Impact energy absorber and process
First Claim
1. An impact energy absorbing system comprising:
- a control structure comprising a sleeve, a seal at each end of the sleeve, a magnetorheological fluid disposed between the seals, and at least one coil in proximity to the magnetorheological fluid; and
a primary impact surface fixedly attached to a support member, wherein the support member is in sliding engagement with the seal and the magnetorheological fluid of the control structure, wherein the magnetorheological fluid is not displaced by the support member to effect the sliding engagement.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A tunable and reusable impact energy absorbing system and process includes a control structure comprising a sleeve having an outer surface fixedly attached to a chassis, a seal at each end of the sleeve, a magnetorheological fluid disposed between the seals, and a coil in proximity to the magnetorheological fluid, wherein the seal and the magnetorheological fluid are in sliding engagement with a support member, wherein the impact surface is fixedly attached to a support member. Varying the current to the coil alters the magnetic field upon the magnetorheological fluid, which can be used to tune the yield stress of the sliding engagement.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. An impact energy absorbing system comprising:
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a control structure comprising a sleeve, a seal at each end of the sleeve, a magnetorheological fluid disposed between the seals, and at least one coil in proximity to the magnetorheological fluid; and
a primary impact surface fixedly attached to a support member, wherein the support member is in sliding engagement with the seal and the magnetorheological fluid of the control structure, wherein the magnetorheological fluid is not displaced by the support member to effect the sliding engagement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An impact energy absorbing system comprising:
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a control structure comprising a sleeve, a seal at each end of the sleeve, a magnetorheological fluid, and a permanent magnet in proximity to the magnetorheological fluid to define a fixed yield stress; and
an impact surface fixedly attached to a support member, wherein the support member is slidably disposed against the seal and the magnetorheological fluid, wherein the magnetorheological fluid is not displaced by the support member to effect sliding of the support member. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A process for absorbing energy from an impact of an object upon an impact surface, the process comprising:
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detecting an impact with a sensor, wherein the sensor is in operative communication with an impact energy absorbing system fixedly attached to the impact surface and a vehicle chassis, wherein the impact surface is attached to a support member in sliding engagement with the impact energy absorbing system and wherein the magnetorheological fluid is not displaced by the support member to effect the sliding engagement;
variably changing a magnetic field within the impact energy absorbing system to alter the shear force of the sliding engagement in response to a signal provided by the sensor; and
absorbing energy from the impact with the impact energy absorbing system or the impact energy absorbing system and the vehicle chassis. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An impact energy absorber device, comprising:
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a primary impact surface fixedly attached to a shaft, wherein a support member is slidably engaged with a housing;
a plurality of plates disposed in the housing, wherein each plate is substantially parallel to an adjacent plate, and wherein the plurality of plates are alternatingly attached to the support member and a framing member of the housing to define a space between adjacent plates;
a magnetorheological fluid disposed in the space; and
an electromagnet or permanent magnet in proximity to the magnetorheological fluid. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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26. An impact energy absorbing system comprising:
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a control structure fixedly attached to a vehicle chassis comprising a sleeve, a seal at each end of the sleeve, a magnetorheological fluid disposed between the seals, and at least one coil in proximity to the magnetorheological fluid;
a primary impact surface fixedly attached to a support member, wherein the support member is in sliding engagement with the seal and the magnetorheological fluid of the control structure; and
a secondary impact surface disposed within an annular recess of the support member comprising a spring having one end fixedly attached to a transverse member and an other end fixedly attached to the secondary impact surface, wherein the transverse member is fixedly attached to the vehicle chassis.
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27. An impact energy absorbing system comprising:
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a control structure fixedly attached to a vehicle chassis comprising a sleeve, a seal at each end of the sleeve, a magnetorheological fluid, and a permanent magnet in proximity to the magnetorheological fluid to define a fixed yield stress;
an impact surface fixedly attached to a support member, wherein the support member is slidably disposed against the seal and the magnetorheological fluid; and
a secondary impact surface disposed within an annular recess of the support member comprising a spring having one end fixedly attached to a transverse member and another end fixedly attached to the secondary impact surface, wherein the transverse member is fixedly attached to the vehicle chassis.
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Specification