Study of a quarter model HMMWV suspension system using a magnetorheological fluid damper

Abstract

In this paper, a theoretical study is presented to compare the performance of a non-symmetric (i.e., different damping force characteristics in rebound and compression), fail-safe, magneto rheological fluid (MRF) damper with an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) damper for off-highway, high mobility multi-purpose wheeled vehicle (HMMWV) using a quarter car model. In addition, an experimental set up for a full-scale two degree-of-freedom quarter car model suspension system of a HMMWV is constructed. Simple harmonic displacement input is used as the road profile. Skyhook algorithm is utilized to control the MRF damper. Displacement and acceleration transmissibility to the sprung mass are determined to compare performances of controlled MRF and passive OEM dampers. The experimental results for OEM damper are also compared with theoretical predictions.