Investigation of hydrodynamic clutch with a magnetorheological fluid

This article presents the results of experimental investigations and simulations for a new design of a hydrodynamic clutch with a magnetorheological working fluid. The concept of magnetorheological fluid applications to improve the performance of a hydrodynamic clutch can be realized using resistant flow control inside a hydrodynamic clutch channel by changing the fluid shear stress with magnetic fields. The increase in the shear stress of a working fluid under a magnetic field causes an increase in the pressure drop in the channels, an increase in the flow losses, and a decrease in the transmitted power. Moreover, the steady-state and dynamic characteristics of the clutch are presented and the relations that occur between the design parameters are shown.