Abstract: A controllable brake includes a housing and a rotor supported on a shaft. The rotor is housed within a chamber containing a field controllable material which is acted upon by a magnetic field generator to impede movement of the rotor. The shaft is supported by bearings. The controllable brake housing defines a second housing chamber adapted to enclose means for monitoring and/or controlling the brake and in this way, an integrated, compact controllable brake is provided.

Abstract: A vehicle operator input device for controlling the vehicle with the operator input device including an operator interface lever moveable by a vehicle operator in first and second directions about an axis. The operator input device includes a sensor system with a sensor target. The sensor system senses the moveable operator interface lever and provides an operator interface lever position signal as a function of a position of the operator interface lever.

Abstract: A magneto-rheological fluid damper includes a damper body having a reservoir for a magneto-rheological fluid, a piston rod, a piston rod guide disposed within the damper body, where the piston rod guide has a passage therein for receiving the piston rod. The magneto-rheological fluid damper further includes at least a first piston rod seal and at least a second piston rod seal arranged to seal between the piston rod guide and the piston rod. The magneto-rheological fluid damper further includes a fluid chamber defined between the piston rod guide and the piston rod, the fluid chamber being in communication with the reservoir. The magneto-rheological fluid damper further includes a piston rod guide filter arranged in a communication path between the fluid chamber and the reservoir to filter particulates out of the magneto-rheological fluid entering the fluid chamber. The magneto-rheological fluid damper further includes an accumulator arranged between the piston rod guide and the damper body.

Abstract: A controllable brake with a shaft having an axis of rotation and a shaft end. The controllable brake including a controllable brake rotor connected with the shaft, the rotor having a rotation plane. The controllable brake includes a controllable brake magnetic field generator located proximate the controllable brake rotor, the controllable brake magnetic field generator for generating a controllable magnetic field strength.

Abstract: A controllable suspension system for controlling the relative motion between a first body and a second body includes at least one strut including a magneto-rheological fluid damper. The fluid damper includes a piston rod guide disposed within a damper body. The piston rod guide has a passage therein for receiving a piston rod. A piston rod bearing assembly is disposed in the piston rod guide to engage with and support reciprocal motion of the piston rod. At least a first piston rod seal and at least a second piston rod seal are arranged to seal between the piston rod guide and the piston rod. A fluid chamber is defined between the piston rod guide and the piston rod. A piston rod guide gas charged accumulator is arranged between the piston rod and the damper body.

Abstract: A magneto-rheological fluid damper includes a damper body having a reservoir for a magneto-rheological fluid, a piston rod, a piston rod guide disposed within the damper body, where the piston rod guide has a passage therein for receiving the piston rod. The magneto-rheological fluid damper further includes at least a first piston rod seal and at least a second piston rod seal arranged to seal between the piston rod guide and the piston rod. The magneto-rheological fluid damper further includes a fluid chamber defined between the piston rod guide and the piston rod, the fluid chamber being in communication with the reservoir. The magneto-rheological fluid damper further includes a piston rod guide filter arranged in a communication path between the fluid chamber and the reservoir to filter particulates out of the magneto-rheological fluid entering the fluid chamber. The magneto-rheological fluid damper further includes an accumulator arranged between the piston rod guide and the damper body.

Abstract: A vehicle operator input device for controlling the vehicle with the operator input device including an operator interface lever moveable by a vehicle operator in first and second directions about an axis. The operator input device includes a sensor system with a sensor target. The sensor system senses the moveable operator interface lever and provides an operator interface lever position signal as a function of a position of the operator interface lever.

Abstract: A vehicle operator input device for controlling the vehicle with the operator input device including an operator interface lever moveable by a vehicle operator in first and second directions about an axis. The operator input device includes a sensor system with a sensor target. The sensor system senses the moveable operator interface lever and provides an operator interface lever position signal as a function of a position of the operator interface lever.

Abstract: A controllable brake includes a rotor supported on one shaft end. The rotor is housed within a chamber containing a field controllable material which is acted upon by a magnetic field generator to change the rheology of the material and thereby impede movement of the rotor. The shaft is supported by two bearings which, in combination with the housing define a second housing chamber adapted to enclose means for monitoring and/or controlling the brake and in this way, an integrated, compact controllable brake is provided.

Abstract: A controllable brake includes a rotor supported on one shaft end. The rotor is housed within a chamber containing a field controllable material which is acted upon by a magnetic field generator to change the rheology of the material and thereby impede movement of the rotor. The shaft is supported by two bearings which, in combination with the housing define a second housing chamber adapted to enclose means for monitoring and/or controlling the brake and in this way, an integrated, compact controllable brake is provided.

Abstract: A single fluid valve device operable for setting an overall viscous damping level, magnetic damping strength, and low speed damping profile. A stationary, controllable magnetorheological fluid valve device comprising a first annular body having gap setting features and controllable passageways formed within the fluid valve device, and a second body disposed adjacent to the first annular body, wherein the second body comprises a magnetic field generating means contained therein. A twin-tube damping device comprising an outer member containing an outer volume of magnetorheological fluid, an inner member containing an inner volume of magnetorheological fluid, a stationary, controllable fluid valve device disposed within the outer member, a piston rod mounted for movement with respect to the inner and outer members, a piston assembly attached to the piston rod and a pressurized volumetric compliance means.

Abstract: A controllable brake includes a rotor supported on one shaft end. The rotor is housed within a chamber containing a field controllable material which is acted upon by a magnetic field generator to change the rheology of the material and thereby impede movement of the rotor. The shaft is supported by two bearings which, in combination with the housing define a second housing chamber adapted to enclose means for monitoring and/or controlling the brake and in this way, an integrated, compact controllable brake is provided.

