Abstract: A magneto-rheological damping device comprises a piston and a case element, both capable of acting to carry a magnetic flux. A passage exists between the piston and the case element, and an amount of MR fluid is positioned between the piston and the case element to flow within the passage. A first magnetic flux generator and a second magnetic flux generator cooperate to generate a net flux that is disposed to act upon the MR fluid in the passage to affect the flow of fluid in the passage. One of the flux generators comprises a permanent magnet to generate a bias flux between the piston and the case element, and the other flux generator comprises a means for providing a controllable magnetic flux between the piston and the case element.

Abstract: A magnetorheological (MR) fluid-based device including an MR piston assembly. The MR piston assembly includes a ferromagnetic MR piston core and an electric coil. The MR piston core has a central longitudinal axis and has an outer circumferential surface substantially coaxially aligned with the central longitudinal axis. The electric coil is positioned in the MR piston core and is substantially coaxially aligned with the central longitudinal axis. A portion, or at least a portion, of the electric coil is buried in the MR piston core under the outer circumferential surface.

Abstract: A magneto-rheological damping device comprises a piston and a case element, both capable of acting to carry a magnetic flux. A passage exists between the piston and the case element, and an amount of MR fluid is positioned between the piston and the case element to flow within the passage. A first magnetic flux generator and a second magnetic flux generator cooperate to generate a net flux that is disposed to act upon the MR fluid in the passage to affect the flow of fluid in the passage. One of the flux generators comprises a permanent magnet to generate a bias flux between the piston and the case element, and the other flux generator comprises a means for providing a controllable magnetic flux between the piston and the case element.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system includes a mechanical spring portion adapted to undergo suspension deflection, a spring seat contacting and supporting the mechanical spring portion, and a mechanical gear assembly which is operatively connected to the spring seat to control spring seat position and which is adapted to be driven by an electric motor. A method for operating a vehicle suspension system undergoing suspension deflection, wherein the vehicle suspension system includes a mechanical spring portion having a spring seat with a movable spring seat position, includes determining a frequency content of the suspension deflection. The method also includes electromechanically controlling the spring seat position in response to suspension deflection when the determined frequency content is in a low-frequency range below a wheel hop frequency.

Abstract: A magnetorheological (MR) fluid-based device including an MR piston assembly. The MR piston assembly includes a ferromagnetic MR piston core and an electric coil. The MR piston core has a central longitudinal axis and has an outer circumferential surface substantially coaxially aligned with the central longitudinal axis. The electric coil is positioned in the MR piston core and is substantially coaxially aligned with the central longitudinal axis. A portion, or at least a portion, of the electric coil is buried in the MR piston core under the outer circumferential surface.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system includes a mechanical spring portion adapted to undergo suspension deflection, a spring seat contacting and supporting the mechanical spring portion, and a mechanical gear assembly which is operatively connected to the spring seat to control spring seat position and which is adapted to be driven by an electric motor. A method for operating a vehicle suspension system undergoing suspension deflection, wherein the vehicle suspension system includes a mechanical spring portion having a spring seat with a movable spring seat position, includes determining a frequency content of the suspension deflection. The method also includes electromechanically controlling the spring seat position in response to suspension deflection when the determined frequency content is in a low-frequency range below a wheel hop frequency.

Abstract: A high-performance piston core including a first piston cylinder and a second piston cylinder, with a piston center longitudinally disposed between and magnetically coupling the first piston cylinder and the second piston cylinder. The piston center is made of high-performance magnetic material, such as Cobalt steel (CoFe), Silicon steel (SiFe), Vanadium/Cobalt steel (Permendur), alloys thereof, or the like. The high-performance magnetic materials exhibit high magnetic permeability and reduce the magnetic reluctance of flux bottlenecks. In addition, high-performance magnetic materials typically saturate at a higher flux density than the conventional magnetic materials. The first piston cylinder and the second piston cylinder can be made of conventional magnetic material, such as low-carbon steel. The first piston cylinder can include a ring disposed about an end, where the end is longitudinally attached and magnetically coupled to the piston center.

Abstract: A high-performance piston core including a first piston cylinder and a second piston cylinder, with a piston center longitudinally disposed between and magnetically coupling the first piston cylinder and the second piston cylinder. The piston center is made of high-performance magnetic material, such as Cobalt steel (CoFe), Silicon steel (SiFe), Vanadium/Cobalt steel (Permendur), alloys thereof, or the like. The high-performance magnetic materials exhibit high magnetic permeability and reduce the magnetic reluctance of flux bottlenecks. In addition, high-performance magnetic materials typically saturate at a higher flux density than the conventional magnetic materials. The first piston cylinder and the second piston cylinder can be made of conventional magnetic material, such as low-carbon steel. The first piston cylinder can include a ring disposed about an end, where the end is longitudinally attached and magnetically coupled to the piston center.

Abstract: A suspension control system includes a plurality of damper assemblies, each damper assembly including an integrated velocity sensor and an integrated local controller with a drive unit connected to a damper coil of the damper assembly. A central controller may be connected for communication with the integrated local controller of each damper assembly. The local controller of each damper assembly normally controls the damper assembly independently of the central controller or other damper assemblies for carrying out at least one control function of the damper assembly. When provided, the central controller communicates with the local controller of each damper assembly for overriding local control functions. A related self-contained piston damper unit is also provided.

Abstract: A hydraulic mount for automotive engine and powertrain applications includes an elastomer body, a base and a partition interposed the body and the base to form a fluid-pumping chamber and a reservoir. Circumferentially spaced axial extending holes or slots or an annular orifice track are formed in the partition together with a magnetic coil operable to impose a magnetic field on the holes, slots or orifice track to control the shear properties of a magnetorheological (MR) fluid in the pumping chamber and reservoir. An elastomeric decoupler member is in communication with at least one of the pumping chamber and the reservoir to reduce the mount dynamic stiffness for isolating low-displacement relatively high-frequency vibrations. Vibrations of multiple frequencies may be isolated by tuning the mount with a controller.

Abstract: A hydraulic mount for automotive engine and powertrain applications includes an elastomer body, a base and a partition interposed the body and the base to form a fluid-pumping chamber and a reservoir. Circumferentially spaced axial extending holes or slots or an annular orifice track are formed in the partition together with a magnetic coil operable to impose a magnetic field on the holes, slots or orifice track to control the shear properties of a magnetorheological (MR) fluid in the pumping chamber and reservoir. An elastomeric decoupler member is in communication with at least one of the pumping chamber and the reservoir to reduce the mount dynamic stiffness for isolating low-displacement relatively high-frequency vibrations. Vibrations of multiple frequencies may be isolated by tuning the mount with a controller.