Abstract: A combined brake and motor providing tactile feedback control to a human-machine interface steering input device as part of a steer-by-wire system is provided. The brake is a tactile feedback device (TFD) brake and the motor is an electric motor coupled to the brake. The brake provides end stop control and resistive torque to the steer-by-wire system. The motor provides motion control to the steer-by-wire system, where motion control includes a return-to-center, a command following, an on-center control, an active force-feel, and/or a warning mode (e.g., similar to an aircraft stick shaker or a lane departure). The steer-by-wire system is an active system.

Abstract: A tactile feedback device (TFD) drum brake has a drum rotor that creates at least two gaps and at least four shear surfaces. Magnetically responsive (MR) material is disposed within the gaps. The TFD drum brake further has an upper and lower magnetic seal to prevent the migration of the MR material from the gaps. The drum rotor is thin and rapidly saturates when a magnetic flux is generated. Controllable torque is created when the drum rotor is saturated. The controllable torque provides feedback to an operator of vehicle with the TFD drum brake installed.

Abstract: A steer-by-wire device for controlling a vehicle includes a housing; an input shaft that is rotatable relative to the housing and is configured to receive a rotary input from an operator of the vehicle at a first end of the input shaft, the first end being located external to the housing; a rotor attached to the input shaft at a second, opposite, end of the input shaft, the second end being located internal to the housing; a sensor for detecting an angular position, an angular velocity, and/or an angular acceleration of the input shaft relative to the housing; and a coil for generating a magnetic field to generate a rotary force or torque in the rotor to resist rotation of the rotor. The rotor is attached to the input shaft to allow a relative movement between at least a portion of the rotor and the input shaft.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to devices, systems, and methods for identifying the position of a movable component. A position sensor system is provided in which a Hall effect sensor is coupled to a fixed housing, and a plurality of magnets is coupled to a movable component that is movable to a sensing position at which the plurality of magnets is proximal to the Hall effect sensor. In this configuration, the plurality of magnets is arranged to produce an aggregate magnetic field having a flux concentration directed toward the Hall effect sensor when the plurality of magnets is in the sensing position.

Abstract: A magnetically-responsive device (100) having a magnetic seal (160,170) to retain magnetically responsive material within a defined space (150) is provided. The magnetically-responsive device (100) has a shaft (110), a rotor (130), a magnetic field generator (145), a magnetically-responsive medium and a magnetic seal (160,170). The seal (160,170) is preferably a non-contact seal (160,170) that does not deteriorate over time and generates little to no resistance.

Abstract: A magnetically-responsive device (100) having a magnetic seal (160,170) to retain magnetically responsive material within a defined space (150) is provided. The magnetically-responsive device (100) has a shaft (110), a rotor (130), a magnetic field generator (145), a magnetically-responsive medium and a magnetic seal (160,170). The seal (160,170) is preferably a non-contact seal (160,170) that does not deteriorate over time and generates little to no resistance.

Abstract: Seat-damping devices, systems, and methods for damping vibrations are disclosed. A fail-safe permanent magnet is used with an electromagnet to create damping of induced vibrations in a seat-damping device using magnetorheological, electrorheological, magnetically responsive powders and other magnetically responsive materials.

Abstract: Torque generating devices, systems, and/or related methods are disclosed. In one aspect, a torque generating device (100) may include a housing (102), at least one top and one bottom pole (108), at least one side pole (110), at least two rotors (116) for rotating within the housing, a shaft (104) supported by bearings (111), at least a first stator (120) disposed between portions of the at least two rotors (116), magnetically responsive (MR) material disposed within the housing (102) and at least partially surrounding the first stator (120) and the at least two rotors (116), and a coil (112) for generating a magnetic field, wherein an amount of torque generated by the torque generating device (100) increases in proportion to an amount of electrical current supplied to the coil (112). In another aspect, a method of generating torque may include providing a torque generating device (100) and rotating the at least two rotors (116).

Abstract: A magnetically-responsive device (100) having a magnetic seal (160,170) to retain magnetically responsive material within a defined space (150) is provided. The magnetically-responsive device (100) has a shaft (110), a rotor (130), a magnetic field generator (145), a magnetically-responsive medium and a magnetic seal (160,170). The seal (160,170) is preferably a non-contact seal (160,170) that does not deteriorate over time and generates little to no resistance.

Abstract: A magnetically-responsive device (100) having a magnetic seal (160,170) to retain magnetically responsive material within a defined space (150) is provided. The magnetically-responsive device (100) has a shaft (110), a rotor (130), a magnetic field generator (145), a magnetically-responsive medium and a magnetic seal (160,170). The seal (160,170) is preferably a non-contact seal (160,170) that does not deteriorate over time and generates little to no resistance.

Abstract: Seat-damping devices, systems, and methods for damping vibrations are disclosed. A fail-safe permanent magnet is used with an electromagnet to create damping of induced vibrations in a seat-damping device using magnetorheological, electrorheological, magnetically responsive powders and other magnetically responsive materials.

Abstract: Torque generating devices, systems, and/or related methods are disclosed. In one aspect, a torque generating device (100) may include a housing (102), at least one top and one bottom pole (108), at least one side pole (110), at least two rotors (116) for rotating within the housing, a shaft (104) supported by bearings (111), at least a first stator (120) disposed between portions of the at least two rotors (108), magnetically responsive (MR) material disposed within the housing (102) and at least partially surrounding the first stator (120) and the at least two rotors (108), and a coil (112) for generating a magnetic field, wherein an amount of torque generated by the torque generating device (100) increases in proportion to an amount of electrical current supplied to the coil (112). In another aspect, a method of generating torque may include providing a torque generating device (100) and rotating the at least two rotors (108).