ferro fluid

[spookyseven]

Ya, I let my imagination wander off sometimes. Ferro fluid is a fluid that reacts to a magnetic charge. There are some cars that use this in the suspension to change the ride. I found a rather easy way to make it, so is it possible and do you think you could benifit from it on an rc level. Could you just hook an electromagnet up on the outside of your shock to change the way it performs?

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[romulus22]

Good luck. You'll be a covered black mess halfway through the project

 

[JeremyH]

Unless you change the viscosity of the fluid, then you wont change how the shock responds...

It would be easier to create a device that either heats or cools the shock oil.

 

[dkf]

Unless you change the viscosity of the fluid, then you wont change how the shock responds...

It would be easier to create a device that either heats or cools the shock oil.

The whole concept behind it is using a magnetic field to change the properties of the fluid. The added particles in the fluid react when magnetism is applied thus changing the way the fluid responds.

For R/C I can't see it. Extra weight and lot of extra cost. Maybe for a 1/4 or 1/5 scale though, those guys will pay big money for anything.

 

[danielk]

Unless you change the viscosity of the fluid, then you wont change how the shock responds...

It would be easier to create a device that either heats or cools the shock oil.

*whispers in Jeremy's ear*It does*end whisper*

 

[JeremyH]

*whispers in Jeremy's ear*It does*end whisper*

Psst.....no it doesnt. It simply changes the position of the particles in the fluid....

 

[JeremyH]

The whole concept behind it is using a magnetic field to change the properties of the fluid. The added particles in the fluid react when magnetism is applied thus changing the way the fluid responds.

It changes the apparent shape of the fluid as the magnetic field lines are puncturing the surface of the fluid (which is the reason is shows spikes).....the fluid particles themselves are not changing and, therefore, would not change how a shock reacts. You still have the two separate types of particles.....the magnetic material (I am assuming the silver in the toner) and the fat (vegetable oil).

I can see how aligning the solid particles in this fluid can give the appearance of increased viscosity, but I believe that the magnetic field applied to the fluid by a neodymium magnet wouldn't affect the particles in any significant manner. It will all depend on how the magnetic field is applied. Perpendicular to the shock shaft and the particles will be aligned in a similar configuration to how they are in free form.....parallel to the shock shaft and they are aligned in the same plane...

I suppose that the second could result in an "apparent" lower viscosity of the fluid....as long as one of the magnetic field lines does not lay in the same plane as one of the holes in the piston.

I still think that a heat/cool device or figuring out different valving for your shock would be easier and give better results.

 

[dkf]

It changes the apparent shape of the fluid as the magnetic field lines are puncturing the surface of the fluid (which is the reason is shows spikes).....the fluid particles themselves are not changing and, therefore, would not change how a shock reacts. You still have the two separate types of particles.....the magnetic material (I am assuming the silver in the toner) and the fat (vegetable oil).

I can see how aligning the solid particles in this fluid can give the appearance of increased viscosity, but I believe that the magnetic field applied to the fluid by a neodymium magnet wouldn't affect the particles in any significant manner. It will all depend on how the magnetic field is applied. Perpendicular to the shock shaft and the particles will be aligned in a similar configuration to how they are in free form.....parallel to the shock shaft and they are aligned in the same plane...

I suppose that the second could result in an "apparent" lower viscosity of the fluid....as long as one of the magnetic field lines does not lay in the same plane as one of the holes in the piston.

I still think that a heat/cool device or figuring out different valving for your shock would be easier and give better results.

I see what you saying it doesn't really effect the fluid itself just the way the shock works. Forgive my bad wording.

The technology is used in racing applications, pretty sure there are one or two production vehicles that use the technology also.

 

[JeremyH]

The technology is used in racing applications, pretty sure there are one or two production vehicles that use the technology also.

Do you have any information on how they control the valving as it relates to the applied magnetic field?

 

[dkf]

Do you have any information on how they control the valving as it relates to the applied magnetic field?

Havn't really found anything. The vehicles that use this technology are out of of my price range. If they start putting these type of shocks on production Ford models I would be more of a help.:ror:

 

[JeremyH]

Oh....I meant on the race cars.....but I can see that information probably wont be shared by the different teams....:lol:

The only info that I could find kept referring to something called "rotational viscosity"....and I'm not exactly sure what that means...

 

[dkf]

I don't remember the name of the comapny that did the shocks in the show I saw. It was very obvious they had put a lot of R&D into the project. As you said I'm sure they want to keep as much detailed info as they can to themselves.