Designing a Power Transfer System for the Investigation of the Magnetorheological Characteristics of a Magnetic Fluid

Abstract

This study explored the performance of magnetic fluids in couplings, focusing on optimizing torque and rotational transfer. It investigated how variations in mass fraction, oil film thickness, and cylinder diameter impacted the efficiency and torque transfer capabilities of the system. The research aimed to identify the optimal combination of these parameters for improved performance under magnetic field conditions. The study employed both experimental and numerical simulation methods. Cylinders with diameters of 80 mm, 105 mm, and 130 mm were tested to analyze the dynamics of fluid flow between internal and external cylinders. Numerical simulations predicted optimal system performance, and the results were validated through laboratory experiments. Key metrics included torque transfer, rotational velocity, oil film thickness, and shear stress applied to the cylinder walls. The findings show that reducing oil film thickness enhanced torque and rotational transfer. The 80 mm cylinder performed poorly at low mass fractions, while the 105 mm cylinder achieved effective performance at a 60 % mass fraction. The 130 mm cylinder demonstrated superior performance across all mass fractions due to its thinner oil film and higher shear stress. However, torque transfer plateaued at magnetic field intensities above 0.33 T, indicating limitations in system control. In conclusion, optimizing mass fraction and cylinder diameter enabled significant improvements in torque and rotational transfer. The system achieved a maximum torque of 2.75 N.m and a peak rotational speed of 820 rpm with a 130 mm cylinder at a 60 % mass fraction. © 2025 Elsevier Ltd