Magnetic Fluid Or Material (e.g., Powder) Patents (Class 188/267.2)
  • Patent number: 11940032
    Abstract: A damping device that includes features for damping bending vibration of a shaft rotating about its axis of rotation and methods for damping bending vibration utilizing the damping device are provided. In one exemplary aspect, the damping device includes a damping disc operatively coupled with a shaft, e.g., of a turbine engine or shaft system. The damping disc is at least partially received within a chamber defined by a housing. The chamber of the housing is configured to receive a damping fluid. When the shaft is rotated about its axis of rotation, the damping disc is movable within the chamber to move the damping fluid such that the damping fluid absorbs bending vibration emitted by the shaft. The damping fluid moved by the damping disc dampens bending vibration emitted by the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard Schmidt, Bugra Han Ertas, Weize Kang
  • Patent number: 11920615
    Abstract: A hydraulic fluid system is disclosed herein. The hydraulic fluid system includes a hydraulic motor including an output shaft, a reduction gear box having a first side and an opposing second side, the reduction gear box being coupled to the output shaft at the first side and coupled to a reduction shaft at the second side, and a magneto-rheological fluid brake (MRF) brake coupled to the reduction shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Harald Klode, Jason Bradley Allen
  • Patent number: 11802605
    Abstract: A head unit system for controlling motion of an object includes a secondary object sensor, shear thickening fluid (STF), and a chamber configured to contain a portion of the STF. The chamber further includes a front channel and a back channel. The head unit system further includes a piston housed at least partially radially within the piston compartment and separating the back channel and the front channel. The piston includes a first piston bypass and a second piston bypasses to control flow of the STF between opposite sides of the piston. The chamber further includes a set of fluid flow sensors and a set of fluid manipulation emitters to control the flow of the STF to cause selection of one of a variety of shear rates for the STF within the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Moshun, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy John Boundy, Steven Michael Barger, Terence Michael Lydon, Richard Michael Lang, Wilfredo Gonzalez, Jr., Darren Michael Boundy, Eric McHugh, David Schuda, George L. Wilson, IV, Gary W. Grube, Jason K. Resch, Mario F. DeRango, John Edward Buchalo, Richard A. Herbst, Kurt Estes, Evan Anderson
  • Patent number: 11801592
    Abstract: Rail hammer assemblies suitable for advancing driving a member into or toward or pulling a member from or away from a workpiece, respectively may include an impact mechanism. The impact mechanism may include an elongated slide rail. A first rail impact plate may be carried by the slide rail. A second rail impact plate may be carried by the slide rail in spaced-apart relationship to the first rail impact plate. At least a first permanent magnet may be carried by the slide rail outside the first rail impact plate. At least a second permanent magnet may be carried by the slide rail outside the second rail impact plate. An impact hammer may be slidably carried by the slide rail between the first rail impact plate and the second rail impact plate. The impact hammer may include at least one electromagnet. A control system may include at least one power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Inventor: Wesley Ducharme
  • Patent number: 11673445
    Abstract: A vehicle powertrain proactive damping system includes a plurality of proactive damping structures mounted on a powertrain structure with each proactive damping structure includes a magneto rheological elastomer (MRE). An electromagnet is associated with each proactive damping structure. A control unit includes a processor circuit. A sensor obtains vibration data regarding the powertrain structure. A LIDAR sensor is mounted on the vehicle and is electrically connected with the control unit. The LIDAR sensor provides data to the control unit indicative of upcoming road surface conditions to be experienced by the vehicle. Based on data from at the sensor and the LIDAR sensor, the processor circuit is constructed and arranged to control voltage to the electromagnets to selectively adjust a rigidity of the associated proactive damping structure so as to control vibrational effects on the powertrain structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jorge de Jesus Rodriguez Mauricio, Cesar Alejandro Santana Castaneda, Luis Javier Del Real Ibanez
  • Patent number: 11585402
    Abstract: A magnetorheological damper, wherein the damper comprises a housing that is at least partially filed with a magnetorheological fluid, and a magnetorheological valve disposed within the housing. The valve includes a magnetically permeable core having at least one coil reservoir formed therein, and at least one conductor coil, wherein each conductor coil is disposed around a portion of the core within a respective one of the coil reservoir(s). The valve additionally includes a fluid flow path adjacent the conductor coil(s). The fluid flow path is structured and operable to allow the magnetorheological fluid to flow adjacent the conductor coil(s). The valve further includes at least one coil cover, wherein each coil cover is disposed over a respective one of the coil(s) such that the respective coil is protected from exposure to magnetorheological fluid flowing through the fluid flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.
