Abstract: A controllable magnetorheological fluid valve for controlling magnetorheological fluid. The controllable fluid valve includes a magnetorheological fluid conduit with a magnetorheological fluid path. The controllable fluid valve includes a north magnetic pole and a south magnetic pole, with the south magnetic pole proximate the north magnetic pole with a magnetic discontinuity spacer between the south magnetic pole and the north magnetic pole wherein the spacer forces nontraversing magnetic flux lines from said north pole out into the magnetorheological fluid path and then back into the south pole.

Abstract: A patch of low friction materials, such as a film of polytetrafluoroethylene is sized to provide an area of low friction support for a portion of a human body relative to an object such as a shoe or prosthetic socket. The patch can be lined with foam, or preferably, a stretch fabric so that it will fit around irregular contours of the shoe, or socket, or the skin itself. The patches reduce shear trauma in critical load areas. After identifying regions of high loads, the method comprises applying the patches as needed to avoid sores, calluses, blisters and abrasions.

Abstract: A system that includes a magnetically actuated motion control device comprising a housing defining a cavity and including a slot therethrough. A movable member is located within the cavity and is movable relative to the housing. A magnetic field generator located on either the housing or the movable member causes the housing to press against the movable member to develop a friction force.

Abstract: The invention includes an electronic circuit board assembly fixturing support device for supporting an electronic circuit board during an assembly process and a method of making an electronic circuit board assembly with the electronic circuit board assembly fixturing support device. The electronic circuit board support device includes a plurality of extendable support legs which have distal ends for engaging and supporting the electronic circuit board when extended to supporting leg extended lengths, with the device including a magnetic field generator for generating a magnetic field wherein the magnetic field generator magnetic field magnetically locks the supporting legs extended lengths in order to maintain the engagement and support of the electronic circuit bard during an electronic circuit bard assembly process to make electronic circuit bard assembly.

Abstract: A friction damper a housing including a cavity formed therein; a first member disposed in said cavity and movable in said cavity; a second member disposed in said cavity; an intermediate member between the first and second members, the first member being in frictional engagement with the intermediate member; and at least one magnetic field generator mounted to magnetically couple the first and second members thereby maintaining the first member in frictional engagement with the intermediate member and wherein the first member is movable against the intermediate member to generate a damping force.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a frame; a member movable relative to said frame; a damping device interconnected between the frame and the movable member; a controller for activating said damper to generate a damping condition at a predetermined member operating condition; and system for activating the damping device at a predetermined operating condition of the moving member during a loss of power to the apparatus. The damping device may comprise a field controllable damper that includes a volume of field controllable fluid, which may in turn comprise magnetorheological fluid for example. The rheology of the field controllable fluid is effected during the application of said field.

Abstract: The invention provides a rotating tub washer with an on-off binary damper system for damping a problematic movement between the washer frame and the rotating tub. The on-off binary damper system has a friction pad and a housing friction damper surface, with the friction pad in contact with said housing friction damper surface.

Abstract: An orthosis that provides hinging action between two shell parts that are on opposite sides of a skeletal joint of a limb is provided with joint components on the medial and lateral sides of the skeletal joint. A spherical bearing connection between two parts of each of the joint components is used. The spherical connection is such that the pivot axes of the medial and lateral joint component do not have to be precisely coaxial when hinging due to the accommodation by the spherical bearing. Also, in fabricating an orthosis, a dummy joint component is used in the molding process, or, for metal frame fabrication and repair, the joint is plugged in neutral alignment during the fabrication process.