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:
Nov. 06, 2001
Filed:
Oct. 21, 1999
Patrick Neil Hopkins, West Carollton, OH (US);
John David Fehring, Churubusco, IN (US);
Ilya Lisenker, Miamisburg, OH (US);
Richard Edward Longhouse, Dayton, OH (US);
William Charles Kruckemeyer, Beavercreek, OH (US);
Michael Leslie Oliver, Xenia, OH (US);
Frank M. Robinson, Centerville, OH (US);
Alexander Apostolos Alexandridis, Kronberg, DE;
Delphi Technologies, Inc., Troy, MI (US);
Abstract
A novel and improved magnetorheological fluid damper is provided which effectively secures a flux ring to a piston core in a manner which prevents relative axial and radial movement between the flux ring and the core throughout operation while minimizing the size of the piston assembly yet providing effective damping. Several connector devices are disclosed for both axially and radially securing the flux ring relative to the piston core at one end of the piston assembly in a simple manner without increasing the length of the piston assembly. The connector device may include an outer portion brazed to the flux ring, an inner portion connected to the piston core, bridge portions extending between the outer and inner portions, flow passages formed between the bridge portions and an inlet cavity formed adjacent an annular flow gap to permit unimpeded, enhanced laminar flow through the flow gap by improving the damping effect. Other connector devices may include elongated rivets extending through the flow gap axially along the piston assembly, and elongated pin and spacer tube connectors extending radially between the piston core and the flux ring. Various embodiments of radial support devices are disclosed for possible use in combination with the connector devices to enhance radial support by, for example, the use of balls, a washer with tabs, a coil bobbin with tabs, rivets and axially extending elongated pins.