Calibration of the Stiffness and Damping Characteristics of a Magnetorheological Fluid Long Squeeze Film Damper in Terms of Reynolds Number

Abstract

Magnetorheological (MR) fluids are suspensions of fine micron-sized magnetizable particles in a suitable carrier liquid. The rheological properties of the fluid can be controlled by application of a suitable magnetic field and can be used in a variety of applications where variable damping and stiffness characteristics are required, based on the requirements of the rotor dynamic system. In this work, the stiffness and damping characteristics of MR fluid long squeeze film damper operating at low eccentricity ratios are calibrated in terms of Reynolds number of the squeeze film for different clearance and L/D ratios. A theoretical constant magnetic field viscosity model is developed, based on the literature, and is subsequently used to evaluate the theoretical stiffness and damping coefficients, at a particular excitation frequency. The results indicate that the stiffness and damping coefficients decrease with increasing Reynolds number of the squeeze film and is found to be abysmally low, indicating that the flow has ceased and the film has solidified. This is in accordance with the literature that predicts the formation of chain-like semi-solid structures, restricting the flow, and consequently increasing the viscosity, under the influence of the magnetic field. This change in viscosity, in turn, influences the stiffness and damping coefficients and the Reynolds number of the squeeze film. The stiffness and damping coefficients are found to increase with decreasing clearance, increasing L/D ratio, and eccentricity ratio. The results of the investigation assist the designer in obtaining the stiffness and damping characteristics of the squeeze film damper based on the Reynolds number of the squeeze film. Conversely, the stiffness and damping characteristics of the squeeze film damper are calibrated in terms of the Reynolds number of the squeeze film for different damper configurations.