Linking Porosity and Tortuosity to the Performance of a Magneto-Rheological Damper Employing a Valve Filled With Porous Media

The effects of porous media selection on the performance of a porous-valve-based magnetorheological (MR) bypass damper are evaluated. Important media parameters affecting the damper performance (i.e., porosity and tortuosity) are identified using flow analysis. The relationship between the controllable force of the damper and porous valve characteristics is studied for packed beds of cylindrical rods and spheres. Damper performance is compared between the different porous media configurations, with primary attention given to the maximum controllable force and damping coefficient.