Patent ID: 8317002
Filing Date: 2012-11-27
Classification: F16F,H01F

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for use on a host structure comprising: a damper; a source of magnetic field coupled to the damper; a colloidal magnetic fluid three phase constituent damping medium disposed in the damper; a sensor installed on the host structure to measure vibrations; and a vibration control circuit, an output of the sensor being fed back to the control circuit, which outputs a command signal to the source of the magnetic field applied to the damper to change the magnetic field in the damper as well as its damping curve so that the dynamic performance of the host structure installed with the damper is changed automatically to yield maximum vibration mitigation, wherein the damping medium comprises a suspension of nanometer-sized ferrous particles and micrometer-sized porous silica particles in a fluid, wherein the nanometer-sized ferrous particles and fluid enter the micrometer-sized porous silica particles upon application of a magnetic field and mechanical load to dissipate energy by alteration of the effective viscosity of the damping medium in the damper.