With Electronic Or Magnetic Control Patents (Class 267/140.14)
  • Patent number: 8556240
    Abstract: A fluid-filled vibration damping device wherein a partition member is formed by fitting an inner orifice member inside an outer orifice member with the members relatively displaceable. An orifice-defining window is provided on either one of an inside peripheral face of the outer orifice member and an outside peripheral face of the inner orifice member. An orifice passage is defined utilizing a zone being produced through partial covering of the orifice-defining window by the other of the outer orifice member and the inner orifice member. The covered zone of the orifice-defining window changes through relative displacement of the inner orifice member and the outer orifice member, so that a passage length along the orifice passage changes in association with change of the covered zone of the orifice-defining window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Hasegawa, Seiichiro Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20130256960
    Abstract: A switchable mount includes a partition wall which partitions a working chamber from a compensating chamber. A first diaphragm is arranged in the partition wall so as to be deflectable in the longitudinal direction of the mount. A switching actuator controls the diaphragm and, in a first state thereof, the diaphragm is fixed in a rest position and, in a second state thereof, the diaphragm is released to move in the longitudinal direction of the mount. A second diaphragm is arranged in the partition wall and is deflected in the longitudinal direction of the mount to influence the volume of the working chamber. An air chamber is arranged between the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm. In the first state of the actuator, the air chamber is closed off air-tight to the atmosphere and, in the second current-conducting state of the actuator, is connected to the atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: Peter Marienfeld, Meinert Holst
  • Publication number: 20130233998
    Abstract: The invention is a device for influencing transfer of vibration between two units, one is mounted so that it can vibrate and the other is mounted to be quieted. A parallel circuit is connected indirectly or directly with both units, which comprises at least one elastically deformable element, with an associated first force path and at least one force generator, providing a second force path, oriented parallel to the first force path and associated with a lever, connected indirectly or directly with the one unit, which lever at one end is rotated about a first axis of rotation oriented orthogonally to both force paths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicants: Hochschule Darmstadt, University of Applied Sciences, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Andreas BUETER, Enrico JANSSEN, Samuel GAISBAUER
  • Patent number: 8517359
    Abstract: A hydraulic damping mount has a working chamber and a compensating chamber, which are filled with a hydraulic liquid and separated from each other by an intermediate plate. The working chamber and the compensating chamber are connected to each other via a transfer passage and a bypass channel. The bypass channel can be opened or closed by an actuator. The actuator is configured as a one-piece elastomer part, which has a fastening portion on the edge and an actuating element, which is connected to the fastening portion via a flexible connecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Trelleborg Automotive Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Arndt Graeve, Henry Winter, Ulrich Mews, Eric Eisel
  • Patent number: 8474801
    Abstract: A solenoid driving device with excellent electric power efficiency which drives and controls an actuator including a solenoid and an active vibration isolating support device which includes the solenoid driving device are disclosed. The solenoid driving device includes a booster circuit which boosts a battery voltage, and driving circuits which an actuator with the electric power supplied and boosted by the booster circuit. ACM_ECU200A including a micro computer calculates the magnitude of the vibration of the engine, an engine vibration cycle and a phase lag to obtain the drive frequency of the actuator in the vibration state estimating unit and the phase detecting unit. A booster circuit controlling unit of the micro computer determines the target voltage based on the drive frequency. The target voltage is input to the booster circuit, and the booster circuit supplies the required electric power to the driving circuits at the target voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Ishiguro, Tatsuhiro Yone
  • Publication number: 20130161885
    Abstract: A switchable, hydraulic damping mount includes a work chamber filled with hydraulic fluid and a compensation chamber connected to the work chamber via a channel. A partition wall mutually separates the chambers. A ferromagnetic diaphragm is arranged in the partition wall and is deflectable. An electromagnetic switching actuator has a deenergized state and an energized state and controls the diaphragm. The switching actuator applies a magnetic holding force to the diaphragm and fixes the diaphragm in a rest position when the switching actuator is in the deenergized state and reduces the magnetic holding force to such an extent that the diaphragm is enabled for movement in the longitudinal direction of the mount when the switching actuator is in the energized state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: CONTITECH VIBRATION CONTROL GMBH
    Inventor: CONTITECH VIBRATION CONTROL GMBH
  • Patent number: 8444124
    Abstract: The natural vibration frequency of a roll resonance which does not occur since the engine rotation number is high in a normal operation range of an engine is detected at the time of engine start or stop when the engine rotation number is lower than the normal operation range, and thus the natural vibration frequency of the roil resonance can be detected with a good accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shungo Fueki, Tetsuya Ishiguro, Hiroaki Ue, Hirotomi Nemoto, Tatsuhiro Yone
  • Publication number: 20130119591
    Abstract: A vibration isolator includes a housing having an upper fluid chamber, a lower fluid chamber, a piston, a tuning passage, and a linear inductance motor assembly for changing the isolation frequency of the vibration isolator. The piston is resiliently disposed within the housing. A vibration tuning fluid is located in the upper fluid chamber, the lower fluid chamber, and the tuning passage. The linear inductance motor assembly includes a magnet member and an inductance coil at least partially surrounding the magnet member. A control system is configured to selectively actuate the magnet member; wherein selective actuation of the magnet member selectively imparts a pumping force on the tuning fluid, thereby changing the isolation frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Taeoh Lee, Michael R. Smith, Frank B. Stamps, David E. Heverly, JR.
