Abstract: A ride height adjustable oil damped air shock boat seat pedestal with selectively lockable swivel capability is shown, which includes a locking pin extending below the seat and moving up and down with the seat as permitted and controlled by the air shock. The locking pin being received by a structure, which limits rotation of the seat.

Abstract: Disclosed a load measurement system (100) includes a compartment (110), a damper (112) and a weight calculation unit (131). The damper (112) is configured to be positioned between the compartment (110) and a platform (121) and to compress at a predetermined rate based on a load of the compartment (110). The weight calculation unit (131) is configured to calculate a weight of the compartment (110) based on the compression of the damper (112).

Abstract: A hydraulic shock absorber having an inner housing portion slidably coupled to an outer housing portion to define a variable size chamber for containing shock absorber fluid. The region where the inner and outer housing portions overlap defines an annulus between adjacent surfaces of the inner and outer housing portions which varies in size in accordance with the extension state of the shock absorber. A dynamic seal is coupled to a surface of the shock absorber within the annulus for confining shock absorber fluid to the chamber. The shock absorber fluid is an electro-rheological or magneto-rheological fluid and the shock absorber includes a device for generating a magnetic or electric control field within the chamber at a region adjacent dynamic seal in order to increase the viscosity of the shock absorber fluid adjacent to the dynamic seal to inhibit passage of the shock absorber fluid beyond the dynamic seal.

Abstract: An electrical rotating machine includes a stator (11) provided with teeth (14) around which a group of coils (19) is wound, an annular interconnector (22) resting on a stator lamination stack (11) provided with tongues (36) to which ends (191, 192) of the coils (19) are welded for the formation of phases (U, V, W) of the electrical machine, and a closure flange (74) for closing a housing (70) for receiving the stator (11). The machine also includes at least one damper (83) consisting of a deformable material, configured to be mounted so as to be compressed between the interconnector (22) and the closure flange (74) of the machine. The invention also relates to the corresponding damper.

Abstract: A device has a spool rotatable about an axis in a reel, and a braking structure that effects a braking force against rotation of the spool, the braking force being adjustable by changing a proximity of the braking structure relative to the spool. The device includes at least one tap in a fixed relationship with respect to the braking structure, and a brake dial accessible outside the reel and providing a threaded portion that accepts the at least one tap, the brake dial being rotatable to change the proximity of the braking structure relative to the spool by movement of the tap.

Abstract: A spool braking device brakes the rotation of a spool rotatably supported by a reel body. The spool, which is a conductor that is rotated in conjunction with the spool. The magnet includes an N-pole and an S-pole on a surface that faces the rotating surface of the spool. The retaining member, the support ring, and the engagement member form a magnetic flux change rate variable mechanism. The magnetic flux change rate variable mechanism varies the change rate of the flux in the rotational circumferential direction that is affected by the magnet, at a prescribed rotating surface of the spool having a prescribed unit width in the rotational axis direction, with the rotation of the spool.

Abstract: A pump drive for an extracorporeal blood pumping system including an adjustable drive magnet. The pump drive may be coupled to a blood pump which includes a pump impeller. The pump drive may include a stepper motor for dynamically adjusting the position of the drive magnet. The position of the drive magnet may be varied to vary the distance between the drive magnet and an impeller magnet of the pump impeller. Adjusting the position of the drive magnet may include dynamically adjusting the drive magnet and may include axially moving the drive magnet to thereby vary a magnetic attraction force between the drive magnet and the impeller magnet which may thereby minimize forces acting on one or more bearings of a pump impeller.

Abstract: A method for the tension proof closing of the end of an energy cable in which an energy cable is used whose center axis containing the electrical transmission elements is surrounded by a tension proof reinforcement of metal wires. Initially, the reinforcement at the end of the energy cable is removed over a predetermined length. Subsequently, a pipe piece of metal, which tightly surrounds the end of the remaining reinforcement, is placed onto the end of the remaining reinforcement. Finally, a cup shaped tubular elongated sleeve of metal is pushed onto the end of the energy cable and is connected in a tension proof manner to the pipe piece which has, at its free end facing away from the pipe piece, a device suitable for mounting a tension element. In addition, a device manufactured by the method is proposed.

