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The activity described in this paper has been carried out in the framework of a funded project aimed at evaluating the feasibility of a controllable water pump based on an integrated magnetorheological fluid clutch. The advantages consist of an improvement of the overall vehicle performance and efficiency, in the possibility of disengaging the water pump when its action is not required, and in the control of the cooling fluid temperature. So, the design constraints have been defined with reference to the available space, required torque, and electrical power. After an iterative procedure, in which both mechanical design and magnetic field analyses have been considered, the most promising solution has been defined and a first physical prototype has been realized and tested. A preliminary experimental characterization of the developed prototype has been presented.

The modern automotive industry is under strict regulations to reduce emissions to comply with the Kyoto Protocol, a universally acknowledged treaty aiming at reducing exhaust gas emissions. In order to achieve the required future emission reduction targets, further developments on gasoline engines are required. One of the main methods to achieve this goal is the application of engine downsizing. Turbocharging is a cost-effective method of downsizing an engine whilst reducing exhaust gas emissions, reducing fuel consumption and maintaining prior performance outputs. For these reasons, the turbocharging is becoming the most widely adopted technology in the automotive markets. In 2012, 32% of passenger and commercial vehicles sold had a turbocharger installed, and is predicted to be 40% of 2017 [1]. Even if the engine turbocharging is a widespread technology, there are still drawbacks present in current turbocharging systems.