Abstract: A chair height adjustment mechanism includes an energy storage unit which has a compressible fluid. This compressible fluid allows the compressible fluid displaced by the piston rod entering the cylinder, to store energy for subsequent use as the chair seat is raised. This fluid may be of the type that has a dual phase at room temperature such that increase in pressure on the compressible fluid causes a portion of that compressible fluid to transition from gaseous phase to liquid phase. This makes the energy storage unit a constant force spring. The features of this constant force spring may be used in a conventional piston cylinder, shock absorbing device, as well.

Abstract: A controllable secondary suspension system (20) for vehicle cabs (18) and the like which flexibly suspends and controls movement of the vehicle's cab (22) relative to the vehicle's frame (24). The system (20) includes at least one flexible support (26), which are preferably two spaced apart air springs flexibly suspending the cab (22) relative to the frame (24), at least one controllable fluid damper, and preferably two spaced-apart controllable fluid dampers, such as Magnetorheological (MR) fluid dampers (28, 28'), interconnected between the cab (22) and the frame (24). In one aspect, the system (20) may include at least one sensor, such as a relative position sensor (30), for providing relative vibration information between the cab (22) and the frame (24), and a controller (36) for processing the relative vibration information to determine current to be supplied to the controllable fluid damper (28) to control the degree of damping thereof.

Abstract: A controllable platform suspension system (20) for treadmills (18) and other platforms and devices therefor which exhibit controllability of the impact condition of the platform, such as a treadmill deck (36). In the treadmill application, user-selectable damping/stiffness is provided to simulate variable track conditions, such as pavement, rubber, grass, gravel, sand, and the like. The controllable suspension system (20) comprises spring mounts (40) or the like or a flexible deck (36) for allowing movement of the deck (36) relative to the frame (22) at a contact location (29) due to impact and a controllable device such as an Electrorheological (ER) device, Electrophoretic (EP) device, Electromechanical Hydraulic (Semi-Active) device, controllable mounting, or a Magnetorheological (MR) device, such as an MR brake (42a, 42a, 42b), MR damper (42d), or MR mount (42c, 42e, 42f) interconnecting between the frame (22) and platform (36) to provide the user-variable impact restraint.

Abstract: An isolator for use in a hand-held vibrating device for providing optimum vibration isolation by utilizing elastomeric sections. Six embodiments are shown which utilize elastomer sections to enhance vibration isolation along an axial direction of vibration. A first embodiment includes a frustoconical section, while the second employs a W-shaped buckling element. A third embodiment includes use of a tuned fluid inertia which is tuned to substantially coincide with a predominant operating frequency of the vibrating device and produces forces to substantially reduce the vibration transmission, while three other embodiments employ metallic buckling springs. Another embodiment employs a tuned vibration absorber and still another combines a tuned mass with a buckling column.

Abstract: A controllable brake (20) including a rotor (28) supported by a shaft (30) which is rotatably supported by bushings (42) received in housing (22). A coil assembly (48) creates a magnetic field within a pole piece (32), which is preferably manufactured from a powdered metal material, which preferably has a density of between about 6.8 and 7.0 gm/cm. A magnetically-soft medium is contained within first and second gaps (86, 88) located between pole piece (32) and rotor (28). In one aspect, a magnetic saturation zone (25) reduces the propensity of magnetizing the shaft (30). In another, the pole halves (24, 26) are received in radially-spaced pole pockets (37) formed in the housing (22) and include an axial bias spring (70) to ensure intimate contact. In another aspect, a lip projection (76) traps fluid (23) between the lip projection (76) and shaft (30) and minimizes fluid exposure to the shaft seal (44). In another aspect, cooling fins (55) or a projection (53) restrains rotation of the housing (22).

Abstract: An isolator for use in a hand-held vibrating device for providing optimum vibration isolation by utilizing elastomeric buckling sections which operate in a buckled mode during normal use. The buckled elastomer sections significantly reduce the spring rate within an operating load range thus substantially reducing the vibration transmitted to the user. Six embodiments are shown which utilize buckling sections to enhance vibration isolation along an axial direction of vibration. A first embodiment includes a frustoconical section, while the second employs a W-shaped buckling element. A third embodiment includes use of a tuned fluid inertia which is tuned to substantially coincide with a predominant operating frequency of the vibrating device and produces amplified counter inertial forces to substantially reduce the vibration transmitted to the user, while three other embodiments employ metallic buckling springs.

Abstract: A hydraulic mounting system for mounting a first body relative to a second body, such as a vehicle cab to a chassis, including at least two hydraulic mounts, which are useful for controlling torque between the two bodies. The relative torque-induced displacements of the two bodies are controlled within specific limits in reaction to a pressure applied by a pressure source in response to the actuation of a valve. The valve acts in response to a sensor and the system can include a leveling valve arrangement, or a more sophisticated external electronic control, or respond to a programmed routine. The improved torque-control system behaves as though it is statically stiff for restraining torque and dynamically soft for both translational and rotational isolation purposes. In addition, the system can control torque and damping independent of the direction of application of the torque.

Abstract: The fluid circuit when in a first condition permits relatively free fluid flow in a first direction between variable volume chambers of the damper, while permitting only relatively restricted flow in an opposite, second direction. When in a second condition, the circuit permits relatively free flow of fluid in the second direction and only relatively restricted flow in the second direction. The circuit condition is changed by changing the position of a control valve which is subjected to fluid pressure differentials that may at times delay change in the position of the valve, and therefore change in the condition of the circuit.