Patents by Inventor Norman Mark Wereley
Norman Mark Wereley has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20140090937Abstract: A MagnetoRheological Fluid Elastic (MRFE) lag damper system for adaptive lead-lag damping of helicopter main rotors. Embodiments include snubber dampers especially for hingeless helicopter rotors, and concentric bearing dampers. The snubber lag dampers include a flexible snubber body defining a cavity, a flexible or rigid interior (e.g., center) wall subdividing the cavity, and a flow valve in the interior wall or external to the cavity. The flexible snubber body may comprise elastomeric materials and metal rings stacked together to create a sealed MR fluid cavity. The shear deformation of the snubber body induces MR fluid flow through the valve, controlled by a magnetic field in the valve. An MRFE concentric bearing damper is also disclosed, comprising a pair of concentric tubes with elastomeric material injected and cured in an annular gap between the two tubes, and an MR fluid reservoir with piston-mounted MR valve housed inside the innermost tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2012Publication date: April 3, 2014Inventors: Norman Mark Wereley, Wei Hu, Curt Steven Kothera, Peter Che-Hung Chen
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Patent number: 8424656Abstract: A rotary vane magnetorheological energy absorber, which enables a longer stroke capability in a more compact configuration than conventional magnetorheological devices, is disclosed. This novel device design is attractive for applications where long stroking capability, high force dynamic range, device size, and device weight are important. The improved magnetorheological energy absorber comprises an internal or external flow valve and a hollow body enclosing fixed and rotary vanes as well as magnetorheological fluid. Fluid flow in the valve is restricted as a solenoid is activated, thus adjusting the capability of the device to react torque. Various flow valve configurations are disclosed, as well as various motion translation mechanisms for translating linear motion to rotary motion for use of the rotary vane magnetorheological energy absorber.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2010Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignees: Techno-sciences, Inc., University of Maryland, College ParkInventors: Gregory J. Hiemenz, Wei Hu, Grum Ngatu, Norman Mark Wereley
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Patent number: 8413772Abstract: A MagnetoRheological Fluid Elastic (MRFE) lag damper system for adaptive lead-lag damping of helicopter main rotors. Embodiments include snubber dampers especially for hingeless helicopter rotors, and concentric bearing dampers. The snubber lag dampers include a flexible snubber body defining a cavity, a flexible or rigid interior (e.g., center) wall subdividing the cavity, and a flow valve in the interior wall or external to the cavity. The flexible snubber body may comprise elastomeric materials and metal rings stacked together to create a sealed MR fluid cavity. The shear deformation of the snubber body induces MR fluid flow through the valve, controlled by a magnetic field in the valve. An MRFE concentric bearing damper is also disclosed, comprising a pair of concentric tubes with elastomeric material injected and cured in an annular gap between the two tubes, and an MR fluid reservoir with piston-mounted MR valve housed inside the innermost tube.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2009Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignees: Techno-Sciences, Inc., The University of Maryland at College ParkInventors: Norman Mark Wereley, Wei Hu, Curt Steven Kothera, Peter Che-Hung Chen, Grum Tamrat Ngatu
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Patent number: 8285495Abstract: A system for in-situ near-real-time detection and monitoring of corrosion in structures with the ability to directly track the presence and growth of corrosion on a structure by measurement of material loss in the structure attained by analysis of high frequency wave propagation dynamics. The Corrosion Inspection and Monitoring (CIM) system utilizes low-weight in-situ transducers and unique data reduction software for detection and monitoring of corrosion in structural systems in near real-time for corrosion related damage. The CIM system provides a corrosion monitoring and tracking tool that can be deployed in the field with the structural system, and no maintenance personnel are needed for corrosion analysis.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2010Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignees: Techno-Sciences, Inc, University of Maryland, College ParkInventors: Ashish S. Purekar, Norman Mark Wereley, Peter Che-Hung Chen
