Two-way magnetorheological fluid valve assembly and devices utilizing same
US6095486A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 5, 1997 |
| Grant date | Aug 1, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 5, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/2191
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A controllable valve assembly (18) applicable in Magnetorheological (MR) fluid devices (20), such as MR mounts and MR dampers. The valve assembly (18) includes a valve body (32) having a magnetic circuit (40) contained therein which carries magnetic flux .PHI., a controllable passageway (42) within the magnetic circuit (40), a MR (magnetically controlled) fluid (44) including soft-magnetic particles in a liquid carrier contained in the controllable passageway (42), a magnetic flux generator, such as a wound wire coil (46), generating magnetic flux .PHI. which is directed through the MR fluid (44) in the controllable passageway (42) thereby generating "rheology" changes causing restriction in flow of MR fluid (44) therethrough. In one aspect, a one-way check valve (34) is operative with a passive passageway (36) which is arranged in parallel relationship to the controllable passageway (42) provides "asymmetric" damping across the controllable valve (18) creating higher pressure differentials in a first direction and a lower in a second direction without "rapidly switching" the current to the coil (46). In another aspect, "asymmetric" damping is provided by a "changeable gap" formed …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.