Abstract: A linear actuator includes a first tube and a second tube inserted into the first tube to be free to slide. The first tube includes an outer tube and a cap provided detachably on an end portion of the outer tube, while the second tube includes a base portion and an inner tube provided detachably on the base portion and inserted into the outer tube to be free to slide. A first sliding member that slides against an outer periphery of the inner tube is provided on an inner periphery of one end of the outer tube. A second sliding member that slides against an inner periphery of the outer tube is provided on an outer periphery of an end portion of the inner tube corresponding to the other end of the outer tube.

Abstract: An energy absorber is controlled in an overload event to absorb potentially damaging energy. The energy absorber acts between a receiving unit for receiving objects for transporting and a carrier device that connects to a transporter. An absorber force can be influenced by an electrically controlled magnetic field unit. Measurement values of loads acting on the loading unit are captured sequentially and an overload event is determined if a measure derived from the measurement values exceeds a predetermined threshold value. After the onset of an overload event a prognosticated load curve of the loading unit is assessed from a multitude of measurement values captured from the onset of the overload event. A planned power flow curve for the magnetic field unit is determined and the load curve is damped time-dependent so that a planned load curve ensues which remains beneath a predetermined load limit.

Abstract: An energy absorber reduces an excessive load between an object and an assembly in an overload event. The energy absorber includes an absorber cylinder and a piston device with an absorber piston and a piston rod. A first chamber of an absorber chamber is filled with a field-sensitive absorber fluid. The piston has an absorber valve with an absorber duct extending in an axial direction and being subject to a selective field of a field generating device. A ratio of the outer diameter of the piston rod to an outer diameter of the absorber piston is greater than 0.6 and the first chamber extends in a space around the piston rod. During the relative motion of the fastener and the holding device the field-sensitive absorber fluid is urged through the damping duct of the absorber piston.

Abstract: A single-degree-of-freedom magnetic vibration isolation device belongs to vibration isolation devices and solves the following problems: the existing active and passive combined vibration reduction system is complex in structure, needs energy supply, and has low reliability.

Abstract: This invention includes an annular hysteresis brake (34) having one end fixed to a stationary frame (11), a support shaft (6) extending through a hollow portion of the hysteresis brake (34), and a spindle part (4) rotatably supported by the support shaft (6). The hysteresis brake (34) includes a yoke (36), a cylindrical hysteresis member (46) inserted into an annular space (41) of the yoke (36), and a hub (37) for rotatably supporting the hysteresis member (46). The spindle part (4) is supported by the support shaft (6) such that the spindle part (4) is restricted from moving toward the hysteresis brake (34) by a sleeve (15). The spindle part (4) and hub (37) are coupled with each other so as to rotate together via pins (21). This invention can simplify the structure while preventing damage to the hysteresis brake, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of a thread-supplying spindle unit.

Abstract: A tunable vibration isolator with active tuning elements having a housing, fluid chamber, and at least one tuning port. A piston is resiliently disposed within the housing. A vibration isolation fluid is disposed within the fluid chambers and the tuning ports. The tunable vibration isolator may employ either a solid tuning mass approach or a liquid tuning mass approach. The active vibration elements are preferably solid-state actuators.

Abstract: A suspension device interposed between a vehicle body and a wheel, including a magnetic viscous fluid shock absorber in which a magnetic viscous fluid is sealed, a tube member composed of an outer tube connected to the vehicle body side and an inner tube connected to the wheel side and going into/out of the outer tube and accommodating the magnetic viscous fluid shock absorber, a lubricant liquid stored in the tube member, and a seal member closing a space between the inner tube and the magnetic viscous fluid shock absorber and preventing intrusion of the lubricant liquid to the wheel side.

