The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 29, 1998
Filed:
May. 27, 1997
Larry Dean Elie, Ypsilanti, MI (US);
John Matthew Ginder, Plymouth, MI (US);
Joseph Steven Mark, Dearborn, MI (US);
Mark Edward Nichols, Saline, MI (US);
Ford Global Technologies, Inc., Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for measuring displacement and force transferred through an elastomeric member, such as a suspension bushing (17) as used in a suspension of a motor vehicle, comprises an inner cylinder (26) fixedly connected to a suspension member (23), and an outer cylinder (28) fixedly connected to a chassis member (29). A magnetorheological elastomer (32), having particles embedded therein, is interposed between the inner (26) and outer (28) cylinders, and an electrode (44) is disposed about the inner cylinder (26). When the electrode (44) is energized by electrical current provided from module (18), a preselected electrical state resulting from the dielectric properties of the magnetorheological elastomer (32) varies in a predetermined manner in response to changes in displacement of the elastomeric material (32).