초록 ▼

A controllable valve assembly (18) applicable in Magnetorheological (MR) fluid devices (20), such as MR mounts and MR dampers. The valve assembly (18) includes a valve body (32) having a magnetic circuit (40) contained therein which carries magnetic flux .PHI., a controllable passageway (42) within

A controllable valve assembly (18) applicable in Magnetorheological (MR) fluid devices (20), such as MR mounts and MR dampers. The valve assembly (18) includes a valve body (32) having a magnetic circuit (40) contained therein which carries magnetic flux .PHI., a controllable passageway (42) within the magnetic circuit (40), a MR (magnetically controlled) fluid (44) including soft-magnetic particles in a liquid carrier contained in the controllable passageway (42), a magnetic flux generator, such as a wound wire coil (46), generating magnetic flux .PHI. which is directed through the MR fluid (44) in the controllable passageway (42) thereby generating "rheology" changes causing restriction in flow of MR fluid (44) therethrough. In one aspect, a one-way check valve (34) is operative with a passive passageway (36) which is arranged in parallel relationship to the controllable passageway (42) provides "asymmetric" damping across the controllable valve (18) creating higher pressure differentials in a first direction and a lower in a second direction without "rapidly switching" the current to the coil (46). In another aspect, "asymmetric" damping is provided by a "changeable gap" formed by a moveable wall portion of the controllable passageway (42). In a third aspect, a first controllable passageway provides controllable flow in a first direction and a second controllable passageway provides controllable flow in a second direction, thereby provide "asymmetry." In a fourth aspect, "asymmetry" is provides by a "variable magnetic short" which changes magnetic circuit reluctance dependent on flow direction.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A two-way controllable valve assembly, comprising:(a) a valve body having at least a portion of a magnetic circuit contained therein, said magnetic circuit being capable of carrying a magnetic flux,(b) a controllable passageway adjacent to said valve body and situated within said m

[ We claim:] [1.] A two-way controllable valve assembly, comprising:(a) a valve body having at least a portion of a magnetic circuit contained therein, said magnetic circuit being capable of carrying a magnetic flux,(b) a controllable passageway adjacent to said valve body and situated within said magnetic circuit,(c) a magnetorheological fluid including soft-magnetic particles dispersed within a carrier liquid contained in said controllable passageway,(d) a magnetic flux generator for generating a magnetic flux which is carried by said magnetic circuit and which is directed to act upon said magnetorheological fluid contained in said controllable passageway to generate rheology changes in said magnetorheological fluid within said controllable passageway thereby restricting flow of said magnetorheological fluid through said controllable passageway, and(e) means for providing asymmetric flow characteristics across said controllable valve assembly thereby creating a higher pressure differential across said controllable valve assembly in a first flow direction and a lower pressure differential across said controllable valve assembly in a second flow direction without having to rapidly switch said magnetic flux within said magnetic circuit thereby resultantly creating higher flow restriction in said first flow direction and lower flow restriction in said second flow direction.