  • Publication number: 20130087985
    Abstract: A system for applying a force having variable intensity includes a magneto-rheological (MR) elastomer spring configured to generate the force and characterized by a selectively variable spring rate. The system also includes an electromagnet arranged relative to the MR elastomer spring and configured to generate a magnetic field having selectively variable intensity. The system additionally includes a power supply configured to generate an electric current sufficient to power the electromagnet. The spring rate of the MR elastomer spring is varied in response to the intensity of the magnetic field. A vehicle employing the above described system is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Prabhakar R. Marur
  • Patent number: 8413773
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: MillenWorks
    Inventors: Eric N. Anderfaas, Dean Banks
  • Patent number: 8413772
    Abstract: A MagnetoRheological Fluid Elastic (MRFE) lag damper system for adaptive lead-lag damping of helicopter main rotors. Embodiments include snubber dampers especially for hingeless helicopter rotors, and concentric bearing dampers. The snubber lag dampers include a flexible snubber body defining a cavity, a flexible or rigid interior (e.g., center) wall subdividing the cavity, and a flow valve in the interior wall or external to the cavity. The flexible snubber body may comprise elastomeric materials and metal rings stacked together to create a sealed MR fluid cavity. The shear deformation of the snubber body induces MR fluid flow through the valve, controlled by a magnetic field in the valve. An MRFE concentric bearing damper is also disclosed, comprising a pair of concentric tubes with elastomeric material injected and cured in an annular gap between the two tubes, and an MR fluid reservoir with piston-mounted MR valve housed inside the innermost tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignees: Techno-Sciences, Inc., The University of Maryland at College Park
    Inventors: Norman Mark Wereley, Wei Hu, Curt Steven Kothera, Peter Che-Hung Chen, Grum Tamrat Ngatu
  • Patent number: 8387959
    Abstract: A structure of an orifice plate for an engine mount filled with a magnetorheological (“MR”) fluid may include a core of which a center part may be formed at the center thereof and a blade part may be formed with a plurality of blades protruding in a radial direction from an outer periphery of the center part, and a coil assembly enclosing the outer periphery of the center part and wired up, wherein a gap may be formed between the blades so as to allow the MR fluid to flow between the blades and the coil assembly applied with current magnetizes adjacent blades to have different polarities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jang-Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 8360403
    Abstract: A hydraulic mount and a filling device for the hydraulic mount are provided. The hydraulic mount (1) comprises a casing (2) and a support body (6, 7) arranged in an upper part of the casing (2), wherein, the casing (2) and the support body (6, 7) define a chamber (3), and the chamber (3) receives liquid and is divided by a partition into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. An orifice is formed in the partition, so that the upper chamber and the lower chamber are communicated with each other. A through hole (4) for communicating the chamber (3) with the exterior is formed in the support body (6, 7), and a sealing member (5) is arranged in the through hole (4). The filling device for the hydraulic mount (1) comprises a liquid tank (8) and a vacuum extractor (9), wherein, either the liquid tank (8) or the vacuum extractor (9) is connected to the through hole (4) in the hydraulic mount (1) through a pipe in a sealed manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: BYD Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jian Xu, Shengjie Wang
  • Patent number: 8349154
    Abstract: The invention relates to modified electrodes for ER fluids prepared by adding a rough, wear-resisting, and low conductive modified layer on the surface of metallic electrodes. The material for the modified layer can be at least one from diamond, alumina, titanium dioxide, carborundum, titanium nitride, nylon, polytetrafluoroethylene, adhesive, and adhesive film. Through the addition of the modified layer, the adhesion of the ER fluid to electrodes is increased so that the shear stress measured near the plates is close to the intrinsic value, which makes the ER fluid applicable, while reducing the leakage current and increasing the breakdown voltage of the ER fluid equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Inventors: Kunquan Lu, Rong Shen, Xuezhao Wang
  • Publication number: 20130001843
    Abstract: A fluid-filled active vibration damping device including a partition member having a holding space formed therein and a movable membrane installed in the holding space. A filter orifice tuned to a higher frequency than an orifice passage is formed at one wall part of the holding space facing to one surface of the movable membrane, and the holding space is in communication with one of a pressure receiving fluid chamber and an excitation fluid chamber through the filter orifice. An open hole is formed on the other wall part of the holding space facing to the other surface of the movable membrane opposite to the one surface in the thickness direction, and the holding space is in communication with the other of the two fluid chambers through the open hole. A through hole pierces the movable membrane in the thickness direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: TOKAI RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Tomohiro KANAYA
