A MRF-safety-clutch for high torque applications

Abstract
This paper describes the development of a safety-clutch by using magnetorheological fluids (MRF) to switch the transmission torque between a motor and a generator in a bus-like vehicle. The clutch is based on a new design combining an axial MRF-actuator and a ball coupling mechanism. This so called "MRF-ball-clutch" avoids the disadvantages of traditional bell-or disc-MRF-clutch designs where the torque is transmitted by the MRF which leads to a self-heating due to the shearing forces in the fluid and a more or less significant drag torque caused by limitations of the relation between minimal and maximal transmittable torque. The safety clutch based on the new MRF-clutch design requires a minimum of power consumption and allows switching high torsional moments in a very compact, lightweight and robust design.