Patent ID: 6637556
Filing Date: 2003-10-28
Classification: F16F

Abstract:
A piston adapted for reciprocating motion along an axis within a working chamber containing a magneto-rheological (MR) fluid therein of a cylinder tube of a damper, the piston comprising:a piston body defining a first and a second face and a fluid flow passage extending through the piston from the first to the second face for directing a flow of MR fluid along a flow direction through the fluid flow passage as the piston reciprocates in the working chamber; and an electromagnetic element within the piston body defining a wall forming a magnetic flux path portion of the fluid flow passage for directing magnetic flux through the wall and the fluid flow passage in a direction generally transverse to the flow direction, the wall including a groove therein extending in a direction generally transverse to the flow direction through the magnetic flux path portion of the fluid passage for intensifying the magnetic flux passing in a direction transverse to the flow direction through the wall and the magnetic flux path portion of the fluid flow passage.