CFD analysis of magnetorheological fluid single valve with an external magnetic field

Abstract

Magnetorheological fluid (MRF) actuator emerged in the last decade as a potential system to replace electro-hydraulic servo system in precision applications. MRF actuator was control using a valve which is regulated with magnetic field. Because of valve performance relate with flow characteristic inside the valve, knowledge about the flow behaviour when magnetic field is applied was important. Currently analytical method was used to model the valve but limited into simple geometry. Reflect to the need of complex geometry of valve, CFD approached was used in this research work to model the fluid flow with presence of different magnetic strength magnitude as a result CFD model shows a good agreement with experiment with 3% error and the MRF velocity was reduce up to 85% when magnetic field applied. As conclusion, CFD model successfully develop and proven to be used as a tool in analysing the MRF flow.