Patent ID: 7900755
Filing Date: 2011-03-08
Classification: F16F

Abstract:
1. An energy absorbing device comprising: a damper assembly having inner and outer concentric tubes and a piston movable within the inner tube; wherein the damper assembly is configured to form bi-fold valve-type cavities to operatively connect an inner chamber of the inner tube with an outer chamber formed between the inner and outer tubes; a magnetorheological fluid filling the chambers and the bi-fold valve-type cavities; electrical coils adjacent to the bi-fold valve-type cavities; wherein the damper assembly, the magnetorheological fluid, and the electrical coils are configured so that the electrical coils are selectively energizable such that the energy absorbing device provides a full range of desired tunability of damper force over a relevant range of piston velocities in automotive applications; electrical wires extending from the electrical coils; an electrical connector having: