Design and Performance Evaluation of a Self-Controlled Magneto-Rheological Damper

Abstract

Magneto-rheological (MR) dampers are semi-active control devices and use MR fluids. Magneto-rheological dampers have successful applications in mechatronics engineering, civil engineering and numerous areas of engineering. At present, traditional MR damper systems, require an isolated power supply and dynamic sensor, which requires large space. This paper presents the achievability and accuracy of a self-controlled, i.e., self-powered and self-sensing magneto-rheological damper using harvested energy from the vibration and shock environment in which it is deployed. Another important part of this paper is the increased yield stress of the Magneto-rheological Fluids. Magneto-rheological fluids that use replacement of glass beads for Magnetic Particles to surge yield stress is implemented here. Clearly this shows better result on yield stress, viscosity, and settling rate. The permanent magnet generator (PMG) is designed and attached to a MR damper. For evaluating the self-powered MR damper’s vibration mitigating capacity, an Engine Mount System using the MR damper is simulated with the help of ANSYS software. The ideal stiffness of the PMG for the Engine Mount System (EMS) is calculated by numerical study. The vibration mitigating performance of the EMS employing the self-powered & self-sensing MR damper is theoretically calculated and evaluated in the frequency domain.