Abstract: A controllable medium device for resisting movement (rotary, linear, or sliding) between two relatively moveable members includes a first member and a second member coupled for relative movement having a working space between them, and a controllable medium retaining structure, for example, an absorbent matrix, to hold a controllable medium only in the working space. A field generating coil is mounted to one of the first and second members to generate a field acting on the first and second members and the controllable medium in the working space. The rheology change in the medium produced by the field results in resistance to relative movement of the first and second members. A device according to the invention may be used in apparatus, such as washing machines, exercise equipment, air supported tables, and a range of other apparatuses that would benefit from controlled damping or braking.

Abstract: A railway car side bearing includes a lower housing member, an upper housing member spaced apart from the lower housing member, and an elastomeric spring member interposed between the upper and lower housing members that buckles upon application of vertical loading to provide a spring rate that softens within a range of compressive loads. The upper and lower housing members cooperate with each other to allow for relative vertical movement therebetween, but restrain lateral and rotational movement therebetween. The elastomeric spring member has a first set of spring rates when subjected to axial loads within a first range. However, when the side bearing is subjected to axial loads within an second range, the elastomeric spring member buckles and exhibits a second set of substantially softer spring rates.

Abstract: An elastomer landing gear pad assembly (20) and method of reducing loading of installation fasteners (17) including a cap (15) and an elastomer pad (21) including a crown (22) on at least one edge thereof extending between the top (26) and at least one of the peripheral sides (24). Upon tightening the fasteners (17), the crown (22) comes into progressive contact with the contact surface thereby compressing the pad (21). The crown minimizes stress buildup in the fasteners upon substantial compression of the pad.

Abstract: An elastomeric mounting configured to be inserted in a pocket in a vibrating first member and to isolate the first member from a second member on which the first member is mounted. The mounting includes a rigid tube, a substantially rigid radial disk at one end of the mounting, and an elastomeric member including a tubeform section essentially surrounding the rigid tube and a sandwich section bonded to an axially projecting surface of the rigid radial disk and extending radially outward from the tubeform section.

Abstract: An adjustable valve including a passageway, a field responsive fluid within the passageway, and flow adjustment of the fluid through the passageway. In another aspect, the valve is in a vibration damper. In yet another aspect, the damper includes a body, a piston, first and second chambers, a damping valve, a piston rod, an auxiliary chamber, a passageway interconnecting to the auxiliary chamber, a field responsive fluid, a field responsive fluid valve for controlling flow to the auxiliary chamber, and pressurization means. Preferably included is a cavity partition having field responsive fluid disposed on one side and non-field responsive fluid disposed on the other. This allows a reduction of MR fluid allowing use of lighter-weight, less-expensive, hydraulic fluids for flow through the piston's damping valve. In another aspect, the damper includes mechanical adjustment device for manually adjusting a damping level.

Abstract: A tuned vibration absorber and vibration-reduced pipeline system utilizing same. The tuned vibration absorber includes a support frame, a tuning mass mounted for pivotal movement relative to the support frame about a pivot; the tuning mass including a lever, and a spring contacting the lever. In the vibration-reduced pipeline system, the absorber's support frame is preferably secured atop of the pipeline section, preferably by at least one strap, to absorb vibrations thereof. In a preferred aspect, the tuning mass includes an arm extending from the pivot in a first direction and a weight repositionably mounted thereon. The lever extends from the arm along a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction. Preferably the line of action (along A--A) of the spring extends substantially parallel to the first direction. An adjuster is provided for readjusting a position of the tuning mass relative to said support frame due to drift in the spring.

Abstract: An optical article having a rare earth doped, fluorinated aluminosilicate glass core composition consisting essentially, in mole %, of:______________________________________ SiO.sub.2 0-90 GeO.sub.2 0-90 Na.sub.2 O 0-25 Li.sub.2 O 0-10 K.sub.2 O 0-25 Rb.sub.2 O 0-25 Cs.sub.2 O 0-25 Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 5-40 Ga.sub.2 O.sub.3 5-40 RE.sub.2 (1)O.sub.3 0-40 RE.sub.2 (2)O.sub.3 0-1 Er.sub.2 O.sub.3 0.001-5 Yb.sub.2 O.sub.3 0-5 PbO 0-15 RO 0-20 ZnO 0-10 ZrO.sub.2 0-2 TiO.sub.2 0-2 Nb.sub.2 O.sub.5 0-10 Ta.sub.2 O.sub.5 0-10 P.sub.2 O.sub.5 0-5 B.sub.2 O.sub.3 0-15 As.sub.2 O.sub.3 0-10 Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3 0-20 Na.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 0-10 Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 0-5, and ______________________________________up to 15 weight % fluorine in the form of at least one of a fluorinated component of the glass composition and a batch constituent selected from a group consisting of at least one of AlF.sub.3, REF.sub.3, NH.sub.5 F.sub.2, NaF, Na.sub.2 SiF.sub.6, Na.sub.3 AlF.sub.

