Abstract
Experiments on a cone-shaped squeeze-film mode ER damper are reported. An analytical model is developed to calculate the damping force as a function of the vibration amplitude, frequency, the yield stress of the ER fluid. Our calculations agree with the experiments very well at small amplitudes. The cone-shaped electrodes make the damper benefit from both shear mode damper and squeeze-film mode damper. The azimuth angle theta of the cone electrodes plays an important role in magnifying the damping coefficient of this new type of ER damper.