Methods and apparatus for controlling a fluid damper
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A fluid damper comprising:
- a first chamber comprising a first end and a second end and defined by an annular wall coupling the first end with the second end, wherein the annular wall comprises an inner diameter, and wherein the first chamber is divided into a compression portion having a first fluid therein and a gas-filled compressible portion, the compression portion including a piston and a rod disposed therein and movable in a compression and rebound stroke within the first chamber;
a second chamber disposed within a portion less than a whole of the first chamber and between the first end and the second end, the second chamber comprising a portion of the annular wall having the inner diameter of the first chamber, the second chamber having a variable rheology fluid therein and dividing the compression portion and gas-filled compressible portion, wherein the second chamber is at least partially displaceable by and isolated from the first fluid and wherein movement of the second chamber causes a volume change in the gas-filled compressible portion; and
a magnet disposed within the second chamber, wherein the magnet is annularly-shaped and an outer surface of the magnet is positioned against an inner surface of the annular wall, the magnet comprising an orifice therein, wherein the variable rheology fluid has accessibility to an entirety of the orifice for movement therein, and wherein an increase of a current flowing in a wire of the magnet, and hence an increase in a magnetic field, enables flux lines created by the magnetic field to reach to a center of the orifice.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for a fluid damper comprising a first fluid-filled chamber, a second chamber filled with a fluid having variable flow characteristics and at least partially displaceable by the first fluid, and a gas chamber, the gas chamber compressible due to the displacement of the second chamber. In one embodiment, the fluid in the second chamber is a variable rheology fluid.
79 Citations
12 Claims
-
1. A fluid damper comprising:
-
a first chamber comprising a first end and a second end and defined by an annular wall coupling the first end with the second end, wherein the annular wall comprises an inner diameter, and wherein the first chamber is divided into a compression portion having a first fluid therein and a gas-filled compressible portion, the compression portion including a piston and a rod disposed therein and movable in a compression and rebound stroke within the first chamber; a second chamber disposed within a portion less than a whole of the first chamber and between the first end and the second end, the second chamber comprising a portion of the annular wall having the inner diameter of the first chamber, the second chamber having a variable rheology fluid therein and dividing the compression portion and gas-filled compressible portion, wherein the second chamber is at least partially displaceable by and isolated from the first fluid and wherein movement of the second chamber causes a volume change in the gas-filled compressible portion; and a magnet disposed within the second chamber, wherein the magnet is annularly-shaped and an outer surface of the magnet is positioned against an inner surface of the annular wall, the magnet comprising an orifice therein, wherein the variable rheology fluid has accessibility to an entirety of the orifice for movement therein, and wherein an increase of a current flowing in a wire of the magnet, and hence an increase in a magnetic field, enables flux lines created by the magnetic field to reach to a center of the orifice. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. A remotely controllable shock absorber system for a vehicle comprising:
-
at least two dampers associated with at least two wheels of the vehicle, each damper of the at least two dampers comprising; a first chamber comprising a first end and a second end and defined by an annular wall coupling the first end with the second end, wherein the annular wall comprises an inner diameter, and wherein the cylinder is divided into a compression portion and a gas-filled compressible portion, the compression portion including piston and a rod for movement therein; a second chamber disposed within a portion less than a whole of the first chamber and between the first end and the second end, the second chamber comprising a portion of the annular wall having the inner diameter of the first chamber, the second chamber being fluid-filled with a variable rheology fluid; and a remotely actuatable electromagnet proximate the second chamber for affecting the fluid due to a magnetic field created by the electromagnet, wherein the surfaces of the second chamber through which the magnetic field of the electromagnet extends into the variable rheology fluid is coated with an abrasion resistant material, wherein the electromagnet is annularly-shaped and an outer surface of the electromagnet is positioned against an inner surface of the annular wall, the electromagnet comprising an orifice therein, wherein the variable rheology fluid has accessibility to an entirety of the orifice for movement therein, and wherein an increase of a current flowing in a wire of the magnet, and hence an increase in a magnetic field, enables flux lines created by the magnetic field to reach to a center of the orifice. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
Specification