  • Patent number: 8333368
    Abstract: A hydraulically damped mounting device has first and second anchor parts connected by a first deformable wall, and a working chamber for hydraulic fluid partially bounded by the first deformable wall. The working chamber is connected to a composition chamber for the hydraulic fluid by a first passageway, the composition chamber being partially bounded by a second deformable wall. There is also an auxiliary chamber partially bounded by a third deformable wall connected to the working chamber by a second passageway. The mounting device then has a vacuum chamber connectable to a vacuum source for varying the pressure in the vacuum chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: DTR VMS Limited
    Inventor: Michael Paul Rooke
  • Patent number: 8327984
    Abstract: A magnetorheolgical (MR) damper includes a piston assembly having a primary channel disposed along a longitudinal axis and contained in a cylinder. MR fluid is also contained in the cylinder. The piston assembly having a primary channel, or primary channel MR piston assembly, includes a piston body having a first end axially spaced from a second end and defining a hole therethrough. The primary channel is defined in an outer body surface of the piston body from the hole at the second end to a coil groove in the outer body surface about the axis. A secondary channel is defined in the outer body surface from the coil groove towards the first end to improve MR damper force performance at low primary channel MR piston assembly velocities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: BWI Company Limited S.A.
    Inventors: Robert T. Foister, Thomas W. Nehl, William C. Kruckemeyer, Oliver Raynauld
  • Patent number: 8314585
    Abstract: A servo system is provided for controlling movement of a flexible structure having multiple masses and elements. Each element couples a respective two of the masses and functions as a spring when the flexible structure is subject to a linear or rotational input at or above a frequency at which the respective element exhibits flexure. The servo system includes multiple sensors, where each sensor is disposed relative to a respective one of the masses to sense a respective acceleration. A motor having a torque input may operatively be configured to output one of a linear or rotational force on the first mass based on a torque signal present on the torque input. A servo controller that receives each sensed acceleration from each sensor may generate a compensation feedback signal based on a sum of sensed accelerations. The torque signal may be output to the motor based on the compensation feedback signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: DRS RSTA, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward Baker
  • Patent number: 8281911
    Abstract: The invention relates to an active vibration isolation system in which at least one sensor is provided for detection of ground vibration, and the system has a control device which calculates compensation signals in at least two degrees of freedom, based on movements of the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Integrated Dynamics Engineering GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Heiland
  • Patent number: 8282087
    Abstract: An oscillation decoupling device is disclosed with a load-receiving element which is mounted in an oscillating manner relative to a support unit at least along an active direction along which at least part of the load is applied having at least one sensor unit which detects an oscillation of the element due to the load and at least one actuator unit acting against the oscillation of the element. The support unit is modularly configured and serves as a support structure for at least one unit that receives the element and is elastically deformable in the active direction of the load. The load-receiving element is connected to the elastically deformable unit. The at least one actuator influences the deformation applied to the at least one unit, or is integrated thereon, so that the at least one actuator initiates a deformation acting against an elastic deformation due to the load inside the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Dirk Mayer, Tobias Melz, Martin Thomaier
  • Publication number: 20120248665
    Abstract: Spring comprising a first part (1) and a second part (2) moveable relative to each other, the first part being provided with at least one permanent magnet (4,4?), the second part being provided with at least one tooth (5,SM of a soft magnetic material which faces the at least one permanent magnet, whereby the total area of the facing surface varies as the first part moves relative to the second part, the first and/or the second part also being provided with at least one set of electrically conductive windings (7) which are connected to an electric power supply (8) in order to create a magnetic field for influencing the force-displacement characteristic of the spring. Also disclosed is an assembly of such a spring with a conventional spring and/or a damper, as well as a vehicle provided with such a spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Laurentiu Encica, Johannes Jacobus Hubertus Paulides, Elena Andreevna Lomonova, André Jean Adolf Vandenput, Lisette Vandenput-Geerdens, Bernie G. Van Leeuwen
  • Publication number: 20120242021
    Abstract: A fluid-filled type vibration damping device including a base component and a tubular mating component. The tubular mating component is externally fitted onto the base component by means of a diameter-constricting caulking with a sealing rubber clasped therebetween so as to constitute a mate-fastened portion. The tubular mating component extends axially outward beyond a sealed section of the mate-fastened portion so as to provide a caulking tube portion. A diametrical position of the tubular mating component at the sealed section is determined by contact of the caulking tube portion against an outside peripheral face of a positioning projection provided on the base component so as to define a diametrical positioning portion. The caulking tube portion is constricted in diameter and held in engagement with an axial edge portion of the positioning projection so as to form an axial positioning portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicants: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD., TOKAI RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Hironori KOYAMA, Mutsumi MURAOKA, Hironori DAITO, Satoshi UMEMURA, Jyoji TSUTSUMIDA, Shinichi SUGANUMA, Takeshi HAMANAKA, Kaoru MURAKAMI
  • Publication number: 20120242020
    Abstract: A fluid-filled type active vibration damping device including: a first mounting member; a second mounting member; a main rubber elastic body connecting the first and second mounting members; a fluid chamber; an oscillation member that partially defines a wall of the fluid chamber; an actuator having an output shaft, the output shaft being connected to the oscillation member; a connecting member that interconnects the oscillation member and the output shaft at one point with the oscillation member superposed against a projecting distal end of the output shaft; and an abutting portion provided by superposed faces of the oscillation member and the output shaft being positioned in abutment with each other at an outer peripheral side of a connected section where the oscillation member and the output shaft are interconnected by the connecting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: TOKAI RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Mutsumi MURAOKA, Satoshi UMEMURA, Hironori KOYAMA
  • Publication number: 20120242019
    Abstract: A fluid-filled type active vibration damping device including: a pressure-receiving chamber; an equilibrium chamber; an orifice passage permitting fluid flow between the two chambers; an oscillation member oscillated by an electromagnetic actuator; an intermediate chamber; and a pressure transmission passage through which pressure fluctuations produced in the intermediate chamber is applied to the pressure-receiving chamber. The intermediate chamber is provided independently of the equilibrium chamber. The pressure transmission passage comprises a filter orifice tuned to higher frequency than the orifice passage. A movable plate is provided for limiting an amount of fluid flow through the filter orifice. A leak hole is formed for continuously interconnecting the intermediate chamber and the pressure-receiving chamber, and a liquid column resonance frequency of the leak hole is set to not more than half of that of the filter orifice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: TOKAI RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Hironori KOYAMA, Mutsumi MURAOKA
  • Publication number: 20120200021
    Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator wherein an annular supporting member secured to a stator and an oscillator member secured to a movable member are disposed in opposition in an axis-perpendicular direction and are elastically linked by a supporting rubber elastic body disposed therebetween. One axial face of the supporting rubber elastic body is furnished with an inside peripheral recessed portion and an outside peripheral protruding portion while another axial face is furnished with an inside peripheral protruding portion and an outside peripheral recessed portion so as to establish in the supporting rubber elastic body an elastic center axis: l that curves along a sinuous trajectory of an interconnected peak segment and valley segment situated between opposing faces of the annular supporting member and the oscillator member in the axis-perpendicular direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicants: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., TOKAI RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Tomohiro KANAYA, Takehiro OKANAKA, Koji IMUTA
  • Publication number: 20120193847
