Modeling and development of eddy current damper for aerospace applications

Eddy current dampers (ECD) have merits such as contactless damping, no need for lubrication and almost no maintenance; due to these advantages, ECD is suitable for the use of aerospace applications, and ECD may be preferred. This research article is focused on designing and developing an eddy current damper to provide vibration isolation. It minimizes the vibration of the mechanical system used in aerospace applications. Generally, in aerospace applications, permanent magnets are used in eddy current damper (ECD), which, under extreme conditions, can lead to demagnetization of the magnet; hence, the damper stops working. In this article, the permanent magnet and an electromagnet are used for the reliable working of ECD. The proposed ECD consists of a permanent magnet, electromagnet, conductor rod, iron core and helical spring. Firstly, the ECD and its components are analyzed using the finite element modeling (FEM) with COMSOL software to optimize the dimensions and damping coefficient of the proposed damper by changing the coil current, the number of turns of the coil and the air gap between conductor and magnet. Then, based on the FEM analysis, the ECD prototype is fabricated, and vibration tests are performed at low amplitude and high variable frequency on the prototype to validate the reliability of the FEM analysis. There is a consensus between FE analysis and experimental results. The proposed design of ECD used both the permanent magnet and electromagnet. This modification helped increase the damper's overall damping coefficient from 40.28 Ns/m (without a permanent magnet) to 62.33 Ns/m. With the increase in frequency from 10 to 50 Hz, the proposed ECD's damping force (maximum magnitude) increases. Experimental and FEM results show that, with the decreases in temperature, the damping coefficient of the designed ECD increases.