Development of a new dynamic hysteresis model for magnetorheological dampers with annular-radial gaps considering fluid inertia and compressibility

Modeling the inherent non-linear dynamic hysteresis behavior of magnetorheological (MR) fluid dampers is a fundamental necessity for their practical implementation. Quasi-static models, have been developed under very low frequency and small amplitude excitation conditions, are only beneficial in the early stages of MR dampers design and are sufficient for manufacturing requirements. These models, however, have failed to predict the non-linear hysteresis behavior of MR dampers (i.e., force-displacement and force-velocity characteristics) under low to moderate ranges of frequency and displacement amplitudes. The main contribution of the present work is to formulate a novel physic-based dynamic model to predict the non-linear behavior of MR dampers featuring an annular-radial bypass valve under different applied currents, and low to moderate input excitations. The proposed model incorporates unsteady fluid behavior and the fluid compressibility effect on the hysteretic response without relying on experimental data to evaluate the model parameters. To derive the model, the velocity profile and the pressure drop have been derived by solving the fluid momentum equation via the Laplace transform technique and Cauchy residue theory. The continuity equation has been employed for considering the compressibility contribution to hysteretic response based on the variation of bulk moduli. The predicted results for the force-displacement and force-velocity behavior of the MR damper were subsequently compared with the experimental results. Results suggest the effectiveness of the proposed model for predicting the dynamic hysteresis characteristics of the annular-radial MR fluid dampers under the relatively sufficient variation of mechanical and magnetic loading conditions considered.