Electromagnet design for magneto-rheological devices

Electromagnet design is an important step in design of magneto-rheological devices. Magneto-rheological fluid flow is affected by a magnetic field created by an electromagnet. Electromagnet design affects both fluid flow and magnetic performance of any magneto-rheological device. This article presents a comprehensive process for electromagnet design. Currently, most design procedures only consider steady-state static operations. Magneto-rheological devices, however, rarely operate under steady-state conditions. Therefore, transient operation of electromagnets is as important as steady-state operations, if not more. In this article, both steady-state and transient design are presented in a systematic manner. The design process starts with the simplest one-dimensional linear static magnet analysis techniques and progresses toward nonlinear transient magnet design. Various examples are presented on magneto-rheological engine mount magnets. It is expected that the presented procedure facilitates design of magneto-rheological magnets and helps achieving an optimum design in a shorter time.