Magnetorheological Fluid Utilized for Online Rotor Balancing

Unbalance in rotating machinery causes significant vibrations, reducing lifespan and efficiency. This study overcomes the limitations of conventional offline balancing by introducing an online rotor balancing system utilizing Magnetorheological Fluid (MRF). The system employs three chambers containing MRF and balancing spheres. A hybrid magnetic system is designed, combining permanent magnets for fixing in the balanced state and a stationary electromagnet for contactless control of the sphere position during balancing. A control algorithm was developed based on multiphysics modeling and experimental parameterization. Experimental validation demonstrated the high effectiveness of reducing initial rotor unbalance, thereby confirming the feasibility of the proposed concept. The hybrid magnetic design provides inherent multistability and energy efficiency, making it a promising and effective solution for active vibration reduction in rotating machinery.