    Inventors: Jared L. Trauernicht, Brian Russell Hopkins, Eric Nels Anderfaas
  • Patent number: 11585407
    Abstract: A rotary damper assembly comprises a housing extending along a center axis. The housing includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion defines a fluid chamber. The upper portion defines a compartment in communication with the fluid chamber. The magnetic field generator includes a magnetic core located between the upper portion and the lower portion. The magnetic core extends along the center axis between the upper portion and the lower portion. At least one coil extends about the magnetic core. A shaft extends along the center axis through the upper portion and the magnetic core and into the fluid chamber to facilitate magnetorheological fluid flow from the compartment to the fluid chamber. The magnetic field generator includes an insert, containing a permanent magnetic material, for generating a permanent magnetic field to change viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: BEIJINGWEST INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Saiman Lun, Glen Spehr
  • Patent number: 11491960
    Abstract: A force-feedback brake pedal system for cooperative braking of an electric or hybrid vehicle having jointly a regenerative braking system and a frictional braking system includes a brake pedal which is pivotally mounted around a shaft or a bearing, an electronic circuitry which is in electrical communication with the regenerative braking system and the frictional braking system of the vehicle, an actuator for providing force feedback in accordance with the regenerative breaking and friction breaking of the vehicle, the actuator is in mechanical communication with the brake pedal. The force-feedback brake pedal system further includes a compliant element arranged between the brake pedal and the actuator, and a position sensor which, during operation, measuring the deflections of the compliant element and transmitting data to the electronic circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: SABANCI UNIVERSITESI
    Inventor: Volkan Patoglu
  • Patent number: 11371579
    Abstract: A variable stiffness bushing includes: inner and outer tubular members; and an elastic member connecting these tubular members. At least one pair of liquid chambers axially separated from each other is defined in the elastic member. The liquid chambers are connected by a communication passage including a circumferential passage provided in one of the inner and outer tubular members. The one of the inner and outer tubular members includes a coil wound coaxially therewith and a yoke provided with a gap constituting the circumferential passage. A magnetic fluid fills the liquid chambers and the communication passage. Upper and lower end walls and an axially intermediate partition wall of the elastic member are configured such that when the tubular members are axially displaced relative to each other, a difference is created between volumes of the axially separated liquid chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshio Inoue, Yuho Ito
  • Patent number: 11352045
    Abstract: A steering wheel damper may include a plate fastened to a hub of a steering wheel; one or more posts each having one side fixed to a surface of the plate and the other side extending perpendicular to the surface of the plate; a mass body spaced from the plate, attached to the other side of the post, supported by the posts, and having upper and lower portions configured as magnet bodies having different polarities; and an electromagnet made by winding a coil around a core fixed to the surface of the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Byung-Chul Son, Dong-Gwan Roh
  • Patent number: 11300783
    Abstract: Techniques for resolving hemisphere ambiguity are disclosed. One or more magnetic fields are emitted at a handheld controller. The one or more magnetic fields are detected by one or more sensors positioned relative to a headset. Movement data corresponding to the handheld controller or the headset is detected. During a first time interval, a first position and a first orientation of the handheld controller within a first hemisphere are determined based on the detected one or more magnetic fields, and a first discrepancy is calculated based on the first position, the first orientation, and the movement data. During a second time interval, a second position and a second orientation of the handheld controller within a second hemisphere are determined based on the detected one or more magnetic fields, and a second discrepancy is calculated based on the second position, the second orientation, and the movement data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Joseph Degges, Jr., Sheng Wan, Andy Warner, Akash Gujarati
  • Patent number: 11293514
    Abstract: The damper assembly includes a tubular member, a rod, a primary piston, a secondary piston, and a resilient member. The tubular member includes a sidewall and a cap positioned at an end of the sidewall. The sidewall and the cap define an inner volume. The sidewall includes a shoulder separating the tubular member into a first portion and a second portion. The resilient member is disposed between the secondary piston and the cap and thereby is positioned to bias the secondary piston into engagement with the shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Oshkosh Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick S. Dillman, Erik S. Ellifson, Aaron J. Rositch
  • Patent number: 11287009
