Patent ID: 6827822
Filing Date: 2004-12-07
Classification: C10M,C10N,F15B,F16F

Abstract:
A method for increasing the yield shear stress of an electrorheological fluid, the method comprising the steps of:a) applying a sufficient electric field to the electrorheological fluid to cause particles within the electrorheological fluid to form into chains of particles within the electric field; and b) applying a sufficient pressure to the electrorheological fluid, after step a) and while substantially maintaining the electric field applied In step a), to cause the chains of particles to thicken or aggregate and Impart to the electrorheological fluid an increase in the yield shear stress; wherein the electric field applied in step a) is in the range of about 250 V/mm to about 3000 V/mm and the pressure applied in step b) is in the range of about 50 kPa to about 850 kPa.