Damping Torque

What is Damping Torque?

Damping torque is defined as the physical process of

controlling the movement of a system by producing the
motion such that it opposes the natural oscillation of the

system.

Application of Damping Torque in

Measuring Instruments
In presence of deflection and controlling systems, the pointer will attain a
steady position where the torque produced by these two systems balance
each other. But, before attaining the steady position, the pointer will
oscillate about its final steady position, even though deflecting and
controlling torques cancel each other.

The moment of inertia associated with the moving pointer will oppose the
action of the pointer to come to rest suddenly. So, the pointer continues to
move beyond the final suddenly.
At some point, where the controlling torques overcome the moment of
inertia and deflecting torque, it makes the pointer move towards its final
position. Even now, the moment of inertia of the pointer makes it move
below its final position.

Meanwhile, the energy associated with the moment of inertia will be

dissipated in the friction of the moving system and so the magnitude of
oscillations goes on reducing. Finally, the pointer comes to rest at its steady
position.

Even though, the pointer finally settles down, so that the reading can be
observed, the time taken to observe each reading will be quite long. In
order to obtain the reading immediately, the oscillations are to be
damped .

The damping force or torque produced should be in such a way that

that pointer should settle at a final steady position without any
oscillations or overshooting. If the pointer reaches the final steady
position quickly and smoothly then the system is said to be critically
damped

In under-damped systems, there will presents of oscillations but with

decreased amplitude. Here there will be a delay for the pointer to settle at
the final steady position. In the case of overdamped system (damping
torque more than critical damping) the oscillations are damped but the
movement of the pointer will be slow, thereby decreasing the response of
the system.
Methods of Providing Damping Torque :

• Air friction damping

• Fluid friction damping
• Eddy current damping
• Electromagnetic damping
Air Friction Damping:
The air friction damping is created in an air chamber by moving the piston
in and out. As the piston enters the chamber, compression is caused inside
the chamber. As the piston moves out of the chamber, a force is
experienced by it. Air friction damping is the best suitable method of
damping torque where the electric field is relatively weak. This is due to the
absence of electric components in air damping friction which could deform
the electric field.

Advantages :

• This method is very simple and very cheap.

• It does not require a permanent magnet and hence no problems
of field distortion.
• It can be easily maintained.

Disadvantages :

• Piston should be carefully handled.

 • Due to mishandling of piston, it may get twisted and will cause errors
in the readings.
• It is not reliable.

Fluid Friction Damping :

The principle of operation of fluid friction is the same as that of air friction
damping as shown below. The only difference is that the piston is placed in
a fluid (oil) of high viscosity. The damping force is produced by the
frictional drag due to the movement of the piston in the oil.

Advantages :

• It provides effective damping when compared to air friction type.

• The oil used serves two purposes, one is for damping, and the
other is for heat dissipation.
• It is the best-suited method for electrostatic type instruments.
• Errors due to friction are reduced to a great extent.

Disadvantages :

• It can be used only for vertical position instruments.

• It can't be used in portable type instruments.
• Possibilities of leakage of oil in the other parts of the instrument.
Eddy Current Damping :
This method is based on the production of electromagnetic torque.
whenever a conductor cuts the magnetic flux or whenever there is a rate of
change of magnetic flux an emf is induced according to Faraday's law of
electromagnetic induction. Suppose if the conductor forms a closed path,
the current will circulate through the conductor known as eddy current.

These eddy currents will produce an electromagnetic torque due to

magnetic field in such a way that it opposes the motion. The torque
produced on the conductor will be proportional to the velocity of
conductor. Hence, the electromagnetic torque provides the necessary
damping force.

Advantages :

• It is the most efficient form of damping compared to other

methods.
 • It is especially used for moving coil and induction-type
instruments.
• It can be used in portable instruments as well.

Disadvantages :

• It can't be used for moving iron or dynamo-type instruments.

Electromagnetic Damping
Electromagnetic damping can be achieved by passing the electric current
through a magnetic coil such that the torque generated is acting against
the natural movement of the coil. The disadvantage of electromagnetic
damping is similar to that of eddy current damping. This method of
damping torque is commonly used in galvanometers.
 REFRENCES:
https://byjus.com/physics/damping-
torque/#:~:text=Damping%20torque%20is%20defined%20as,instrument%20provides%20the
%20damping%20torque.

https://www.electricaldeck.com/2021/04/damping-torque-and-methods-of-
providing-damping-torque.html

ABDELRAHMAN MOHAMED ABDELAZIZ

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