    Abstract: A damping apparatus for an automobile is provided, capable of ensuring a high level of reliability while obtaining excellent damping effect with simple configuration. The damping apparatus for an automobile that reduces vibrations of an automobile body may include an actuator that is attached to the automobile body and drives an auxiliary mass; a current detector that detects a current flowing through an armature of the actuator; a section that detects a terminal voltage applied to the actuator; a calculation circuit that calculates an induced voltage of the actuator, and further calculates at least one of the relative velocity, relative displacement, and relative acceleration of the actuator, based on a current detected by the current detector and the terminal voltage; and a control circuit that drive-controls the actuator based on at least one of the relative velocity, relative displacement, and relative acceleration of the actuator calculated by the calculation circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: SHINKO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasushi MURAGISHI, Hideaki MORIYA, Yushi SATO, Takashi FUKUNAGA, Katsuyoshi NAKANO, Hiroshi NAKAGAWA, Takayoshi FUJII, Takashi ONOUE, Masaaki NARIHISA
  • Publication number: 20120193846
    Abstract: Particular embodiments relate generally to vibration isolation systems and tuned mass dampers. In one embodiment, a vibration isolation system may include a supporting base, an isolated mass, at least one air mount, a control valve, a compressed air supply, and a supervisory controller. The air mount is positioned between the isolated mass and the supporting base. The control valve is pneumatically coupled to the air mount, the compressed air supply and the atmosphere, and is operable to adjust a flow of air to and from the air mount. The supervisory controller receives a mass relative height signal, a mass relative velocity signal, and a mass relative acceleration feedback signal corresponding to a relative acceleration of the isolated mass or a pressure of the air mount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: Design, Imaging & Control, Inc.
    Inventor: Ahmad Reza Kashani
  • Publication number: 20120155243
    Abstract: As a measure against vibration caused by disturbance due to mass eccentricity of a disc, a conventional disc device has a means to add an auxiliary mass that passively operates. This method has no way to enhance vibration damping effect other than setting the auxiliary mass to be large, and therefore there is a problem that the device becomes large. An auxiliary mass 300 is actively driven by an auxiliary mass driving portion 360. The driving of the auxiliary mass 300 is performed by amplifying a signal corresponding to a force transmitted from a main frame portion 100 to the auxiliary mass 300. This achieves a vibration damping effect using the small auxiliary mass 300 to the same degree as that where the large auxiliary mass is mounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventor: Eiji Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 8196910
    Abstract: The platform isolator of the present invention isolates a vibration source from its surroundings. The platform is supported on elongated members that in turn are supported on knife-edge supports. The ends of the elongated members are restrained from longitudinal movement. The distance between a pair of knife edge supports may be fixed or adjustable based on the expected vibration frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Seicon Limited
    Inventor: James A. Baron
  • Patent number: 8177041
    Abstract: A damper assembly includes damper body, a piston assembly and a pulser. The damper body is operable to maintain a fluid. The piston assembly may include a piston rod and a piston plunger. The piston plunger and at least a portion of piston rod is slidably positioned within the damper body. The pulser is operable to generate hydraulic waves within the fluid toward the piston assembly to alter the damping force of the damper assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Phillip David Rodenbeck
  • Patent number: 8172209
    Abstract: A vibration damping device including: a rubber elastic body connecting first and second mounting members; a partition member supported on the second mounting member; a pressure-receiving chamber and an equilibrium chamber connected by a first orifice passage; an oscillating plate defining the pressure-receiving chamber; and an electromagnetic actuator for actuating the oscillating plate. The oscillating plate is constituted by a cylinder shaped hole and a piston shaped plate accommodated within the cylinder shaped hole with a gap provided therebetween. An output member of the electromagnetic actuator is linked to the piston shaped plate. A plate spring extending in an axis-perpendicular direction is disposed to an opposite side from the electromagnetic actuator with the piston shaped plate therebetween, with the oscillating plate linked to and supported in an axial direction with respect to the partition member by the plate spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Mutsumi Muraoka
  • Publication number: 20120098177
    Abstract: A vibration reduction device includes: a rod rigid body supported between an engine and a vehicle body via respective elastic bodies, a resonance frequency of which is set to be lower than an engine rigid body resonance frequency; an elastic component that is provided on the rod rigid body and caused to deform by a force acting in an axial direction of the rod rigid body; an inertial mass supported by the elastic component; and an actuator that causes the inertial mass to reciprocate in the axial direction of the rod rigid body by generating a force that is proportionate to an axial direction velocity of the rod rigid body. As a result, resonance itself can be suppressed without reducing a double vibration proofing effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuusuke Satou, Masahiko Kondou
