Abstract: A system for pressure measurement within a surgical system is disclosed. The system comprises a pressure sensitive disc in communication with at least one applied pressure a magnetic field generator for generating at least one first magnetic field, and at least one sensor for measuring at least one second magnetic field, wherein the at least one first magnetic field at least partially creates the at least second magnetic field; and wherein the at least one sensor produces signal indicative of the distance between the at least one sensor and the at least one second magnetic field.

Abstract: A system for a surgical system is disclosed, comprising system for distributing fluid in a surgical cassette, comprising at least one at least partially deformable bladder at least partially disposed on at least one rigid surface, wherein the bladder forms a portion of a channel, at least a first and second port in fluid communication with the channel, wherein the channel comprises at least two portions having a substantially uniform first dimension separated by a second portion have a second dimension, and wherein at least two pump head rollers are engaged with the bladder.

Abstract: A vehicular final drive chain path length compensation and adjustment system using an idler assembly which is moved in a prescribed geometry by a stiff system. The system and method maintains constant the chain path length during suspension travel. An idler arm assembly guides the idler assembly along an arc-shaped path, with displacement along this path determined not by a spring, but by a cam rotated by a trailing arm on the vehicle. The idler arm assembly allows for a simple static adjustment to compensate the chain path length for wear of components and tolerances in the vehicle assembly.

Abstract: The track tension of a tracked vehicle is actively controlled by a track tensioner system that is positioned behind or within an idler wheel of a tracked vehicle. The system employs no exposed hydraulic line and is operable to default to a passive tensioning mode in the event of a system failure. The hydraulic circuit of the track tensioner system is powered by the rotation of the idler wheel inside which the system resides.

Abstract: A method and apparatus relating to a driveline and suspension system for a vehicle and, more particularly, methods and systems for driveline-suspension coupling in a narrow multi-track leaning vehicle with three or more wheels and with at least two driving wheels. There are provided graphical and computational methods for determining driveline and suspension geometries for narrow multi-track vehicles, as well as apparatuses including the geometric configurations, and exhibiting improved driveline-suspension coupling behaviors.

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.

Abstract: A method and apparatus relating to a driveline and suspension system for a vehicle and, more particularly, methods and systems for driveline-suspension coupling in a narrow multi-track leaning vehicle with three or more wheels and with at least two driving wheels. There are provided graphical and computational methods for determining driveline and suspension geometries for narrow multi-track vehicles, as well as apparatuses including the geometric configurations, and exhibiting improved driveline-suspension coupling behaviors.

Abstract: The track tension of a tracked vehicle is actively controlled by a track tensioner system that is positioned behind or within an idler wheel of a tracked vehicle. The system employs no exposed hydraulic line and is operable to default to a passive tensioning mode in the event of a system failure. The hydraulic circuit of the track tensioner system is powered by the rotation of the idler wheel inside which the system resides.

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 an MR reservoir and MR damper leads to a damping system capable of damping a wide range of extreme forces.

Abstract: A mobile oscillator device that employs two counter-rotating masses that generate a large impact force at multiple frequencies without generating forces in other undesired directions.

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 an MR reservoir and MR damper leads to a damping system capable of damping a wide range of extreme forces.

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 an MR reservoir and MR damper leads to a damping system capable of damping a wide range of extreme forces.

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 an MR reservoir and MR damper leads to a damping system capable of damping a wide range of extreme forces.

Abstract: An articulated vehicle suspension system shoulder joint is disclosed. A vehicle includes a plurality of wheel assemblies; a plurality of rotating shoulder joints, each wheel assembly being mounted to a respective one of the shoulder joints and rotatable in a plane by the respective shoulder joint; and a chassis to which the shoulder joints are mounted. The shoulder joint for use in a vehicle suspension system includes a housing to which a wheel assembly may be attached for in-plane rotation; a drive; and a transmission engaged with the housing and the drive to reduce the speed of the drive motor as it drives the housing.

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 an MR reservoir and MR damper leads to a damping system capable of damping a wide range of extreme forces.

Abstract: An all terrain vehicle has a frame carried by a group of wheels. At least one of the wheels is steerably connected to the frame. A steering handle assembly is rotatably connected to the frame. A servo valve has an input shaft connected to the steering handle assembly and an output shaft connected to a pitman arm. A linkage extends from the pitman arm to the steerable wheel or wheels. A pump draws fluid from a reservoir and passes the fluid through the servo valve before the fluid is returned to the reservoir. The servo valve redirects at least a portion of the flow to a cylinder to drive a ram within the cylinder in response to steering movement of the steering handle assembly. The ram, in turn, provides a power assist to the steerable wheel or wheels. A variable speed, constant displacement pump can be used to vary the flow rate in a manner that reduces the flow rate as the vehicle speed increases. Alternatively, a bypass can be used to vary a flow rate through the servo valve.

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 an MR reservoir and MR damper leads to a damping system capable of damping a wide range of extreme forces.

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 an MR reservoir and MR damper leads to a damping system capable of damping a wide range of extreme forces.

Abstract: A rotary damper is disclosed. The rotary damper comprises a first and a second plurality of plates disposed within a housing. The first and second pluralities of plates are interleaved and are capable of moving relative to one another. A magnetorheological fluid contained within the housing resides in the interleave of the first and second plurality of plates. A magnetic flux generator drives a magnetic flux through the magnetorheological fluid in the interleave in a direction transverse to the orientation of the plates and is capable of varying the strength of the driven magnetic flux. The magnetic flux aligns the magnetic particles suspended in the magnetorheological fluid, increasing the shear strength of the magnetorheological fluid, which in turn resists motion between the first and second plurality of plates, acting as a damper.

Abstract: An all terrain vehicle has a frame carried by a group of wheels. At least one of the wheels is steerably connected to the frame. A steering handle assembly is rotatably connected to the frame. A servo valve has an input shaft connected to the steering handle assembly and an output shaft connected to a pitman arm. A linkage extends from the pitman arm to the steerable wheel or wheels. A pump draws fluid from a reservoir and passes the fluid through the servo valve before the fluid is returned to the reservoir. The servo valve redirects at least a portion of the flow to a cylinder to drive a ram within the cylinder in response to steering movement of the steering handle assembly. The ram, in turn, provides a power assist to the steerable wheel or wheels. A variable speed, constant displacement pump can be used to vary the flow rate in a manner that reduces the flow rate as the vehicle speed increases. Alternatively, a bypass can be used to vary a flow rate through the servo valve.