Lord Corporation

K Andrew Kintz

Teresa L Forehand

J David Carlson

Mark R Jolly

Robert H Marjoram

Kenneth Alan St Clair

William J McMahon

Gary William Adams

Beth C Munoz

Donald A Nixon

Eric T Byrd

Julia D Sessoms

Scott D Gartland

The controllable suspension system includes a strut with a magnetorheological fluid damper. The magnetorheological fluid damper includes a longitudinal damper tubular housing having a longitudinally extending axis and an inner wall for containing magnetorheological fluid. The damper includes a piston head movable within the damper tubular housing along a longitudinal length the housing, with the damper piston head providing a first upper variable volume magnetorheological fluid chamber and a second lower variable volume magnetorheological fluid chamber, with a fluid flow gap between the upper and lower fluid chambers, the damper piston having a longitudinal piston rod for supporting the piston head within the housing, with the piston supported within the housing with a piston rod bearing assembly disposed between the housing and the rod, with the piston rod bearing assembly having a piston rod bearing seal interface.

Controllable vehicle suspension system with a controllable magnetorheological fluid strut

The controllable suspension system includes a strut with a magnetorheological fluid damper. The magnetorheological fluid damper includes a longitudinal damper tubular housing having a longitudinally extending axis and an inner wall for containing magnetorheological fluid. The damper includes a piston head movable within the damper tubular housing along a longitudinal length the housing, with the damper piston head providing a first upper variable volume magnetorheological fluid chamber and a second lower variable volume magnetorheological fluid chamber, with a fluid flow gap between the upper and lower fluid chambers with a piston head fluid flow interface length HL, the damper piston having a longitudinal piston rod for supporting the piston head within the housing, with the piston supported within the housing with a piston rod bearing assembly disposed between the housing and the rod, with the piston rod bearing assembly having a piston rod bearing seal interface length BL, wherein contact between the piston head and the damper tubular housing inner wall is inhibited.

The invention provides a magnetorheological device employing narrow design gap and containing a magnetic-responsive composition exhibiting reduced off-state forces and good performance. Specifically, this invention is directed to a magnetorheological device of defined gap, and employing a magnetic-responsive composition characterized by comprising non-sperical magnetic-responsive particles of average number diameter distribution (d) from 6 to 100 microns and at least one friction-reducing additive that reduces the interparticle friction between the magnetic-responsive particles.

Magnetorheological composition

What is disclosed is a magnetorheological fluid useful for incorporating within the working gap of magnetorheologically controllable linear or rotary devices. The MR fluid includes a carrier fluid component and a magnetic responsive particle component characterized by Dof 2 &#x3bc;m up to and including a Dof 5 &#x3bc;m, a Dof 8 &#x3bc;m up to and including Dof 15 &#x3bc;m; a Dof 25 &#x3bc;m to and including a Dof 40 &#x3bc;m; and further characterized by least squares regression (R) particles size against log normal cumulative volume percent of greater than or equal to 0.77. Optional preferred additives included therewith include thixotropic agent or viscosity modifier, dispersant or surfactant, antioxidant, corrosion inhibitor, and one or more lubricants.

MR fluid for increasing the output of a magnetorheological fluid device

The invention provides a magnetorheological composition having reduced off-state forces and good performance. Specifically, this invention is directed to a magnetorheological composition that may comprise non-sperical magnetic-responsive particles and at least one friction-reducing additive that reduces the interparticle friction between the magnetic-responsive particles.

Magnetorheological devices, including damping devices, rotary devices, and haptic systems constructed with said devices are disclosed. The devices contain dry magnetically-responsive particles, or MR fluids containing the magnetically responsive particles. The magnetically soft particles characterized by a single process yield population of atomized particles having a cumulative 10%, 50% and 90% by volume, fraction within specified size, i.e., Dof from 2 up to and including a Dof 5 &#x3bc;m, a D8 &#x3bc;m up to and including a Dof 15 &#x3bc;m, a Dof 25 &#x3bc;m up to and including a Dof 40 &#x3bc;m, and characterized by a least squares regression of log normal particles size against cumulative volume % fraction of greater than or equal to 0.77.

MR fluid for increasing the output of a magnetorheological fluid damper

A container for storing and transporting field controllable fluid is disclosed. The field controllable material may be mixed and remixed in the container and the field controllable material may be flowed into or discharged from the container chamber without opening the container.

Container for transporting and storing field controllable fluid

The invention provides a magnetorheological grease composition which contains magnetic-responsive particles, a carrier fluid and a thickening agent. The composition according to the invention contains an effective amount of thickening agent to provide a composition of proper consistency with good properties and little settling of the magnetic-responsive particles.

Growing community of inventors

Apex, NC, United States of America

K Andrew Kintz