47. DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING OF AN ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED SHOCK AND VIBRATION DAMPER HAVING AN ELECTRORHEOLOGICAL FLUID MEDIUM
An electrorheological (ER) fluid has been developed comprised of zeolite particles suspended in silicone oil. Testing of this fluid in a damper of 1,000 lbs. nominal output force rating has demonstrated the ability to control damper output with internal pressures above 500 psi and control power requirements of less than one watt. The damper control valve is a simple ER duct, with no moving parts, requiring only that a voltage potential exists across the duct’s cross section to activate the ER material, and thus cause the material to exhibit plastic behavior. All tests were successful, with no degradation of the damper or ER material occurring over large numbers of activation cycles or with time.