Magnetorheological device and system and method for using the same

A suspension damping system for a vehicle having a body and a wheel, comprising:

• a magnetorheological (MR) strut connected to a suspension spring and the body of the vehicle at one end, and to a support of the vehicle wheel at an opposite end;
• and
• an electronic control system responsive to a vehicle operating characteristic and in signal communication with the MR strut;
• wherein the MR strut is responsive to a control signal from the electronic control system for changing the damping characteristic of the MR strut.

A method of controlling a vehicle suspension damping system, comprising:

• receiving at a controller signals from a plurality of sensors;
• analyzing the signals and generating an activation signal in response thereto;
• and
• in response to the activation signal, activating a magnetorheological (MR) damper so as to cause an increase in the shear strength of a MR fluid at the MR damper, an opposing torque action at a magnetic rotor of the MR damper, an opposing translation-to-rotation conversion action at a translation-to-rotation converter of the MR damper, and increased damping of translational motion between a first and a second portion of the MR damper absent complete restraint of the first portion with respect to the second portion.