    Abstract: A rotary damper has a housing and a damper shaft rotatable in the housing. A damper volume contains magnetorheological fluid for influencing the damping of a damper shaft rotation relative to the housing. A partition wall on the shaft and a partition wall formed on the housing divide the damper volume into two variable chambers. A gap is formed between the partition unit of the housing and the damper shaft, and a gap is formed between the partition unit on the damper shaft and the housing. The magnetic field source includes a controllable electric coil for influencing the strength of the magnetic field and thus the strength of damping. A substantial part of the magnetic field of the magnetic field source passes through at least two of the gaps and influences the two gap sections in dependence on the strength of the magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: INVENTUS Engineering GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Battlogg
  • Patent number: 11279198
    Abstract: A spring for a suspension is described. The spring includes: a spring chamber divided into at least a primary portion and a secondary portion, and a fluid flow path coupled with and between the primary portion and the secondary portion. The fluid flow path includes a bypass mechanism, wherein the bypass mechanism is configured for automatically providing resistance within the fluid flow path in response to a compressed condition of the suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: John Marking
  • Patent number: 11280380
    Abstract: A damper assembly comprises a main tube extending along a center axis defining a fluid chamber. A main piston is located in the main tube dividing the fluid chamber into a compression chamber and a rebound chamber. A piston rod extends into the main tube and coupled to the main piston. The piston rod defines an annular chamber extending along the center axis. A slidable partition is located in the annular chamber dividing the annular chamber into a magnetorheological chamber and a compensation chamber. A secondary piston is slidably disposed in the magnetorheological chamber dividing the magnetorheological chamber into a magnetorheological compression chamber and a magnetorheological rebound chamber. A secondary piston rod sealingly and slidably guided through the main piston and couples to the main tube for moving the secondary piston axially in the magnetorheological chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: BEIJINGWEST INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Marcin Knapczyk, II
  • Patent number: 11223190
    Abstract: An eddy current energy-dissipating spacer is mainly composed of a spacer frame, a conductor clamp and energy-dissipating elements. The eddy current energy-dissipating spacer not only provides the function of an ordinary spacer, but also reduces the vibration of the transmission lines; and at the same time, can effectively reduce the vibration of the transmission lines, especially the torsional vibration by adopting the eddy current and viscoelastic material for energy dissipation; improves the eddy current strength by adjusting the gear radius ratio, thus increasing the damping force; can adjust the damping parameters by adjusting the magnetic field strength of the permanent magnet; can produce long-term stable vibration reduction effect by adopting the permanent magnet to provide continuous magnetic field without additional external energy input; can effectively avoid the magnetic flux leakage of magnetic circuits by adopting the magnetic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Dalian University of Technology
    Inventors: Xing Fu, Hongnan Li, Wenlong Du
  • Patent number: 11015672
    Abstract: A bicycle with a suspension system for a wheel of the bicycle, the suspension system including a smart fluid damper for dampening a movement of the wheel relative to the frame. The smart fluid damper includes a flow control element disposed within a cavity of the damper and configured to apply a field to a smart fluid within a fluid passage extending through the flow control element. The flow control element includes field barriers proximate the fluid passage to locally block and/or divert the field such that the field cannot pass therethrough. The field barriers are arranged to cause the field to criss-cross the fluid passage at multiple axial intervals along the fluid passage, thereby focusing the field within the fluid passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Mohammad Mehdi Naserimojarad, Mehrdad Moallem, Siamak Arzanpour
  • Patent number: 10899217
    Abstract: Some implementations can include a supplemental regenerative braking system comprising a power take-off section to receive mechanical energy, and an electric clutch to engage the power take-off section and transfer mechanical energy from the power take-off section to an output of the electric clutch. The system can also include a roller stop assembly coupled to the output of the electric clutch and constructed to transfer mechanical energy from the output of the electric clutch, and a generator coupled to the roller stop assembly. The system can further include a flywheel coupled to the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Inventor: Patrick J. Dugas
  • Patent number: 10865851