Abstract: Provided is a magnetorheological (MR) damper, which includes a cylinder filled with an MR fluid, a piston rod extending to the outside of the cylinder, and a magnetic generator partitioning the inside of the cylinder into a compression chamber and a rebound chamber in a state of being connected to the piston rod and generating an electromagnetic force to the inside, the MR damper including: a magnetic core connected to a lower end of the piston rod; a flux ring connected to an edge of the magnetic core, such that a side surface of the flux ring tightly contacts an inner peripheral surface of the cylinder, the flux ring being formed to vertically penetrate through a main passage between the flux ring and the magnetic core; and a cutaway groove concavely formed at a side surface of the magnetic core and preventing a magnetic force from being unnecessarily formed at a setting portion of the main passage, such that the MR fluid is vertically bypassed during compression and rebound strokes.

Abstract: A magnetically damped mounting and isolation system with pointing capability. A payload is mounted to an isolator plate, a base plate is mounted to a satellite or other space vehicle, and the isolation system provides damping of all six degrees of freedom of isolator plate motion relative to the base plate. Three bidirectional magnetic dampers are connected between the isolator plate and the base plate and arranged to provide the required amount of temperature-independent damping. The bidirectional magnetic dampers can be connected to the base plate and the isolator plate in different configurations based on desired mass and natural frequency characteristics. Flexures which statically position the isolator plate are also designed to optimize normal modes of vibration. The isolation system may include a motion amplification feature to increase magnetic damping effectiveness, and the isolation system may also include active positioning of the payload relative to the satellite.

Abstract: Shock absorber and method for operating a shock absorber for a bicycle wherein a relative motion of a first and a second component interconnected via a damper device is dampened. The damper device includes a controllable damping valve with a field generating device with which a field-sensitive medium can be influenced for influencing a damping force of the damper device by applying a field intensity of the field generating device. A parameter for the current relative speeds of the first and second components is obtained in real time. For damping, a current field intensity to be set is derived in real time by way of the parameter from a characteristic damper curve and the field intensity to be currently set is generated by the field generating device in real time for setting in real time a damping force which results from the predetermined characteristic damper curve at the parameter obtained.

Abstract: Embodiments for a cryohead heat transfer coupling as well as methods for extracting heat from an article using these couplings are provided. Couplings employ a component made from a material having a greater mean thermal coefficient of expansion than the mean thermal coefficient of other coupling components and of the article. As a result, differential contraction during cryocooling contributes a shrink fitting of a portion of the coupling resulting in enhanced thermal conduction when cooling and a releasing of the coupling when ambient temperature is restored.

Abstract: A cushion mechanism for decelerating a piston rod includes a holder fastened to an end surface of a cylinder portion fitted with an inner peripheral surface of a cylinder tube, a plurality of fastening bolts for fastening the holder to the cylinder portion, an annular entry portion provided on the piston rod and advancing into the holder and the cylinder portion in the vicinity of the stroke end, a cushion passage formed by penetrating at least one of the plurality of fastening bolts and allowing a working chamber and a discharge port to communicate with each other and leading a working fluid in the working chamber to a discharge port, and an orifice portion provided on the cushion passage and applying resistance to a flow of the working fluid.

Abstract: A damping device includes a casing structure, a retarding mechanism, a driving mechanism, a restoring mechanism and a resistance mechanism. An accommodating space is formed in the casing structure to accommodate the retarding mechanism, and a through hole and a hollow-out hole are formed at wall surfaces of two opposite sides of the accommodating space respectively. The retarding mechanism has a main shaft passed through out of the through hole, and a retarding shaft acting simultaneously with the main shaft. The driving mechanism has a wire wheel fastened on the main shaft. The restoring mechanism has a restoring wheel fastened on the wire wheel. The resistance mechanism has a metal element fastened on the retarding shaft, and a magnetic part is disposed between the metal element and the hollow-out hole, and an interval is formed between the magnetic part and the metal element.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vibration reduction apparatus which reduces vibration of a first object supported on a base, the apparatus comprising a driving unit arranged between the base and the first object and configured to drive the first object, a reference system including a second object, and a control system including a detector configured to detect a relative distance between the first object and the second object, a compensator configured to control the driving unit such that the relative distance comes close to a target distance, and a high-pass filter configured to attenuate a signal in a predetermined frequency band in a path extending from the detector to the driving unit.

