Abstract: A magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus comprises a stator having at least an annular wall; a first rotor rotatably mounted to the stator, the first rotor having at least one first shear surface; a second rotor rotatably mounted to the stator for rotating about a common axis with the first rotor, the second rotor having at least one second shear surface opposite the at least one first shear surface, the shear surfaces separated by at least one annular space. A magnetorheological (MR) fluid is in an MR fluid chamber including the at least one annular space, the MR fluid configured to generate a variable amount of torque transmission between the rotors when subjected to a magnetic field. An inner magnetic core and an outer magnetic core with an annular cavity therebetween receive the annular wall of the stator, the inner magnetic core and the outer magnetic core connected to at least one of the rotors to rotate therewith so as to be rotatably mounted to the stator.

Abstract: An active suspension system comprises at least one biasing device configured to support a body from a structure, and at least one motor. A magnetorheological (MR) fluid clutch apparatus(es) is coupled to the at least one motor to receive torque from the motor, the MR fluid clutch apparatus controllable to transmit a variable amount of torque. A mechanism is between the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus and the body to convert the torque received from the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus into a force on the body. Sensor(s) provide information indicative of a state of the body or structure. A controller receives the information indicative of the state of the body or structure and for outputting a signal to control the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus in exerting a desired force on the body to control movement of the body according to a desired movement behavior.

Abstract: A tensioning set comprises an output member. A magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus is configured to receive a degree of actuation (DOA) and connected to the output member, the magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus being actuatable to selectively transmit the received DOA through the output member by controlled slippage. A tensioning member is connected to the output member so as to be pulled by the output member upon actuation of the magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus, a free end of the tensioning member adapted to exert a pulling action transmitted to an output when being pulled by the output member. The tensioning set, or a comparable compressing set, may be used in systems and robotic arms. A method for controlling movements of an output driven by the tensioning set or compressing set is also provided.

Abstract: Actuators and methods useful in the operation aircraft flight control surfaces are disclosed. Some of the actuators and methods disclosed may be useful in the operation flight control surfaces when a fault condition such as a jam associated with an actuator is detected. An exemplary electromechanical actuator disclosed comprises: a motor; a first screw configured for translation movement relative to a structure of the aircraft when driven by the motor; a second screw mounted in series with the first screw; and a fuse element coupling the first screw and the second screw together to permit translation movement of the second screw together with the first screw. The fuse element may permit at least partial disengagement of the second screw from the first screw to permit translation of the second screw relative to the first screw. The fuse element may also allow an active flutter damping of the flight control surface. The fuse element may comprise magneto-rheological fluid.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a redundant control system includes first and second control systems, having first and second clutches, and a shared clutch system. The shared clutch system may include a shared shaft configured to receive mechanical energy from a shared power source, a first shared clutch corresponding to the first clutch and configured to receive mechanical energy from the shared shaft, and a second shared clutch corresponding to the second clutch and configured to receive mechanical energy from the shared shaft. A first linkage provides mechanical communication between an output of the first clutch, an output of the first shared clutch, and a first output device in mechanical communication with the rotor system. A second linkage provides mechanical communication between an output of the second clutch, an output of the second shared clutch, and a second output device in mechanical communication with the rotor system.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for actuating flight control surfaces (16A-C) of fixed-wing aircraft are disclosed herein. An exemplary apparatus disclosed includes a common movable driving member (20) for actuating a plurality of flight control surfaces; a first power transfer device (24A) configured to variably adjust power transfer from the common movable driving member to a first of the plurality of flight control surfaces; and a second power transfer device (24B) configured to variably adjust power transfer from the common movable driving member to a second of the plurality of flight control surfaces. The power transferred to the second flight control surface may be adjusted independently of the power transferred to the first flight control surface. Apparatus and methods for actuating flight control surfaces using magneto-rheological fluid or electro-rheological fluid are also disclosed.

Abstract: A magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus comprises an input rotor adapted to be coupled to a power input, the input rotor having a first set of at least one input shear surface, and a second set of at least one output shear surface. An output rotor is rotatably mounted about the input rotor for rotating about a common axis with the input rotor, the output rotor having a first set of at least one output shear surface, and a second set of at least one output shear surface, the first sets of the input rotor and the output rotor separated by at least a first annular space and forming a first transmission set, the second sets of the input rotor and the output rotor separated by at least a second annular space and forming a second transmission set. Magnetorheological fluid is in each of the annular spaces, the MR fluid configured to generate a variable amount of torque transmission between the sets of input rotor and output rotor when subjected to a magnetic field.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a redundant control system includes first and second control systems, having first and second clutches, and a shared clutch system. The shared clutch system may include a shared shaft configured to receive mechanical energy from a shared power source, a first shared clutch corresponding to the first clutch and configured to receive mechanical energy from the shared shaft, and a second shared clutch corresponding to the second clutch and configured to receive mechanical energy from the shared shaft. A first linkage provides mechanical communication between an output of the first clutch, an output of the first shared clutch, and a first output device in mechanical communication with the rotor system. A second linkage provides mechanical communication between an output of the second clutch, an output of the second shared clutch, and a second output device in mechanical communication with the rotor system.

Abstract: There is disclosed a device for orienting an object according to a given spatial orientation. The device comprises a frame and a supporting member connected to the frame and adapted for supporting at least a portion of the object. The device for orienting an object comprises a plurality of fluid actuated devices for displacing the supporting member with respect to the frame. Each of the fluid actuated devices is actuatable between a first position wherein the device has a first length and a second position wherein the device has a second length. The device for orienting comprises an actuation mechanism comprising a plurality of actuating valves for actuating the corresponding fluid actuated device; wherein an actuation of at least one of the fluid actuated devices enables to displace the supporting member with respect to the frame, thereby orienting the object according to the given spatial orientation.

Abstract: There is disclosed an integrated device for orienting an object according to a given spatial orientation comprising a frame and a supporting member connected thereto and adapted for supporting a portion of the object. The integrated device comprises a plurality of fluid actuated devices integrally molded and joined together through a joining portion to form an integral unit for displacing the supporting member with respect to the frame. Each fluid actuated device is actuatable between a first position wherein the device has a first length and a second position wherein the device has a second length. The integrated device comprises an actuation mechanism for actuating each fluid actuated device between the first position and the second position to enable displacing the supporting member with respect to the frame, thereby orienting the object according to the given spatial orientation.

Abstract: There is disclosed a device for orienting an object according to a given spatial orientation. The device comprises a frame and a supporting member connected to the frame and adapted for supporting at least a portion of the object. The device for orienting an object comprises a plurality of fluid actuated devices for displacing the supporting member with respect to the frame. Each of the fluid actuated devices is actuatable between a first position wherein the device has a first length and a second position wherein the device has a second length. The device for orienting comprises an actuation mechanism comprising a plurality of actuating valves for actuating the corresponding fluid actuated device; wherein an actuation of at least one of the fluid actuated devices enables to displace the supporting member with respect to the frame, thereby orienting the object according to the given spatial orientation.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved apparatus for treating the surface of particles by plasma-activated gas species to modify the particle surfaces.

Abstract: A method for treating the surface of substantially each deagglomerated particle of an array of easily agglomerated particles by contacting deagglomerated particles with a plasma-activated gas species and modifying the surfaces of the deagglomerated particles to aid subsequent incorporation of the particles into a matrix composition; the module for deagglomerating and dispersing the particles into the plasma-activated gas; the apparatus that comprises the deagglomeration module (322) and a reaction chamber (20) in which the particles are treated with the plasma-activated gas; the method for deagglomerating particles that may reagglomerate after plasma treatment; and a color composition containing plasma-treated pigment particles.