Abstract: A device for hand and wrist rehabilitation includes a small, hand-held housing for a magnetic fluid controllable resistance brake. Tool elements that provide a grip for a patient releasably snap onto to a shaft of the brake, and allow the patient to exercise the wrist or hand in a variety of positions. The controllable brake provides fine control of the resistance, which is selected by the user with a knob.

Abstract: A method of controlling a controllable force generator within a controllable suspension system interconnected between a first member M.sub.1 and a second member M.sub.2. The method includes the steps of obtaining a first signal (V.sub.abs) representative of the absolute velocity of the first member M.sub.1, obtaining a second signal (V.sub.rel) representative of the relative velocity between the first and second members, and setting a desired damping force for the generator based upon a control policy which defines a control surface. The control policy includes a preselected gain, an absolute velocity, and a shaping function of relative velocity wherein said control surface exhibits only continuous first derivatives for V.sub.rel *V.sub.abs >0 and wherein the control surface is devoid of any surface discontinuities. This control policy effectively eliminates the jerkiness in certain prior art control methods, such as skyhook.

Abstract: An isolator (26) and assembly method therefor. The isolator (26) is particularly useful for aircraft thrust reverser doors, and the like, and includes an outer member (28), and a isolator component (29). The outer member (28) has a central axis (A--A), a generally non-planar inner peripheral surface (32), and first and second axially extending slotted entryways (48, 48'). The isolator component (29) preferably includes a component axis (B--B), an inner member (30) having an external radial peripheral surface (33), and an elastomer or metal mesh member (40) surrounding said external radial peripheral surface (33). The isolator component (29) is assembled and retained within said outer member (28) by insertion endwise through said first and second slotted entryways (48, 48'), and rotating 90.degree. such that the component axis (B--B) is substantially aligned with the central axis (A--A).

Abstract: A bonded component (126) adapted for insertion in a housing (120) thus forming a mount (118). The bonded component (126) includes an inner member (128) including a outer periphery (129) having a preferably non-planar profile along its width and an elastomer (130) bonded thereto. The elastomer (130) includes a first arcuate section (142) extending through a first arc (.theta..sub.1) and having first and second lateral faces (150a-c), a second arcuate section (142') extending through a second arc (.theta..sub.2) also having first and second lateral faces (150b-d), notches (148a-d) formed in first and second lateral faces of each of said first and second arcuate sections, the notches only extending part way across each of said sections. In another aspect, the location of the notches (148a-d) are vertically and/or angularly offset from said fore-and-aft axis (146).

Abstract: A device for cushioning shocks is provided. A relatively unstable, collapsible elastomeric member which has guides integrally formed thereon, is surrounded by a guide sleeve which provides controlled deflection as well as damping for the elastomeric member. A piston is used to collapse the elastomeric member. The cush of the present invention can be utilized in hydraulic systems where an elastomeric bladder provides primary energy storage and in other applications where the cush of the present invention is the primary damper. This cush can be preloaded and, where desired, can be provided with the capability to adjust the preload.

Abstract: A controllable valve assembly (18) applicable in Magnetorheological (MR) fluid devices (20), such as MR mounts and MR dampers. The valve assembly (18) includes a valve body (32) having a magnetic circuit (40) contained therein which carries magnetic flux .PHI., a controllable passageway (42) within the magnetic circuit (40), a MR (magnetically controlled) fluid (44) including soft-magnetic particles in a liquid carrier contained in the controllable passageway (42), a magnetic flux generator, such as a wound wire coil (46), generating magnetic flux .PHI. which is directed through the MR fluid (44) in the controllable passageway (42) thereby generating "rheology" changes causing restriction in flow of MR fluid (44) therethrough.

