Automatic active balancing of rotating systems using real-time controlled magnetorheological fluids

Abstract

A major source of vibration in rotating systems is dynamic excitations due to an unbalanced mass. While the principle of balancing rotors is already state of the art, systems varying the mass distribution during operation are rare. A promising approach for balancing is the targeted displacement of magnetic fluids controlled by magnetic fields, which is the subject of this work. Until today only a few concepts have been developed that use magnetic fluids manipulated by a magnetic field for balancing. While achieving satisfying results in balancing, the proposed systems are rather complex for example due to the use of slip rings, and depend on continuous feeding of electric energy to maintain the balanced state. In this contribution an advantageous design is presented to reduce cost and complexity of active real-time balancing systems. The proposed design requires only one stationary coil to selectively move the magnetic fluid in situ and to achieve the state of mass balance. With the support of a model-based approach and multiphysics simulations, the system behavior is analyzed, optimized and finally validated by experimental investigations.