Performance evaluation of an improved radial magnetorheological valve and its application in the valve controlled cylinder system

Abstract

Abstract This article outlines an improved radial magnetorheological (MR) valve that the magnetic flux is guided into the annular gap. This novel design is a way to force the magnetic flux into unexposed effective region by changing the material properties of the valve, thus maximizing the effective area while without extending the flow path. Finite element modeling and analysis of the improved radial MR valve was carried out by ANSYS/Emag software, including achieving the changes of the magnetic flux density and yield stress along the fluid flow paths. Moreover, the experimental tests were also conducted to evaluate the pressure drop and response time characteristics, showing that the improved radial MR valve can output a lager pressure drop, which is superior to that of conventional radial MR valve under the same geometry conditions and electromagnetic parameters. In addition, the improved radial MR valve was adopted to control the single rod cylinder and double rod cylinder separately, and the dynamic performance of improved radial MR valve controlled cylinder system was also investigated. The test result show that the improved radial MR valve controlled cylinder system can generate a larger damping force, and the damping force can be continuously adjusted under the different applied currents.