Abstract: A fluid damper to damp unwanted vibration between a first member (21) and a second member (23, 23'), such as between a rotor blade and hub within a helicopter rotor system. According to a first aspect, the fluid damper (20) includes an outer member (22), first and second inner members (24, 24'), first and second elastomeric elements (26, 26'), a hollow (28), a divider (30) subdividing hollow (28) into first (32) and second (32') operating chambers, a connector (34) interconnecting first (24) and second (24') inner members, a fluid passageway (36) interconnecting operating chambers (32, 32'), a fluid (38) contained within said passageway (36) and operating chambers (32, 32'), and a volume compensator (40) including a compensator chamber (42) housed within one of first (24) and second (24') inner members. In another aspect, an annular bubble trap (58) is formed in a wall portion (62) of the operating chamber (32) to focus any air bubbles into a fill port (54) during fill.

Abstract: Helium recycling for optical fiber manufacturing in which consolidation process helium is recycled either directly for use in consolidation at high purity or recycled at lower purity adequate for usage in draw or other processes having a lower helium parity. Integrated processes for recycling helium from two or more helium using processes in the optical manufacturing process are also described. Substantial helium and cost savings are recognized.

Abstract: An elastomer detent assembly includes a first member and a second member. The first member includes a plurality of recesses formed in a surface thereof. The second member is engagable with the plurality of recesses and includes at least one detent finger. A dimension of the at least one detent finger is sized relative to a comparable dimension of the surface such that, upon application of a force, the at least one detent finger will move in finite increments relative to the first member providing a detent mechanism. At least one of the first and second members further includes an elastomer portion and a radially extending flange for limiting axial motion between the members. Embodiments including elastomer bonded to either an inner or an outer member are provided.

Abstract: A controllable secondary suspension system (20) for vehicle cabs (18) and the like which flexibly suspends and controls movement of the vehicle's cab (22) relative to the vehicle's frame (24). The system (20) includes at least one flexible support (26), which are preferably two spaced apart air springs flexibly suspending the cab (22) relative to the frame (24), at least one controllable fluid damper, and preferably two spaced-apart controllable fluid dampers, such as Magnetorheological (MR) fluid dampers (28, 28'), interconnected between the cab (22) and the frame (24). In one aspect, the system (20) may include at least one sensor, such as a relative position sensor (30), for providing relative vibration information between the cab (22) and the frame (24), and a controller (36) for processing the relative vibration information to determine current to be supplied to the controllable fluid damper (28) to control the degree of damping thereof.

Abstract: A Multi-Directional Tuned Vibration Absorber (MDTVA) (23) including a first tuning mass (32) vibrating at a first resonant frequency fn1 along a first axis, a second tuning mass (34) vibrating at the first resonant frequency along said first axis and also at a second resonant frequency fn2 along a second axis, a base member (21), a first spring (35) flexibly interconnected between the base member (21) and the first tuning mass (32), the first spring (35) substantially restricting motion of the first tuning mass (32) to motion along a first axis only, and a second spring (36) flexibly interconnected between the first tuning mass (32) and the second tuning mass (34), the second spring (36) substantially restricting relative motion between the first tuning mass (32) and second tuning mass (34), such that the relative motion of said second tuning mass (34) at said second frequency fn2 is along the second axis which is substantially perpendicular to the first axis.

Abstract: A method for controlling end stop collisions in electro-mechanical systems including dampers or actuators. In a first aspect, a velocity-squared control method determines an end stop control signal (V.sub.end stop) based, at least in part, upon a square of the relative velocity (V.sub.inst). Preferably, the displacement (.delta..sub.end) to the end stop is also used to derive the end stop control signal (V.sub.end stop). In another aspect, a snubber control method is employed which produces a snubber control signal (V.sub.snub) based, at least in part, upon a continuous function of a snubber incursion distance (.delta..sub.z) within a snubber zone (Z). Preferably, the velocity-squared end stop and the snubber control methods operate together. When used in conjunction with an end stop control method, the snubber control method prevents end stop collisions for cases where the end stop control algorithm alone would not.

Abstract: A fluid and elastomer damper includes a first and second members and an elastomer section flexibly mounting the second member to the first member and allowing lateral movement therebetween. The elastomer section includes an inner wall forming a portion of a cavity defined within the damper and a damping fluid disposed within the cavity. A flexible damping plate separates the cavity into first and second chambers. At least one passageway is formed between the damping plate and the inner wall, the passageway exhibiting a gap dimension between the wall and the damping plate. When lateral movement occurs between the first and second members, the gap dimension is maintained substantially constant by flexing of the damping plate along the lateral direction.