Electro-Rheological Fluids: A Systematic Approach to Classifying Modes of Operation

In this paper, the authors describe a systematic procedure for classifying the modes of operation of ER fluids. The classification is achieved by treating an ER device as a generalized modulator and examining the different variables which can be assigned to the input, output, and control ports. This leads to a matrix, each of whose blocks corresponds to a mode of operation. It is shown how examination of these blocks leads to classification of existing applications and a systematic means of broadening.