ER fluid requirements for automotive devices

The requirements necessary for electrorheological fluids to be used in automotive devices are discussed along with the necessary fluid design data. As part of this discussion the following four devices were analyzed assuming three different levels of fluid properties: engine damper, vehicle shock absorber, alternator variable speed drive, and engine accessory variable speed drive. The analysis was done using ‘‘current fluids,’’ ‘‘near term fluids,’’ and ‘‘long range fluids.’’ The feasibility of each device with each fluid level was determined, and, for those cases predicted as unfeasible, methods that could be used to make them feasible are discussed.