Electrophoretic fluid damper
Patent 5018606 Issued on May 28, 1991. Estimated Expiration Date: 
January 10, 2010. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
January 10, 2010. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent References 2940749 2973969 3174587 3207269 3255853 Electroviscous fluid-actuated devices Electroviscous fluid control device Motion-damping apparatus for a vehicle Electrorheological fluid force transmission and conversion device Patent #: 4896754 InventorAssigneeApplicationNo. 463138 filed on 01/10/1990US Classes:188/267.1, Electroviscous or electrorheological fluid188/300With means for locking parts together temporarilyExaminersPrimary: Oberleitner, Robert J.Assistant: Muratori, Alfred Attorney, Agent or FirmForeign Patent References
International ClassesF16F 009/53F16F 015/03 AbstractAn electrophoretic fluid damper in which cooperable electrodes are slidably disposed one within the other and are connected respectively to relatively movable members. An electrophoretic fluid capable of separating into particle-rich and particle-deficient phases by electrophoresis operates in surface contact with the electrodes. An electrically nonconductive material having raised surface areas and spaces between the surface areas is associated with one of the electrodes. When a voltage is applied between the electrodes in a first direction, the particle-rich phase of the fluid collects on one of the electrodes and also makes contact with the spaces and the raised surface areas of the material associated with the other electrode thereby engaging or locking the electrodes together and transmitting force between the members. When the voltage potential is applied in the opposite direction, the particle-rich phase migrates to the other electrode and collects in the spaces between the raised surfaces of the material, thereby disengaging the electrodes and reducing the transmission of force between the elements. The apparatus may be configured as a shock absorber or linear brake.Other References
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