Abstract: A method involving obtaining first calibration vibration data relating to vibrations of the lithographic apparatus from a sensor that is part of the lithographic apparatus and obtaining second calibration vibration data, the second calibration vibration data being a component of first parameter data of the lithographic apparatus. A filter is calculated from the first and second calibration vibration data, the filter being such that when applied to the first calibration vibration data, its output correlates closer with the second calibration vibration data. The filter can then be applied to vibration data obtained using the first sensor to obtain an estimate of a vibration component of the first parameter data during the lithographic process.

Abstract: Methods and systems for passively slowing the spin rate of an uncontrolled object in space are presented. A damper mechanism is provided that includes a magnet that is free to rotate in any direction about a central point with respect to a carrier or outer housing. The magnet can be carried within an inner element or sphere, that is in turn mounted within an outer sphere. The inner and outer spheres can be separated by a viscous fluid or other mechanism in which damping can be introduced. The damper mechanism can be associated with an attachment mechanism, that secures the resulting damper or despin system to a target object. A method of neutralizing the magnetic field is also included to enable the system to be launched in a passive state.

Abstract: A gripper mechanism and a movement mechanism which utilize an electromagnetic actuator which can secure a sufficient thrust force at least at a certain level over a wide range of displacement. The movement mechanism includes a pair of electromagnetic actuators disposed inside a pair of rails and an intermediate actuator provided between the electromagnetic actuators. The electromagnetic actuators function as a gripper mechanism to be gripped by the rails. The electromagnetic actuators each include a displacement amplification mechanism including a magnetic body, and coils provided in the displacement amplification mechanism. A magnetic flux is generated in the magnetic body by passing an electric current through the coils so as to displace the displacement amplification points of the displacement amplification mechanism.

Abstract: An embodiment vibration dampening device includes a stack of permanent magnets having a plurality of cross-sectional areas, wherein the permanent magnets are electrically coupled in series with each other. The device further includes an insulating sheath disposed around the stack of permanent magnets, and a visco-elastic polymer disposed within the sheath and around the stack of permanent magnets.

Abstract: A cushion mechanism for decelerating a piston rod includes a holder fastened to an end surface of a cylinder portion fitted with an inner peripheral surface of a cylinder tube, an annular entry portion provided on the piston rod and advancing into the holder and the cylinder portion in the vicinity of the stroke end, a cushion passage leading a working fluid of the working chamber to a supply/discharge port, and an orifice plug fastened to the cushion passage, and the cushion passage includes an internal passage extending in a radial direction of the holder and to which the orifice plug is fastened, and the orifice plug is replaceable through a replacement port formed by penetrating the cylinder tube and communicating with the internal passage.

Abstract: The current invention is an improved magnetic vibration isolation mount and method that can provide a passive and active reduction in the actual and felt vibration transfer from one object to another. The vibration isolation mount is comprised of a mounting means for a first member, a mounting means for a second member, and a rod and magnetic field apparatus between the two mounts and members. The invention can also be seen as a method for the control of vibration transmission from a first member to a second member via either passive or active means.

