Variable stiffness tow cable
US8834998B2 · kind B2 · utility
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14References
12Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 6, 2010 |
| Grant date | Sep 16, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 16, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/294
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A variable stiffness tow cable comprising a plurality of strands. Most of the strands comprise a polymer with interstitial spaces filled with a ferrofluid comprising nanoparticles. And, least one of the strands is a nanoparticle control field source. The stiffness is varied for a number of control objectives such to dampen motion. In another application, strum is controlled by electrical input rather than by changing the length of tow cable let out.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.