    Abstract: A damper device provided with a single cylinder type erecting structure having a free piston includes: a partition wall fixed to the cylinder between a piston and the free piston and partitioning inside of the cylinder into spaces in an axial direction of the cylinder; a partition wall orifice composed of an orifice piercing through the partition wall; a piston orifice composed of an orifice piercing through the piston; a partition wall-side flow variable structure configured to regulate a flow rate of a viscous fluid passing through the partition wall orifice; a piston-side flow variable structure configured to regulate a flow rate of the viscous fluid passing through the piston orifice; and a control unit configured to control the partition wall-side flow variable structure and the piston-side flow variable structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoki Sogawa, Kentaro Komori, Gakuyo Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 10648530
    Abstract: A wedge three-axis inertial sensor damper suspension apparatus prevents shock and vibration impacts on a construction machine from being transferred to inertial sensors used by an automatic control system of the construction machine. The inertial sensor suspension apparatus includes a pocket, a lid, a core disposed in the pocket and covered by the lid, one or more inertial sensors attached to the core, a plurality of elastomer insertions attached to the core and forming an upper wedge between the core and the lid and a lower wedge between the core and the pocket, and a coupler that provides controlled connection of the pocket and the lid to compress the plurality of elastomer insertions using a force corresponding to a target resonance frequency for the inertial sensor suspension apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: TOPCON POSITIONING SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Alexey Vladislavovich Zhdanov, Alexander Vladimirovich Osipov, Anton Gennadievich Golovanov, Kirill Valerievich Isaev, Sergey Vlktorovich Rogachkov
  • Patent number: 10597073
    Abstract: Vehicles and steering systems for vehicles are provided. An exemplary steering system is provided for an automotive vehicle that includes road wheels and a rack mechanically coupled to the road wheels and laterally displaceable to change an orientation of the road wheels. The steering system includes a steering wheel mounted on a steering column and rotatable by a driver for inputting a steering command. The steering system also includes a lower column coupled to the rack. In the steering system, lateral displacement of the rack causes a rotational torque on the lower column. The steering system further includes a magneto-rheological coupling interconnected between the steering column and the lower column. The magneto-rheological coupling selectively communicates a desired portion of the rotational torque on the lower column to the steering column to provide haptic feedback to the steering column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jin-Woo Lee, Bakhtiar B. Litkouhi, Chandra S. Namuduri
  • Patent number: 10598248
    Abstract: A smart fluid damper includes a damper body defining a cavity with smart fluid. A piston head is disposed within the cavity and is slidingly displaceable. A flow control element is disposed within the cavity. The flow control element includes a main body having a central core, and an outer housing that surrounds the main body and is spaced apart therefrom to define a fluid passage between the main body and the outer housing. The fluid passage extends axially through the main body to permit fluid flow therethrough. The central core includes an energizable coil operable to apply a field. A plurality of field barriers are provided, each operable to locally block the field generated by the energizable coil such that the field cannot pass directly therethrough. The field barriers are configured to focus the field within the fluid passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Mohammad Mehdi Naserimojarad, Mehrdad Moallem, Siamak Arzanpour
  • Patent number: 10543798
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting a passenger during a crash comprises a moveable seat with an energy absorber (EA) that allows the seat to stroke a finite distance to decelerate the passenger in a controlled manner. The seat is designed so that one of a plurality of fixed profile EA's can be selectively engaged to provide a tailored EA composite profile adapted to the occupant's weight and anticipated crash environment. The tailored EA composite profile applies a frequency matched, low onset force to the seat, which substantially eliminates problems associated with dynamic overshoot of the passenger's spine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Safe, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley P. Desjardins, Lance C. Labun, April M. Pinger
  • Patent number: 10544848
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dynamic damper control device. A control unit includes a first acceleration sensor configured to obtain a first acceleration of a mass member, a second acceleration sensor configured to obtain a second acceleration of a vibration control target member, and a target amplitude amplification ratio calculating unit configured to calculate a target amplitude amplification ratio of the mass member and the vibration control target member based on the first acceleration and the second acceleration, and is configured to change a magnetic force produced from an electromagnet based on the target amplitude amplification ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Toshio Inoue
  • Patent number: 10332366
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a tactile information providing device. The tactile information providing device according to the present invention comprises a tactile transmission unit (1:10, 20) formed of a magneto-rheological elastomer (MRE) material, wherein the tactile transmission unit (1) provides tactile information through the transformation (10a-10d, 20a-20d) by an external magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: CK MATERIALS LAB CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seoung Hun Do, Hyeong Jun Kim
  • Patent number: 10272863
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting a passenger during a crash comprises a moveable seat with an energy absorber (EA) that allows the seat to stroke a finite distance to decelerate the passenger in a controlled manner. The seat is designed so that one of a plurality of fixed profile EA's can be selectively engaged to provide a tailored EA composite profile adapted to the occupant's weight and anticipated crash environment. The tailored EA composite profile applies a frequency matched, low onset force to the seat, which substantially eliminates problems associated with dynamic overshoot of the passenger's spine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Safe, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley P. Desjardins, Lance C. Labun, April M. Pinger
  • Patent number: 10239556
    Abstract: Magnetorheological-damper-based steering apparatus and methods for reducing steering wheel jerk resulting from off-road wheel impact are described. An example steering damper apparatus includes a magnetorheological (MR) rotary damper to be operatively coupled to a steering column shaft. The example steering damper apparatus further includes a sensor to detect an angular velocity associated with the steering column shaft. The example steering damper apparatus further includes a controller to energize the MR rotary damper in response to determining that the angular velocity exceeds an angular velocity threshold. The angular velocity threshold is associated with steering wheel jerk resulting from an off-road wheel impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Geoffrey Bossio, Chris M Paiva, Steven Thompson, Zachary Grifka
  • Patent number: 10207138
    Abstract: A resistance device applied to relative rotations between a flywheel and an axis includes an inner stator, an outer rotor, a conductive wire and a magneto-rheological fluid. The inner stator is fixedly joined with the axis and includes an accommodating space surrounding the axis at a position away from the axis. The outer rotor, fixedly joined with the flywheel, encloses and rotates relative to the inner stator. An accommodating gap is formed between the outer rotor and the inner stator at a position away from the axis. The conductive wire is wound in the accommodating space, and generates a magnetic line passing the accommodating gap when applied by an electric current. The magneto-rheological fluid is filled in the accommodating gap. Thus, the outer rotor is disposed at the outer most region of the resistance device to increase the braking torque, and the magneto-rheological fluid is away from the axis to increase the braking moment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: GIANT MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hsaio-Wen Hsu
  • Patent number: 10161467
    Abstract: An active vibration controller includes: a housing; a first magnetic member installed on the side of the housing having a toric shape; a movable member including a second magnetic member that is substantially coaxial with the first magnetic member and disposed inside the toric shape of the first magnetic member; an exciting coil that generates a magnetic field in accordance with an intensity of a current supplied thereto; and a magnetic viscoelastic elastomer that has a magnetic viscoelastic property varying in accordance with a magnitude of the magnetic field from the exciting coil between the first and second tip portions, and connects the first magnetic core to the second magnetic core. The magnetic viscoelastic elastomer has a region having a non-magnetic property between the first and the second magnetic cores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Terashima, Toshio Inoue
  • Patent number: 9920809
    Abstract: A steering damper is configured to adjust a damping force of a rotor covered by a lower casing and an upper casing by changing the viscosity of a magnetic fluid with an electromagnet. Since a magnetic fluid chamber is provided with a volume compensating unit, even when the volume of the magnetic fluid expands, or air entrainment occurs, air bubbles lighter than the magnetic fluid are collected in the volume compensating unit. Thus, characteristic variations of the steering damper due to volume expansion or air entrainment of the magnetic fluid are prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasunobu Harazono, Nobuo Hara, Satoshi Ishikawa, Hiromi Fukuda
  • Patent number: 9827936
    Abstract: A method and vehicle control system for controlling stiffness of at least one support structure of a vehicle includes at least one of an acceleration sensor, a braking sensor and a corner sensor for providing a driving condition of the vehicle. A controller obtains information from the sensors to determine the driving condition and control the stiffness of a support structure of the vehicle. A magnetic field generator provides a magnetic field to control the stiffness of the support structure having a magnetorheological fluid or elastomer. An electrical source provides electrical current to a support structure including an electrorheological fluid or a support structure including a meta-material. When a vehicle collision is predicted no energy is provided to the support structure to minimize the stiffness and maximize energy absorbance by the support structure in a collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Steven Sancricca
  • Patent number: 9797465
