Electro-rheological shock absorber

Claim 2

A shock absorber comprising: a casing, said casing including a generally cylindrical chamber containing compression fluid; a damping member which reciprocates in the chamber and which restricts the flow of fluid through the chamber, the damping member dividing the chamber into a first section and a second section; the casing being attached to means to anchor the shock absorber at a first end, relative to which the casing does not reciprocate; the damping member being attached to means to anchor the shock absorber at a second end, relative to which the damping member does not reciprocate; a by-pass passage external to but in fluid communication with said chamber, said passage permitting fluid communication between the first section and the second section of the chamber; a moveable valve member in the by-pass passage controlling the flow of fluid between the first and second sections of the said chamber, the movement and position of said valve member controlled by electro-rheological actuating means impeding the movement of said valve member from the position said valve member was in when an electric field is applied by the electro-rheological actuating means; wherein the valve member controls the amount of damping of the shock absorber by regulating the amount of compression fluid which passes through the by-pass passage.

Claim 3

The shock absorber of claim 1 wherein the electro-rheological actuating means comprises: a moveable chamber, having an interior filled with electro-rheological fluid and an exterior surface, the relative position of the exterior of the chamber controlling the relative position of the valve member; bias means providing tension against said moveable chamber; piston means within the electro-rheological fluid having perforations therethrough permitting the flow of electro-rheological fluid through the piston means; electrode means integral with the piston means for generating an electric field between at least one positive and one negative electrode such that said electro-rheological fluid within said piston solidifies thus controlling the position and movement of the moveable chamber relative to the piston means; whereby the relative position of the piston means in relation to the moveable chamber controls the relative position of the exterior of the moveable chamber.

Claim 4

The shock absorber of claim 2 wherein said valve actuating means is in communication with the valve member by direct contact with said valve member.

Claim 5

The shock absorber of claim 3 wherein said valve actuating means is integral with said valve member.

Claim 6

The shock absorber of claim 2 wherein said valve actuating means is in communication with the valve member by asserting pressure against an intervening body, which intervening body is in turn asserting pressure against the valve member.

Claim 7

The shock absorber of claim 5 wherein said intervening body comprises a fluid.

Claim 8

The shock absorber of claim 2 wherein said perforated piston member comprises a cylindrical disk having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough to permit the flow of electro-rheological fluid through said disk, each aperture containing a negative and positive electrode such that when said electrodes are activated, an electric field is generated in each aperture, thereby solidifying the electro-rheological fluid contained therein.

Claim 9

The shock absorber of claim 7 wherein the width of each of said apertures is between 0.5 and 1.5 millimeters.

Claim 10

The shock absorber of claim 2 wherein said perforated piston member comprises a spiral coil member contained within a perforated cylindrical casing, said spiral coil member containing positive and negative electrodes located on opposite sides of said spiral coil such that said spiral coil forms an alternating sequence of positive and negative terminals, whereby the application of an electrical impulse to said electrodes generates a plurality of electric fields within said spiral coil thereby solidifying the electro-rheological fluid located within said coil.

Claim 11

The shock absorber of claim 9 further comprising a plurality of rib members attached to said spiral for maintaining the electrical integrity of said spiral coil when it is placed within said perforated cylindrical casing.

Claim 12

The shock absorber of claim 2 wherein said perforated piston member comprises a plurality of concentric bands, each of said bands having a positive electrode on a first side and a negative electrode on a second side, the positive electrode on a first band being in proximity to a negative electrode on a second band, such that upon the application of an electric signal to said electrodes, a plurality of electric fields are formed between said bands and the electro-rheological fluid between said bands solidifies.

Claim 13

The shock absorber of claim 1 wherein said concentric bands are retained within a hollow cylindrical casing having top and bottom members, said top and bottom members being perforated so as to permit the flow of electro-rheological fluid through said cylindrical casing.

Claim 14

The shock absorber of claim 2 wherein said perforated piston member comprises a hollow casing supporting a plurality of parallel disposed perforated disk-shaped metallic wafer members, said metallic wafer members forming a sequence of alternating positive and negative electrodes such that upon the application of an electrical impulse to said wafer members, a plurality of of an electrical impulse to said wafer members, a plurality of electric fields is formed between said alternating wafer members, thereby solidifying the electro-rheological fluid situated therebetween.

