Design of a novel magneto-rheological squeeze-film damper

Magneto-rheological (MR) fluids react to magnetic fields undergoing changes in their mechanical characteristics, viscosity in particular. After an analytical and numerical study, an MR squeeze-film damper has been designed and set up on a reduced scale rotor test-rig. Numerical simulations were carried out in order to evaluate the dynamic behaviour of the damped rotor as a function of the current supplied to the adjustable device. A linear model that depicts the main characteristics of the system has been developed as a useful tool in damper and control design. By testing different fluids, an optimal fluid has been singled out. Tests conducted on the selected fluid show that it is possible to have the optimum conditions for each steady rotational speed