Using Magnetic Flux Patents (Class 188/267)
  • Publication number: 20150034433
    Abstract: A magneto-rheological fluid valve includes a magnetic field generator having at least one electromagnetic coil and at least one magnetic pole having a pole length Lm. The magneto-rheological fluid valve further includes at least one flow channel adjacent to the electromagnetic coil. The at least one flow channel has a gap width g, wherein the ratio Lm/g is greater than or equal to 15.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: J. David CARLSON, Mark R. JOLLY, Douglas E. IVERS
  • Publication number: 20150027828
    Abstract: A magnetic brake has an outer stator surrounding an inner stator with a circumferential slot between the outer stator and the inner stator. A coil is provided in the inner stator adjacent to the circumferential slot. A drag plate is attached to a rotatable shaft extending centrally through the inner stator. A drag ring joined to the drag plate extend into the circumferential slot. Air may flow through the brake over both sides of the drag ring to provide cooling via convention. The magnetic brake uses both hysteresis and eddy current braking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventor: Manfred G. Michelson
  • Patent number: 8939200
    Abstract: Selected designs for reciprocating pumps and down-hole well-stimulation equipment reflect disparate applications of identical technical principles (relating to, e.g., the vibration spectrum of an impulse). In certain of these designs, the vibration spectrum is controlled, suppressed and/or damped using tunable components to limit destructive excitation of resonances; in others the vibration spectrum is tuned at its source for maximum resonance excitation. For example, tunable fluid ends control valve-generated vibration to increase fluid-end reliability. By down-shifting the frequency domain of each valve-closing impulse shock, initial excitation of fluid end resonances is minimized. Subsequent damping and/or selective attenuation of vibration likely to excite one or more predetermined (and frequently localized) fluid end resonances represents further optimal use of fluid end vibration-control resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Inventors: Dennis W. Gilstad, Barbara C. Gilstad
  • Publication number: 20150021129
    Abstract: A vibration absorber comprising a supporting device, an oscillating mass, at least one coil device, and at least on permanent magnet device. The coil device includes at least one winding. A permanent magnet of the permanent magnet device generates a magnetic field extending through a yoke device of the permanent magnet device and through a part of the windings such that when current flows through the windings in a suitable manner, two forces are generated that act between the supporting device and the permanent magnet device and include an angle unequal to 0°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Hans-Gerd Eckel, Niklas Mueller
  • Patent number: 8932185
    Abstract: A brake device with built-in power generation mechanism and permanent magnetism eddy current comprises: an external rotator including a flywheel and a permanent magnet fixed at an inner periphery of the flywheel; an internal stator including a fixing bracket and a tile-shaped armature mounted at an outer periphery of the fixing bracket; a brake mechanism including a magnetic-conductive plate; when the external rotator is rotated the tile-shaped armature generates a three-phase alternating current, and the arc-shaped metal plate generates eddy current and braking torque of magnetic resistant; a cooling fan mounted on the flywheel to produce a cooling effect; an adjustment mechanism provided for adjusting a gap between the arc-shaped metal plate and the permanent magnet to adjust magnetic flux, and thus change the braking resistant load; a controller transferring the three-phase alternating current into direct current for required power of the control panel and server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Chi Hua Fitness Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Li-Min Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20150008081
    Abstract: A magnetorheological fluid shock absorber includes a piston slidably arranged in a cylinder in which magnetorheological fluid whose viscosity changes by the action of a magnetic field is sealed. The piston includes a piston core which is attached to an end part of the piston rod and on the outer periphery of which a coil is provided, a flux ring which surrounds the outer periphery of the piston core and forms a flow passage for the magnetorheological fluid between the piston core and the flux ring, a plate which is annularly formed, arranged on the outer periphery of the piston rod and attached to one end of the flux ring, and a stopper whose axial position is specified with respect to the piston rod and which sandwiches the plate between the piston core and the stopper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Applicant: KAYABA INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keiji Saito, Kazuhisa Nakamura, Takashi Teraoka
  • Patent number: 8878657
    Abstract: An haptic interface including a knob manipulated by a user, a rotation shaft with a longitudinal axis to which the knob is fixed in rotation, an interaction element with a magneto-rheological fluid in rotation with the shaft, the fluid, a system for generating a magnetic field in the fluid, and a control unit capable of generating orders to the system for generating the magnetic field to modify the magnetic field. The system includes a coil type mechanism generating a variable magnetic field, and a permanent magnet type mechanism generating a permanent magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Florian Periquet, Samuel Roselier, Jose Lozada, Moustapha Hafez
