Design optimization of a viscous clutch with an electrorheological fluid

Abstract

The article describes design optimization of a viscous disc clutch with an electrorheological (ER) fluid. The design optimization is conducted based on mathematical models of ER fluid and clutch geometry. As important issues for the optimal design, the assumed values are: the torque transferred by the clutch, the dimensions of the clutch and the steady-state operating temperature of the clutch. The assumed design variables are: the angular velocity of the input shaft, the number of working gaps of the clutch and the selected dimensions of the clutch. The aim of the design optimization is to search for design variables such as the angular velocity of the input shaft, the number of working gaps of the clutch and the selected dimensions of the clutch, for which the clutch transfers the highest possible torque, while the dimensions of the clutch are small and the steady-state operating temperature is low. The design optimization is conducted searching at least two different objective functions created taking into account the volume, the transferred torque and the steady-state operating temperature of the clutch. Two numerical methods are used: the Monte Carlo method and the Genetic Algorithm method. The optimization calculations are performed for two sets of design variables, consisting of 3 and 8 elements, and a final prototype designed via the optimization is depicted with the pricipal design parameters.

Preparation of strontium titano-oxalate electrorheological fluid and experimental study on the buffer

“…A new type of electrorheological buffer is designed according to the working principle of electrorheological, which is made of STO material as a particle phase and dimethyl silicone oil as the dispersed phase [6][7][8] . By verification of the energy loss capacity of the electrorheological buffer under different electric field conditions, and the control effect of the passive/active control system [9][10] . It is proved that the prepared STO ERF has high electrorheological effect and good suspension stability, and has good application prospect.…”

Parameter estimation of transfer function of viscous clutch with electrorheological fluid and torque control

“…Currently, there is intensive work on the development of hydraulic clutches with ER fluid, such as hydrodynamic clutches (Musiałek et al, 2020(Musiałek et al, , 2021 and viscous clutches (Olszak et al, 2019;_ Zurowski et al, 2022). ER fluids are also successfully employed in other hydraulic devices operating within drive systems of machines (Choi et al, 1999a;Ke ˛sy et al, 2008;Papadopoulos, 1998;Fees, 2001); dampers (Chen et al, 2001;Gołdasz and Sapin´ski, 2015;Kamath et al, 1996;Lou et al, 2014) and energy absorbers (Choi, 2003;Milecki and Hauke, 2012;Wereley et al, 2004;Zhang et al, 2010).…”

“…ER fluids are also successfully employed in other hydraulic devices operating within drive systems of machines(Choi et al, 1999a; Kęsy et al, 2008; Papadopoulos, 1998; Fees, 2001); dampers (Chen et al, 2001; Gołdasz and Sapiński, 2015; Kamath et al, 1996; Lou et al, 2014) and energy absorbers (Choi, 2003; Milecki and Hauke, 2012; Wereley et al, 2004; Zhang et al, 2010). In a viscous disc clutch with ER fluid, the discs have no contact with each other (as is the case in friction clutches) (Olszak et al, 2019; Żurowski et al, 2022). The gap between the discs is filled with the ER fluid.…”

A Feedback Control Sensing System of an Electrorheological Brake to Exert a Constant Pressing Force on an Object

“…Olszak et al [ 33 ] and Żurowski et al [ 34 ] described a viscous disc brake with the ER fluid being used in the gripper of an industrial robot. The brake consists of six discs mounted on the input shaft and five discs mounted on the immobile casing.…”