Power-Saving Magnetizing Device for Magnetorheological Fluid Control Using Permanent Magnet

This paper presents a power-saving magnetizing device for magnetorheological fluids (MRFs). This device encompasses a permanent magnet for magnetizing the MRF, instead of an electromagnet that consumes electric power. The permanent magnet applies a magnetic field to the MRF through a specially designed magnetic yoke, and the field intensity can be controlled by moving the magnet. When the magnetic field is controlled by a permanent magnet, the thrust attracting the magnet into the yoke normally acts on the magnet, and consumes power holding and moving the magnet. This paper proposes and evaluates a magnetic circuit design to reduce the thrust, improve magnetic field control, and accomplish a power-saving magnetizing device for MRFs.