Variable length shaft and method for making the same
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A variable length shaft system comprising:
- a housing defining an internal space having at least one spline portion positioned therein;
a shaft including at least one spline portion which engages said at least one spline portion of said housing;
a plunger system located within said internal space and connected to said shaft;
a volume of magneto-rheological fluid locked within said internal space; and
an electro-magnet located in close proximity to said magneto-rheological fluid, wherein the electro-magnet is arranged to selectively liquefy the magneto-rheological fluid to allow the plunger system to be moved within the internal space to axially move the shaft relative to the housing to attain a desired overall length for the shaft system, and solidify the fluid thereafter to inhibit movement of the plunger system to lock the shaft system at the attained length.
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Abstract
A variable length shaft is provided including a housing defining an internal space. A shaft is connected to a plunger device disposed in said internal space. The internal space is filled with magneto-rheological fluid which is selectively provided with a magnetic field for solidifying the fluid to prevent movement of the plunger within the internal space. When the magnetic field is removed, the plunger device moves freely for allowing variation in the length of the variable length shaft system.
49 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A variable length shaft system comprising:
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a housing defining an internal space having at least one spline portion positioned therein;
a shaft including at least one spline portion which engages said at least one spline portion of said housing;
a plunger system located within said internal space and connected to said shaft;
a volume of magneto-rheological fluid locked within said internal space; and
an electro-magnet located in close proximity to said magneto-rheological fluid, wherein the electro-magnet is arranged to selectively liquefy the magneto-rheological fluid to allow the plunger system to be moved within the internal space to axially move the shaft relative to the housing to attain a desired overall length for the shaft system, and solidify the fluid thereafter to inhibit movement of the plunger system to lock the shaft system at the attained length. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification