US 6,089,115 A · Angular transmission using magnetorheological fluid (MR fluid)

Abstract

An angular transmission using magnetorheological fluid (MR fluid) to transmit movement between two (2) shafts not aligned on the same axis to each other to provide an infinite variable ratio instead of the fixed ratios present in known prior art gear driven angular transmissions by controlling the magnetic field applied to the magnetorheological fluid (MR fluid) through the use of one (1) or more electric coil(s) generating a magnetic field. In particular, the angular transmission using magnetorheological fluid (MR fluid) in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a pair of conical shaped hollow heads, one connected to an input shaft and one connected to an output shaft, the input shaft, the output shaft and the conical shaped hollow heads being assembled inside of a housing where the input shaft and the output shaft are mounted at an angle to each other (i.e., are not axially aligned), the space or gap between the two (2) conical shaped hollow heads being filled with magnetorheological fluid (MR fluid). At least one (1) electric coil and, more preferably, a pair, or a multitude, of electric coils are installed inside the two (2) hollow heads. The magnetorheological fluid (MR fluid), when exposed to a magnetic field, changes its viscosity to provide for increased shear stress resistance of the magnetorheological fluid (MR fluid). This increase in viscosity provides for the motion transmission between each of the conical shaped hollow heads and consequently to each of the input shaft and the output shaft in a rate, or ratio, proportional to the magnetic field generated by the electric coil(s). The shape of the electric coil(s) could be of a multitude of possible designs to produce a magnetic field having desired characteristics. Control of the electric coil(s) is provided by an electronic controller which interfaces with a multitude of sensors which provide sensorial information from various operation monitoring systems.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An angular transmission, comprising:

a housing having magnetorheological fluid (MR fluid) in the interior thereof;
a first shaft having a hollow head positioned in said interior of said housing;
a second shaft having a hollow head positioned in said interior of said housing, said first shaft being at an angle to said second shaft;
and
at least one (1) electric coil positioned in the interior of at least one of said hollow head of said first shaft and said hollow head of said second shaft, said at least one (1) electric coil being capable of generating a magnetic field such that said magnetorheological fluid (MR fluid), when exposed to said magnetic field, changes its viscosity to provide for increased shear stress resistance in said magnetorheological fluid (MR fluid) and this change in viscosity of said magnetorheological fluid (MR fluid) provides motion transmission between said hollow head of said first shaft and said hollow head of said second shaft in a rate, or ratio, proportional to said magnetic field generated by said at least one (1) electric coil.

2 more elements

An angular transmission, comprising:

a housing having magnetorheological fluid (MR fluid) in the interior thereof;
a first shaft having a hollow head positioned in said interior of said housing, said hollow head having a plurality of electric coils positioned in the interior thereof;
a second shaft having a hollow head positioned in said interior of said housing, said hollow head having a plurality of electric coils positioned in the interior thereof and said first shaft being at an angle to said second shaft;
and
said plurality of electric coils positioned in the interior of said hollow head of said first shaft and said plurality of electric coils positioned in the interior of said hollow head of said second shaft are capable of generating a magnetic field such that said magnetorheological fluid (MR fluid), when exposed to said magnetic field, changes its viscosity to provide for increased shear stress resistance in said magnetorheological fluid (MR fluid) and this change in viscosity of said magnetorheological fluid (MR fluid) provides motion transmission between said hollow head of said first shaft and said hollow head of said second shaft in a rate, or ratio, proportional to said magnetic field generated by said plurality of electric coils positioned in the interior of said hollow head of said first shaft and said plurality of electric coils positioned in the interior of said hollow head of said second shaft.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Angular transmission using magnetorheological fluid (MR fluid)

Life of this patent

Angular transmission using magnetorheological fluid (MR fluid)

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20