US 5,829,319 AGranted

Magneto-rheological torsional vibration damper

AssigneeVibratech, Inc.

InventorMohamed Mokeddem

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Abstract

An apparatus for, and a method of, controlling the torsional damping frequency of a torsional damper using a magneto-rheological fluid disposed between a relatively rotating inertia ring and a surrounding chamber. A coil is continuously wrapped around the chamber and provides at least two slip rings for conducting electricity through the coil from outside the chamber. At least two corresponding wiper contacts electrically connect said slip rings to a source of DC voltage which in turn is controlled by a controller to continuously adjust the damping torsional resistance of the magneto-rheological fluid. A vibration sensor can be associated with the damper and can be signal connected to the controller to continuously adjust the magnetic field through the magneto-rheological fluid to continuously adjust the torsional shear resistance of the fluid, and thereby fine tune damping of the damper.

Claims9

Dependent claims

A torsional vibration damping device for a rotating object, said device comprising:

a housing having an annular chamber, said housing adapted for connecting to said rotating object to be torsionally damped;
an annular ring located within said annular chamber and free to rotate with respect thereto, said annular ring dimensioned such that a gap is provided between said annular ring and an inside surface of said annular chamber, said annular ring having two annular pieces and an annular cavity arranged between said two pieces;
a magneto-rheological fluid disposed within said gap;
an electric coil for inducing a select magnetic field within said annular chamber to alter shear resistance of said magneto-rheological fluid, said electric coil arranged to rotate with said annular ring wherein said coil is wrapped around a portion of said annular ring and has a winding axis colinear with an axis of said annular chamber;
a stationary source of electric power;
and
slip ring means for conducting said electric power from said stationary source to said coil, said slip ring means including annular conductors arranged on said annular ring and electrical contacts wiping said conductors, mounted to said annular chamber.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.