US5452957A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Center bearing assembly including support member containing rheological fluid
Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group LLC
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Filing: 1994-11-22
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Granted: 1995-09-26
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Expires: 2014-11-22
Abstract
Abstract A center bearing assembly includes a roller bearing adapted to receive and rotatably support a coupling shaft and a bracket adapted to be secured to a vehicle frame. A support member is provided which supports the roller bearing within the bracket. The support member includes a bladder formed of an elastomeric material. The bladder contains a rheological fluid which exhibits a significant change in its ability to flow or shear upon the application of an appropriate energy field. Preferably, the bladder contains a magneto-rheological magnetic fluid. By varying the power supplied to an electromagnet located adjacent the bladder, the vibration dampening characteristics of the support member may be varied depending upon the operating conditions of the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 James A. Duggan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 06:45
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K17/00; B60K17/22; B60K17/24; F; F16; F16C; F16C19/00; F16C27/00; F16C27/04; F16C27/06; F16C27/066; F16C35/00; F16C35/04; F16C35/042; F16C35/047; F16F; F16F9/00; F16F9/32; F16F9/53; F16C19/02; F16C19/04; F16C19/06; F16C2326/00; F16C2326/01; F16C2326/06; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/21; Y10T74/2121; Y10T74/2122
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
57 words
A center bearing assembly adapted to rotatably support a rotatable shaft on a vehicle frame comprising: a rolling bearing adapted to rotatably support the rotatable shaft; a bracket adapted to be secured to a vehicle frame; and a support member supporting said roller bearing within said bracket, said support member including a bladder containing a rheological fluid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
57 words
A center bearing assembly adapted to rotatably support a rotatable shaft on a vehicle frame comprising: a rolling bearing adapted to rotatably support the rotatable shaft; a bracket adapted to be secured to a vehicle frame; and a support member supporting said roller bearing within said bracket, said support member including a bladder containing a rheological fluid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The center bearing assembly defined in claim 1 further including means for selectively applying an energy field to said rheological fluid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The center bearing assembly defined in claim 2 wherein said rheological fluid is a magneto-rheological fluid, and wherein said means for applying an energy field includes an electromagnet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The center bearing assembly defined in claim 2 further including a sensor for sensing an operating condition of said vehicle, said means for selectively applying said energy field being connected to said sensor so as to vary said energy field in response to said operating condition.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The center bearing assembly defined in claim 4 wherein said sensor senses the radial displacement of said center bearing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The center bearing assembly defined in claim 4 wherein said sensor senses the axial displacement of said center bearing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The center bearing assembly defined in claim 4 wherein said sensor senses the radial acceleration of said center bearing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The center bearing assembly defined in claim 4 wherein said sensor senses axial acceleration of said center bearing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The center bearing assembly defined in claim 4 further including a shaft rotatably mounted within said center bearing, and wherein said sensor senses the angular displacement of said shaft.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The center bearing assembly defined in claim 1 further including a shaft rotatably mounted within said center bearing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The center bearing assembly defined in claim 1 wherein said bladder is generally annular in shape.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
60 words
A rotatable shaft and center bearing assembly adapted to rotatably mount the shaft to a vehicle frame, comprising: a rolling bearing; a shaft rotatably mounted within said roller bearing; a bracket adapted to be secured to a vehicle frame; and a support member supporting said roller bearing within said bracket, said support member including a bladder containing a rheological fluid.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
60 words
A rotatable shaft and center bearing assembly adapted to rotatably mount the shaft to a vehicle frame, comprising: a rolling bearing; a shaft rotatably mounted within said roller bearing; a bracket adapted to be secured to a vehicle frame; and a support member supporting said roller bearing within said bracket, said support member including a bladder containing a rheological fluid.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The rotatable shaft and center bearing assembly defined in claim 12 further including means for selectively applying an energy field to said rheological fluid.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The rotatable shaft and center bearing assembly defined in claim 13 wherein said rheological fluid is a magneto-rheological fluid, and wherein said means for selectively applying said energy field includes an electromagnet.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
49 words
The rotatable shaft and center bearing assembly defined in claim 13 further including a sensor for sensing an operating condition of said vehicle, said means for selectively applying said energy field being connected to said sensor so as to vary said energy field in response to said operating condition.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
43 words
A vehicle comprising: a frame; a rolling bearing; a shaft rotatably mounted within said roller bearing; a bracket secured to said frame; and a support member supporting said roller bearing within said bracket, said support member including a bladder containing a rheological fluid.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
43 words
A vehicle comprising: a frame; a rolling bearing; a shaft rotatably mounted within said roller bearing; a bracket secured to said frame; and a support member supporting said roller bearing within said bracket, said support member including a bladder containing a rheological fluid.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The vehicle defined in claim 16 further including means for selectively applying an energy field to said rheological fluid.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The vehicle defined in claim 17 wherein said rheological fluid is a magneto-rheological fluid, and wherein said means for selectively applying said energy field includes an electromagnet.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
44 words
The vehicle defined in claim 17 further including a sensor for sensing an operating condition of said vehicle, said means for selectively applying said energy field being connected to said sensor so as to vary said energy field in response to said operating condition.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-09-25 | 1999-03-27 | 1999-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-09-25 | 2003-03-27 | 2003-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-09-25 | 2007-03-27 | 2007-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |