Abstract: A seat assembly includes an active material in operative communication with a seat surface configured to undergo a change in at least one property upon receipt of an activation signal, wherein the change in at least one property is effective to change at least one feature of the seat surface.

Abstract: A viscous fluid clutch (1) for use as a clutch for a cooling fan for a vehicle, the clutch includes an input shaft (10), a rotor assembly (20, 30), a first housing portion (52), a second housing portion (42), a coil assembly (80), and a brush box (105). The rotor assembly is coupled to the input shaft. The first housing portion is coupled to the second housing portion and the second housing portion is rotatably disposed on the input shaft. The first and second housing portions define a fluid reservoir (16) for receiving the rotor assembly and a viscous fluid, preferably of the magnetorheological type. The coil assembly (80) is coupled to the first housing portion (52). The brush box is operably coupled to the coil assembly. When the coil assembly is energized by the brush box, a magnetic field is created that acts upon the magnetorheological fluid to vary the torque transfer of the input shaft to the housing and the fan connected thereto.

Abstract: A seat assembly including a seat stroking device for a vehicle and methods of use include a seat adjustment mechanism comprising a stationary rail fixedly attached to a vehicle floor and a movable rail slidably engaged with the stationary rail, wherein the seat adjustment mechanism is adapted to position a seat; an active material based stroking device having one end fixedly attached to a non-movable portion and an other end in operative communication with the movable rail; and a controller in operative communication with the active material, wherein the controller is operable to selectively apply an activation signal to the active material and effect a change in an attribute of the active material, wherein the change in the attribute results in force and acceleration adjusting energy absorption.

Abstract: A magnetorheological fluid composition comprising a low aspect ratio magnetizable particle comprising a unimodal particle distribution and an aspect ratio less than 1.5, a high aspect ratio magnetizable particle comprising an aspect ratio greater than 1.5, and a carrier fluid.

Abstract: A magnetorheological fluid composition comprising magnetizable particles in a liquid metal carrier fluid, wherein the liquid metal carrier fluid comprises a metal, a metal alloy, or a solder composition having a melting point from about ?40° C. to about 300° C., a boiling point greater than 300° C., and a viscosity greater than about 0.1 centipoise (cp) at the melting point of the liquid based metal carrier fluid. The magnetizable particles can comprise low aspect ratio magnetizable particles, high aspect magnetizable particles, or a combination thereof. Also disclosed herein are high temperature magnetorheological devices operating at temperatures greater than 100° C., and comprising the magnetorheological fluid composition.

Abstract: A device employing a magnetorheological (MR) fluid in combination with a stator and a rotor is disclosed, where the stator includes a magnetic field generator. The rotor has a rotational axis and a rotational degree of freedom with respect to the stator. The stator and rotor define an annular space therebetween and are coupled via the MR fluid disposed within the annular space, and the magnetic field generator is in field communication with the MR fluid at the annular space. The device includes a means for promoting the formation of stationary stripes of MR fluid within the annular space in response to rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: An airflow control device comprises a body and an active material in operative communication with the body. The active material, such as a shape memory material, is operative to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal. The active material can change its shape, dimensions and/or stiffness producing a change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness to control vehicle airflow to better suit changes in driving conditions such as the need for increased airflow through the radiator due to increases in engine coolant temperature. As such, the device improves vehicle fuel economy while maintaining proper engine cooling. An activation device, controller and sensors may be employed to further control the change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness of the device.

Abstract: An airflow control device comprises a body and an active material in operative communication with the body. The active material, such as a shape memory material, is operative to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal. The active material can change its shape, dimensions and/or stiffness producing a change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness to control vehicle airflow to better suit changes in driving conditions such as the need for increased airflow through the radiator due to increases in engine coolant temperature. As such, the device improves vehicle fuel economy while maintaining proper engine cooling. An activation device, controller and sensors may be employed to further control the change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness of the device.

Abstract: A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof whereas the hook portion includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. The hook elements are formed of a magnetorheological elastomer that provides a change in shape orientation and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements. In this manner, the shape orientation and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements can be remotely changed to provide a reduction or magnification in the shear and/or pull-off forces in addition to providing variable damping capabilities to the fastener system.

Abstract: A magnetorheological (MR) fluid coupling for vectoring torque with respect to a shaft capable of rotary motion is disclosed. The coupling includes a stator, a rotor having a rotational degree of freedom with respect to the stator and configured for physical communication with the shaft, and a magnetic field generator. The stator and rotor define an annular space therebetween and are coupled via a MR fluid disposed within the annular space. The magnetic field generator is in field communication with the MR fluid and is disposed to produce a substantially radially directed magnetic field across the annular space. The rotor is rotationally responsive to the application of a magnetic field at the MR fluid.

