Magnetorheological fluid-based mount apparatus including rate dip track passage

Abstract

A magnetorheological fluid-based hydraulic mount apparatus () for supporting a vibration source on a base is disclosed. A main fluid passage () extends between pumping chamber () and receiving chamber () for passing the fluid therebetween. Electromagnet coil () variably generates a magnetic flux across the main fluid passage to variably change the damping stiffness of the mount. A rate dip track passage () extends between the pumping chamber () and receiving chamber () for oscillating the magnetorheological fluid () therethrough to decrease the dynamic stiffness of the mount apparatus () at predetermined frequencies. A controller () applies a current through the electromagnet coils () at the predetermined frequencies and frequencies relatively close to and above the redetermined frequencies for substantially preventing the magnetorheological fluid () from flowing through the main fluid passage () to force the magnetorheological fluid () to flow substantially only through the rate dip track passage () for preventing a sharp increase in the dynamic stiffness of the hydraulic mount apparatus () from occurring at these frequencies.