Center bearing assembly including a support member containing a rheological fluid
US6883967B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 4, 2003 |
| Grant date | Apr 26, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 9, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16C2326/06
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A center bearing assembly rotatably supports an intermediate portion of a vehicle driveshaft assembly during use. The center bearing assembly includes a rigid bracket that is secured to a support surface of the vehicle, a support member that is supported within the rigid bracket, and an annular bearing that is supported within the support member for rotatably supporting the intermediate portion of the vehicle driveshaft assembly. The support member is formed from a resilient material and has a cavity formed therein. A plurality of bladders is disposed within the cavity formed in the support member. Each of the bladders is filled with a quantity of a rheological fluid. Fluid communication between adjacent pairs of the bladders is provided by respective control valves. A control circuit is provided for selectively generating and applying an energy field to each of the control valves so as to vary the ability of the rheological fluid to flow therethrough between the associated pair of bladders. As a result, the vibration dampening characteristics of the support member can be varied.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.