Patent ID: 6547044
Filing Date: 2003-04-15
Classification: B60G,F16F

Abstract:
A magneto-rheological (â€œMRâ€ ) fluid damper comprising:a damper body tube containing an MR fluid; a piston assembly disposed in the damper body tube to form an annular flow gap between the piston assembly and the damper body tube, the piston assembly comprising a piston core containing ferrous material and an electromagnetic coil mounted on the piston core for generating a magnetic field, and a flux ring surrounding and operatively coupled to the piston core to form the annular flow gap with the piston core, the flux ring being in sealing, sliding contact with an inner surface of the damper body tube; and a ferromagnetic member operatively positioned outside of the damper body tube substantially adjacent the piston assembly for providing at least a part of a magnetic flux return path for the magnetic field, the ferromagnetic member operatively cooperating with the flux ring to strengthen the magnetic field passing through the annular flow gap.