Patent References 2661596 2667237 2752149 2820471 2846028 3059915 3174587 3807678 3819060 Kinetic energy absorbing value assembly Inventors
AssigneeApplicationNo. 811896 filed on 03/05/1997US Classes:251/129.01, ELECTRICALLY ACTUATED VALVE137/909, MAGNETIC FLUID VALVE188/267Using magnetic fluxExaminersPrimary: Lee, KevinAttorney, Agent or FirmForeign Patent References
International ClassesF16K 031/02F16F 009/53 AbstractA 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 Φ, 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 Φ 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.Other References
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