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The Smart PID System from FLUDICON

Data sheets
and CAD data

The Smart PID System from FLUDICON includes the RheDamp^® attenuation system with RheOil^® ER fluid as well as amplifiers, hardware and software.

The typical set-up of a FLUDICON Smart PID System includes the following components:

• RheDamp^® attenuation system
• RheOil^® ER-Fluid
• DampCon^® Controller and amplifier, RheCon^® / sensors
• Hardware / software

A FLUDICON Smart PID System consists of at least one adaptive attenuator called RheDamp, and an amplifier, in which the sensor signal is converted to a voltage and transmitted to the RheDamp. Depending upon the size of this voltage, the forces exerted also vary within milliseconds and over a wide range. Given the high dynamics of this solution, mechanical, pneumatic or hydraulic systems can be regulated, controlled and steered in an outstanding manner.

Typical applications are:

• Attenuation
• Positioning
• Vibration reduction
• Control/regulation

Because the reaction time is only a few milliseconds, the attenuation characteristics also change within this short period of time. This means that even highly dynamic processes can be regulated. A decisive advantage is that only an electric signal must be transmitted to RheDamp to set the attenuation force. This also makes it possible to incorporate into SPS controls; the effort of manually setting an attenuator is no longer necessary.

The characteristics of a RheDamp system:

• Controllable
  Intelligent regulation allows setting of desired forces over a large range
• Dynamic
  Highest dynamics in the global market-reaction time in milliseconds
• Tunable
  Analog and digital control options over remote control
• Energy efficient
  Power consumption is only a few percent of that needed for other active systems
• Wear-free
  The fluid is not damaged by its effect during operation
• Noiseless
  No moving valve components, and therefore no throttle or orifice effects--no "whistling"

Structure of a RheDamp

RheDamp consists of a moving piston with rod and a fixed housing. Between the piston and the housing there is an annular gap. The two chambers are filled with RheOil® electrorheological fluid.

When the piston is moved with the piston rod, the fluid flows through the ring gap from one chamber to the other. This purely hydraulic flow results in hydraulic resistance, and causes a force against the movement direction. Without applied voltage, there is a so-called "basic attenuation". This means, that even if the supply voltage is not available, there is still some residual attenuation. If an electrical field is applied to the ring gap, this now causes a direct change in the flow characteristics of the electrorheological fluid. The flow resistance through the ring gap is increased, whereby the attenuation forces increase. Depending upon the amount of the applied voltage, the attenuation characteristics determine whether there is a soft or a very hard attenuation (see the following image).

RheCon and DampCon amplifiers

Significant components of ER systems are the industrial and laboratory amplifiers offering up to 120 W output power and an output voltage of up to 6 kV.

The adjustable short-circuit high voltage is produced in the amplifiers with a special flyback converter, which is powered by a patented control and regulation switch. The output voltage and load voltage are measured at the monitor outputs. Efficiency is above 80%, and voltage rise and fall time is less than one millisecond.

RheCon: Top-class laboratory amplifier with a maximum power of 120 W, maximum voltage of 6 kV

DampCon 40 P: Amplifier with an integrated controller for advanced applications with a maximum power of 40 W, maximum voltage of 4 kV

DampCon 16: Amplifier with a maximum power of 16 W, maximum voltage of 4 kV