Magneto-rheological fluid coupling
First Claim
1. A magneto-rheological fluid coupling including an input coupling member driven by an input drive assembly having an input drive member, an output coupling assembly including an output coupling member, said input and output coupling members defining a viscous shear chamber;
- an electromagnetic coil operably associated with said input and output coupling members to generate a magnetic field passing through said viscous shear chamber, and contact means operable to transmit an electrical input signal to said electro-magnetic coil; and
ferro-magnetic means operably disposed to direct lines of flux of said magnetic field;
characterized by;
(a) said electro-magnetic coil and said contact means being stationary, and disposed in a generally surrounding relationship relative to said input drive member, and being surrounded by said output coupling assembly;
(b) said input and output coupling members defining said viscous shear chamber at a location disposed radially outward from said electro-magnetic coil; and
(c) said input drive assembly including a drive member extending radially from said input drive member, and at least partially surrounding said electro-magnetic coil, said drive member being in driving relationship with said input coupling member.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A magneto-rheological fluid coupling (11) including a stationary electromagnetic coil (31) and cylindrical contact member (43) surrounding an input shaft (19), and in turn, being surrounded by the output coupling assembly (15). Input (63,65) and output (29) coupling members define a viscous shear chamber (71) disposed radially outward from the coil (31). A drive member (21) extends radially from the input shaft (19) and includes an annular portion (61) at least partially surrounding the coil (31) and driving the input coupling member (63,65). The stationary coil (31) and contact member (43) eliminates the need for electrical brushes, and the problems associated therewith, and the overall arrangement of the coupling (11) results in only radial non-working air gaps, such that the efficiency and repeatability of the device is substantially improved.
80 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A magneto-rheological fluid coupling including an input coupling member driven by an input drive assembly having an input drive member, an output coupling assembly including an output coupling member, said input and output coupling members defining a viscous shear chamber;
- an electromagnetic coil operably associated with said input and output coupling members to generate a magnetic field passing through said viscous shear chamber, and contact means operable to transmit an electrical input signal to said electro-magnetic coil; and
ferro-magnetic means operably disposed to direct lines of flux of said magnetic field;
characterized by;(a) said electro-magnetic coil and said contact means being stationary, and disposed in a generally surrounding relationship relative to said input drive member, and being surrounded by said output coupling assembly; (b) said input and output coupling members defining said viscous shear chamber at a location disposed radially outward from said electro-magnetic coil; and (c) said input drive assembly including a drive member extending radially from said input drive member, and at least partially surrounding said electro-magnetic coil, said drive member being in driving relationship with said input coupling member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
- an electromagnetic coil operably associated with said input and output coupling members to generate a magnetic field passing through said viscous shear chamber, and contact means operable to transmit an electrical input signal to said electro-magnetic coil; and
Specification