New Generation of Magneto-Rheological Fluid Dampers

摘要

The overall goal of this 3-year project was to study the performance of novel, fail-safe, magneto-rheological fluid (MRF) dampers by using innovative magneto-rheological (MR) materials for off-highway, high-payload vehicles such as the U.S. Army's High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV). In the past 3 years, significant advances were achieved in the following areas: (1) MR materials development; (2) theoretical modeling and experimental study of a new compact fail-safe MR damper, including the design and development of a full- scale prototype; (3) a full-scale experimental set up for quarter-HMMWV-models; and (4) control system development for the nonlinear MR damper system. A systematic approach was followed to unify all efforts for this integrated research. Several new MR materials were developed and characterized that could be utilized in two new MR dampers with the same overall geometric dimensions as a regular HMMWV damper. A unique full-scale experimental set up was developed and tested. Extensive investigation was conducted on an accurate control system taking into account variation of the MR fluid's base viscosity and temperature. A list of 31 publications and conference papers is included. (4 tables, 37 figures, 31 refs.).