초록 ▼

A lockable or latchable device includes first and second members proximate to each other, at least one of which is movable with respect to the other. The device also includes a magnetorheological fluid disposed in the device such that the fluid is in simultaneous contact with at least a portion of e

A lockable or latchable device includes first and second members proximate to each other, at least one of which is movable with respect to the other. The device also includes a magnetorheological fluid disposed in the device such that the fluid is in simultaneous contact with at least a portion of each of the first and second members when the first and second members are in a position for locking or latching. A permanent magnet is disposed in the device to inhibit displacement of the magnetorheological fluid when the first and second members are in the locked or latched position. An electromagnet is disposed in the device such that magnetic flux from the electromagnet, when activated, disrupts the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet when the first and second members are in the locked or latched position to unlatch or unlock the device.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A lockable or latchable device, comprising: first and second members proximate to each other, at least one of said first and second members being movable with respect to the other;a magnetorheological fluid disposed in the device such that the fluid is in simultaneous contact with at least a port

1. A lockable or latchable device, comprising: first and second members proximate to each other, at least one of said first and second members being movable with respect to the other;a magnetorheological fluid disposed in the device such that the fluid is in simultaneous contact with at least a portion of each of the first and second members when the first and second members are in a position for locking or latching;a permanent magnet disposed in the device such that magnetic flux from the permanent magnet inhibits shear of the magnetorheological fluid when the first and second members are in the locked or latched position, thereby preventing movement of the first and second members with respect to each other; andan electromagnet disposed in the device such that magnetic flux from the electromagnet, when activated, disrupts the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet when the first and second members are in the locked or latched position, thereby allowing movement of the first and second members with respect to each other while the electromagnet is activated;wherein portions of the first and second members are in simultaneous contact with the magnetorheological fluid in a slidable engagement with the magnetorheological fluid. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein either or both of the first and second members has one or more protuberances thereon positioned to be in contact with the magnetorheological fluid when the first and second members are in the locked or latched position. 3. The device of claim 1, comprising a plurality of permanent magnets. 4. The device of claim 3, comprising a plurality of electromagnets. 5. The device of claim 3, wherein the plurality of permanent magnets provide a plurality of locked or latched positions of the first and second members with respect to each other. 6. The device of claim 1, comprising a plurality of electromagnets. 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second members together form an enclosure in which the magnetorheological fluid is contained. 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the first member includes a deformable membrane that retains the magnetorheological fluid, said membrane positioned to be in contact with the second member when the first and second members are in the locked or latched position. 9. A method of using the device of claim 1, comprising applying current to the electromagnet to create a magnetic flux that interferes with the magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnet, thereby permitting relative movement between the first and second members. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising terminating the current applied to the electromagnet, thereby preventing relative movement between the first and second members. 11. A lockable rotational device, comprising: a cylindrical housing disposed around a shaft, the housing and the shaft being rotatable with respect to each other, and defining an annular space between the shaft and the housing;a magnetorheological fluid disposed in the annular space;a permanent magnet disposed in the device such that the magnetic flux from the permanent magnet inhibits displacement of the magnetorheological fluid, thereby preventing rotation of the housing and the shaft with respect to each other; andan electromagnet disposed in the device such that magnetic flux from the electromagnet, when activated, disrupts the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet, thereby allowing movement of first and second members with respect to each other while the electromagnet is activated;wherein portions of the first and second members are in simultaneous contact with the magnetorheological fluid in a slidable engagement with the magnetorheological fluid. 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the shaft includes one or more protuberances on its outer surface to assist in maintaining the device in a latched or locked state or to provide some degree of resistance to rotation in the unlatched or unlocked state. 13. The device of claim 11, wherein the housing includes one or more protuberances on its inner surface to assist in maintaining the device in a latched or locked state or to provide some degree of resistance to rotation in the unlatched or unlocked state. 14. The device of claim 11, wherein the housing comprises a housing outer shell and a housing inner shell, defining a housing annular space therebetween, and the electromagnet is disposed in the housing annular space. 15. The device of claim 14, wherein the permanent magnet is disposed in or on the shaft. 16. The device of claim 15, further comprising a second electromagnet disposed in the shaft between the electromagnet and the second electromagnet such that magnetic flux from the second electromagnet, when activated, also disrupts the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet, thereby allowing movement of first and second members with respect to each other while the second electromagnet is activated. 17. The device of claim 14, comprising a plurality of magnets, a plurality of electromagnets, or a plurality of magnets and electromagnets, disposed at intervals circumferentially around the axis of the shaft and housing. 18. The device of claim 17, wherein the plurality of magnets, plurality of electromagnets, or plurality of magnets and electromagnets, cooperate to provide a plurality of latched or locked positions of the shaft and housing with respect to each other.