Magneto-rheological engine mount design and experimental characterization

Isolation mounts using magneto-rheological (MR) fluid have increasing potential for various applications. This paper introduces new design and manufacturing aspects of MR engine mounts. CAD software was used to design MR mounts and three different types of MR mount prototypes were considered. Later, magnetostatic analyses were performed to validate the designed configuration of the electromagnetic coil, which controlled the MR fluid flow. The MR mounts were manufactured and, then, tested statically and dynamically using a servo-hydraulic rate machine. Static tests were performed with amplitudes between 0–10 mm. Dynamic tests were performed under excitation frequencies in between 0–100 Hz with amplitudes of ±0.1 mm, ±0.5 mm, ±1.0 mm and ±2.0 mm as well as under excitation frequencies in between 0–20 Hz with amplitudes of ±3.0 mm, ±4.0 mm. Besides the MR mounts, hydro mount and elastomeric top were tested adopting the same procedure. The finding of different mount properties was explained and MR mount characteristics in frequency domain were demonstrated. In addition, the measured characteristics were compared with each other for hydraulic mount and elastomeric top.