Magnetic actuator with ferrofluid and non-magnetic disc

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Olaru, R.^{a; *} | Petrescu, C.^a | Hertanu, R.^a

Affiliations: [a] "Ghe. Asachi" Technical University of Iasi, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, 67 Prof. Dimitrie Mangeron Street, 700050 Iasi, Romania

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: R. Olaru, Tel.: +40 232 27 86 83; Fax: +40 232 23 76 27; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: The paper studies an actuator based on magnetofluidic forces acting on a non-magnetic disc plunged into a ferrofluid that is exposed to a non-uniform magnetic field generated by magnetic inductor(s). The input output equations (force – current and displacement – current) that describe the behaviour of two types of actuators are established. The expression of the force generated on the nonmagnetic disc is determined analytically for the particular conditions imposed by the two actuator configurations: a) simple, with one magnetic inductor; b) differential, with two inductors. The derived relations enable a comparative study of the two types of actuators. The results show the superior performance of the differential actuator. The latter was tested as a current to displacement transducer in an electropneumatic converter.

Keywords: Magnetic actuator, ferrofluidic actuator, magnetic force, ferrofluid, magnetic fluid

DOI: 10.3233/JAE-2010-1083

Journal: International Journal of Applied Electromagnetics and Mechanics, vol. 32, no. 4, pp. 267-274, 2010