Abstract: A magnetorheological fluid composition comprising a carrier fluid; and a plurality of high aspect ratio magnetizable particles, wherein the aspect ratio of the high aspect ratio magnetizable particles is greater than 1.5. Optionally, the high aspect ratio magnetizable particles can have interlocking structures comprising male component and a female component. Still further, a magnetorheological fluid composition can comprise low aspect ratio magnetizable particles having the interlocking structures, wherein the aspect ratio of the low aspect ratio magnetizable particles is 1 to 1.5.

Abstract: A magnetorheological fluid composition comprising a low aspect ratio magnetizable particle comprising a unimodal particle distribution and an aspect ratio less than 1.5, a high aspect ratio magnetizable particle comprising an aspect ratio greater than 1.5, and a carrier fluid.

Abstract: A conformal grasp handle that molds itself to an applied load of an object, e.g., an end user's hands as they grip the conformal grasp handles. The conformal grasp handle retains the shape of the local deformation caused by the applied load until the handle is intentionally reshaped or the applied force of the object onto the handle is removed. As such, the grasp handles can advantageously be used to adapt to the individual user's anthropometric measurements, posture, hand position, and the like, among others. Suitable automotive applications include, but are not intended to be limited to, steering wheels, shift knobs, and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a strut assembly 10 comprising a housing 2; a piston 3 in slideable communication with the housing 2; an actuator 16 in operative communication with the piston 3 and/or the housing 2; wherein the actuator 16 is adapted to change the location of the housing 2 from a first position to a second position and/or change in a stroke length of the piston 3. Disclosed herein too is a method for changing the strut length of a strut assembly 10 comprising activating an actuator 16 that is in operative communication with a housing 2 or a piston of the strut assembly 10; and changing in the location of the housing 2 from a first position to a second position and/or changing a stroke length of the piston 3.

Abstract: A magnetorheological (MR) fluid includes a hydrocarbon carrier fluid. The MR fluid further includes magneto-responsive particles within the hydrocarbon carrier fluid, the particles having a size distribution with a maximum size less than about 100 microns. A clay-based suspending agent is disposed within the hydrocarbon carrier fluid. In an embodiment, the magneto-responsive particles may be ferromagnetic particles, and may be distributed in a suitable size distribution pattern, such as, for example, a bimodal distribution or the like.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a strut assembly 10 comprising a locking device 11 in operative communication with a piston 3, wherein the locking device 11 comprises an active material operative to resist motion of the piston 3 in response to an activation signal. Disclosed herein too is a method of operating a strut assembly 10 comprising displacing a suspended body 60 in mechanical communication with a piston 3; activating an active material in operative communication with the piston 3; and controlling the motion of the suspended body 60.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a strut assembly 10 comprising a piston 3 in slideable communication with a housing 2; a seal 6 in operative communication with the piston 3 and/or the housing 2; wherein the seal 6 comprises an active material adapted to control the motion of the piston 3. Disclosed herein too is a method of operating a strut assembly 10 comprising displacing a suspended body 60 in mechanical communication with a piston 3; wherein the piston 3 comprises a piston head 14 and a piston rod 12; activating an active material in operative communication with the piston head 14; and controlling the motion of the suspended body 60.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a strut assembly 10 comprising a piston 3 in slideable communication with the housing 2; an actuator 16 in operative communication with the piston 3, wherein the actuator 16 comprises a shape memory material and is adapted to control the displacement of the piston. Disclosed herein too is a method of operating a strut assembly 10 comprising displacing a suspended body 60 in operative communication with a piston; and activating an actuator 16 in operative communication with the piston, wherein the actuator 16 comprises a shape memory material.

Abstract: A method of recovering spilled hydrocarbon fluids from a body of water utilizing the increased oleophilic properties of reacted iron particles suspended in a magnetorheological (MR) fluid. The iron particles normally used to create MR fluids, are reacted with an organic compound containing an oleophilic chain end which attaches to the surface of the iron, prior to suspension in a liquid vehicle such as an organic oil. The reacted iron particles in the MR fluid are then applied to and mixed with a hydrocarbon spill on a body of water such as an oil spill, whereby subsequent exposure to a significant magnetic field provides for subsequent recovery of both the reacted magnetic particles and the hydrocarbon spill.

Abstract: An airflow control device comprises a body and an active material in operative communication with the body. The active material, such as a shape memory material, is operative to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal. The active material can change its shape, dimensions and/or stiffness producing a change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness to control vehicle airflow to better suit changes in driving conditions such as the need for increased airflow through the radiator due to increases in engine coolant temperature. As such, the device improves vehicle fuel economy while maintaining proper engine cooling. An activation device, controller and sensors may be employed to further control the change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness of the device.