Examination of Throughflow in a Radial ESF Clutch

Abstract

A prototype clutch having horizontal rotational axis and a narrow gap between its two parallel radial disks is examined using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The narrow gap between the discs is filled with an unexcited electrostructured fluid (ESF); the throughflow of electrorheological (ERF) or magnetorheological (MRF) fluid that would arise is contemplated as a means of contributing towards the cooling of the clutch. The throughflow, caused by body/centrifugal force action, is examined first when both plates rotate together at a speed, Ω. The aim is to estimate the flow rates arising under conditions of different rotational velocities, clutch geometries, and fluid properties. Following this, the cooling of the clutch is examined for the case of one plate fixed and the other rotating at a constant speed throughout. The inlet and outlet port pressures are made the same and the fluid is taken to be unexcited/Newtonian with viscosity μ.