Claim 15

The shock absorber of claim 2 wherein activation of the electrode means is tied to activation of a vehicle's brake light electrical system.

Claim 16

The shock absorber of claim 1 wherein the means attached to the damping member to anchor the shock absorber at a second end comprises a rod member attached to the damping member, which rod member passes out of the casing and terminates in the second end of the shock absorber.

Claim 17

The shock absorber of claim 15 further comprising means for accommodating changes in compression fluid volume due to thermal changes and to the movement of the rod member into and out of the casing.

Claim 18

The shock absorber of claim 16 wherein said accommodating means is a flexible balloon filled with an inert gas.

Claim 19

The shock absorber of claim 17 wherein said accommodating means is a ring-shaped nitrogen filled balloon which surrounds the rod within the chamber.

Claim 20

The shock absorber of claim 16 wherein said accommodating means comprises a flexible diaphragm within the casing separating the chamber and a gas compartment.

Claim 21

The shock absorber of claim 19 wherein the gas compartment contains an inert gas, the gas compartment further being pressurized.

Claim 22

The shock absorber of claim 1 wherein the damping member is adapted to reciprocate in the chamber even when there is no fluid flow through the by-pass passage.

Claim 23

The shock absorber of claim 21 wherein the by-pass passage is employed to provide greater precision and control in the damping of the shock absorber.

Claim 24

The shock absorber of claim 1 wherein the second end of the shock absorber comprises a connection member.

Claim 25

The shock absorber of claim 1 wherein the first end and the second end of the shock absorber comprise connection members.

Claim 26

A shock absorber, having a first end and a second end, comprising: a casing, including a first chamber, a second chamber and a divider between the first and second chamber preventing fluid communication between the first and second chambers; electro-rheological compression fluid within the second chamber; a rod which reciprocates in the casing, the rod being positioned axially within the first chamber, and passing axially through the divider and the second chamber, and passing out of the casing and terminating at the second end of the shock absorber; a damping member which reciprocates in the second chamber and which restricts the flow of fluid through the second chamber, the damping member dividing the second chamber into a first section and a second section; the damping member being attached to that portion of the rod passing through the second chamber so that the damping member does not reciprocate relative to the second end of the shock absorber; the casing being attached to means to anchor the shock absorber at its first end, relative to which the casing does not reciprocate; a by-pass passage external to but in fluid communication with second chamber, said passage permitting fluid communication between the first section and the second section of the second chamber; a valve member in the by-pass passage controlling the flow of fluid between the first and second sections of the second chamber; the valve member controlled by electro-rheological actuating means comprising a perforated valve member situated within said by-pass passage to permit the flow of electro-rheological fluid therethrough; and electrode means coupled to said perforated valve member for generating an electric field within said valve member such that a second quantity of electro-rheological fluid contained therein solidifies, thereby impeding the flow of the electro-rheological fluid through said bypass passage and thereby creating a compressive damping force by said damping member; and wherein the presence of the rod on both sides of the damping member in the second chamber assists in equalizing volume throughout the second chamber.

Claim 27

A shock absorber, having a first end and a second end, comprising: a casing, including a first chamber, a second chamber and a divider between the first and second chamber preventing fluid communication between the first and second chambers; electro-rheological compression fluid within the second chamber; a rod which reciprocates in the casing, the rod being positioned axially within the first chamber, and passing axially through the divider and the second chamber, and passing out of the casing and terminating at the second end of the shock absorber; a damping member which reciprocates in the second chamber and which restricts the flow of fluid through the second chamber, the damping member dividing the second chamber into a first section and a second section; the damping member being attached to that portion of the rod passing through the second chamber so that the damping member does not reciprocate relative to the second end of the shock absorber; the casing being attached to means to anchor the shock absorber at its first end, relative to which the casing does not reciprocate; a by-pass passage external to but in fluid communication with second chamber, said passage permitting fluid communication between the first section and the second section of the second chamber; a valve member in the by-pass passage controlling the flow of fluid between the first and second sections of the second chamber; the valve member controlled by electro-rheological actuating means comprising a perforated valve member situated within said by-pass passage to permit the flow of electro-rheological fluid therethrough; and electrode means coupled to said perforated valve member for generating an electric field within said valve member such that a second quantity of electro-rheological fluid contained therein solidifies, thereby impeding the flow of the electro-rheological fluid through said bypass passage and thereby creating a compressive damping force by said damping member; and wherein the presence of the rod on both sides of the damping member in the second chamber assists in equalizing volume throughout the second chamber.