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Patent number: 7921973Abstract: An adaptive energy absorption system for a vehicle seat is disclosed, utilizing an adaptive energy absorber or variable profile energy absorber (VPEA) for mitigating occupant injury due to extreme vehicle movement (e.g., during a vehicle shock event), and/or for mitigating vibration experienced by an occupant of the vehicle seat during normal vehicle operating conditions. The adaptive energy absorption system achieves the aforementioned objectives for a wide range of occupant weights and load levels. Various configurations of dual-goal energy absorption apparatuses that enable both shock mitigation and vibration isolation are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2007Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignees: Techno-Sciences, Inc., University of Maryland at College ParkInventors: Norman Mark Wereley, Gregory John Hiemenz, Wei Hu, Gang Wang, Peter Che-Hung Chen
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Publication number: 20100312493Abstract: A system for in-situ near-real-time detection and monitoring of corrosion in structures with the ability to directly track the presence and growth of corrosion on a structure by measurement of material loss in the structure attained by analysis of high frequency wave propagation dynamics. The Corrosion Inspection and Monitoring (CIM) system utilizes low-weight in-situ transducers and unique data reduction software for detection and monitoring of corrosion in structural systems in near real-time for corrosion related damage. The CIM system provides a corrosion monitoring and tracking tool that can be deployed in the field with the structural system, and no maintenance personnel are needed for corrosion analysis.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2010Publication date: December 9, 2010Inventors: Ashish S. Purekar, Norman Mark Wereley, Peter Che-Hung Chen
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Publication number: 20100300819Abstract: A rotary vane magnetorheological energy absorber, which enables a longer stroke capability in a more compact configuration than conventional magnetorheological devices, is disclosed. This novel device design is attractive for applications where long stroking capability, high force dynamic range, device size, and device weight are important. The improved magnetorheological energy absorber comprises an internal or external flow valve and a hollow body enclosing fixed and rotary vanes as well as magnetorheological fluid. Fluid flow in the valve is restricted as a solenoid is activated, thus adjusting the capability of the device to react torque. Various flow valve configurations are disclosed, as well as various motion translation mechanisms for translating linear motion to rotary motion for use of the rotary vane magnetorheological energy absorber.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2010Publication date: December 2, 2010Inventors: Gregory J. Hiemenz, Wei Hu, Grum Ngatu, Norman Mark Wereley
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Patent number: 7822522Abstract: An adaptive energy absorption system for a vehicle seat is disclosed, utilizing an adaptive energy absorber or variable profile energy absorber (VPEA) for mitigating occupant injury due to extreme vehicle movement (e.g., during a vehicle shock event), and/or for mitigating vibration experienced by an occupant of the vehicle seat during normal vehicle operating conditions. The adaptive energy absorption system achieves the aforementioned objectives for a wide range of occupant weights and load levels. Various configurations of dual-goal energy absorption apparatuses that enable both shock mitigation and vibration isolation are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2007Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignees: Techno-Sciences, Inc. (corporation), University of MarylandInventors: Norman Mark Wereley, Gregory John Hiemenz, Young-Tai Choi, Gang Wang, Peter Che-Hung Chen
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Publication number: 20090218443Abstract: A MagnetoRheolocial Fluid Elastic (MRFE) lag damper system for adaptive lead-lag damping of helicopter main rotors. Embodiments include snubber dampers especially for hingeless helicopter rotors, and concentric bearing dampers. The snubber lag dampers include a flexible snubber body defining a cavity, a flexible or rigid interior (e.g., center) wall subdividing the cavity, and a flow valve in the interior wall or external to the cavity. The flexible snubber body may comprise elastomeric materials and metal rings stacked together to create a sealed MR fluid cavity. The shear deformation of the snubber body induces MR fluid flow through the valve, controlled by a magnetic field in the valve. An MRFE concentric bearing damper is also disclosed, comprising a pair of concentric tubes with elastomeric material injected and cured in an annular gap between the two tubes, and an MR fluid reservoir with piston-mounted MR valve housed inside the innermost tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2009Publication date: September 3, 2009Inventors: Norman Mark Wereley, Wei Hu, Curt Steven Kothera, Peter Che-Hung Chen