Abstract: A linear actuator that is configured such that a first tube and a second tube are relatively displaced in an axial direction, includes a rod that is provided in the first tube and whose one end is fixed to an end portion of the first tube, a plurality of permanent magnets that are held by the rod so as to be arranged in the axial direction, and a tubular coil holder that is provided in the second tube and holds a coil that faces the permanent magnets, wherein the first tube has a first linear guide portion with a cylindrical surface that extends in the axial direction around the coil holder, and the second tube has a second linear guide portion with a cylindrical surface that is faced to the first linear guide portion without a gap therebetween so as to be slidably fitted therewith.

Abstract: A braking device capable of effectively causing a shearing stress of a magnetorheological fluid to act on both surfaces of the rotation body is provided.

Abstract: A stabilizer device (100) for a firearm, apt to control the movement performed by the firearm barrel (11) in the instant in which a bullet is ejected, comprising a support element (1) for the firearm barrel (11), removably fixed or fixable to the barrel (11) and apt to be made slidable along a main direction of extension of the barrel (11) with respect to the stock (13) of the firearm that can be gripped by a shooter, and control means for controlling the sliding motion of the support element (1) with respect to the stock (13) of the firearm, having a first (14; 140) and a second (15; 150) control element constrained or constrainable respectively to the support element (1) and to the stock (13) and apt to cooperate to limit and control the extent of such sliding.

Abstract: A vibration isolator with zero stiffness whose angle degree of freedom is decoupled with a spherical air bearing has a main body, in which a sleeve and a lower mounting plate, a piston cylinder and the sleeve are both lubricated and supported with air bearing surfaces respectively, and the angle degree of freedom between a upper mounting plate and the lower mounting plate is decoupled with a spherical air bearing; a position close-loop control system comprising voice coil motors, displacement sensors, limit switches, a controller and a driver is introduced, and the relative position between the upper mounting plate and the lower mounting plate is precisely controlled.

Abstract: A switching device including a breaker electrically connectable to an electrical conductor, and an at least partially electrically conductive housing to which the breaker is mounted, the housing having an outer surface. The breaker includes an electrically conductive first contact and an electrically conductive second contact, the second contact being movable and in relation to the first contact and in relation to the housing, and when the first and second contacts are in contact the breaker is in a closed position, and when the first and second contacts are separated the breaker is in an open position. The switching device is arranged to provide a current path between the breaker and the electrical conductor, and the housing houses a guiding member for operating the second contact, the guiding member being movable in relation to the housing, wherein the guiding member includes a biasing assembly.

Abstract: A washing machine includes a vibration damping device located in an outer casing for damping vibration of a tub using a cylinder enclosing an operating fluid including a functional fluid such as a magnetic viscous fluid changing a viscosity when an electrical energy is applied to the fluid. The vibration damping device includes the cylinder, a shaft inserted into the cylinder, a coil disposed in the cylinder, two yokes disposed between the cylinder and the shaft so as to be located at both axial sides of the coil respectively, the yokes forming a magnetic circuit together with the shaft and cylinder, a sealing member disposed axially outside one of the yokes in the cylinder to seal the operating fluid, and two bearings located axially outside the respective yokes in the cylinder to support the shaft so that the shaft is axially reciprocable.

Abstract: A suspension device interposed between a vehicle body and a wheel includes a shock absorber, a suspension spring, a tube member accommodating the shock absorber and the suspension spring, a sealing member closing a one-side opening of the tube member and holding a piston rod of the shock absorber, a damping force adjustment portion, which includes a coil generating a magnetic field in a passage and a wiring penetrating the piston rod and the sealing member and conducting the coil, electrically adjusting resistance caused when an operating fluid, which is a magnetic viscous fluid whose viscosity changes by a magnetic field's action, passes through the passage allowing two chambers defined and formed by a piston in a cylinder to communicate with each other in the shock absorber, and a reaction force adjustment portion, which is mounted on the sealing member, for adjusting a reaction force of the suspension spring.