  • Patent number: 8157250
    Abstract: An hydraulic mount providing double idle rate dip frequencies of dynamic stiffness, the idle rate dips being vibration orders of an internal combustion engine corresponding to one and two times firing frequencies. The double idle rate dip is achieved by providing the first idle rate dip at the first vibration order via resonance tuning of the idle inertia track, and providing the second idle rate dip at the second vibration order via additional resonance tuning of a tunable air conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Ping Lee
  • Patent number: 8157251
    Abstract: A vibration damping mount assembly having a vibration damping mount main body and a tubular bracket. The tubular bracket is made of lightweight material composed of non-ferric metal or synthetic resin, and has an inside peripheral face including an upper tapered face and a lower tapered face that gradually expand in diameter towards openings at either axial end from an axially medial section. A flanged portion of a second mounting member is axially juxtaposed against an open end of the upper tapered face, while the lower tapered face is pressed against a rubber fitting, with the lower tapered face locked in contact against an annular mating face of the rubber fitting thereby providing dislodging of the vibration damping mount main body from the tubular bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignees: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Tanaka, Tetsuya Miyahara
  • Patent number: 8152145
    Abstract: A conically-shaped, magneto-rheologically responsive shock and vibratory isolator. The isolator includes a conically-shaped magneto-rheological elastomer component attached to opposing faces of a first and second mounting plate. Within the magneto-rheological elastomer component is a magneto-rheologically responsive fluid contained within an elastomer jacket. By its conical shape and magneto-rheological elastomeric composition, the isolator is capable of both adjusting its response to shock and vibratory disturbances of varying frequency, while maintaining an identical response along any axis (isoelasticity).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Robert B. Anderson
  • Patent number: 8132796
    Abstract: A fluid filled type vibration damping device wherein an elastic rubber film is disposed to partially define a primary fluid chamber disposed on one side thereof, and a pressure operating chamber is disposed on an opposite side from the primary fluid chamber with the elastic rubber film interposed therebetween. The elastic rubber film has a dome shape and an attraction face of the pressure operating chamber has an inverted dome shape, and has a negative pressure suction groove including an outer circumferential groove extending in a circumferential direction at an outer peripheral portion of the attraction face and opening to the pressure operating chamber, and a negative pressure suction bore for introducing a negative pressure to the pressure operating chamber is connected to the negative pressure suction groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Mutsumi Muraoka
  • Publication number: 20120049424
    Abstract: An electronically switchable bi-state engine mount includes a housing having an inertia track received in the housing between first and second fluid chambers. A fluid damped first path communicates between the chambers, and a non-damped second path or bypass opening also communicates between the chambers. A diaphragm encloses a portion of the second fluid chamber and a seal member on the diaphragm operatively cooperates with a solenoid plunger, where the solenoid is received in the housing to selectively open and close the second path. The diaphragm is enclosed by a cover, which is preferably metal, to enhance thermal conductivity and heat sink properties thereof and improve the useful life of the solenoid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: Jeff Bradshaw, Andrew Hartgers
  • Patent number: 8113494
    Abstract: Active cushioning mechanisms that detect imminent impact and activate a damper by driving power from an onboard power supply into an electromagnetic actuator. The electromagnetic actuator transforms the stored electric power into an electromechanical damping force. The actuators may be arranged about the exterior surface of the device, and may be selectively activated to provide protection at different points on the surface depending on the location of expected impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Ashwin Sunder
  • Patent number: 8104750
    Abstract: A fluid filled vibration damping device including: a fluid passage interconnecting a pressure receiving chamber partially defined by a rubber elastic body connecting a first and second mounting members, and an equilibrium chamber partially defined by a flexible film; a movable valve body provided for switching the fluid passage between a communicating state and a blocked state through reciprocating operation; an electric motor employed for actuating the movable valve body; an actuating force converter mechanism provided on an actuating force transmission path from the electric motor to the movable valve body. A rotational actuating force of the electric motor is transmitted as reciprocating actuating force to the movable valve body by the actuating force converter mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Hasegawa, Hironori Koyama, Satoshi Umemura
