Magnetorheological fluid-controlled vehicle suspension damper
First Claim
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1. A magnetorheological fluid actuated damper, said damper comprising:
- at least a first cylinder and a second concentric cylinder, said first cylinder being positioned axially within said second cylinder, so as to form a gap between said cylinders;
said second cylinder being mounted to a stationary mount of a vehicle chassis;
a control arm mounted at an end of said first cylinder;
said first cylinder being mounted on bearings to allow rotation of said first cylinder relative to said chassis;
said gap between said cylinders containing a magnetorheological fluid having adjustable viscosity in reaction to the application of a magnetic field; and
a magnetic field generated over said fluid in said gap.
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Abstract
A magnetorheological fluid actuated damper. At least a first and a second cylinder with the first cylinder positioned axially within the second cylinder are provided. A gap is formed between the cylinders. The second cylinder is mounted to a stationary mount of the vehicle chassis and a control arm is mounted at an end of the first cylinder. The first cylinder is mounted on bearings to allow it to rotate relative to the chassis. The gap between the cylinders contains a magnetorheological fluid having an adjustable viscosity in reaction to the application of a magnetic field. A magnetic field is generated over the fluid in the gap.
106 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A magnetorheological fluid actuated damper, said damper comprising:
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at least a first cylinder and a second concentric cylinder, said first cylinder being positioned axially within said second cylinder, so as to form a gap between said cylinders;
said second cylinder being mounted to a stationary mount of a vehicle chassis;
a control arm mounted at an end of said first cylinder;
said first cylinder being mounted on bearings to allow rotation of said first cylinder relative to said chassis;
said gap between said cylinders containing a magnetorheological fluid having adjustable viscosity in reaction to the application of a magnetic field; and
a magnetic field generated over said fluid in said gap. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A magnetorheological fluid actuated damper, said damper comprising:
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at least a first cylinder and a second concentric cylinder, said first cylinder being positioned axially within said second cylinder, so as to form a gap between said cylinders;
said second cylinder being mounted to a stationary mount of a vehicle chassis;
a control arm mounted at an end of said first cylinder;
said first cylinder being mounted on bearings to allow rotation of said first cylinder relative to said chassis;
said gap between said cylinders containing a magnetorheological fluid having adjustable viscosity in reaction to the application of a magnetic field; and
a means for producing a magnetic field over said fluid in said gap. - View Dependent Claims (7)
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8. A method for adjustably dampening the suspension system of a vehicle through the use of a magnetorheological fluid actuated barrel damper, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing at least a first cylinder and a second cylinder so as to create a gap between said cylinders where one of said cylinders is attached to the chassis of said vehicle such that said one cylinder cannot rotate;
providing a magnetorheological fluid within said gap;
determining the desired level of dampening;
reading feedback from sensors on the vehicle; and
controlling the viscosity of said magnetorheological fluid through the application of a magnetic field on said magnetorheological fluid such that the resistance to rotation of said damper changes in response to the change in viscosity of said magnetorheological fluid.
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9. A method for adjustably dampening the suspension system of a vehicle through the use of a magnetorheological fluid actuated barrel damper, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing at least a first cylinder and a second cylinder so as to create a gap between said cylinders where one of said cylinders is attached to the chassis of said vehicle such that said one cylinder cannot rotate and said cylinder not attached to the vehicle chassis is attached to a control arm of the suspension system of said vehicle such that said other cylinder can rotate relative to said stationary cylinder in reaction to vertical movement of a wheel of said vehicle;
providing a magnetorheological fluid within said gap;
determining the desired level of dampening;
reading feedback from sensors on the vehicle; and
controlling the viscosity of said magnetorheological fluid through the application of a magnetic field on said magnetorheological fluid such that the resistance to rotation of said damper changes in response to the change in viscosity of said magnetorheological fluid. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification