Temperature compensation in viscoelastic damper using magnetorheological effect

The viscoelastic damper is an effective passive vibration control device, however, its viscoelastic material experiences considerable thermal softening when subjected to higher temperatures, limiting its development and application. In an effort to cope this problem, this paper proposes the development of a new-type viscoelastic damper using the magnetorheological (MR) effect to compensate for the thermal softening effect of viscoelastic material. The new damper is manufactured and the performance is tested, verifying that its MR effect can effectively make up for the performance deficiency of traditional viscoelastic dampers in high temperature. The mechanical model of the new damper is devised and its parameters are identified through the performance test data. The compensation strategy is presented and the thermal compensation controller based on pulse width modulation technology is developed. The compensation experimental results show that this new-type viscoelastic damper will not be influenced by environmental temperature, it can maintain the optimal energy dissipation performance in various temperature conditions. •Thermal softening effect of viscoelastic damper is compensated by magnitorheological effect.•New-type viscoelastic damper able to compensate for thermal softening effect is fabricated.•Precise mechanical model of new-type viscoelastic damper is established.•Compensation results rely on the strategy and controller.•Damper can maintain its optimal property in various temperature after compensation control.