Numerical Analysis of Powerful Shock Absorber Utilizing Particle-Dispersion ER Fluid

Abstract

This novel control logic for a shock absorber using particle-dispersion Electro-Rheological (ER) fluid is a powerful means of shock attenuation for satellite instruments that are subjected to lift-off shock or pyrodevice ignition shock. Satellite instruments may be damaged when the acceleration generated by the input shock exceeds their critical acceleration value. The proposed method attenuates the shock so that the instrument’s acceleration does not exceed the critical value, even when the shock is too large to be accepted. In contrast to conventional linear shock controls, the proposed shock control does not attempt to attenuate a small shock in order to prepare for attenuating a coming large shock. This innovative nonlinear control enables the absorber to effectively attenuate a powerful shock. Numerical simulations show that the new shock absorber system attenuates shocks better than a passive system or a conventional linear control system.