    Abstract: A piston of a magnetorheological fluid shock absorber is provided with a piston core having a small diameter portion mounted on an end portion of the piston rod, an enlarged diameter portion formed continuously in an axial direction with a diameter larger than the small diameter portion and forming a stepped portion, and a large diameter portion formed continuously in the axial direction with a diameter larger than the enlarged diameter portion and having a coil; a ring body surrounding the outer periphery of the piston core and forming a flow passage of the magnetorheological fluid between itself and the large diameter portion; a plate formed annularly and arranged on the outer periphery of the small diameter portion and mounted on one end of the ring body; and a stopper mounted on the small diameter portion and sandwiching the plate between the stopper and the stepped portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: KYB Corporation
    Inventors: Keiji Saito, Kazuhisa Nakamura, Takashi Teraoka
  • Patent number: 9689456
    Abstract: The entire length of a piston (20) of a magnetorheological fluid shock absorber (100) is reduced. The piston (20) includes a piston core (30) mounted on an end portion of a piston rod (21) and having a coil (33) provided on an outer periphery, a flux ring (35) surrounding the outer periphery of the piston core (30) and forming a flow passage for a magnetorheological fluid, a plate (40) formed annularly, arranged on an outer periphery of the piston rod, and joined to one end of the flux ring (35) through brazing, and a stopper containing a fixing nut (50). The flux ring (35) and the plate (40) are joined by a metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: KYB Corporation
    Inventor: Keiji Saito
  • Patent number: 9677641
    Abstract: A vibration damping system for machining parts uses magneto rheological radial squeeze film damper technology to reduce part vibration, enhance tool lifecycles, and to improve part surface finish. In the described embodiment, the damping system includes a pair of damping cylinders affixed to a machine tool fixture, each cylinder containing a solid core concentrically situated within an internal sleeve portion of the cylinder. Rheological fluid contained within a radial space between the core and sleeve defines a radial squeeze channel for the fluid. Fluid stiffness is controlled in real time by varying an electric current to modulate a magnetic field passing through the fluid to dampen vibrations in accordance with at least one predetermined algorithm. As material is removed from the part during machining, the fluid damping characteristics are actively managed by a machine tool controller as a function of a combination of dynamically changing and predetermined algorithmic inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Alexander P. O'Connor
  • Patent number: 9545711
    Abstract: A percussion mechanism includes a first shaft and a second shaft. One or more vanes are fastened to the first shaft. The vanes are arranged so as to be rotatable in a chamber of the second shaft. The chamber is filled with a magnetorheological fluid. A magnetic field source on the second shaft generates a magnetic field that is spatially modulated in the circumferential direction inside the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Alexander Hoop, Michael Wierer, Albert Binder, Dieter Profunser, Stefan Battlogg, Juergen Poesel
  • Patent number: 9539708
    Abstract: A hand-held power tool has a motor, a tool holder, and a percussion mechanism disposed between the motor and the tool holder in the drive train. The percussion mechanism includes a first shaft and a second shaft. A magnetically conductive ring gear is connected to the first shaft. An inner wall of the ring gear is eccentric to an axis of the second shaft. A magnetically conductive impeller is connected to the second shaft and is arranged to rotate within the ring gear. The impeller is spaced from the ring gear by a first air gap in a first position while being spaced from the ring gear by a second air gap in a second position, the first air gap being smaller than the second one. A magnet array is arranged coaxially to the second shaft. A magnetorheological fluid fills a cavity between the ring gear and the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Alexander Hoop, Albert Binder, Michael Wierer, Dieter Profunser
  • Patent number: 9520763
    Abstract: Disclosed is an active energy harvesting device. The device includes a rigid body configured to vibrate corresponding to vibration of an external vibration body and including a first end at which an energy harvesting structure is provided to convert mechanical energy into electric energy, a magneto-rheological material provided at a second end of the rigid body to be bound to the rigid body and including a material which is changed in elastic force according to the surrounding magnetic field strength, a fixing unit for binding the second end of the rigid body and the magneto-rheological material and connecting the rigid body to the external vibration body, and a first permanent magnet arranged symmetrically apart from the magneto-rheological material while interposing the magneto-rheological material therebetween and provided so as to adjust a gap from the magneto-rheological material and change an elastic coefficient of the magneto-rheological material according to the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: CHUNG-ANG UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY-ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Jong Won Seok, Wan Sun, Pil Kee Kim, Jee Hyun Jung
  • Patent number: 9441702
