DESIGN ANALYSIS AND CONTROL OF A MAGNETORHEOLOGICAL FLUID BASED TORQUE TRANSFER DEVICE

Authors

  • Constantin Ciocanel Northern Arizona University - M.E. Department, 15600 S. McConnell Dr., Flagstaff, Arizona 86001
  • Mohammad H. Elahinia The University of Toledo - M.I.M.E. Department, 2801 W. Bancroft St., Toledo, Ohio 43606
  • Kevin E. Molyet The University of Toledo - M.I.M.E. Department, 2801 W. Bancroft St., Toledo, Ohio 43606
  • Nagi G. Naganathan The University of Toledo - M.I.M.E. Department, 2801 W. Bancroft St., Toledo, Ohio 43606

Keywords:

magnetorheological (MR) fluid, clutch, control

Abstract

In this paper, a magnetorheological (MR) torque transfer device is presented. Design, modeling and control aspects are particularly emphasized. MR fluids possess the unique ability to undergo dramatic and nearly completely reversible changes in their rheological properties under the application of a magnetic field. These controllable fluids can serve as quiet, rapid interfaces between electronic controls and mechanical systems. One area of application is to use these fluids as actuators. The MR torque transfer device proposed here can function as either a clutch or a brake. A model providing torque output as a function of magnetic field and rotational speed is proposed and verified experimentally. An acceptable correlation is found between model predictions and clutch performance. A PID controller is designed and experimentally evaluated. In the experimental control setup, the output variables are the position, velocity, and torque at the output shaft and the control input is the electromagnet current. The closed loop performance of the system was studied for torque regulation and torque tracking. Both regulation as well as tracking torque control were successfully achieved with this controller.

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Author Biographies

Constantin Ciocanel, Northern Arizona University - M.E. Department, 15600 S. McConnell Dr., Flagstaff, Arizona 86001

Constantin Ciocanel holds a Doctorate from “Gh. Asachi” Technical University of lasi, Romania and a Ph.D. from the University of Toledo, Ohio, USA. He is currently an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical engineering department at Northern Arizona University. His research interests revolve around modeling, characterization and implementation of magnetic field responsive materials.

Mohammad H. Elahinia, The University of Toledo - M.I.M.E. Department, 2801 W. Bancroft St., Toledo, Ohio 43606

Mohammad H. Elahinia is an assistant professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Toledo. His research is focused on design, modeling and control of smart material systems. Dr. Elahinia is the co-director of the Dynamic and Smart Systems Laboratory (http://smartsys.eng.utoledo.edu). Dr. Elahinia has been involved in hydraulic hybrid vehicle research for the past four years. He is particularly interested in designing noise and vibration solutions for alternative propulsion vehicles. His research projects are currently being supported by the US ARMY, US DOT, and the US EPA.

Kevin E. Molyet, The University of Toledo - M.I.M.E. Department, 2801 W. Bancroft St., Toledo, Ohio 43606

Kevin Molyet earned his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from The University of Toledo. As a member of the Dynamic and Smart Systems Laboratory, he performed graduate level research on smart materials, including piezoceramics and magnetorheological (MR) fluids. He also worked as a teaching assistant in the M.I.M.E. Department, as well as taught Statics for the Department of Civil Engineering. He currently teaches in the Toledo, Ohio area as an adjunct professor at both Owens Community College and ITT Technical Institute.

Nagi G. Naganathan, The University of Toledo - M.I.M.E. Department, 2801 W. Bancroft St., Toledo, Ohio 43606

Nagi Naganathan is currently Professor and Dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Toledo. He is also the Director of The Dynamic and Smart Systems laboratory at the University of Toledo. He graduated with a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Oklahoma State University. Areas of interest: smart material systems and structures, robotics, microcomputer applications in electromechanical systems and MR fluids.

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Published

2008-11-01

How to Cite

Ciocanel, C., Elahinia, M. H., Molyet, K. E., & Naganathan, N. G. (2008). DESIGN ANALYSIS AND CONTROL OF A MAGNETORHEOLOGICAL FLUID BASED TORQUE TRANSFER DEVICE. International Journal of Fluid Power, 9(3), 19–24. Retrieved from https://journals.riverpublishers.com/index.php/IJFP/article/view/518

Issue

2008: Vol 09 Iss 3

Section

Original Article

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