  • Patent number: 8857578
    Abstract: A magnetic brake has an outer stator surrounding an inner stator with a circumferential slot between the outer stator and the inner stator. A coil is provided in the inner stator adjacent to the circumferential slot. A drag plate is attached to a rotatable shaft extending centrally through the inner stator. A drag ring joined to the drag plate extend into the circumferential slot. The drag ring may be an annular cylindrical ring section separate from the drag plate. Vent holes pass through the inner stator adjacent and parallel to the shaft. The magnetic brake uses both hysteresis and eddy current braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Technical Film Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim M. Bogdanowicz, Bruce W. Keller, Manfred G. Michelson, Markus G. Michelson
  • Patent number: 8851247
    Abstract: A damper includes a bobbin which is housed in a cylinder and on which a coil is wound and yokes housed in the cylinder. At least one of the yokes is disposed at a first axial side of the bobbin, and at least one other of the yokes is disposed at a second axial side of the bobbin. A magnetic viscous fluid is retained on inner surfaces of the yokes and an inner surface of the bobbin. Sealing members are configured to prevent leakage of the magnetic viscous fluid. A shaft extends through the yokes, the bobbin and the sealing members and is configured to be axially reciprocable relative to the yokes, the bobbin and the sealing members such that reciprocation of the shaft does not substantially displace the magnetic viscous fluid. The coil, the bobbin and the yokes are fixed together by a resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Consumer Electronics Holdings Corporation, Toshiba Home Appliances Corporation
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Shiga
  • Patent number: 8851235
    Abstract: An eddy-current braking mechanism including a rotor, rotatable about a rotor axis; at least one electrically conductive member coupled to the rotor for rotation therewith; at least one magnet configured to apply a magnetic field extending at least partially orthogonal to the plane of rotation of the conductive member, and characterized in that upon rotation of the rotor, the conductive member is configured to move at least partially radially from the rotor axis into the applied magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Eddy Current Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Christopher James Allington, Andrew Karl Diehl, Bruce John Robertson
  • Patent number: 8820492
    Abstract: A soft-matrix magnetorheological material vibration isolation system includes a first mounting plate. A first layer of soft-matrix magnetorheological material has opposing first and second faces, the first face coupled to the first mounting plate. A first electromagnet has opposing first and second pole faces, the first pole face coupled to the second face of the first layer of soft-matrix magnetorheological material. A second layer of soft-matrix magnetorheological material has opposing first and second faces, the first face coupled to the second pole face of the first electromagnet. A second mounting plate is coupled to the second face of the second layer of soft-matrix magnetorheological material, the second mounting plate adapted to be coupled to a load mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Advanced Materials and Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Barkan Mehmet Kavlicoglu, Yanming Liu, Huseyin Sahin, Bryce Wallis
  • Publication number: 20140238793
    Abstract: An electromagnetic suspension apparatus includes a stator disposed on a vehicle body side and including a core and coils, a movable element disposed on a wheel side and including an outer rube and permanent magnets, and a cylinder apparatus located inside the stator and the movable element and disposed between the vehicle body side and the wheel side. A rod of the cylinder apparatus and the outer tube are nonrigidly coupled to each other via a coupling member formed as an elastically deformable elastic body. When a lateral force is applied, the coupling member is elastically deformed, by which the outer tube moves or swings relative to the rod so that the coils and the permanent magnets can be prevented from contacting each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shogo NANBARA, Fumiyuki YAMAOKA, Noriyuki UTSUMI, Tomoyuki LEE
  • Publication number: 20140216869
    Abstract: A magnetorheological fluid-based hydraulic mount apparatus (20, 220) for supporting a vibration source on a base is disclosed. A main fluid passage (104, 304) extends between pumping chamber (64, 264) and receiving chamber (66, 266) for passing the fluid therebetween. Electromagnet coil (98, 298) variably generates a magnetic flux across the main fluid passage to variably change the damping stiffness of the mount. A rate dip track passage (120, 320) extends between the pumping chamber (64, 264) and receiving chamber (66, 266) for oscillating the magnetorheological fluid (68, 268) therethrough to decrease the dynamic stiffness of the mount apparatus (20, 220) at predetermined frequencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: BEIJINGWEST INDUSTRIES CO, LTD.
