Abstract: A damper device for a bicycle suspension fork has a magneto-rheological damping medium. A piston partitions a damper chamber into first and second chambers that are connected via a return duct, an adjustable throttle valve, and a transfer duct. A field-generating device generates a magnetic field in a damping duct of the throttle valve. A one-way circuit is provided for the damping medium, with two one-way valves disposed to cause a same direction of circulation of the damping fluid both when the piston rod plunges into and retracts from the damper chamber. A first one-way valves in the piston allows a flow of the damping medium from the second into the first chamber. A second one-way valve in the transfer duct allows a damping medium flow from the transfer duct into the second chamber. The adjustable throttle valve control the plunge and the retraction of the piston rod.

Abstract: A device for generating electrical energy has at least one pair of permanent magnets and at least one coil. They are moved about a pivot axis relative to one another by agitating or shaking. Each coil is disposed between the pole surfaces of the at least one pair of permanent magnets which are disposed opposite each other.

Abstract: A suspension system and a method for controlling a suspension system for a muscle-powered two-wheeled vehicle having a damper device with a first damper chamber and a second damper chamber coupled with one another via a controllable damping valve. A sensor is provided for capturing data about a current operational state. An electric control device and a data storage device for controlling the damper device are provided, such that at least one damping characteristic of the damper device can be influenced by a signal from the control device. The control device is configured and organized to provide a teaching mode in which route-related data are stored in the memory. The control device is furthermore configured and organized to provide a repeat mode in which the damper device is controlled according to the route-related data stored in the memory device.

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.

Abstract: A shock absorber for a bicycle or another, at least partly muscle-powered, vehicle has a damper device with a damper housing in which a first and a second damper chamber are separated from one another via at least one damper piston. A piston rod connected with the damper piston extends from the damper piston through the second damper chamber out of the damper housing. The first damper chamber is in communication with the second damper chamber via a flow duct that leads through the piston rod out of the damper housing toward at least one throttling device. The flow duct, at the throttling device, has a damping duct provided with a field-sensitive rheological fluid which, by way of a field generating device disposed at the throttling device, can be exposed to a field of a predetermined strength to influence the pass-through flow of the field-sensitive rheological fluid through the throttling device.

Abstract: A valve is particularly suited for a movement damping apparatus. The valve has a field-generating device, such as a magnet unit, and a fluid that is subjected to the field, such as a magnetorheological fluid, is pressed through a flow path forming a bottleneck. At the bottleneck the fluid is subject to the field and it changes its flow characteristics in response to the field. The flow path is divided into at least two flow tracks by a partition that forms one or more additional friction surfaces.

Abstract: A suspension fork for a bicycle has a tube system with an inner tube and an outer tube that are movable relative to one another. A damper system with a field-sensitive damping fluid is provided within the tube system. The damper device has a damper chamber that is partitioned to form a first chamber and a second chamber by a movable piston attached to a piston rod. A first throttle valve with a first field generating device and a second throttle valve with a second field generating device enable influencing the first and second throttle valves. First and second switching valves are provided. The first and second throttle valves and the first and second switching valves are interconnected such that in the compression stage there is flow only through the first throttle valve while in the rebound stage the first and second throttle valves are connected in series.

Abstract: A damper device for a bicycle suspension fork has a magneto-rheological damping medium. A piston partitions a damper chamber into first and second chambers that are connected via a return duct, an adjustable throttle valve, and a transfer duct. A field-generating device generates a magnetic field in a damping duct of the throttle valve. A one-way circuit is provided for the damping medium, with two one-way valves disposed to cause a same direction of circulation of the damping fluid both when the piston rod plunges into and retracts from the damper chamber. A first one-way valves in the piston allows a flow of the damping medium from the second into the first chamber. A second one-way valve in the transfer duct allows a damping medium flow from the transfer duct into the second chamber. The adjustable throttle valve control the plunge and the retraction of the piston rod.

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.

