Optimal design of a disk type magneto-rheologic fluid clutch

To transmit a continuously adjustable torque from the main shaft to the move shaft electromagnetic clutches can be used in cars. In contrast to friction clutches, electromagnetic clutches transmit rotation by a magneto-rheologic fluid consisting of a base fluid mixed with numerous ferro-magnetic micro-sized particles. In the absence of a magnetic field a small basic torque is passed on only. Once the flux density is increased, the micro-sized particles start to form firmly tied chains increasing the transmitted torque. The magnitude of the torque can be regulated by the application of an appropriate magnetic field which is simulated by the Finite-Element-Method. The optimal design of the clutch requires a certain torque being transmitted while keeping the weight as small as possible. This task of multi-objective optimization is performed using a higher order Evolution Strategy, a stochastic optimization method.