Voltage control characteristics of electrorheological fluid valves

Abstract

Due to the non-linearity of the electrorheological (ER) characteristics of an ER fluid, controlling the flow through an ER valve is not a straightforward problem. Increasing and subsequently decreasing the electric field applied to the valve to the initial value could give rise to a different pressure drop. In this paper it is shown that these characteristics can easily be obtained using varying or ramp voltage tests. These can give the performance curves of the valve that can be used to control the valve. The characteristic performance curves are compared for valves of different configurations. These valve configurations are shown to give characteristic curves that differ not only in magnitude, but also in the overall shape as well. The points on the curves that dictate the working areas of each valve are identified and plotted to give the opening and closing limits of the valves. A step voltage test is used to confirm the validity of the ramp voltage tests and to highlight time dependent characteristics.