Magneto-Rheological

Dampers

PRESENTED BY:-
P.MUKESH
13071A0339
 CONTENTS

Introduction
Need of MR damping devices.
Magneto-rheological fluids.
MR Dampers
Types of MR Dampers
Modeling of MR Dampers
Limitations
Current and Future Scope
Concluding Remarks
 Introduction

The main purpose of this presentation is to-

Introduce the topic of magneto-rheological dampers.

The mechanism of working of MR fluid.
Objectives and future prospects of MR damper
devices.
 Need of MR damping devices

Automobile suspension mostly influence the vehicle

ride quality and safety.
Need of real-time performance adjustment based on
road situation and vehicle operation state.
Conventional dampers such as hydraulic and spring
dampers have constant setting throughout their life.
MR dampers due to the apparent viscosity of
magnetic fluids can operate in semi-active
conditions.
 Magneto-rheological fluids

A Magnetorheological fluid (MR fluid) is a type of smart fluid in a

carrier fluid, usually a type of oil. When subjected to a magnetic field, the
fluid greatly increases its apparent viscosity, to the point of becoming
a viscoelastic solid
Composition : Oil (having low permeability) with varying percentage of
micron-sized () iron particles coated with anti-coagulant material.
Active state : When fluid is exposed to magnetic field, can be said in the
active state and its viscosity can be varied by varying the strength of
magnetic field.
Un-active state : In the absence of magnetic field it is in un-active state and
behaves like normal fluid.
Apparent viscosity : It has constant viscosity in its un-active state but in
active state, due to alignment of iron particles along the magnetic-flux
lines, it possesses some apparent viscosity. This viscosity can be controlled
by controlling the magnetic field.
Shear yield stress : The strength of MR fluid can be described by shear yield
stress.
INTRODUCTION
 Magneto-rheological fluids

Characteristics :
Under a strong magnetic field its viscosity can be
increased by more than two orders of magnitude in a very
short time (milliseconds)
Hence, very low response time.
The change in viscosity is continuous and highly
reversible.
Yield strength of up to 50-100 kPa.
Insensitivity to contaminants.
Low voltage (12-24 V) required for operation.
Broad working temperature range : -40 C to 150 C.
 Working Principle of MR Fluids

WORKING:

The magnetic particles which are typically micrometer or

nano meter scale When a magnetic field is applied,
however, the microscopic particles (usually in the 0.1
10 m range) align themselves along the lines of magnetic
flux
Due to this magnetic flux viscosity of magneto rheological
fluid gets increases and helps to reduce shock.
Thus it acts as a Bingham plastic.
 Modes of Operation

MR fluid can be used in three different ways : Squeeze,

valve and shear.
Squeeze mode (or compression mode) : Squeeze
mode has a thin film (on the order of 0.5 mm) of MR fluid
that is sandwiched between paramagnetic pole surfaces as
shown in Figure-
1. The distance between the parallel pole
plates changes, which causes a
squeeze flow.
2. Suitable for relatively high dynamic
forces with small amplitudes (few
mm).
 Modes of Operation

Shear mode : It differs in operation from squeeze mode

due to moving paramagnetic sliding or rotating surfaces. It
has thin layer( 0.3 mm) of MR fluid sandwiched between
paramagnetic surfaces.
1. Magnetic field is perpendicular to the
direction of motion of these moving
surfaces.
2. Examples of shear mode include
clutches, breaks, chucking and locking
devices, dampers and structural
composites.
3. Suitable for relatively small force
applications.
 Modes of Operation

Valve mode : It is the most widely used of three modes. Here

the two reservoirs of MR fluid are used and magnetic field is used
to impede the flow of MR fluid from one reservoir to another.
Here the flow can be achieved by pressure drop between
reservoirs and flow resistance can be controlled by magnetic
field.
 MR Dampers

These devices generally operate in the valve mode.