Abstract: A pneumatic brake assistance arrangement includes a vacuum brake assistance unit comprising a vacuum chamber, and a vacuum pump. The vacuum pump comprises an input shaft, a pumping unit, and a magneto-rheological clutch. The pumping unit comprises a pump rotor and a suction port connected to the vacuum chamber. The magneto-rheological clutch comprises an input clutch body, an output clutch body, a closed clutch liquid gap, a permanent magnet element, and a pneumatic control circuit. The permanent magnet element shifts between an engaged and a disengaged position. The pneumatic control circuit moves the permanent magnet element between the engaged and the disengaged position. The pneumatic control circuit comprises a pneumatic actuation chamber comprising a piston and a passive pretension element. The pneumatic actuation chamber is connected to the vacuum chamber. The piston shifts the permanent magnet element into the engaged position when a high pressure exists in the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A linear actuator is provided with an outer tube and an inner tube inserted in the outer tube so as to be free to slide. The linear actuator is also provided with a rod erected at a central axis part of the inner tube and forming an annular space between the rod and the inner tube, a rod guide which slides along an inner surface of the outer tube and guides the rod along an axial direction, a plurality of permanent magnets arranged along the axial direction in the rod, and a plurality of coils retained by the outer tube so as to face the permanent magnets. A cooling fluid is filled in an internal space formed between the outer tube and the inner tube.

Abstract: A linear actuator is provided with an outer tube and an inner tube inserted in the outer tube so as to be free to slide. The linear actuator is also provided with a rod erected at a central axis part of the inner tube and forming an annular space between the rod and the inner tube, a rod guide provided at an extreme end of the rod in sliding contact with an inner surface of the outer tube, a plurality of permanent magnets arranged along an axial direction in the rod, and a plurality of coils retained by the outer tube so as to face the permanent magnets. A cross-sectional area of an outer periphery of the inner tube along which the outer tube slides and a cross-sectional area of an inner periphery of the outer tube along which the rod guide slides are set to be equal.

Abstract: A power take-off unit (“PTO”) may include a retarder to reduce noise while the transmission PTO output gear is operating at low torque. The retarder may variably load the PTO based on the PTO output load, while disengaging from the PTO while the PTO is not operational. The retarder may also serve as a primary retarder function to slow a vehicle's speed. The retarder may be controlled by a vehicle operator or by a processor.

Abstract: A solenoid-type variable damping force damper prevents excessive opening of a valve plate when the damper operates at a high speed, thereby achieving reduced electric power consumption. A valve body of an expansion-side valve plate is opened by pressure of hydraulic oil flowing in from an expansion-side first communication oil passage, but at this time, the oil pressures on the side of the upper surface and on the side of the under surface of the valve body are substantially equal to each other within the expansion-side pressure accumulation chamber, owing partly to a flow of the hydraulic oil passing through flow rate adjustment holes. Therefore, even when the damper undergoes an expanding action at a high speed and the hydraulic oil flows in from the expansion-side first communication oil passage at a high inflow rate, the valve body of the expansion-side valve plate is less likely to open excessively.

Abstract: A vehicle engine mount system comprises a housing and an inertia track assembly that forms a first fluid chamber with an upper compliant member and a second fluid chamber with the second end of the housing. The inertia track assembly has first and second passageways therethrough for conducting fluid between the first and second fluid chambers. The first passageway has a substantially greater flow resistance than the second. First and second switches are coupled to the first and second passageways, respectively, for selectively enabling the first and second switches to control fluid displacement between the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber.

Abstract: Shock absorber and method for operating a shock absorber for a bicycle wherein a relative motion of a first and a second component interconnected via a damper device is dampened. The damper device includes a controllable damping valve having at least one field generating device with which a field-sensitive medium can be influenced by applying a field intensity of the field generating device. A parameter for the current speeds of the first and second components relative to one another is obtained in real time. For damping, a current field intensity to be set is derived in real time by way of the parameter from a characteristic damper curve and by the field generating device the field intensity to be currently set is generated in real time for setting in real time a damping force which results from the predetermined characteristic damper curve at the parameter obtained.

