Abstract: According to the present invention, a haptic interface system, also known as a force feedback system, comprises a motor for supplying actuating energy and a magnetically-controllable device that transfers the actuating energy into force feedback sensations. The magnetically-controllable device contains a magnetically-controllable medium beneficially providing variable resistance forces in proportion to the strength of an applied magnetic field. The system further comprises a computer system having a processor that runs an interactive program or event, a video display for displaying the interactive program or event, and a haptic interface device in operable contact with an operator for controlling inputs to the interactive program.

Abstract: An elastomer damper (20) for damping movement between two relatively moveable members, such as shimmy motion between components in an aircraft landing gear assembly (10). The damper (20) includes a housing (24) having an internal cavity (36) with a cylindrical interior surface (34) and an opening (41), and a member assembly (28) moveable relative to the housing (24) having an elongated shaft (30) received through the opening (41) with a piston head assembly (32) mounted thereon. The piston head assembly (32) has a annular support element (46) received over the shaft (30) with a sleeve-like elastomer member (48) received over it. The elastomer member (48) engages the interior surface (34) in an interference fit relationship thereby radially precompressing the elastomer element (48) in the range of between about 5% and 15%. Low friction washers (50a, 50b) are preferably positioned adjacent to the ends of the elastomer ember (48) and the support member (46).

Abstract: A controllable pneumatic actuator and motion control apparatus including a field responsive medium and control method therefor. The apparatus has a pneumatic actuator coupled to a rotary-acting brake such that a motion (e.g., a displacement, velocity or acceleration) of an output member may be precisely controlled. The pneumatic actuator has a housing with a piston moveable responsive to a pressure differentials and an output member coupled to the piston. The rotary-acting controllable brake includes a field responsive medium and a brake shaft coupled to the output member. Preferably, the apparatus includes a control system having a sensor for deriving motion signal and a motion control for processing the motion signal and providing a control signal to the brake.

Abstract: An elastomer coupling (20) including an outer member (40) including a leading contact face (38), and an elastomer component (30) including a driving elastomer contact face (41) opposing and adapted for operable unbonded contact with said leading contact face (38), the driving elastomer contact face (41) including a thin polyurethane coating (50). In another aspect, the elastomer coupling (20) has an elastomer member (30) preferably having a plurality of parallel-sided bonded lugs (47) having thin elastomer driving and following skins (46, 46′) received in preferable line fit relationship in a plurality of parallel-sided recesses (44) formed in a preferably plastic outer member (40) for transmitting torques, accommodating slight parallel and angular misaligninents, and isolating vibrations thereof.

Abstract: An elastomeric bearing. The bearing which may be used to support a railway car body includes first and second members and an elastomeric member interposed in a cavity defined between the first and second members. The second member has a recess formed therein which communicates with the cavity. The elastomeric member includes a working section positioned in the cavity and a non-working section integral with the working section and disposed in the recess. The non-working section serves as a sprue location site during the molding process to avoid locating surface defects associated with the sprue in the working section.

Abstract: A leaf spring suspension assembly includes a leaf spring assembly having a plurality of vertically stacked leaf springs and a bearing assembly positioned adjacent an end thereof. The bearing assembly includes an upper insulator cup having an upper recess and a lower bracket cap having a lower recess and upper and lower bonded bearings. The upper bonded bearing is received in the upper recess and includes a rigid lower member having an upper elastomer element bonded thereto; the bearing being received adjacent the upper side of the leaf spring assembly. The lower bonded bearing is received in the lower recess and includes a rigid upper member having a lower elastomer element bonded thereto; the lower bearing being received adjacent the lower side of the leaf spring assembly. At least one of the upper and lower elastomer elements includes a spherical elastomer element.

Abstract: A fluid mounting (20) for isolating or damping vibration between a vibrating member (21) and a structure (23). In one aspect, the fluid mounting (20) includes inner (22) and outer (24) members, a flexible element (26), first (28) and second (30) operating chambers, a fluid passageway (32) interconnecting operating chambers (28, 30), and a partitionless volume compensator (36) including a compensator chamber (38) separated into a gas-filled portion (40) and a fluid-filled portion (42). Notably, the chamber (38) is devoid of any separating barrier. At least one lock passage (44) interconnects the fluid-filled portion (42) with one of the first and second operating chambers (28, 30), and a working fluid (34). Preferably a bubble trap depression (46) focuses any gas bubbles into the lock passage (44). In another aspect, mounting (20) may include laminated shim construction with sloping profiles thereon to prevent bubble trapping.

Abstract: A coupling (20) having a driving member (22) with an inner surface (24), a driven member (26) having an outer surface (28), a flexible member (27) intervening between the surfaces (24, 28) exhibiting an elastic center (EC), and a pivot (32) cooperating between the members (22, 26) wherein an axial location of the pivot substantially coincides with the axial location of the elastic center (EC). In another aspect, a bonded Subassembly (34) is provided which, together with the driving member (22), forms the coupling (20). The subassembly (34) has a driven member (26) with first (40) and second (50) projecting portions extending from a main body portion (38). The first portion (40) has an outer surface (28) and the second portion (50) includes a bearing member. The flexible member (27) is bonded to the outer surface (28) and a third projection (42) extends from the main body portion (38). The axial location of the bearing member is substantially aligned axially with the position of the elastic center (EC).

Abstract: An isolation system includes a housing that contains an electromagnet, a sensor and a controller. The housing is mounted underneath a table top of an isolation table (or other structure requiring isolation from a second body), and target elements, such as permanent magnets, are associated with the frame of the table in proximity to the housing. The sensor provides an input signal representative of motion of the table to the controller, which generates a control signal for the electromagnet to produce a force acting on the target element. The housing can be attached to the table top with magnets, which facilitate installation. The housing provides a unit that is simple to install, is unobtrusive, and advantageous for retrofitting existing isolation tables.

Abstract: A method for controlling working fluid surge in a centrifugal compressor. According to the method, surge detection is accomplished by calculating the change in the compressible fluid mass flow rate that accompanies surge in a compressor, the compressor having means for sensing a first fluid temperature, means for sensing a first pressure, means for sensing a second pressure, and means for measuring current drawn by a compressor prime mover, the method comprising the steps of: calculating the time rate of change of the first fluid temperature; calculating the time rate of change of the first fluid pressure; calculating the time rate of change of the second fluid pressure; calculating the time rate of change of current drawn by the compressor prime mover; calculating the mass flow rate by combining the calculated rates of change; and comparing the calculated mass flow rate to a predetermined acceptable mass flow rate to determine if surge is present.

Abstract: A controllable damper for resisting movement 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 cage preferably supports the matrix. 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. Devices including a two-piece outer housing are described.

Abstract: A magnetorheological brake includes an outer, rotating flywheel member having a hollow interior space, and an inner fixed member disposed in the hollow interior space. The inner fixed member is sized so that a working space is provide between the surfaces of the fixed member and the inner wall of the rotating member. A controllable medium of magnetically permeable metal particles is disposed in the working space. A field generator is mounted in the interior space to the fixed member to selectably generate a field acting on the outer and inner members and the controllable medium in the working space. The rheology change in the medium produced by the field generates resistance to rotation of the outer member about the inner member. A device according to the invention may be used as a flywheel/brake or resistance-generating device in exercise equipment, rotating equipment, such as conveyors, and vehicles.

Abstract: A mount for use in the suspension system of a railway truck that limits the relative lateral movement between a side frame member and a bearing adapter. In one embodiment, the mount includes a rigid material layer having at least four sections laterally angled between a horizontal axis and vertical axis. A first and second elastic material layer are respectively positioned between the side frame member and rigid material layer, and between the rigid material layers and bearing adapter. The first elastic material layer has at least four sections abutting and conforming to the at least four sections of the rigid material layer. In addition, the second elastic material layer has at least four sections abutting and conforming to the at least four sections of the rigid material layer. The angled sections cooperate to increase the lateral spring rate of the mount, thereby improving the ride characteristics and high speed stability of the railway truck.

Abstract: A resistance device (20) useful as a thumb or hand exerciser. The device (20) includes an outer member (32) including an axial through bore (34); an inner member (22) received within the through bore (34) and extending out of both its ends; and a friction member (36), such as an elastomer sleeve, immovably mounted on said inner member (22); said friction member (36) being in operable contact with the through bore (34) to provide resistance to relative axial movement between said inner (22) and outer (32) members. The level of resistance may be adjusted by rotating ends (24, 24′)of the inner member (22) relative to one another such that the friction member (36) is axially compressed. Stops (30, 30′) limit axial travel.

Abstract: A deformable grip (10) for handheld implements such as writing pen (20) and other handheld equipment such as shaving instruments, medical instruments, sporting equipment, and similar articles, which is capable of being deformed in conformance with the user's s hands and fingers. The present grip (10) includes an elastomeric sleeve (40) filled with a magnetorheological (MR) fluid (60) and a magnetic field generator that acts upon such fluid to adjust grip deformability. In a preferred form of the invention, the implement body (32) or other equipment handle is configured to include a recessed cavity (35) wherein the (MR) fluid-filled sleeve (40) resides. A permanent magnet assembly (34) is disposed within the tubular sleeve (40) such that in an on-state of the present grip (10), the magnetic flux field extends radially to pass through the (MR) fluid (60) to instantaneously solidify it in a relatively nondeformable set condition in conformance with the user's anatomical contours.

Abstract: A transport temperature control unit for a vehicle, the temperature control unit including a frame having a first rail member which defines a guide channel; and an access panel having a top access panel edge movable between a first position where the top edge is adjacent the frame and a second position where the top edge is located away from the frame, the access panel further including at least one hinge member with a flange fixed to the access panel and a guide portion located in the guide channel, the guide portion having a support portion with a center, the hinge being rotatable about the support portion center to move the access panel to the second. The access panel also being movable to a third position where the first edge is located a second distance from the frame. The hinge being rotatable about the center and movable linearly in the guide channel to move the panel to the third position.

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.