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 comprises a controllable damping valve having at least one 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 speeds of the first and second components relative to one another is obtained in real time. For damping, a current field intensity to be set is derived in real time by means of the parameter from a characteristic damper curve and by means of the field generating device the field intensity to be currently set is generated in real time for setting in real time a damping force which results from the predetermined characteristic damper curve at the parameter obtained.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for regulating the current flow of a coil that controls the viscosity of a magnetorheological fluid of a controllable energy absorber in a steering system for a motor vehicle, wherein during an accident the energy absorber acts as a hydraulic damper between two parts movable with respect to one another, whose damping force is determined by the current flow through the magnetic coil, wherein the following steps are provided: the relative velocity between a first part of the steering column movable with the steering wheel and a second part of the steering column fixed to the vehicle body is determined continuously or at intervals, the acceleration required for the braking from the measured relative velocity at standstill up to the end of the travel path is calculated, the current flow is calculated from the calculated acceleration in such a way that the value of the acceleration is approximately reached during the further travel of the parts movable with respect to one anoth

Abstract: A damping device for a two-wheeled vehicle having a first and a second damper chamber which are coupled to one another through a flow connection. The flow connection includes at least one flow valve provided with a damping channel. A magneto-rheological fluid is provided in the damping channel of the flow valve wherein the flow valve includes at least one magnetic device such that the damping channel of the flow valve can be exposed to a magnetic field of the magnetic device. The flow valve further includes at least one spring device. The magnetic device of the flow valve is provided on a valve piston and the valve piston is received in a deflection chamber to resiliently deflect counter to a spring force of the spring device such that the magnetic field of the magnetic device effective in the damping channel depends on the resilient deflection of the valve piston.

Abstract: A shoe contains an adjustable space for the foot and several fluidically connected chambers. In order to adjust the space for the foot, the flowability of a magnetorheological fluid can be influenced by one or more devices that generate a magnetic field and thereby adjust the space for the foot resulting in a better fitting of the shoe. The novel system may also be implemented in orthoses (e.g., pronation correction) or in complete shoes with orthotics devices for correcting musculoskeletal abnormalities.

Abstract: A damping device for a two-wheeled vehicle having a first and a second damper chamber which are coupled to one another through a flow connection. The flow connection includes at least one flow valve provided with a damping channel. A magneto-rheological fluid is provided in the damping channel of the flow valve wherein the flow valve includes at least one magnetic device such that the damping channel of the flow valve can be exposed to a magnetic field of the magnetic device. The flow valve further includes at least one spring device. The magnetic device of the flow valve is provided on a valve piston and the valve piston is received in a deflection chamber to resiliently deflect counter to a spring force of the spring device such that the magnetic field of the magnetic device effective in the damping channel depends on the resilient deflection of the valve piston.

Abstract: A movement damping apparatus has magnetorheological fluid that is pressed through a flow path forming a bottleneck in order to dampen a movement. The flow path is divided into at least two flow tracks by a partition that forms an additional friction surface.

Abstract: A movement damping apparatus has a flow path through which a magnetorheological fluid is pressed. A device that generates a variable magnetic field has a core around which a coil is wound as well as pole surfaces in the flow path. The magnetic field acts on the magnetorheological fluid by way of the 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.

Abstract: An energy absorbing element contains a free-flowing medium. The medium is expressed from the element, upon the occurrence of an impact, through at least one opening. The medium is enclosed in a capsule that bursts on impact.

Abstract: Closed-loop control of an energy absorber acting as a damper between two parts that are movable relative to one another. A damping force of the energy absorber, or damper, can be adjusted by way of the change in the viscosity of a magnetorheological fluid (MRF), which change can be influenced by a magnetic field of a coil. According to the method it is possible to decelerate an impact or a movement with the lowest possible forces in order to minimize possible consequential damage/loading by way of setting as constant a deceleration as possible, as small a deceleration as possible, by way of using the entire available deceleration travel, and low or zero residual speed at the end of the deceleration travel independently of the moving mass or speed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for regulating the current flow of a coil that controls the viscosity of a magnetorheological fluid of a controllable energy absorber in a steering system for a motor vehicle, wherein during an accident the energy absorber acts as a hydraulic damper between two parts movable with respect to one another, whose damping force is determined by the current flow through the magnetic coil, wherein the following steps are provided: the relative velocity between a first part of the steering column movable with the steering wheel and a second part of the steering column fixed to the vehicle body is determined continuously or at intervals, the acceleration required for the braking from the measured relative velocity at standstill up to the end of the travel path is calculated, the current flow is calculated from the calculated acceleration in such a way that the value of the acceleration is approximately reached during the further travel of the parts movable with respect to one anoth

Abstract: A valve for a magnetorheological fluid is formed with a duct through which the magnetorheological fluid can flow and which can be exposed to a variable magnetic field such that the flow resistance of the duct can be set using the magnetic field in the duct. The magnetic field can be lastingly generated using a magnet device that is made at least in part of magnetically hard material. The magnetization of the magnet device can be lastingly modified by a magnetic pulse of a magnetic field generation device in order to lastingly change the magnetic field in the duct and thus the flow resistance of the duct. A valve of the invention requires energy only to change settings while a specific setting can be lastingly maintained without supplying energy.