Design Optimization of a Hydrodynamic Brake with an Electrorheological Fluid

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments:

Although not the first design of hydrodynamic brake with ER fluids, the design optimization process of this kind of brake is still necessary and has considerable significance. The paper is well organized, and can be accepted for Applied Science after minor revision. The following questions should be addressed:

1. The English is basically good but there are some minor formatting or spelling errors such as that on Page 4, Equation 2 (Whether the parameter r should not exist?), and Page 13, Line 539. The rest of the document should be carefully checked for further errors.

2. The HB construction would be more clearly displayed if the 3D scheme is available.

3. As the results shown in Figure 10-Figure 15 are calculated with the computer program, why the value of G and electric power P_e could be different under the same torque if the other parameters are determined?

Author Response

Please refer to the uploaded file.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

In this paper, the design optimization of a hydrodynamic brake with an electrorheological fluid is carried out on the basis of mathematical model of the brake geometry and the brake’s electrical circuit. In addition, general guidelines for the optimization of the hydrodynamic brakes with an ER fluid are given. However, the following issues should be addressed.

 1)      Below the Figure 15, as shown in in Figure 13 and Figure 14, the values of the weight G and the power Pe increase with the increase of M. Also, as shown in Figure 13 and Figure 14, the largest values of M and Pe occur within the range from n = 30 to n = 40. However, the conclusion is given as “the smaller the number of blades n is, the smaller the weight G is, and the greater the power Pe is ”, In lines 557-560. Why?

2)      In lines 570-572, M, G, Pe and T significantly (and in different ways) depend on the assumed design variables rw, R. Are there some figures similar to Figures 13-15 showing M, Pe and T depend on variable n ?

3)      The title of Figure 6 is covered by Figure 6. Figure 7 is not shown fully. “ig – leakage current density” is not necessarily stated again below the formula (31)

Author Response

Please refer to the uploaded file.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf