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.

Abstract: In a variable damper using magneto-rheological fluid that comprises a cylinder (12) filled with the fluid, a piston (16) slidably received in the cylinder and including an inner yoke (32; 62; 126), an outer yoke (31; 64, 65; 140) and a coil (34; 130), a piston rod (13) having an inner end attached to the piston and an outer end extending out of the cylinder and a magnetic valve formed in a gap between the inner and outer yokes, at least one of the outer yoke and inner yoke consisting of at least two parts that are joined to each other in an axial direction. The two piece arrangement of the inner yoke or outer yoke allows the end plates to be omitted because the gap spacer can be installed without requiring end plates, and this contributes to a compact design and a favorable damping property. Also, the manufacturing and servicing of the damper can be simplified. When end plates (134) are used, the freedom in the positioning of the coil is increased.

Abstract: A damping apparatus is disclosed comprising at least one pair of magnets and a conducting member. The at least one pair of magnets define a gap therebetween. The conducting member is coupled to a payload and positioned within the gap. The conducting member is configured to vibrate in response to a vibration of the payload. The conducting member comprises a conducting material. Vibration of the conducting member generates eddy currents in the conducting member, and the eddy currents generate a frequency-dependent damping force. The frequency-dependent damping force is adjustable based on the conducting material and a thickness of the conducting member. The conducting material and the thickness are selected to adjust the frequency-dependent damping force.

Abstract: A levitation type supporting unit interposed between an object and an installing surface for supporting the object respective to the installing surface. The supporting unit includes lower and upper magnet parts having a lower magnet; the upper magnet part arranged at an upper part of the lower magnet part while having an interval spaced from the lower magnet part, the upper magnet part having a surface facing a surface of the lower magnet, the surfaces having equal polarities; an upper fixing cap being assembled with the upper magnet part to allow elevation; a lower fixing cap connected with the upper fixing cap and is assembled with the lower magnet part; and a fixing part including a connecting part formed on one side, connecting the upper and lower fixing caps while having an interval forming an exposed space between the upper and lower fixing caps, the fixing part preventing the upper magnet part from escaping from an upper position of the lower magnet part.

Abstract: The invention provides a rotating tub washer with an on-off binary damper system for damping a problematic movement between the washer frame and the rotating tub. The on-off binary damper system has a friction pad and a housing friction damper surface, with the friction pad in contact with said housing friction damper surface.

Abstract: A guide-rail brake (1) of an elevator and a method for controlling the brake are provided. The brake comprises a frame part fixed to the elevator car, a prong part, which contains turning jaws (3,4) that correspond to the guide rail (2) via the braking surfaces when braking, a spring (10) loading the prong part to press the braking surfaces to the guide rail, and a controllable mover, which is an electromagnet (15), which contains two pulling core pieces (17,18). The force effect of the electromagnet (15) on the prong part is opposed to the spring. In the guide-rail brake an air gap (ag) is structurally arranged between the center parts (19,20) of the pulling core pieces (17, 18) of the electromagnet of the guide-rail brake when the brake is fully energized, and a damping circuit is arranged in the coil (16) of the electromagnet (15) of the guide-rail brake to speed up operation of the guide-rail brake.

Abstract: A magnetorheological fluid damping system includes a hydraulic cylinder, a piston head, a piston rod, and a porous valve. The hydraulic cylinder is configured for disposing magnetorheological fluid therein. The piston head is disposed within the hydraulic cylinder and has first and second sides defining first and second chambers within the hydraulic cylinder. The piston head is configured to be in sliding engagement with the hydraulic cylinder. The piston rod is connected to the piston head. The porous valve includes a magnetorheological fluid pathway, has first and second fluid connections, and is configured to dampen the flow of the magnetorheological fluid between the first and second fluid connections in accordance with a magnetic field. The first fluid connection is fluidly connected to the first chamber and the second fluid connection is fluidly connected to the second chamber. The magnetorheological fluid pathway at least partially directs magnetorheological fluid flow through a porous media.

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 system for controlling an electric device comprises: a power supply for supplying electric power to an electric device; switch portion connected between the power supply and the electric device for controlling the electric power supplied to the electric device; an LC filter disposed between the switch portion and the electric device; and current detection portion for detecting an electric current supplied to the electric device.

Abstract: A damping device for use with a rotatably-mounted steering shaft. The damping device comprises a magnetorheological material that can be embedded in an open-network carrier and is directly or indirectly in contact with the steering shaft, a coil arranged in effective proximity to the magnetorheological material, and a body indirectly in contact with the steering shaft through the magnetorheological material, which does not rotate with the steering shaft. A voltage can be applied the coil to activate the magnetorheological material, increasing a viscosity of the magnetorheological material to inhibit relative rotation of the steering shaft and the body.

Abstract: A piston/cylinder unit includes a closed cylinder filled with a fluid under pressure, a piston dividing the cylinder into a first working chamber and a second working chamber, and a piston rod extending through the second working chamber. A passage through the piston connects the first working chamber to the second working chamber, and a valve closing member is movable between an open position and a closed position wherein the member closes the passage. A solenoid includes a coil, a coil core, and an armature in the piston, the armature driving the valve closing member between the closed position and the open position in response to a magnetic field produced by a current applied to the coil, the cylinder forming a magnetic field guide tube. The coil is supplied with current by a power line in the piston rod, and may be grounded to the piston rod or the cylinder.

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.

Abstract: When respective magnetic fluxes are generated by coils and pass through a plate spring, an electromagnetic force, which results from the magnetic flux, is generated within a plate spring, screws, and a magnetic flux-passing member. Therefore, a brake pad is separated from a slide table in accordance with an action of the electromagnetic force exerted against a resilient force of the plate spring. On the other hand, when generation of respective magnetic fluxes from the coils is halted, the electromagnetic force is extinguished, and thus the brake pad presses against the slide table, in accordance with an action of the resilient force of the plate spring.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a suspension apparatus and a resonance avoiding method of a drum-type washing machine. The method adjusts elastic moduli of elastic members before a drum reaches a resonance speed during a dehydration cycle of the washing machine. If the rotating speed of the drum exceeds the resonance speed, the method returns the elastic moduli of the elastic members to an initial state, thereby preventing generation of resonance.

Abstract: A magnetorheological (MR) piston includes an MR piston core, an MR piston end plate, a shim disc, and a flexible orifice disc. The end plate covers an end of the core to define a chamber and has a through passageway aligned with an MR-piston-core bypass passageway at the chamber. The shim disc and the orifice disc are positioned in the chamber. The orifice disc includes an orifice aligned with the bypass passageway at the chamber and includes an additional orifice. Under fluid pressure in a first direction the orifice disc lies substantially flat against one of the end and the MR piston end plate. Under fluid pressure in an opposite second direction the orifice disc is deflected by the presence of the shim disc to lift the additional orifice from the one of the end and the MR piston end plate.

Abstract: A machine employing controllable mounts and a method for controlling such mounts to maintain ideal snubbing height and provide mount diagnostics are disclosed. The controllable mount may include a housing, a pin, rheological fluid within the housing and coils provided proximate to the rheological fluid. The pin may be held in the housing with a limited degree of play by an elastomeric member and in so doing hold the pin at the ideal snubbing height. Over time the elastomeric member may degrade and begin to sag. Sensors associated with the housing may monitor this sag and if necessary energize a field across the rheological fluid or pressurize gas within the housing so as to adjust to the position of the pin back to the ideal snubbing height. The data gathered by the sensors can also be stored and used to determine the remaining serviceable life of the controllable mount and diagnose when it should be replaced.

Abstract: The invention provides a mechatronic suspension system and a method for shock absorbing thereof. The invention applies the analogies between mechanical and electronic networks to propose a mechatronic suspension system, which combines a ball-screw inerter and a permanent magnet electric machinery, such that the complicated network structure can be realized through the combination of mechanical and electronic networks. The mechatronic suspension system is connected to two terminals, and consists of the inerter mechanism, the permanent magnet electric machinery and the feedback circuit. The inerter mechanism is connected to the terminals to transfer the linear motion into the rotational motion. The permanent magnet electric machinery is connected to the inerter mechanism to generate a corresponding voltage. And the feedback circuit is connected to the permanent magnet electric machinery to provide suitable system impedance and to generate a feedback force.

Abstract: A stabilizer for material handling equipment, includes a base mount for mounting to the material handling equipment, a main frame pivotally attached to the base mount, and a release lever and magnet housing pivotally mounted to the main frame. A biasing element holds the main frame in a disengaged position away from a metallic floor surface. The release lever can be addressed by a user to overcome the biasing element and rotate the magnet housing to an engaged position, so that magnets in the magnet housing engage the metallic floor surface, holding or anchoring the material handling equipment in place. In order to disengage the magnets from the metallic floor surface, the user forces the release lever in an opposite direction, prying the magnets from the floor surface, upon which the biasing element further rotates the main frame, removing the magnet housing from the proximity of the floor.

Abstract: A system that includes a magnetically actuated motion control device comprising a housing defining a cavity and including a slot therethrough. A movable member is located within the cavity and is movable relative to the housing. A magnetic field generator located on either the housing or the movable member causes the housing to press against the movable member to develop a friction force.

Abstract: An electric braking or clutching device includes a housing; an armature having an axis and disposed at the housing, the armature and the housing defining a radial air gap therebetween; and a coil configured to generate, when energized, a magnetic field at the housing and armature, a flux path of the field extending from the coil into the armature, from the armature into the housing, and from the housing back to the coil, with the direction of the flux path from the armature into the housing being substantially radial in orientation.

Abstract: A transport vehicle wheel assembly comprising a set of rotating components and a set of static components wherein an applied electrical current applied to conductive material incorporated into at least one components structural matrix of one set of components gives rise to primary magnetic fields which interact with reactive magnetic fields associated with material incorporated into at least one components structural matrix of another set of components and gives rise to rotational forces which act on the rotating components of said transport vehicle wheel assembly to induce controlled forward rotation of a wheel and having regenerative braking and reverse drive ability thus allowing controlled retardation assistance.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a dust tube that surrounds a shock body. The shock body is movable relative to the dust tube in response to road load inputs. A plurality of magnets is mounted to one of the dust tube and shock body, and a module is mounted to the other of the dust tube and shock body. The module interacts with the plurality of magnets to determine a position of the dust tube relative to a position of the shock body. This position information can be used to adjust suspension ride height as needed.

Abstract: A method for using an electromagnetic retarder of the type that comprises a current generator. The method relates to an electromagnetic retarder including a stator bearing the primary coils (8) of a current generator and a rotary shaft (7) bearing the secondary windings (5) of the generator and field coils (13) which are electrically powered by the secondary coils (5) via a current rectifier (15) borne by the rotary shaft (7). The method consists in injecting a direct current into the primary coils (8), the direct current having an intensity that increases gradually up to a nominal value over a pre-determined minimum period. The method is suitable for electromagnetic retarders which are intended for vehicles such as trucks.

Abstract: A vibration damper providing amplitude-dependent damping for motor vehicles includes a first damping device including a piston rod which is disposed in a damping tube so as to be moveable in an oscillating manner and which supports a damping piston which divides the interior of the damping tube into a piston rod-side working chamber and a working chamber remote from the piston rod. The vibration damper further includes a second damping device which is disposed hydraulically parallel to the damping piston and includes an equalizing chamber which is divided into a first and a second partial chamber by a separating piston disposed so as to be axially displaceable in the equalizing chamber, wherein the first partial chamber is hydraulically connected to the piston rod-side working chamber and the second partial chamber is hydraulically connected to the working chamber remote from the piston rod.

Abstract: A damper containing magneto-rheological (“MR”) fluid and a plunger lies between and is mechanically coupled both to a fixture and a vibration source. The plunger has a head immersed in the MR fluid. Annular magnets circumscribe the damper and produce a magnetic field surrounding the damper. A tubular shielding sleeve composed of magnetically impermeable material surrounds a portion of the damper. The sleeve is mechanically coupled both to the fixture and the vibration source by springs, and can translate relative to the damper to affect the strength of the magnetic field acting on the MR fluid surrounding the plunger head. The sleeve oscillates responsive to vibration of the vibration source and controls the viscosity of the MR fluid surrounding the plunger head in proportion to the amplitude of the sleeve's oscillation. The resonant frequency of the sleeve is adjusted to approximate the fundamental resonance of the fixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensor module comprising a relative displacement sensor and an acceleration sensor, and a damper equipped with the same. The damper comprises a cylinder which is formed with a hollow portion therein; a piston rod which is inserted through an upper portion of the cylinder; a piston valve which is connected with an end of the piston rod so as to reciprocate in the cylinder, and which is formed with a fluid passing hole formed to be passed through the piston valve up and down; a rod guide which air-tightly closes an upper end of the cylinder and has a though-hole in which the piston rod is inserted; and a sensor module which is provided with an acceleration sensor for detecting an acceleration at least in a z-axial direction and a displacement sensor for detecting a displacement of the piston rod and which is coupled with the rod guide.

Abstract: A gas spring assembly is used to control movement of a vehicle body panel. The gas spring assembly includes a magnetic collar that allows an end user to position an intermediate stop position at a desired location. The magnetic collar is externally supported on a tube of the gas spring assembly. The end user selectively adjusts the intermediate stop position by moving the magnetic collar relative to the tube. The gas spring assembly includes a piston that is received within the tube and connected to a rod. The rod moves relative to the tube between a fully extended position and a fully compressed position. The magnetic collar includes a magnet that cooperates with the piston assembly to stop and hold the vehicle body panel at the intermediate stop position as the rod moves from the fully compressed position toward the fully extended position.

Abstract: A magnetorheological damper system comprising a reservoir in communication with a damper. The damper comprises a damper cylinder defining a damper chamber, wherein the damper chamber contains a magnetorheological fluid and a movable damper piston. The damper piston comprises at least two coil windings on the outer surface of the damper piston, wherein the damper piston is capable of generating a magnetic field between the damper piston and a wall of the damper cylinder. The reservoir comprises a reservoir cylinder defining a passageway, wherein the reservoir includes a magnetorheological electromagnet capable of generating a magnetic field between the magnetorheological piston and a wall of the passageway. The combination of the an MR reservoir and MR damper leads to a damping system capable of damping a wide range of extreme forces.

Abstract: The shock absorber includes N magnets arranged such that like poles of adjacent magnets face each other to generate repulsive force, where N is an integer of at least 2; and a magnet holder that accommodates the N magnets such that a distance between the adjacent magnets is variable, whereby the shock absorber absorbs a shock applied to two end magnets disposed at respective ends of the N magnets.

Abstract: A shock absorber (D1) comprises a ring-shaped seal member (3) supported by a cylinder (1) so as to cause a tip to contact the piston rod (2) resiliently. A ring-shaped actuator (4a) exerts an inward force on the outer circumference of the seal member (3). The actuator (4a) is constituted by a polymer material that varies its diameter upon impression of a direct-current voltage. By controlling the direct-current voltage depending on the relative displacement speed between the piston rod (2) and the cylinder (1), the frictional resistance which the seal member (3) exerts on the piston rod (2) is kept large when the relative displacement speed is in an extremely low operation speed region, and is decreased as the actuator (4) decreases the inward force when the relative displacement speed increases above the extremely low operation speed region.

Abstract: A method for detecting a malfunction in an electromagnetic retarder. More specifically, the method relates to a retarder comprising: stator primary coils (8); a control unit (19) for injecting a current into the primary coils (8), the current having an intensity corresponding to an intensity set value (Ci); a sensor (21) which delivers a signal that is representative of an effective intensity value (Ie) of the current passing through the primary coils (8); and a shaft (7) bearing secondary windings (5) defining several phases and field coils (13), as well as a current rectifier (5) which is disposed between the secondary windings (5A, 5B, 5C) and the field coils (13). The method consists in comparing the intensity set value (Ci) and the effective intensity (Ie) in the control unit (19) in order to identify a fault in the event that the intensity set value (Ci) and the effective intensity (Ie) differ by an amount greater than a threshold value.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for damping vibrations on chassis bearings of motor vehicles, and a device for implementing the process. A process and a device are to be presented with which outstanding vibration damping and vibration isolation and noise insulation can be achieved over a wide frequency range with consideration of the driving states and roadway conditions which occur in motor vehicles. For this purpose it is proposed that the driving state of the motor vehicle and/or the roadway conditions are detected by way of sensors and that the at least one chassis bearing is modified to different characteristics to change its stiffness and/or damping depending on the detected parameters.

Abstract: A magnetic resistor control assembly for a body training machine comprises a main shaft; a rotor, a stator, an adjusting unit, a sliding block set and a controller. An inner disk and an outer disk clamp of the stator clamping the adjusting unit. The sliding block set has guide tracks, an outer lateral wall of each guide track having a track trench. A lower middle portion of the sliding block set has a round hole; the roller being installed and rollable in the guide track; and the retaining rod of the roller is placed within the track trench. A controller is installed at an outer side of the stator; the controller having a transfer pin which displace in the straight grooves. When the transfer pin drives the sliding block set to move in the straight grooves, the gap between permanent magnets and the magnetic isolation ring is changed.

Abstract: A piston damper assembly includes a piston damper and a relative position sensor. The piston damper includes a damper body and a piston rod. The piston rod is axially movable within the damper body. The relative position sensor includes an axially-extending magnetic core, an excitation coil, and a position-sensing coil. The axially-extending magnetic core is movable with the piston rod, is located outside the damper body, and has first and second protrusions extending toward the damper body. The excitation coil is wound around the first protrusion, and the position-sensing coil is wound around the second protrusion. A piston-damper dust tube subassembly includes an axially-extending piston-damper dust tube and a relative position sensor. The relative position sensor includes an axially-extending magnetic core, an excitation coil, and a position-sensing coil. The axially-extending magnetic core is attached to the dust tube and has first and second protrusions.

Abstract: An electromagnetic damper control device including a first member containing a magnet, and a second member containing a solenoid combined to permit relative rotation. The relative rotation of the first and second members induces an electromagnetic force in a solenoid that serves as a damping force to a motion. The device further comprises a current limiter device operated by a voltage generated in the solenoid due to the relative rotation of the first member and second member. The current limiter devices regulates the electrical current flowing in the solenoid to a specific value based on the voltage generated in the solenoid so that by regulating the damping force of the electromagnetic damper a desired damping force can be applied to the electromagnetic damper without requiring external electrical power.

Abstract: A damper (D) comprises a screw shaft (1), a screw nut (4) threadably and rotatably engaged with the screw shaft (1), a motor (M) having a rotor (R) connected to the screw nut (4), and a detent mechanism (5) for making the screw shaft (1) unrotatable. Thus, since the screw shaft (1) is made to perform a linear motion and there is provided the detent mechanism (5) for the screw shaft (1), the outside diameter of the damper (D) can be reduced and hence the on-board characteristic of the damper (D) to a vehicle is improved.

Abstract: A damper is comprised of an actuator (A) connected to a sprung member (B) side of a vehicle, the actuator (A) including a motion converting mechanism (T) for transforming a linear motion into a rotational motion and a motor (M) to which the rotational motion resulting from the transformation by the motion converting mechanism (T) is transmitted; a hydraulic damper (E) including 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), wherein a linear motion of the actuator (A) being transmitted to one of the rod (R) and the cylinder (C) while the other of the rod (R) and the cylinder (C) being connected to an unsprung member (W) side of the vehicle; and biasing means (1, 2, X, Y, Z) for biasing the hydraulic damper (E) in both compressing and extending directions.

Abstract: A damper with a controllable variable damping force, includes a piston and a cylinder provided with a magnetic viscous fluid and piston therein. An interior of the cylinder is divided by the piston into first and second fluid chambers which communicate with each other. A controller energizes a coil provided to the piston, wherein a viscosity of the magnetic viscous fluid in the fluid passage is changed when the coil is energized. When the controller fails to energize the coil, an electric current supply circuit supplies a predetermined constant electric current to the coil. Alternatively, when the controller detects an abnormality in energizing control of the coil, the controller supplies the predetermined constant electric current to the coil. Further, a sub-coil may be provided with the piston, wherein the controller supplies the sub-coil with a predetermined constant electric current whenever the coil is not operating properly.

Abstract: A shock absorber include a cylinder, a piston rod coupled to the cylinder, and a piston coupled to the piston rod. The piston rod is magnetically encoded so that it includes a plurality of magnetic phase shifts. The phase shifts allow the position of the piston rod relative to the cylinder to be determined so that it can function as a displacement sensor.

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 magnetic damping device comprises a frame, a load wheel, two magnetic means, and a damping adjusting mechanism, wherein these two magnetic means have two arched plates that coaxially couple with each other by a connection shaft for synchronously adjusting the magnetic damping force. The damping adjusting mechanism has the structure for providing multi-sectional adjustment and for fine adjusting the magnetic damping force so as to provide the product with stable and uniform quality. As a result, the product can be maintained and tested easily.

Abstract: An isolator mount with shock and vibration applications is presented. Specifically, the invention is comprised of an energy dissipating material disposed between deflectable elements. The invention is capable of damping small disturbance excitations and mitigating large shocks. The invention transfers mechanical energy to the dissipating materials via device structure and matrix. Materials dissipate shock and vibration either as heat or magnet energy. The invention includes a semi-passive mode for harsh environments and an active mode for benign environments. A snap-together modular embodiment with quasi-static adjustability enables two or more isolators to address a wide variety of conditions and to respond to changing conditions.

Abstract: A fixture is isolated from the transmission of vibration emanating from a vibration source by a damper containing magneto-rheological (“MR”) fluid and a plunger mechanically coupling the damper and the fixture. The isolation apparatus is mechanically coupled to the vibration source. The viscosity of the MR fluid contained in the damper is controlled by a magnetic field produced by the vibration of an isolation system responsive to the vibration of the vibration source. The resonant frequency of the isolation system is adjusted to approximate that of the fixture.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for decoupling an attachment (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) from a moving machine element (4) of a machine tool, production machine or of a robot. In order to carry out the decoupling, the attachment (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) is joined to the machine element (4) via a damping device (13). The invention provides a simple device for decoupling an attachment from a moving machine element of a machine tool, production machine or of a robot.

Abstract: A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof whereas the hook portion includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. The hook elements are formed of a magnetorheological elastomer that provides a change in shape orientation and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements. In this manner, the shape orientation and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements can be remotely changed to provide a reduction or magnification in the shear and/or pull-off forces in addition to providing variable damping capabilities to the fastener system.

Abstract: A suspension-type storage unit that is particularly well suited for storing works of art or other hanging items in a space-efficient manner The storage unit includes a number of features that enable the storage unit to be moved between retracted and extended positions with a smooth, easy motion, without vibration, so as to protect and prevent damage to articles or items carried by the storage unit. The storage unit includes an overhead rail that defines a downwardly open guide slot and a pair of support surfaces located one on each side of the guide slot, in combination with a frame and at least a pair of trolley assemblies interposed between the rail and the frame for enabling movement of the frame relative to the rail along the guide slot. Each trolley assembly is formed with a head section that extends through the guide slot, and a wheel arrangement that is mounted to the head section. The wheel arrangement includes a pair of wheels between which the head section is located.

Abstract: A tunable vibration absorption device is provided that is suitable for active or semi-active vibration absorption or damping of vibrations in vibrating structures. It comprises a stack including a force actuator mechanism for generating an axial actuation force and a force sensor mechanism which is responsive to an external force acting on the stack to generate a force signal. A controller unit is electrically connected to the force sensor mechanism for receiving the force signal generated by the force sensor mechanism, and it is also electrically connected to the force actuator mechanism for adjusting the axial actuation force generated by the force actuator mechanism in response to the received force signal generated by the force sensor mechanism.

Abstract: An isolator mount capable of dissipating shocks and vibrations is presented. The present invention includes a mount which is load bearing and capable of withstanding repeated deflections and strains, at least two damping layers composed of an energy damping viscoelastic polymer, and at least two constraining layers composed of an energy damping alloy. Each layer of energy damping viscoelastic polymer is separately disposed and bonded to the exterior of the mount. One constraining layer is bonded to and substantially covers each damping layer. Damping and constraining layers minimize the stiffness change to the mount.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adjustable brake device that can be used in conjunction with a hinge mechanism of a folding electronic device, e.g. a clamshell mobile phone. The adjustable brake device comprises a brake actuator that is able to generate a braking force responsive to a magnetic flux directed to the brake actuator and a magnetic circuit that has a magnetizing device arranged to generate the magnetic flux and a magnetic path arranged to conduct the magnetic flux from the magnetizing device to the brake actuator. At least two elements of the magnetic circuit are movable with respect to each other. A mutual position of the at least two elements can be used for determining strength of the magnetic flux directed to the brake actuator. The braking force can be adjusted in a relatively simple way by adjusting the mutual position of the movable parts of the magnetic circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a damper, a source of magnetic field coupled to the damper, a colloidal ferro-fluidic damping medium disposed in the damper, a sensor installed on the host structure to measure vibrations, and a vibration control circuit. The output of the sensor is fed back to the control circuit, which outputs a command signal to the source of the magnetic field applied to the damper to change the magnetic field in the damper as well as its damping curve so that the dynamic performance of the host structure installed with the damper is changed automatically to yield maximum vibration mitigation.