    Inventors: Eric Louis Schumann, David John Barta, Brent Wade Fourman, Stephen Lewis Setty
  • Patent number: 8776962
    Abstract: An electromagnetic suspension system uses a linear motor having coils disposed around the outer periphery of a stator and permanent magnets disposed along the inner periphery of a mover. Wiring is routed through a gap between a first rod and a second rod. Thus, contact between the wiring and the second rod is avoided, and the wiring is protected. Consequently, it is possible to ensure reliability for the electric system of the electromagnetic suspension system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Lee, Noriyuki Utsumi, Hiroshi Yoshikura
  • Patent number: 8757652
    Abstract: A valve is particularly suited for a movement damping apparatus. The valve has a field-generating device, such as a magnet unit, and a fluid that is subjected to the field, such as a magnetorheological fluid, is pressed through a flow path forming a bottleneck. At the bottleneck the fluid is subject to the field and it changes its flow characteristics in response to the field. The flow path is divided into at least two flow tracks by a partition that forms one or more additional friction surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: INVENTUS Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Battlogg, Jürgen Pösel Poesel, Gernot Elsensohn
  • Patent number: 8757335
    Abstract: A damper obtaining damping force by the frictional resistance imparted by the viscosity of the magnetic viscous fluid is disclosed. The damper is provided with a seal not only on one (lower side) of the axial outer sides of the yoke but also on the other (upper side) of the axial outer sides of the yoke to trap the magnetic viscous fluid within the magnetic viscous fluid filling portion at both axial outer sides of magnetic viscous fluid filling portion. Because the leakage of the magnetic viscous fluid can be prevented, no air is introduced into the magnetic viscous fluid filling portion, to allow the density of the magnetic viscous fluid within magnetic viscous fluid filling portion to be maintained at a favorable level and prevent degradation of damping force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Consumer Electronics Holdings Corporation, Toshiba Home Appliances Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Kaneda, Shinichiro Kawabata, Koji Hisano, Hirokazu Izawa, Hiroshi Nishimura
  • Publication number: 20140165952
    Abstract: An anti-cogging apparatus includes a first support member, a second support member, a first set of magnets, and a second set of magnets. The first support member is configured to be connected to and rotate with a rotatable shaft. The second support member does not rotate and is configured not to move with the first support member. The first set of magnets is mounted on the first support member in an alternating polarity or a non-alternating polarity configuration. The second set of magnets is mounted on the second support member in an alternating polarity configuration or a non-alternating polarity configuration. The first set of magnets magnetically interacts with the second set of magnets to provide an anti-cogging torque on the rotatable shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventor: Raymond Towne
  • Patent number: 8727078
    Abstract: The invention is an incrementally actuated eddy current braking system. The system comprises first and second primary members, which further comprise arrays of permanent magnets arranged in alternating polarity. The respective magnets of the arrays face one another. A means for incremental displacement is drivingly connected to at least one of the primary members enabling the movement of said members relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Velocity Magnetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Domenic P. Marzano, Michael Gustason
  • Publication number: 20140128220
    Abstract: A brake mechanism for a hybrid transmission includes a magnetic unit and a brake plate. The magnetic unit is configured to selectively generate magnetic flux. The magnetic unit radially surrounds an axis of rotation. The magnetic unit defines a plurality of grooves. The brake plate radially surrounds the axis of rotation and includes a plurality of teeth. The brake plate is movable axially along the axis of rotation between a disengaged position and an engaged position. The brake plate is configured to rotate about the axis of rotation, relative to the magnetic unit when in the disengaged position. The teeth of the brake plate are configured to engage the corresponding grooves of the magnetic unit when in the engaged position in response to generation of magnetic flux by the magnetic unit, such that rotation of the brake plate is ceased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Shawn H. Swales, Anthony J. Corsetti, Chandra S. Namuduri
  • Patent number: 8707822
    Abstract: The present invention provides an active electric torsional vibration damper and a method to realize the same. The invention relates to the field of vibration reduction technology for rotating machinery. The damper comprises a fixed module, a relative rotating module, conducting coils, magnetic-field producing elements. The present invention can be used to produce transient anti-torsion which is same in frequency, opposite in direction and corresponding in amplitude to achieve the effect of eliminating torsional vibration on the original shaft system. The damper realizes a prominent effect of eliminating torsional vibration without complex measures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Inventor: Qing Luo
  • Patent number: 8701843
    Abstract: A flywheel assembly for exercise devices includes a flywheel. A first disc and a second disc sequentially received in the flywheel and securely attached to each other. A control plate is rotatably sandwiched between the first disc and the second disc. Multiple magnetic devices are respectively and radially connected to the control plate. A shaft centrally extends through the first disc, the second disc and the flywheel, and laterally mounted onto the second disc, wherein the flywheel is rotatable relative to the first disc, the control plate with the magnetic devices and the second disc. A drive device is laterally mounted onto the second disc for driving the control plate and adjusting the damping to the flywheel when the control plate is rotated relative to the first disc and the second disc due to the operation from the drive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Inventor: Kuang-Shiung Kao
  • Patent number: 8701845
    Abstract: A suspension device (S) comprises: an actuator (A) including a motion conversion mechanism (T) for converting rotational motion of a screw nut (1) to linear motion of a threaded shaft (2), and a motor (M) connected to the screw nut (1); and a fluid pressure damper (D) connected to the threaded shaft (2), wherein the threaded shaft (2) is formed in a cylindrical shape, a connecting shaft (30) for connecting a rod (31) or a cylinder (32) of the fluid pressure damper (D) to the threaded shaft (2) is inserted into the threaded shaft (2), and the connecting shaft (30) is connected to an end, opposite to the fluid pressure damper, of the threaded shaft (2). Accordingly, the connection between the actuator and the hydraulic damper is facilitated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takuhiro Kondo
  • Patent number: 8689950
    Abstract: An electromagnetic type retarder comprises a main portion consisting of a stator having a plurality of magnetic coils arranged along a circle and spaced apart from one another, and of a steel rotor surrounding the stator and rotated according to the rotation of a tire; a driving device for the main portion to be controlled by an operation signal; and an output terminal for an additional device; the magnetic coils consisting of three-phase or two-phase connections. Each of the magnetic coils is connected with a capacitor so as to form a resonance circuit, respectively. The driving device has transistors connected in series to each of the connections and controlled so as to be opened and closed by the operation signal. The revolution speed of a rotary magnetic field generated by AC voltage induced in the magnetic coils forming the resonance circuits by the rotation of the steel rotor is set smaller than the revolution speed of the steel rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: TBK Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichi Tashiro, Mitsuyoshi Oba, Akihiro Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 8684367
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for regulating the function of a suspension system are disclosed herein. Suspension characteristics often contribute to the efficiency of a suspended system. Depending on the desired operating parameters of the suspended system, it may be desirable to alter the functional characteristics of the suspension from time to time in order to maintain or increase efficiency. The suspension hereof may be selectively locked into a substantially rigid configuration, and the damping fluid may be phase separated and/or cooled to increase damping rate during use (or offset rate degradation). The suspension hereof may generate power usable to achieve any or all of the foregoing or to be stored for use elsewhere in the suspended system or beyond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Incorporated
    Inventor: David M Haugen
  • Publication number: 20140076676
    Abstract: A magneto-rheological damping assembly including a piston (28) defining a core (38). A pair of spaced electromagnets (46) are disposed about the core (38) and are connected to a controller (48) for selectively generating a magnetic flux. A pair of permanent magnets (52) are disposed about the electromagnets (46) and a pole segment (54;154;56;156) is disposed therebetween. A main gap (74) extends through the piston (28) through which magneto-rheological fluid (26) is conveyed. Flux generated by the magnets controls the viscosity of the fluid in the main gap (74) to control the damping force of the assembly. The controller (48) defines an off operating state for cancelling the flux from the permanent magnets (52) across the main gap (74).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventors: Thomas Wolfgang Nehl, Robert T. Foister, Frederic Bailly, Guy Tessier
  • Patent number: 8668060
    Abstract: An electromagnetic absorber (10) for a vehicle including (a) a threaded rod (78) which is disposed on one of a sprung portion and an unsprung portion and which has a threaded groove (76) formed in its outer circumferential portion and an axial groove (90) extending in its axis direction (b) a nut (80) which is rotatably disposed on the other of the sprung portion and the unsprung portion and which is screwed with the threaded rod and (c) a rod-rotation inhibiting member (82) which includes a fitting portion configured to be fitted in the axial groove and which is disposed on the other of the sprung portion and the unsprung portion, the rod-rotation inhibiting member being configured to inhibit the threaded rod from rotating while permitting the threaded rod to move in the axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd., JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Kondo, Takuhiro Kondo, Yoshifumi Shige, Katsura Koyagi, Hajime Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20140060980
    Abstract: A brake is provided. The brake may include a rotor having a plurality of magnets and a plurality of ferromagnetic poles radially disposed thereabout, and a stator having a plurality of shunts and a plurality of teeth radially disposed thereabout. At least one of the plurality of shunts and the plurality of teeth may be configured to selectively move between an engagement state and a free engagement state. The teeth may be configured to generate magnetic flux with the ferromagnetic poles so as to generate a braking torque during the engagement state. The shunts may be configured to redirect the magnetic flux therethrough and reduce the braking torque between the teeth and the ferromagnetic poles during the free engagement state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Zbigniew Piech, Kyle W. Rogers, Daryl J. Marvin
  • Patent number: 8651250
    Abstract: A magneto-rheological damping device comprises a piston and a case element, both capable of acting to carry a magnetic flux. A passage exists between the piston and the case element, and an amount of MR fluid is positioned between the piston and the case element to flow within the passage. A first magnetic flux generator and a second magnetic flux generator cooperate to generate a net flux that is disposed to act upon the MR fluid in the passage to affect the flow of fluid in the passage. One of the flux generators comprises a permanent magnet to generate a bias flux between the piston and the case element, and the other flux generator comprises a means for providing a controllable magnetic flux between the piston and the case element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventors: Thomas Wolfgang Nehl, Alexander A. Alexandridis
  • Patent number: 8646550
    Abstract: Vehicle wheels may be equipped with a stator and rotor to induce current to generate electricity as the vehicle wheels rotate or to slow down the vehicle wheels in response to the application of a brake of the vehicle. Air may be sucked through the vehicle wheels through mesh screens to create air flow that passes through ductwork to reach a turbine generator, which generates electricity in response to blade rotation from air flow. A roof mounted solar energy conversion system may generate electricity. A vehicle power supply boosts its energy from all the electricity generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Inventor: Krassimire Mihaylov Penev
  • Publication number: 20140034434
    Abstract: A power tool braking device, in particular a hand-held power tool braking device, of a portable power tool has at least one magnetic field braking unit. The power tool braking device comprises at least one mechanical activation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Florian Esenwein
  • Patent number: 8641052
    Abstract: A suspension device (S) as a solution for the problem of the present invention includes: an active suspension unit (U) equipped with a linear actuator (A) and a first fluid pressure damper (D1) connected to the actuator (A) to extend and retract in the same direction; and a second fluid pressure damper (D2) arranged in parallel with the active suspension unit (U).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignees: Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takuhiro Kondo, Yoshifumi Kobayashi, Motohiko Honma, Takayuki Tachi
  • Publication number: 20140027216
    Abstract: The electromagnetic vibration suppression device includes a plurality of electromagnet pairs arranged in the width direction of a steel plate and which suppresses vibration of the steel plate running between electromagnets in each electromagnet pair using a control unit. The pseudo displacement calculation means calculates a pseudo displacement amount for the steel plate on the basis of the switching between ON and OFF of a sensor attached to the electromagnet pairs. The pseudo edge position calculation means calculates a pseudo edge position for the steel plate on the basis of the pseudo displacement amount. The current amount control means individually controls the amount of current that flows to the electromagnets on the basis of the pseudo edge position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: SINFONIA TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hisanori Ohara, Kazuhisa Matsuda
  • Publication number: 20140015180
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for damping movement of a first mass relative to a second mass by magnetically generating induced current are provided. A magnet is coupled to one mass and a nonferrous metallic member is coupled to another mass that moves relative to the first mass. First and second springs are coupled to opposing ends of the magnet, the magnet being positioned between the springs. A guide member channels the magnet as it moves relative to the nonferrous member, the magnet being slidable along the guide member. The magnet is in close proximity to the nonferrous metallic member as the magnet moves. Upon causing movement of the magnet by either mass, the magnet generates an electrical current in the nonferrous metallic member that induces a counter magnetic field that opposes the magnetic field generated by the current to damp movement of the magnet as it moves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventor: Charles F. Pepka
  • Patent number: 8616536
    Abstract: An active dynamic vibration absorber apparatus for a vehicle that may be mounted to a frame of the vehicle and vibrates when power may be supplied to attenuate vibration of the vehicle, may include a housing, an upper spring and a lower spring, and a yoke assembly disposed between the upper spring and the lower spring which may be plates arranged in parallel, and selectively vibrates up/down in the housing, wherein the yoke assembly has an upper protrusion and a lower protrusion that protrude from the top and the bottom thereof, respectively, the upper protrusion being fastened to the center of the upper spring through the housing, and the lower protrusion being fastened to the center of the lower spring in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Pavco Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-San Kim, Jeong-Hoon Kim, Un-Hwan Park, Yoon-Chul Song, Sang-Heun Oh
  • Publication number: 20130341137
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Nilesh D. MANKAME, Paul E. Krajewski, Roy J. Mathieu, Albert H. Butlin, JR., Paul W. Alexander
  • Publication number: 20130319803
    Abstract: A magnetic shock absorbing device includes a cylinder and a magnetic module, and the magnetic module includes a plurality of magnetic units, and each magnetic unit includes a magnet, a protective cover covered onto the magnet, and an opening formed on both sides of each protective cover separately, and each magnetic unit is installed in series inside the cylinder, and a magnetic repulsive force is formed between sides of any two of the adjacent magnetic units, and the magnetic repulsive force produced by each magnetic unit in the magnetic module is used for producing a damping force to achieve a shock absorbing effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventor: Tsung-Shih LEE
  • Patent number: 8596430
    Abstract: An electrical shock absorber 20 of the present embodiment includes a motor 21, which is rotated by approaching and separating motions between sprung and unsprung members which approach and separate from each other; and an electric circuit 50, which connects the electric terminals of the motor 21 so as to cause current to flow through the motor 21. The electric circuit 50 includes P-channel JFETs 56, 60. The gate of the P-channel JFET 56, 60 is connected to one electric terminal of the motor 21, and the source of the P-channel JFET 56, 60 is connected to the other electric terminal of the motor 21. Therefore, the induced voltage is applied to the gate. The induced voltage represents the stroke speed of the electrical shock absorber 20. Therefore, the gate voltage VGS is changed on the basis of the above-mentioned relative speed such that the gate voltage VGS increases with the stroke speed of the electrical shock absorber 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsushi Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20130312433
    Abstract: An apparatus including a magnetic attenuator substantially surrounding a non-rotatable portion of the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventor: Paul Nemit, JR.
  • Patent number: 8584816
    Abstract: A damping apparatus is disclosed having at least one magnet, a conducting member movable relative to the magnet, a cryogenic fluid, and a channel that confines the cryogenic fluid in contact with the conducting member. The cryogenic fluid may maintain the conducting member at cryogenic temperatures, thereby increasing a damping force provided by the conducting member to a payload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Exelis, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Thomas Brewen, John Craig Fasick, Douglas William Gates, Phillip Vallone
  • Publication number: 20130299290
    Abstract: A vibration isolator is provided comprising a base structure, a load structure and at least one vertical air gap formed by opposing and substantially parallel walls of the base structure and the load structure. The opposing walls being at least partly covered by respective arrays of permanent magnets, neighboring magnets in the arrays having alternating magnetization directions, an arrangement of the permanent magnets in the arrays being such that a gravitational force on the load structure is substantially compensated by a net magnetic force of the base structure on the load structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITEIT EINDHOVEN
    Inventors: Jeroen Lodevicus Gerardus Janssen, Johannes Jacobus Hubertus Paulides, Elena Andreevna Lomonova
  • Publication number: 20130287533
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing magnetic biasing of a carriage in context of linear guides. In one embodiment, a robotic mechanism is configured to travel on a platform assembly within a structural context. The platform assembly transports a carriage in a Z direction, and the carriage transports the robotic mechanism in an X direction. The carriage moves in the X direction along rails (e.g., and/or other types of linear guides) in a substantially floating or unbiased manner. For example, one or more alignment features on the carriage are in communication with the rails to allow the carriage to move relatively freely within an alignment region defined by the alignment features. When the carriage reaches its desired X location, magnetic features bias the carriage into a substantially accurate, secure, and repeatable position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: ORACLE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Joseph Paul Manes
  • Publication number: 20130284551
    Abstract: A power tool braking device, in particular a portable power tool braking device, for a portable power tool has at least one magnetic field braking unit. The power tool braking device comprises at least one drive unit which has at least one drive element, on which at least one braking element of the magnetic field braking unit is arranged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Nadig, Sebastian Laber, Florian Esenwein, Joachim Heizmann
  • Patent number: 8561764
    Abstract: A damping device for a two-wheeled vehicle having a first and a second damper chamber which are coupled to one another through a flow connection. The flow connection includes at least one flow valve provided with a damping channel. A magneto-rheological fluid is provided in the damping channel of the flow valve wherein the flow valve includes at least one magnetic device such that the damping channel of the flow valve can be exposed to a magnetic field of the magnetic device. The flow valve further includes at least one spring device. The magnetic device of the flow valve is provided on a valve piston and the valve piston is received in a deflection chamber to resiliently deflect counter to a spring force of the spring device such that the magnetic field of the magnetic device effective in the damping channel depends on the resilient deflection of the valve piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: DT Swiss Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Battlogg, Jürgen Pösel, Gernot Elsensohn, Martin Walhert
  • Patent number: 8550221
    Abstract: Spring having a first part (1) and a second part (2) moveable relative to each other along a longitudinal axis (L), a gap (3) being provided between the first part (1) and the second part (2), the first part (1) being provided with permanent magnets (4,4?), the second part (2) including soft magnetic material, the second part (2) having a variable permeability along the longitudinal axis (L) thereof for a magnetic field provided by the permanent magnets (4,4?) of the first part (1), wherein the second part (2), for providing the variable permeability for magnetic field, is provided with at least two teeth (5,5?) of soft magnetic material which each face a permanent magnet (4,4?) with a facing surface when the first part (1) is in an aligned position relative to the second part (2), the gap extending between the two teeth and the corresponding permanent magnets, wherein, when the first part is moving out of the aligned position relative to the second part along a longitudinal axis, the total area of the facing
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Johannes Jacobus Hubertus Paulides, Bernie G. Van Leeuwen, Elena Andreevna Lomonova, Lisette Vandenput-Geerdens
  • Patent number: 8547191