Abstract: This disclosure describes embodiments of novel line dispensing devices and methods for dispensing and retracting a line of a line dispensing device.

Abstract: A magnetic spring utilizing spatially modulated magnetic field patterns of magnetic regions for both stator and slider, allowing custom force curves over the range of motion. Also disclosed is a magnetic spring whose slider can be rotated relative to the stator on the axis, such that the alignment of the spatially modulated magnetic field patterns of the slider and the stator is altered, resulting in changeable force curve for the spring, selected by rotating the slider.

Abstract: A magnetorheological fluid-based device and method may include the use of magnetorheological (MR) fluid, a primary magnetic field to control the viscosity of the fluid, and a secondary magnetic field to reduce clumping of ferromagnetic particles.

Abstract: An electricity generating shock absorber includes a coil assembly having a length of electrically conducting material wrapped around an outside perimeter, and along a length, of a hollow tube formed of electrically resistant material; a magnet unit formed of at least one annular axial magnet; a central shaft having a magnetic reluctance on which a plurality of the magnet units are mounted, the central shaft dimensioned for insertion through a central opening of the at least one annular axial magnet, the central shaft combined with the plurality of magnet units forming a magnet assembly dimensioned to slideably insert into a central cavity of the hollow tube; and a cylindrical shell having a first end attached to a terminal end of the magnet assembly, the cylindrical shell extending a length of the magnet assembly, the cylindrical shell having an inner diameter sized to slideably accommodate an outside diameter of the coil assembly.

Abstract: A valve for a magnetorheological fluid is formed with a duct through which the magnetorheological fluid can flow and which can be exposed to a variable magnetic field such that the flow resistance of the duct can be set using the magnetic field in the duct. The magnetic field can be lastingly generated using a magnet device that is made at least in part of magnetically hard material. The magnetization of the magnet device can be lastingly modified by a magnetic pulse of a magnetic field generation device in order to lastingly change the magnetic field in the duct and thus the flow resistance of the duct. A valve of the invention requires energy only to change settings while a specific setting can be lastingly maintained without supplying energy.

Abstract: A valve device is formed with a through-channel and a field generating device. A fluid which can be influenced by a field is provided in the through-channel and the field generating device is configured to act on the field-influenced fluid in the through-channel by way of a field. At least one adjustment device is provided with which the field that is active in the through-channel can be adjusted. A portion of the cross-sectional area of the through-channel can be adjusted, the portion being exposed to a field of a specific intensity so that the through-channel can also only partly be exposed to a field of a specific intensity. Thus, the through-channel, as seen in the direction of the flow, can be divided into regions of different flow resistance, whereby characteristic curves, which were previously attained only with difficulty, are easily obtained when using the valve device in a damper, for example.

Abstract: In an embodiment, and by way of example only, a vibration isolator is used for coupling between a payload and a base and includes a rod, a magnetic damper, a first spring, and a second spring. The magnetic damper includes a movable section and stationary section. The movable section comprises a conductive material and has an opening through which the rod extends. The stationary section includes a magnet disposed around and spaced apart from the movable section and is coupled to the base. The first spring couples the movable section to the rod. The second spring is coupled to the rod and stationary section. In another embodiment, the vibration isolator also includes a voice coil actuation system.

Abstract: A damper includes a housing bounding a primary chamber and a compensation chamber, the primary chamber including a first gas compartment and a control compartment that are separated by an expansion piston, the compensation chamber including a second gas compartment and an overflow compartment that are separated by a compensation piston. A piston rod has a first end slidably disposed within the control compartment. A first fluid path is in fluid communication with the overflow compartment so that when the expansion piston is in the first position, the expansion piston blocks fluid communication between the control compartment and the overflow compartment by way of the first fluid path and when the expansion piston is in the second position, the hydraulic fluid can freely flow from the control compartment to the overflow compartment by way of the first fluid path.