  • Patent number: 8100388
    Abstract: An electromagnetic active engine mount apparatus includes a sub-channel through which working fluid flows is formed in the central portion of an electromagnetic drive so as to be able to cool heat generated from the coil of a solenoid section of the electromagnetic drive by repetitive operation of a vibrating member. Thus, the electromagnetic active engine mount apparatus can inhibit the heat generated from the coil to thus prevent thermal damage to various components formed of rubber, and provide improvement of its durability, reduction of its size, and simplification of its structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Daedong Movel System Co., Ltd., Automobile Industrial Ace Co., Ltd., Daedong System Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Doo Hum Lee, Hyung Su Kang, Jeong Hoon Kim, Sung Woo Hong, Ho Chul Lee
  • Publication number: 20120013057
    Abstract: A solenoid driving device with excellent electric power efficiency which drives and controls an actuator including a solenoid and an active vibration damping support device with excellent electric power efficiency which includes the solenoid driving device are disclosed. The solenoid driving device includes a booster circuit 120 which boosts a battery voltage, and driving circuits 121A, 121B which an actuator with the electric power supplied and boosted by the booster circuit 120. ACM_ECU200A including a micro computer 200b calculates the magnitude of the vibration of the engine, an engine vibration cycle and a phase lag to obtain the drive frequency fDV of the actuator in the vibration state estimating unit 234 and the phase detecting unit 235. A booster circuit controlling unit 237 of the micro computer 200b determines the target voltage V based on the drive frequency fDV.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hirotomi Nemoto
  • Patent number: 8091692
    Abstract: An impact absorber using an energy-absorbing, fluid-impregnated material consisting of a porous interconnected network of solid material forming edges and faces of cells, preferably an open-cell reticulated or partially closed-cell foam, or formed from fibers or other cellular solids. The matrix is impregnated with a field responsive fluid such as a magneto- or electro-rheological fluid, or with a shear-rate responsive fluid such as a dilatant (shear-thickening) fluid. The material is placed under compression during impact, and may be housed within a cylinder and compressed by a piston. The stiffness of the composite material consisting of a matrix filled with a field responsive fluid can be controlled by varying the field intensity and spatial gradients of the applied field to vary the rheological properties of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Suraj S. Deshmukh, Gareth H. McKinley
  • Patent number: 8091694
    Abstract: Actuator arrangement with an actuator (8), a reference mass (22), a spring (24) and a first sensor (26; 42, 43; 32, 36). The actuator (8) applies a force between a first object (2) and to a second object (16; 54). The reference mass (22) is, in use, supported by a third object (16; 56) by means of the spring (24). The first sensor (26; 42, 43; 32, 36) generates a first distance signal that depends on a first distance (z2; z5, z6; z3, z4) between the reference mass (22) and the first object (2) and is applied to a controller (6) to actuate the actuator (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Michael Johannes Vervoordeldonk, Theo Anjes Maria Ruijl, Robertus Mathijs Gerardus Rijs, Johannes Cornelius Antonius Muller
  • Patent number: 8091872
    Abstract: A fluid filled type vibration damping device includes a first mounting member, a second mounting member, a main rubber elastic body, a flexible film, a partition member, a valve, a coil, a control-signals-generating circuit and a power amplifier circuit. The valve enables to switch the second orifice passage between an open state and a closed state. The second orifice passage communicates the pressure-receiving chamber and the equilibrium chamber with each other. The switch of the valve is performed by an electromagnetic force occurring by an electrical connection of the coil. Furthermore the control-signals-generating circuit is formed and disposed separately from the coil. The control-signals-generating circuit produces state switching control signals of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hironori Koyama, Atsushi Muramatsu, Akio Saiki, Takayoshi Yasuda
  • Patent number: 8083217
