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 the 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 the field.

Abstract: A temporary joint that includes a first discrete member having a first edge and a first movable coupling means; and a second discrete member having a second edge and a second movable coupling means. When it is necessary to form a joint between the first and second discrete members, the first and second edges are moved into abutment to define a binding edge. Then, the first and second movable coupling means are moved toward the binding edge; and the temporary joint is formed when the first and second movable coupling means are proximate the binding edge. The joint is broken by moving the first and second coupling means away from the binding edge. The first coupling means is comprised of a volume of a field responsive material and the second coupling means is a field producing means such as a magnet. A rigid joint is produced when the field producing supplies a field across the field responsive material.

Abstract: A joint member for selectively joining first and second members, said joint member comprising a first coupling member comprising a volume of field responsive material and a second coupling member comprising a field generating member for selectively applying a field across the field responsive material, the joint member also comprising means for selectively moving the field responsive material toward and away from the field generating means.

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: A joint member for selectively joining first and second members, said joint member comprising a first coupling member comprising a volume of field responsive material and a second coupling member comprising a field generating member for selectively applying a field across the field responsive material, the joint member also comprising means for selectively moving the field responsive material toward and away from the field generating means.

Abstract: A temporary joint that includes a first discrete member having a first edge and a first movable coupling means; and a second discrete member having a second edge and a second movable coupling means. When it is necessary to form a joint between the first and second discrete members, the first and second edges are moved into abutment to define a binding edge. Then, the first and second movable coupling means are moved toward the binding edge; and the temporary joint is formed when the first and second movable coupling means are proximate the binding edge. The joint is broken by moving the first and second coupling means away from the binding edge. The first coupling means is comprised of a volume of a field responsive material and the second coupling means is a field producing means such as a magnet. A rigid joint is produced when the field producing supplies a field across the field responsive material.

Abstract: A system (20) which includes a frequency-dependent decoupler (21) arranged in a series-spring relationship with an actuator (26) for supplying active forces to cancel vibration. The system (20) also includes a spring (28) for providing a primary load path. The system (20) is responsive to at least one sensor (32, 34, 36 or 38) and is controlled via controller (30). The decoupler (26) has greater frequency dependency than the spring (28) and allows the actuator (26) to be effectively decoupled at low frequency, yet coupled at high frequency. This frequency dependent coupling allows the system (20)to accommodate transient static and low frequency loads and motions by allowing motion across the decoupler (21). However, at high frequency, the decoupler (21) becomes stiffer and couples the actuator (26) with the moving members (22) and (24) such that motion across the decoupler (26) is minimized and the actuator (26) becomes more effective at high frequency attenuation.

Abstract: Controllable composite structure or structural elements enclose magnetotheological fluids as a structural component between opposing containment layers to form at least a portion of any variety of extended mechanical systems, such as plates, panels, beams and bars or structures including these elements. The control of the stiffness and damping properties of the structure or structural elements is accomplished by changing the shear and compression/tension moduli of the magnetorheological fluid by varying the applied magnetic field. The composite structures of the present invention may be incorporated into a wide variety of mechanical systems for control of vibration and other properties.

Abstract: A method of providing a substrate with a thin film coating of multiple layers by a single immersion of a substrate having active hydrogens on its surface into a coating solution including two or more dissimilar hydrolyzable and condensable organometallic compounds, water, a solvent, and a base, the solution having undergone substantially no polymer growth, for a time sufficient to form in situ the film on the substrate, removing and drying the coated substrate.

Abstract: A method of coating a substrate with a uniform, ultra-thin film of a polymer comprising immersing a substrate having active hydrogens on its surface in a solution comprising at least one hydrolyzable metal alkoxide of a polymeric network-forming cation, water, a solvent and a base, said solution having undergone substantially no polymer growth, for a time sufficient to form in situ said film on said substrate, removing and drying said coated substrate.

Abstract: A method for bonding a metal substrate to a similar or dissimilar substrate by first applying a primer coating to the surface of the metal substrate and then bonding the primed metal substrate to the other substrate. At least part of the primer coating is composed of a uniform, ultra-thin film that is formed by immersing, prior to bonding, the metal substrate in a solution that has undergone substantially no polymer growth. The solution contains at least one hydrolyzable metal alkoxide of a polymer network-forming cation, water, a solvent and a base. The metal substrate is allowed to react with the solution for a time sufficient to form in situ an ultra-thin film on the metal substrate.