Programmable magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus

A system for operating at least one magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus comprising:

• a processing unit;
• and
• a non-transitory computer-readable memory communicatively coupled to the processing unit and comprising computer-readable program instructions executable by the processing unit for:
• in a first mode, varying an amount of torque transmission between a driving member and a driven member in the at least one magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus by actuating at least one coil in the at least one magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus the at least one coil being fixed to a stator of the magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus while the driving member and the driven member rotate, and
• in a second mode, causing torque transmission between the driven member and the driving member by setting a desired remanent magnetization level in a magnetic component of the at least one magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus by actuating the at least one coil in the at least one magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus.

A magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus comprising:

• a driving member having at least one first shear surface, the driving member adapted to be coupled to a torque source;
• a driven member having at least one second shear surface opposite to the at least one first shear surface, the shear surfaces separated by at least one annular space, the driven member adapted to be connected to an output;
• a stator rotatably supporting the driving member and the driven member, the stator forming a casing of the magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus;
• magnetorheological (MR) fluid in an MR fluid chamber including the at least one annular space, the MR fluid configured to generate a variable amount of torque transmission between the driving member and the driven member when subjected to a magnetic field;
• at least one coil actuatable to deliver a magnetic field through the MR fluid;
• and
• at least one magnetizable component of the type maintaining a remanent magnetization level, the magnetizable component configured to be exposed to the magnetic field from the at least one coil to achieve remanent magnetization;
• wherein actuation of the at least one coil results in a variation of torque transmission between the driven member and the driving member,
• wherein the remanent magnetization level generates another magnetic field resulting in torque transmission between the driven member and the driving member, and
• wherein the at least one coil and the at least one magnetizable component are part of the stator.