Magnetorheological nanocomposite elastomer for releasable attachment applications
First Claim
1. A releasable fastener system comprising:
- a loop portion comprising a support and a loop material disposed on a surface thereon;
a hook portion comprising a support and a plurality of hook elements disposed on a surface, wherein the plurality of hook elements comprises a magnetorheological elastomer adapted to change a shape orientation and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements upon receipt of a magnetic signal; and
an activation device coupled to the plurality of hook elements, the activation device being operable to selectively provide the magnetic signal to the hook elements and effectuate a change in the shape orientation and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements to reduce or increase a shear force and/or a pull-off force, and wherein the change in the flexural modulus of the hook elements provides a damping capability to the fastener system.
11 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof whereas the hook portion includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. The hook elements are formed of a magnetorheological elastomer that provides a change in shape orientation and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements. In this manner, the shape orientation and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements can be remotely changed to provide a reduction or magnification in the shear and/or pull-off forces in addition to providing variable damping capabilities to the fastener system.
100 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A releasable fastener system comprising:
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a loop portion comprising a support and a loop material disposed on a surface thereon;
a hook portion comprising a support and a plurality of hook elements disposed on a surface, wherein the plurality of hook elements comprises a magnetorheological elastomer adapted to change a shape orientation and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements upon receipt of a magnetic signal; and
an activation device coupled to the plurality of hook elements, the activation device being operable to selectively provide the magnetic signal to the hook elements and effectuate a change in the shape orientation and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements to reduce or increase a shear force and/or a pull-off force, and wherein the change in the flexural modulus of the hook elements provides a damping capability to the fastener system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A process for operating a releasable fastener system, the process comprising:
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contacting a loop portion to a hook portion to form a releasable engagement, wherein the loop portion comprises a support and a loop material disposed on a surface thereon, and wherein the hook portion comprises a support and a plurality of hook elements disposed on a surface, wherein the plurality of hook elements comprises a magnetorheological elastomer adapted to change a shape orientation and/or flexural modulus upon receipt of an magnetic signal, wherein the change in the flexural modulus of the hook elements provides a damping capability to the fastener system;
maintaining constant shear and pull-off forces in the releasable engagement;
selectively introducing the magnetic signal to the hook elements, wherein the magnetic signal is effective to change a shape orientation and/or flexural modulus; and
reducing or increasing shear and/or pull-off forces in the releasable engagement. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification