Electrorheological fluids
AssigneeLord Corporation
InventorJ. David Carlson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention is a fluid which exhibits excellent electrorheological properties at low current densities, at high temperatures, and in the complete absence of absorbed water or water of hydration. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid comprises lithium hydrazinium sulfate dispersed in silicone oil, and in the presence of an appropriate suspension stabilizing agent.
Claims28
A fluid having electrorheological properties at low current densities and in the absence of absorbed water or water of hydration, said fluid comprising a suspension of:
- a liquid phase formed of a dielectric liquid;
- and
- a dispersed particulate phase formed of lithium hydrazinium sulfate.
A fluid having electrorheological properties at low current densities and in the absence of adsorbed water or water of hydration, said fluid comprising a suspension of:
- a liquid phase formed of about 100 parts by weight of polydimethylsiloxane oil having a viscosity of about 10 centistokes;
- and
- a dispersed particulate phase formed from between about 50 and about 170 parts by weight of lithium hydrazinium sulfate.
A method of preparing a fluid which exhibits electrorheological properties at low current densities and in the absense of adsorbed water or water of hydration, the method comprising:
- admixing particulate lithium hydrazinium sulfate crystalline material to form a suspension of lithium hydrazinium sulfate in the dielectric liquid.
A method of preparing a fluid which exhibits electroroheological properties at low current desnities and in the absence of adsorbed water or water of hydration, said method comprising:
- admixing liquid silicone oil and powdered lithium hydrazinium sulfate to form a suspension of the lithium hydrazinium sulfate in the silicon oil;
- and
- maintaining the admixture at a temperature of greater than 100 degrees centigrade for a time sufficient to form an irreversibly thixotropic gel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.