Particle brake clutch muscle exercise and rehabilitation apparatus

A muscle exercise and rehabilitation apparatus comprising:

• movable fixture means against which an actuating force can be applied;
• particle brake clutch means for applying a braking force to said fixture means in linear dependence to current supplied thereto, said braking force being applied in counteracting relation to the actuating force;
• particle brake control means for controlling the supply of current to said particle brake clutch means so that the latter controls said fixture means to move in at least one of an isometric, isotonic and isokinetic mode of operation;
• and
• compensating means for eliminating effects of hysteresis in said particle brake clutch means in dependence on the amount of braking current previously supplied to said particle brake clutch means.

A muscle exercise and rehabilitation apparatus comprising:

• movable fixture means against which an actuating force can be applied;
• particle brake clutch means for applying a braking force to said fixture means in linear dependence on a braking current supplied thereto, in counteracting relation to the actuating force;
• control means for controlling the supply of braking current to said particle brake clutch means so that the latter controls said fixture means to move in at least one of an isometric, isotonic and isokinetic mode of operation;
• and
• hysteresis compensating means for supplying a reverse current to said particle brake clutch means to cancel out hysteresis in said particle brake clutch means in dependence on the amount of braking current previously supplied to said particle brake clutch means.

A muscle exercise and rehabilitation apparatus comprising:

• movable fixture means against which an actuating force can be applied;
• particle brake clutch means for applying a braking force to said fixture means in linear dependence on a braking current supplied thereto, in counteracting relation to the actuating force;
• control means for controlling the supply of braking current to said particle brake clutch means so that the latter controls said fixture means to move in at least one of an isometric, isotonic and isokinetic mode of operation, said control means including
• torque control means for producing an input torque signal corresponding to a desired constant braking force applied to said fixture means by said particle brake clutch means,
• speed control means means for producing an input speed signal corresponding to a desired constant speed of movement of said fixture means,
• isometric control means means for producing a high voltage signal,
• current regulating means for controlling current supplied to said particle brake clutch means in dependence on said mode switch means and in response to one of:
• said input torque signal to control said particle brake clutch means to apply a constant braking force to said fixture means,
• said input speed signal to control said particle brake control means to prevent movement of said fixture means at a speed greater than said desired constant speed,
• said high voltage signal to control said particle brake clutch means to prevent movement of said fixture means;
• mode switch means for controlling said control means to select operation of said apparatus in one of said isometric, isotonic and isokinetic mode of operation;
• range of motion limit means for limiting movement of said fixture means between first and second limits;
• and
• hysteresis compensating means for supplying a reverse current to said particle brake clutch means to cancel out hysteresis in said particle brake clutch means in dependence on the amount of braking current previously supplied to said particle brake clutch means.