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Magnetorheological fluid devices

  • US 5,284,330 A
  • Filed: 06/18/1992
  • Issued: 02/08/1994
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/18/1992
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for damping motion between first and second relatively movable members, said apparatus comprising:

  • a) a housing containing a volume of magnetorheological fluid;

    b) first means for attaching said housing to one of said movable members;

    c) a piston rod mounted for relative movement with respect to said housing;

    d) second means for attaching said piston rod to another one of said first and second movable members;

    e) a first block of elastomer interconnecting said housing and said piston rod, said block being fixedly attached to each of said housing and a first end of said piston rod, said block of elastomer forming at least a portion of a first fluid-containing chamber for said magnetorheological fluid;

    f) a second block of elastomer interconnecting said housing and said piston rod, said block being fixedly attached to each of said housing and a second end of said piston rod and, together with said first block, functioning as the sole means for permitting said piston rod to move relative to said housing, said second block of elastomer forming at least a portion of a second fluid-containing chamber for said magnetorheological fluid;

    g) a piston attached to an intermediate portion of said piston rod for movement therewith which divides said first fluid-containing chamber from a second fluid-containing chamber for said magnetorheological fluid, substantially all of the movement of said piston being accommodated by flow of fluid past said piston;

    h) valve means for permitting magnetorheological fluid to flow from and to said first fluid-containing chamber to and from said second fluid-containing chamber, said valve means includingi) aperture means for permitting said flow,ii) a magnetic coil associated with said aperture means for controlling said flow therethrough,whereby a desired level of damping of said relative movement is provided.

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