Having structure of piston and cylinder with flow control
valves either incorporated in piston end or cylinder (bypass).
MR dampers were introduced by first Lord Corporation in
1980s in truck seat damping system under trademark Motion
Master
General Motors in partnership with Delphi corporation
(branch of GM) has developed dampers for automotive
suspensions. It made its debut in Cadillac (2002) as
MagneRide and on Chevrolet passenger vehicles (2003) as
Magnetic Selective Ride Control (MSRC).
BMW uses its own proprietary version of this device while
Audi and Ferrari offer Delphis MageRide on various models.
 MR Dampers

Typical MR damper
Choking Points : The
areas where MR fluid is
exposed to magnetic flux
lines.
Fluid restricts the flow
when it is in vicinity of
chocking points and in
active state.
With increase in
magnetic flux increase in
apparent
viscosity(damper
resistance) occurs up to some saturation point after which damper
resistance cannot be increased.
 Types of MR dampers

Mono tube
Twin tube
Double ended MR damper
MR-Hydraulic hybrid damper
 Types of MR dampers

Mono tube MR damper :

Has only one reservoir for MR fluid.

Gas accumulator (nitrogen) is used to compensate for the
change in the volume due to piston rod movements.
 Types of MR dampers

Twin tube MR damper :

Has two fluid reservoirs, one inside of the other.

The inner housing filled with MR fluid guides the

piston/piston rod assembly.

The outer housing partially filled with MR fluid
serves the purpose of reservoir.
Types of MR dampers
 Types of MR dampers

Foot Valve Assembly is attached to the bottom of the inner

housing to regulate the flow of fluid between two reservoirs.
Foot Valve Assembly includes Compression valve that
guides flow from inner to outer housing during compression
stroke while return valve for exact opposite function during
piston retraction.
For proper functioning, compression valve must be stiff
relative to the pressure differential that exists on both the
sides. While the return valve must be very unrestrictive.

Conditions for proper functioning :

The valving is set up properly.
MR fluid settling is not a problem.
The damper is used in an upright position.
Types of MR dampers
 Types of MR dampers

Double Ended MR damper :

It has 2 piston rods of equal diameter protruding through both ends of

damper.
Does not require an accumulator or similar arrangements.
Have been used for bicycle applications, gun recoil applications, and for
stabilizing buildings during earthquakes.
 Types of MR dampers

MR-Hydraulic Hybrid damper :

These are dampers in which a small MR damper controls a valve

that, in turn, is used to regulate the flow of hydraulic fluid.
It has been used in military applications and seismic
applications.
 Modeling of MR dampers

Modeling MR dampers is difficult and complex task due to

their non-linear and hysteretic dynamics.
Currently there are different modelling techniques for MR
dampers. Modified Bouc-Wen Model by Spencer for MR
devices, is widely used for this purpose.
 Limitations

1. Settling stability of MR fluid : Heavy particles tend to settle in

static fluid. But using proper anti-coagulant can prevent such
settling and fluid can be used without any adverse effect in its
operation.
2. Relative Costs : This is very important factor while making choice
between MR dampers and conventional passive devices. To reduce
the cost use of absorbent matrix method is used. Due to this,
volume of MR fluid is reduced to great extent, requirement of
highly finished surfaces, precision tolerances and seals is negated.
Absorbent matrix method uses sponge like structures that keeps
MR fluid in active(choking) regions.
3. Durability of devices : MR fluids are inherently somewhat
abrasive. To tackle the problem, dynamic seal design, material
selection and proper MR fluid chemistry are required.
 Current and Future Scope

Vehicular suspension, breaks, clutch systems.

Military applications such as gun recoil system,
naval gun turrets.
Magneto-rheological finishing techniques.
Prosthetic limbs and tremor suppression.
MR fluid fixtures.
 Concluding Remarks

MR fluids and MR fluid devices have been greatly

advanced in the last decade and there are some
commercial products have been developed.
This technique has been developing competitively in
the main industrialized countries, especially in the
United States, Belarus, France, Germany and Japan.
It can be seen that the MR fluid devices introduced
in this seminar will continue to be the subject of
extensive research and applications in various field
as mentioned before
 REFRENCES

"Study on the mechanism of the squeeze-strengthen

effect in magnetorheological fluids " X. Z. Zhang, X.
L. Gong, P. Q. Zhang, and Q. M. Wang, J. Appl. Phys.
96, 2359 (2004).
A. Spaggiari, E. Dragoni "Effect of Pressure on the
Flow Properties of Magnetorheological Fluids" J.
Fluids Eng. Volume 134, Issue 9, 091103 (2012).
How Stuff Works "How Smart Structures Will Work"
Wikipedia Magnetorheological fluid
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetorheological_fluid
Thank You