    Abstract: A magnetorheological fluid damper using magnetorheological fluid, whose viscosity changes according to an intensity of a magnetizing field, as working fluid includes a cylinder in which magnetorheological fluid is sealed, a piston which is slidably arranged in the cylinder, a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber which are partitioned by the piston, a main flow passage which is open on opposite end surfaces of the piston and allows communication between the first and second fluid chambers, an electromagnetic coil which generates a magnetizing field to be applied to the magnetorheological fluid flowing in the main flow passage, a bypass flow passage which is formed at a position less affected by the magnetizing field generated by the electromagnetic coil than the main flow passage, and a bypass branching portion which branches the bypass flow passage from the main flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: KYB CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keiji Saito, Kazuhisa Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9320720
    Abstract: A therapeutic system, designed as a laminate and including at least one adhesive laminate layer is described. Also described is a therapeutic device having such a therapeutic system. For this purpose, at least one laminate layer or one intermediate layer and/or one intermediate layer arranged between two laminate layers contains superparamagnetic nanoparticles. The therapeutic device having such a therapeutic system includes at least one electrically controllable system which is detachably connected to the therapeutic system. The electrically controllable system has a frequency-dependent electric resistance. During operation of the therapeutic device, the electrically controllable system generates an electric or magnetic field, which can be varied in orientation and intensity over time and penetrates the superparamagnetic nanoparticles. This provides a controllable therapeutic system that is independent of contact surfaces, and a therapeutic device having such a controllable therapeutic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: LTS Lohmann Therapie-Systeme AG
    Inventor: Stephan Maier
  • Patent number: 9273748
    Abstract: A magnetorheological damper system comprising a reservoir in communication with a damper. The damper comprises a damper cylinder defining a damper chamber, wherein the damper chamber contains a magnetorheological fluid and a movable damper piston. The damper piston comprises at least two coil windings on the outer surface of the damper piston, wherein the damper piston is capable of generating a magnetic field between the damper piston and a wall of the damper cylinder. The reservoir comprises a reservoir cylinder defining a passageway, wherein the reservoir includes a magnetorheological electromagnet capable of generating a magnetic field between the magnetorheological piston and a wall of the passageway. The combination of the MR reservoir and MR damper leads to a damping system capable of damping a wide range of extreme forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: MillenWorks
    Inventors: Eric N. Anderfaas, Dean Banks
  • Patent number: 9238462
    Abstract: The present invention is provided with: a traveling state detection means that detects the traveling state of a vehicle; a target attitude control amount computation means that computes the target attitude control amount of the vehicle on the basis of the traveling state; a attitude control amount computation means that computes the attitude control amount controlled by an actuator other than a shock absorber on the basis of the target attitude control amount; and an damping force control means that controls the damping force of the shock absorber on the basis of the target attitude control amount and the attitude control amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hironobu Kikuchi, Katsuhiko Hirayama
  • Patent number: 9217487
    Abstract: In a movement damping apparatus, a magnetorheological fluid is pressed through a flow path. A device generating a variable magnetic field comprises a core around which a coil is wound as well as pole surfaces in the flow path, the magnetic field acting on the magnetorheological fluid by way of said pole surfaces. The coil is arranged within the flow path along with the core, the axis of the coil extending perpendicular to the direction of flow of the magnetorheological fluid. The flow path has a jacket made of a magnetically conducting material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: INVENTUS ENGINEERING GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Battlogg, Juergen Poesel, Gernot Elsensohn
  • Patent number: 9120527
    Abstract: In a steering damper control apparatus, when a command value output unit detects an idle spin of a rear wheel, a damper driver increases a damping force of an MR damper to be higher than a damping force thereof used when the rear wheel is not spinning idly. Therefore, skidding of the rear wheel is prevented to prevent a posture change of a motorcycle. As a result, a driving direction of the rear wheel deviating from a traveling direction is prevented to efficiently use the drive of the rear wheel during traveling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasunobu Harazono, Masashi Matsuo, Nobuo Hara
  • Patent number: 9109654
    Abstract: A compact and failsafe magnetorheological energy absorber design including both a light weight piston (LWP) embodiment in which linear motion is subjected to a linear damping force, and a light weight rotary vane (LWRV) embodiment in which linear motion is converted into rotary motion and is subjected to a rotary damping force. Both embodiments allow increased damper stroke within a compact mechanical profile. A new lightweight Magnetorheological energy attenuation system (LMEAS) for a vehicle seat is also disclosed using the new LMRW MREA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignees: Inno Vital Systems, Inc., University of Maryland, College Park
    Inventors: Gregory J. Hiemenz, Norman M. Wereley
  • Patent number: 9052241
    Abstract: A method for determining the temperature of an ignition coil (1), including a primary winding with a winding resistance (Rp), the primary winding being controlled by a control stage (2) with a foot resistance (Rsh), the method including the following steps: a) controlling the control stage in order to establish a primary control current; b) waiting for a predetermined time; c) determining the current Ip by measuring the voltage Vshunt and by dividing this voltage by the foot resistance Rsh; d) acquiring the value of the supply VB and the voltage Vice; e) determining the winding resistance Rp using the formula: Rp = VB - Vce Ip - Rsh f) determining the primary winding temperature using a temperature-resistance correspondence curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE
    Inventor: Guy Barbaza
  • Publication number: 20150144442
    Abstract: A braking device capable of effectively causing a shearing stress of a magnetorheological fluid to act on both surfaces of the rotation body is provided. The present invention provides a braking device including a first soft magnetic material 1, a coil 3 attached to the first soft magnetic material 1, a second soft magnetic material 2, a activation chamber 4 formed between the first soft magnetic material 1 and the second soft magnetic material 2, and a rotation body 5 provided inside of the activation chamber 4, and a magnetorheological fluid 6 filling a gap between the rotation body 5 and the first soft magnetic material 1 and a gap between the rotation body 5 and the second soft magnetic material 2, wherein the rotation body 5 includes low magnetoresistive parts 5a, 5b made of a soft magnetic material and a high magnetoresistive part 5c in which a magnetic flux is less likely to flow, and the high magnetoresistive part 5c is provided at a portion of the rotation body 5 facing the coil 3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Somic Ishikawa, Fuji Latex Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Ryota Shimura, Daisuke Yamada
  • Publication number: 20150144443
    Abstract: Shock absorber and method for operating a shock absorber for a bicycle wherein a relative motion of a first and a second component interconnected via a damper device is dampened. The damper device includes a controllable damping valve with a field generating device with which a field-sensitive medium can be influenced for influencing a damping force of the damper device by applying a field intensity of the field generating device. A parameter for the current relative speeds of the first and second components is obtained in real time. For damping, a current field intensity to be set is derived in real time by way of the parameter from a characteristic damper curve and the field intensity to be currently set is generated by the field generating device in real time for setting in real time a damping force which results from the predetermined characteristic damper curve at the parameter obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: STEFAN BATTLOGG, MARTIN WALTHERT, GERNOT ELSENSOHN, JUERGEN POESEL
  • Patent number: 9038789
    Abstract: A method of controlling an elastomeric damper. The damper is heated by passing an electric current through the damper or through a heating element in contact with the damper said heating causing a decrease in stiffness of the damper. The elastomeric damper may comprise an elastomeric material filled with electrically conductive particles, and the damper may be heated by passing an electric current through the elastomeric material. Alternatively the damper may be heated using a discrete resistive heating element, such as a coil embedded within the elastomeric damper or wound around it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
    Inventors: Colin John West, David Alistair Sutton
  • Publication number: 20150136548
    Abstract: A braking device capable of generating a larger braking force is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Somic Ishikawa, Fuji Latex Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryota Shimura, Daisuke Yamada
  • Patent number: 9033120
    Abstract: Shock absorber for an at least partially muscle-powered bicycle having a damper device having a first and a second damper chamber assigned thereto which are hydraulically coupled with one another through a damping valve. In the damping valve a flow duct with a field-sensitive, rheological medium is provided. The damping valve has a field generating device assigned to it which serves for generating and controlling a field intensity in the flow duct of the damping valve. The flow duct comprises in the damping valve a collection chamber which is hydraulically connected with the first damper chamber through a plurality of flow apertures, wherein at least one flow aperture is configured as a through hole and at least one flow aperture, as a closable valve opening provided with a one-way valve. The collection chamber is hydraulically connected hydraulically with the second damper chamber via a plurality of fan-type damping ducts each separated from one another by a fan wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: DT Swiss Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Battlogg, Martin Walthert, Michael Kieber, Juergen Poesel