Study of a magnetorheological grease clutch

In high-speed viscous clutch applications that require low drag (viscous) torque, magnetorheological (MR) fluids are problematic due to their plastic viscosity. As the clutch speed increases the drag torque might exceed the allowable drag torque limit, because the viscous torque is proportional to the speed. To eliminate this problem, various MR greases are utilized in a clutch and their performance is examined. In the experimental study, the torque transfer capacity of a double-plate clutch for operating speeds up to 1200 rpm is conducted. Six different MR greases with various particle loadings and particle sizes are evaluated in the clutch. The rheological properties of MR grease with 90% particle loading in weight are compared with a commercially available MR fluid. The torque performance of the MR grease clutch is also compared with that of the clutch using MR fluid. It is demonstrated that the off-state (no applied magnetic field) torque output of the MR grease clutch is constant in the tested range of the operating speed. In contrast, the torque capacity of the clutch with MR fluid shows a strong dependence on the operating speed. Moreover, it is shown that the iron particle size of the MR grease does not affect the torque output. The MR greases demonstrated an up to 75% increase in the torque capacity compared to the commercial MR fluid.