Claim 28

The shock absorber of claim 25 wherein activation of the electrode means is responsive to activation of a vehicle's brake light electrical system.

Claim 29

A shock absorber comprising: a casing including a chamber containing compression fluid; a damping member reciprocating in said chamber attached to an arm extending from said chamber; said damping member containing a plurality of perforations to permit the flow of fluid breakthrough; valve means for controlling the flow of the compression fluid, said valve means comprising: a valve member for insertion into the compression fluid, controlling the amount of compression fluid passing said valve member; and an electro-rheological actuating means in communication with the valve member and which controls the movement of the valve member; said electro-rheological actuating means comprising: a moveable chamber, having an interior filled with electro-rheological fluid and an exterior surface, the relative position of the exterior of the chamber controlling the relative position of the valve member; bias means providing tension against said chamber; stationary piston means within the electro-rheological fluid having perforations therethrough permitting the flow of electro-rheological fluid through the piston means; electrode means integral with the piston means for generating an electric field between at least one positive and one negative electrode such that said electro-rheological fluid within said piston means solidifies thus controlling the position and movement of the chamber with respect to the piston means; whereby the position of the piston means in relation to the chamber controls the relative position of the exterior of the chamber; wherein the amount of damping of the shock absorber is controlled by adjusting the amount of compression fluid passing the valve member through control of the relative position of the valve member using the electro-rheological actuating means.

Claim 30

A shock absorber comprising: a casing including a chamber containing compression fluid; a damping member reciprocating in said chamber attached to an arm extending from said chamber; said damping member containing a plurality of perforations to permit the flow of fluid breakthrough; valve means for controlling the flow of the compression fluid, said valve means comprising: a valve member for insertion into the compression fluid, controlling the amount of compression fluid passing said valve member; and an electro-rheological actuating means in communication with the valve member and which controls the movement of the valve member; said electro-rheological actuating means comprising: a moveable chamber, having an interior filled with electro-rheological fluid and an exterior surface, the relative position of the exterior of the chamber controlling the relative position of the valve member; bias means providing tension against said chamber; stationary piston means within the electro-rheological fluid having perforations therethrough permitting the flow of electro-rheological fluid through the piston means; electrode means integral with the piston means for generating an electric field between at least one positive and one negative electrode such that said electro-rheological fluid within said piston means solidifies thus controlling the position and movement of the chamber with respect to the piston means; whereby the position of the piston means in relation to the chamber controls the relative position of the exterior of the chamber; wherein the amount of damping of the shock absorber is controlled by adjusting the amount of compression fluid passing the valve member through control of the relative position of the valve member using the electro-rheological actuating means.

Claim 31

The shock absorber of claim 27 wherein said valve member is oriented in the perforation in the damping member, controlling the flow of compression fluid therethrough.

Claim 32

A shock absorber comprising: a casing, said casing including a generally cylindrical chamber containing electro-rheological compression fluid; a damping member which reciprocates in the chamber and which restricts the flow of fluid through the chamber, the damping member dividing the chamber into a first section and a second section; the casing being attached to means to anchor the shock absorber at a first end, relative to which the casing does not reciprocate; the damping member being attached to means to anchor the shock absorber at a second end, relative to which the damping member does not reciprocate; a by-pass passage external to but in fluid communication with said chamber, said passage permitting fluid communication between the first section and the second section of the chamber; a valve member in the by-pass passage controlling the flow of fluid between the first and second sections of said chamber, the valve member controlled by electro-rheological actuating means; and said electro-rheological actuating means comprises a perforated valve member situated within said by-pass passage to permit the flow of electro-rheological fluid therethrough; and electrode means coupled to said perforated valve member for generating an electric field within said valve member such that a second quantity of electro-rheological fluid contained therein solidifies, thereby impeding the flow of the electro-rheological fluid through said bypass passage and thereby creating a compressive damping force by said damping member.

Claim 33

A shock absorber comprising: a casing, said casing including a generally cylindrical chamber containing electro-rheological compression fluid; a damping member which reciprocates in the chamber and which restricts the flow of fluid through the chamber, the damping member dividing the chamber into a first section and a second section; the casing being attached to means to anchor the shock absorber at a first end, relative to which the casing does not reciprocate; the damping member being attached to means to anchor the shock absorber at a second end, relative to which the damping member does not reciprocate; a by-pass passage external to but in fluid communication with said chamber, said passage permitting fluid communication between the first section and the second section of the chamber; a valve member in the by-pass passage controlling the flow of fluid between the first and second sections of said chamber, the valve member controlled by electro-rheological actuating means; and said electro-rheological actuating means comprises a perforated valve member situated within said by-pass passage to permit the flow of electro-rheological fluid therethrough; and electrode means coupled to said perforated valve member for generating an electric field within said valve member such that a second quantity of electro-rheological fluid contained therein solidifies, thereby impeding the flow of the electro-rheological fluid through said bypass passage and thereby creating a compressive damping force by said damping member.

Claim 34

A shock absorber, having a first end and a second end, comprising: a casing, including a first chamber, a second chamber and a divider between the first and second chamber preventing fluid communication between the first and second chambers; compression fluid within the second chamber; a rod which reciprocates in the casing, the rod being positioned axially within the first chamber, and passing axially through the divider and the second chamber, and passing out of the casing and terminating at the second end of the shock absorber; a damping member which reciprocates in the second chamber and which restricts the flow of fluid through the second chamber, the damping member dividing the second chamber into a first section and a second section; the damping member being attached to that portion of the rod passing through the second chamber so that the damping member does not reciprocate to the second end of the shock absorber; the casing being attached to means to anchor the shock absorber at its first end, relative to which the casing does not reciprocate; a by-pass passage external to but in fluid communication with second chamber, said passage permitting fluid communication between the first section and the second section of the second chamber; a valve member in the by-pass passage controlling the flow of fluid between the first and second sections of the second chamber; the valve member controlled by electro-rheological actuating means comprising: a moveable chamber, having an interior filled with electro-rheological fluid and an exterior surface, the relative position of the exterior of the chamber controlling the relative position of the valve member; bias means providing tension against said moveable chamber; stationary piston means with the electro-rheological fluid having perforations therethrough permitting the flow of electro-rheological fluid through the piston; electrode means integral with the piston means for generating an electric field between at least one positive and one negative electrode such that said electro-rheological fluid within said piston solidifies thus controlling the position and movement of the moveable chamber relative to the piston; whereby the position of the piston in relation to the moveable chamber controls the relative position of the exterior of the moveable chamber.

Claim 35

A shock absorber, having a first end and a second end, comprising: a casing, including a first chamber, a second chamber and a divider between the first and second chamber preventing fluid communication between the first and second chambers; compression fluid within the second chamber; a rod which reciprocates in the casing, the rod being positioned axially within the first chamber, and passing axially through the divider and the second chamber, and passing out of the casing and terminating at the second end of the shock absorber; a damping member which reciprocates in the second chamber and which restricts the flow of fluid through the second chamber, the damping member dividing the second chamber into a first section and a second section; the damping member being attached to that portion of the rod passing through the second chamber so that the damping member does not reciprocate to the second end of the shock absorber; the casing being attached to means to anchor the shock absorber at its first end, relative to which the casing does not reciprocate; a by-pass passage external to but in fluid communication with second chamber, said passage permitting fluid communication between the first section and the second section of the second chamber; a valve member in the by-pass passage controlling the flow of fluid between the first and second sections of the second chamber; the valve member controlled by electro-rheological actuating means comprising: a moveable chamber, having an interior filled with electro-rheological fluid and an exterior surface, the relative position of the exterior of the chamber controlling the relative position of the valve member; bias means providing tension against said moveable chamber; stationary piston means with the electro-rheological fluid having perforations therethrough permitting the flow of electro-rheological fluid through the piston; electrode means integral with the piston means for generating an electric field between at least one positive and one negative electrode such that said electro-rheological fluid within said piston solidifies thus controlling the position and movement of the moveable chamber relative to the piston; whereby the position of the piston in relation to the moveable chamber controls the relative position of the exterior of the moveable chamber.