| Electro-rheological fluids (ERF) are smart materials ,which are consist of unconductive matrix fluids and micro dielectric solids that disperse in it uniformly Under zero electric field, ER fluids are usually Newtonian fluids ,and change into Bingham fluids in the presence of a strong external electric fluids. The rapid and reversible change between fluid and solid enables ERF potential applications in mechatronic devices, cars and general machines. The transmission ability of a self-made cylinder coupling with zeolite-based ERF was investigated, the torque transmission of the coupling in wide ranges of driving speed and electric field was measured. The relationship between the transmission torque, the zero field viscosity of ERF and shear yield stress of ERF under different electric fields was obtained and compared with theoretical prediction . Moreover relation between the output speed and input one at wide range of electric field was studied by adjusting the strength of the external electric field. The study showed that under contain load and input speed, the output speed of the coupling could be controlled by modulating the strength of the applied DC field, which provides a new control means for continuous speed modulating of a transmission system. The response of the ERF coupling to a pulsed high voltage electric field was also studied. Using a loading and square-wave high voltage electric field, intermittent movement of the output shaft of the coupling was realized . The study indicates that ERF couplings could be conveniently controlled, intermittent rotation could be easily obtained. It is expected that the ERF coupling could be used in flexible transmission systems. |
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