Magnetic and Transient Temperature Field Simulation of Plate–Plate Magnetorheometer Using Finite-Element Method

Abstract

This article presents a numerical simulation of a plate–plate magnetorheometer using the finite-element method. In this design of the rheometer, the electromagnetic coil generates a high and a constant magnetic-flux density (1.1 T at 3 A coil current) along the radius of the magnetorheological (MR) region. A uniform magnetic-flux density is distributed over the area of the MR region due to which there are no effects of magnetic-flux gradients on the MR properties. The other benefit of the proposed design is the reduction of electromagnetic heating effects on the MR sample. A uniform temperature generated in the MR region is 299 K due to the electromagnetic coil at 3 A current and 1.1 T magnetic-flux density after 30 min, while the maximum temperature caused due to electromagnetic coil heating is about 337 K around the coil. The temperature generated due to the slippage of MR fluid is 306 K at the same operating conditions. Thus, this design of the magnetorheometer minimizes the total temperature generated due to the electromagnetic coil and slippage in the MR region. Finite–element simulation involves magnetostatic, laminar fluid flow, and heat transfer analysis.