Differential containing rheological fluid
US6183386A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 27, 1996 |
| Grant date | Feb 6, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 27, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16H2048/346
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A vehicle differential includes a case which is rotatably supported within an axle housing. The case is formed having a center wall which divides the interior of thereof into first and second fluid chambers. The ends of a pair of axle shafts extend into the case and respectively within the fluid chambers. Each of the fluid chambers is filled with a rheological fluid. Respective electromagnetic coils are disposed within or adjacent to each of the fluid chambers. An electronic controller is provided for supplying electrical current to each of the electromagnetic coils in response to sensed operating conditions of the vehicle, such as rotational speed and torque of the axle shafts. By varying the magnitude of the electrical current supplied to the electromagnetic coils, the strength of the magnetic field applied to the rheological fluid contained in each of fluid chambers can be varied. As a result, the resistance to flow or shear of the rheological fluid, which affects the amount of torque which is transmitted from the rotatably driven case to each of the axe shafts, can be varied in response to the operating conditions of the vehicle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.