Non-dimensional analysis and design of a magnetorheological damper

This paper presents a non-dimensional design scheme for a magnetorheological (MR) mixed-mode damper. Based on the Bingham plastic constitutive equation of the MR fluid, four non-dimensional design parameters are defined: Bingham number, non-dimensional damping force, dynamic range and geometric ratio. After investigating the design characteristics of each parameter, sequential design steps for the MR damper are formulated. A single dof vibration model consisting of a spring and an MR damper is then utilized to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed design methodology. By imposing equality constraints on required damping force and dynamic; range of the vibration model, the principal design parameters, such as electrode length, can be determined from the non-dimensional analysis. Subsequently, the MR damper is manufactured and its measured damping force characteristics are evaluated and compared with the predicted results. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.