Torque Enhancement for a New Magnetorheological Brake

The conventional magnetorheological fluid (MR) brake has been used as resistant sources for specific applications. However, the limited torque prevents it to be widely commercialized. This paper presents a new MR brake that improves the brake torque by enlarging the magnetic field strength. The unique structure is formed by multiple electromagnetic poles surrounded by several coils. Various input power supplies and geometrical dimensions have been offered. The effects of brake structure and input power for torque enhancement were investigated. The design with maximized torque based on optimal input power has been found using Sequential Nonlinear Programming (SLNP) optimizer. The operation concept of the new MR brake was confirmed by the magnetic simulation results. It concluded that the brake archives high braking torque, which promises for future applications.