    Abstract: Damping device to impose a reaction to the displacement of a manual operating device (28), said device comprising at least one chamber containing the magneto-rheological fluid, one or two means of generating a variable magnetic field (6.1, 6.2) in the magneto-rheological fluid so as to modify its apparent viscosity, one element (4) free to move in translation capable of shearing the magneto-rheological fluid and designed to be mechanically connected to the manual operating device (28), said mobile element (4) comprising a blade with a longitudinal axis (Y) comprising holes and/or recesses and/or projections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignees: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
    Inventors: Xavier Boutillon, Moustapha Hafez, Jose Lozada
  • Publication number: 20130199881
    Abstract: A yoke core of an electromagnetic brake system includes a rotation shaft hole portion through which a rotation shaft is penetrated, and additionally includes an inner yoke portion and an outer yoke portion which are arranged on both inner and outer sides, by pinching a concave groove. A coil is accommodated in the concave groove and a magnetic flux is generated by applying electricity to attract an armature. The armature has a penetrating hole portion in the center, and a protruded shaft portion formed on the inner yoke portion is inserted to the penetrating hole portion. The rotation shaft has one side thereof rotatably supported by a support portion of a housing, and the other side thereof rotatably supported by the protruded shaft portion via the armature and a planetary gear mechanism. Accordingly, it is not necessary to provide bearings or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
  • Patent number: 8498784
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a method for estimating the suspension stroke of a vehicle comprising the steps consisting of: a) determining a variability law (10) that associates the stroke of the suspension with the pressure inside a shock absorber of the same, based on experimental data; b) estimating the suspension stroke value related to a measured pressure value, based on the variability law (10) identified in step (a); c) detecting/obtaining the longitudinal vehicle dynamics; d) recalibrating (30) the variability law (10) identified in step a), based on the longitudinal vehicle dynamics detected/obtained in step c). The present invention also refers to an apparatus for implementing the estimation method of the suspension stroke of a vehicle according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Piaggio & C. S.p.A.
    Inventors: Sergio Matteo Savaresi, Cristiano Spelta, Andrea Moneta, Filippo Tosi, Luca Fabbri
  • Publication number: 20130186721
    Abstract: A magnetic brake has an outer stator surrounding an inner stator with a circumferential slot between the outer stator and the inner stator. A coil is provided in the inner stator adjacent to the circumferential slot. A drag plate is attached to a rotatable shaft extending centrally through the inner stator. A drag ring joined to the drag plate extend into the circumferential slot. The drag ring may be an annular cylindrical ring section separate from the drag plate. Vent holes pass through the inner stator adjacent and parallel to the shaft. The magnetic brake uses both hysteresis and eddy current braking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: TECHNICAL FILM SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventor: TECHNICAL FILM SYSTEMS INC.
  • Patent number: 8469164
    Abstract: A damper (D1) comprising an actuator A connected to a sprung member (B) side of a vehicle, the actuator having a motion converting mechanism (T) for converting a linear motion into a rotational motion and a motor (M) to which the rotational motion resulting from the conversion by the motion converting mechanism (T) is transmitted; a hydraulic damper (E), the hydraulic damper (E) having a cylinder (C), a piston (P) inserted slidably into the cylinder (C) and defining two pressure chambers within the cylinder (C), and a rod (R) connected at one end thereof to the piston (P), the linear motion of the actuator (A) being transmitted to one of the rod (R) and the cylinder (C), the other of the rod (R) and the cylinder (C) being connected to an unsprung member (W) side of the vehicle; a spring (1) accommodated within one of the two pressure chambers and biasing the hydraulic damper (E) in a damper compressing direction; and a spring (2) accommodated within the other pressure chamber and biasing the hydraulic damper
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignees: Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takuhiro Kondo, Hirofumi Inoue
  • Patent number: 8453806
    Abstract: A damping device for a two-wheeled vehicle having a first and a second damper chamber which are coupled to one another through a flow connection. The flow connection includes at least one flow valve provided with a damping channel. A magneto-rheological fluid is provided in the damping channel of the flow valve wherein the flow valve includes at least one magnetic device such that the damping channel of the flow valve can be exposed to a magnetic field of the magnetic device. The flow valve further includes at least one spring device. The magnetic device of the flow valve is provided on a valve piston and the valve piston is received in a deflection chamber to resiliently deflect counter to a spring force of the spring device such that the magnetic field of the magnetic device effective in the damping channel depends on the resilient deflection of the valve piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: DT Swiss Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Battlogg, Jürgen Pösel, Gernot Elsensohn, Martin Walhert