    Abstract: A Fluid-filled type vibration damping device, which is configured to be free from the necessity of supplying a continuous application of electricity to a coil so as to maintain a movable valve body in either an opened state or a closed state, is provided. The device includes a cam mechanism, which transmits a rotational drive force of a motor to the movable valve body in the form of a reciprocating drive force. In the device, a first rotation angle switch is connected to a first control switch in series relative to a motor coil, and a second rotation angle switch is connected to a second control switch in parallel relative to the first switch. The first rotation angle switch is turned on in a state of a first angular range ?1, and the second rotation angle switch is turned on in a third angular range ?3. When the first control switch and the second control switch receive the same control signal, they are brought into respective inverted ON/OFF states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hironori Koyama, Koichi Hasegawa, Atsushi Muramatsu
  • Publication number: 20110277455
    Abstract: A mass damper method includes providing an electroactive polymer (7) and using the electroactive polymer (7) to manufacture a mass damper (6). The mass damper (6) for damping a vibrating system of a motor vehicle includes at least one of a damping body (10) forming a countervibrating mass with a damping spring (11) and a springy damping body (10) forming the countervibrating mass. The damping body (10) is indirectly or directly coupled with the vibrating system. The springy damping body (10) or the damping spring (11) includes an electroactive polymer (7). A motor vehicle exhaust system of an internal combustion engine is provided including an exhaust gas line (3) with an exhaust pipe (4), an exhaust gas-treating device (5) integrated in the exhaust pipe and the mass damper (6) coupled with the exhaust gas line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventor: Arnulf Spieth
  • Patent number: 8047513
    Abstract: A vibration damping device including: a pressure-receiving chamber and an equilibrium chamber connected by a first orifice passage; a movable member disposed within the pressure-receiving chamber, to form a primary fluid chamber partly defined by a rubber elastic body, and an auxiliary fluid chamber partly defined by an oscillating plate; and a second orifice passage connecting the auxiliary fluid chamber to the equilibrium chamber. A through-hole is formed in a partition member that partitions the primary fluid chamber and the auxiliary fluid chamber, the oscillating plate is housed within the through-hole with a gap provided therebetween whereby the oscillating plate is displaceable in an axial direction within the through-hole. A stopper abutted by the oscillating plate during displacement to one axial side is provided, with the gap becoming closed off when the oscillating plate is in a state of abutment against the stopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mutsumi Muraoka, Hironori Koyama
  • Patent number: 8047512
    Abstract: A vibration damping apparatus actively damping vibration of a vibration source by adding vibration to the vibration source includes a vibrational state detecting means and a vibrator including a magnetic pole, a coil, and a controlling means, and the vibrator adds vibration to the vibration source by controlling a current-supplied state of the coil to vibrate the coil and the magnetic pole relatively, wherein the controlling means selectively switches a vibration generating mode and a regenerative mode based on the vibrational state of the vibration source, the vibration is added to the vibration source to damp the vibration of the vibration source in the vibration generating mode, and regenerative current is caused by an electro motive force generated at the coil by the vibration of the vibration source to flow into a regenerative resistor in the regenerative mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daichi Mizushima, Takehiko Fushimi
  • Patent number: 8046129
    Abstract: A system and method of controlling engine vibration mounted within a vehicle including at least one hydraulic mount, each mount including a fluid chamber. A pair of accelerometers sense relative acceleration across the mount between the engine and the frame and generate a relative acceleration signal. A control unit is electrically connected to the accelerometers. The control unit is adapted to generate an electronic control signal in response to the relative acceleration signal. The control device is responsive to the electric control signal for controlling the damping force of the hydraulic mount. A control algorithm calibrates the control unit such that maximum vibration damping occurs at and around the engine resonance bounce frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: BWI Company Limited S.A.
    Inventors: Prasad V. Gade, Sanjiv G. Tewani, Thomas A. Baudendistel
  • Publication number: 20110193277
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a smart vibration absorber for traffic signal supports. In exemplary embodiments, the vibration absorber utilizes the mass of the signal head as a damped vibration absorber. The system may also include a spring and damper in mechanical communication with the signal head. The spring provides resistance to the compression force of the signal head while the damper provides a damping force removing energy from the system. Also disclosed herein is a controllable damper which may be connected to a computing device for varying the damping of the system. The controllable damper may be a magneto-rheological fluid damper. The smart vibration absorber may be constructed as a retrofit for installation on current traffic signals supports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT
    Inventor: Richard Christenson