TWO DIMENSIONAL FLOW OF AN ESF: EXPERIMENT, CFD, BINGHAM PLASTIC ANALYSIS

Abstract

The two dimensional flow of an electrorheological fluid in a concentric cylinder, Couette type apparatus is investigated at different inter-plate speeds, voltages and axial pressure gradients. Test results at low, but realistic, loading conditions correlate with Bingham plastic computer fluid dynamics (CFD) package predictions, at each field strength. The package had been pre verified against an analytical solution for the same flow field. In all cases the liquid is taken to be isothermal. Indications are that the rate of throughflow should not interfere severely with the voltage set magnitude of torque transmission. Hence the cooling of slipping clutches by through flow can be contemplated. At present the investigation covers only the case of one stationary and one moving plate with no heat transfer or centrifugal terms.