Optimization analysis of a new vane MRF damper

The primary purpose of this study was to provide the optimization analysis certain characteristics and benefits of a vane MRF damper. Based on the structure of conventional vane hydraulic damper for heavy vehicle, a narrow arc gap between clapboard and rotary vane axle, which one rotates relative to the other, was designed for MRF valve and the mathematical model of damping was deduced. Subsequently, the finite element analysis of electromagnetic circuit was done by ANSYS to perform the optimization process. Some ways were presented to augment the damping adjustable multiple under the condition of keeping initial damping forces and to increase fluid dwell time through the magnetic field. The results show that the method is useful in the design of MR dampers and the damping adjustable range of vane MRF damper can meet the requirement of heavy vehicle semi-active suspension system.