant vibration
environments. Ride quality not only is a safety
issue for the operator, but also passengers and
bystanders. The vertical movement of the seat as it
travels from bottom to top end-stops while driving
over rough terrain can cause the operator to lose
control. If you hit the bottom end-stop, your back
hurts. If you hit the top end-stop, you might hit the
headliner or your feet and hands could come off the
controls. Due to their rough rides, these vehicles
typically have suspended seats with an air spring
and passive shock absorber. Suspension topping and
bottoming is a big problem with truck drivers and
stopping the seat motion in a controlled fashion and
maintaining a good ride is a tough challenge.
However, the challenge of engineering the semi-
active vibration systems into real-world
applications is to provide solutions that are practical
III. b. Cable Stayed Bridges
and affordable. Civil and architectural engineers are protecting
bridges and their occupants with MR technology.
The conventional system is replaced by a system MR fluid dampers attached to cables provide a
which uses a shock absorber containing our MR continuously controllable, cost-effective solution to
fluid. Since product warranties in the trucking wind-rain-induced cable “gallop.” Although stay
industry can be as high as seven years or one cables are prone to vibration due to effects of wind
million road miles, the rod-seal combination is built and rain, MR dampers have the potential efficiency
to withstand heavy usage. After logging billions of several times that of standard oil dampers.
road miles MR-enabled smart systems are a
commercially
proven seat-
suspension
technology.

MAGNETORHEOLOGICAL FLUID
MR Solutions Benefit
 High dissipative force at low velocity.
Unlike with variable orifice dampers, force is not
wholly dependent upon velocity, enabling
superior mitigation of a broader range of
vibration.
 Continual optimization. Unlike passive
systems that are tuned once according to an
inferred optimum setting, our MR devices —
continually optimize the rheology (stiffness) of
their fluid up to 100 Hz. Further, this controllable
re-tuning occurs more quickly with MR than with
alternative semi-active solutions.
 High dynamic range. The ratio of the
maximum force to the minimum force that our
MR devices provide is much greater than that of
any other controllable damper, particularly at low
velocities. Unlike friction dampers, MR dampers
experience comparatively very low levels of
friction.
 Inherent stability and failure-safety.
Unlike active dampers that require large power
sources, semi-active MR dampers fail-safe to a
passive damping mode.
 Mechanical simplicity. MR damper valves
have no moving parts, reducing maintenance
concerns and potential expense.
 Fast response-time. Because MR damper
valves have no moving parts, their response time
is significantly faster than that of variable-orifice
dampers.
 Small device size. MR technology enables
smaller device sizes than with hydraulic or
mechanical systems, leading to aesthetic and
practical benefits.
 Large temperature range. MR materials
can operate under the extreme conditions often
associated with catastrophic events; MR dampers
have an operating temperature range of -40° C to
130° C, with no significant variation in
performance.
IV. Clutches
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MR fluid can provide smooth, efficient torque-
transfer in clutch devices. Many current clutch
solutions have limitations, such as a lack of
controllability or high off-state drag. However, MR
clutches can overcome these limitations, and is well
suited for a wide range of applications including fan
clutches and small driveline clutches.
MR Technology Advantages
 Simplicity of design and manufacture.
Unlike mechanical solutions, MR technology
accommodates simple device designs with few
moving parts, leading to lower total cost.
 Soft-start capability and smooth power
transfer. The near-infinite variability MR fluid
within a range enables MR-based clutches to
engage and disengage smoothly and gradually.
 Minimal package size. MR fluid provides
higher dissipative energy density than any other
controllable material technology. This
characteristic enables the clutch device to be
smaller than conventional technology would
accommodate.
 Low power consumption. Because of MR
fluid’s high energy density, clutches can consume
less energy than with conventional mechanical
technology
V. Steer-by-Wire Device
The Steer-By-Wire
Device is a cost-effective
and design-efficient
feedback solution for
improving steer-by-wire
control and safety. Unlike
electric-motor feedback
devices, which can transmit
unwanted and potentially hazardous forces to the
operator, a MR based system produces a
continuously variable resistive steering torque,
enabling and delivering high-fidelity “feel” and
maximum control to the operator.
This Steer-By-Wire Devices integrate all functions
required for the operator interface (force feedback,
bearing support, sensing and electronics) into a
single “plug-and-play” device. Duplication of

MAGNETORHEOLOGICAL FLUID
functions is eliminated, resulting in the most space-
efficient and cost-effective design possible.MR-
based steering feedback system is one example.
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 Turnkey, integrated solution providing
steering wheel attachment, bearing supports,
sensing and force feedback; and
 Scalable to your production needs.

VI. Prosthetic Joint

Collaborating with design engineers, Biedermann
Motech, a German manufacturer of prosthetic
components, developed a device that improves the
mobility of above-the-knee leg amputees. The
Prolite™ Smart Magnetix™ Above-the-Knee (AK)
Prosthetic, increases gait balance, stability and
energy efficiency using controllable MR technology
adapted from LORD Motion Master™ Ride
Management System truck seat damper.

MR Technology Advantages
System based on MR technologies offer several
advantages over alternative feedback devices:
 Compact, energy efficient design, high
torque density per unit volume;

MR Solutions Benefit
 Highly precise and nearly instantaneous
control. The responsiveness of MR fluid is under
10 milliseconds and its resistive force can be
almost infinitely varied over a range. This
controlled variability in force makes this product
possible.
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MAGNETORHEOLOGICAL FLUID
 Velocity-independent force. MR
technology can accurately emulate natural
movement and resistance even in very slow In contrast to electro-rheological (ER) fluids, MR
movements. fluids:

 Superior dependability and cost to active- • Are 20-50 times stronger;

damper devices. Unlike devices using active
dampers, MR technology does not add potentially
destabilizing force to the system; it merely
provides resistive force. Further, it provides
natural performance at less cost than active-
damper devices
Conclusion:
• Are significantly less sensitive to
contaminants and extremes in
temperature; and can be operated directly
from low-voltage power supplies.
MR technology can provide flexible control
capabilities in designs that are far less complicated
and more reliable than those based on ER
technology.

In contrast to conventional electro-mechanical

solutions, MR technology offers:
References:
• Quick response time (less than 10
milliseconds) • www.howstuffworks.com
• Lord MR Technology Systems
• Real-time, continuously variable control of •
damping

• Simple design (few or no moving parts)

• Consistent efficacy across extreme

temperature variations

• High dissipative force independent of

velocity

• Greater energy density

• Minimal power usage (typically 12V, 1 Amp

max current; fail-safe to battery backup,
which can fail-safe to passive damping
mode)

• Inherent system stability (no active forces

generated)
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