An aircraft steering system includes an electric actuator, a clutch, at least one plasma actuator, and a controller. The electric actuator is configured to vary an angle of a flight control surface of an aircraft. The clutch is configured to cut off torque by driving of the electric actuator. The torque is to be transmitted to the flight control surface. The at least one plasma actuator is configured to form a flow of air on a surface of the flight control surface when the torque is cut off. The controller is configured to control the electric actuator, the clutch, and the at least one plasma actuator.

A torque generating device includes a magnetic disk configured to rotate around a rotation axis, first and second yokes located on opposite sides across the magnetic disk, a coil disposed to overlap the magnetic disk along a direction of the rotation axis, a third yoke of which at least a region proximity to the magnetic disk is located outside the magnetic disk and the coil and that makes up a magnetic path of a magnetic field generated by the coil with the first and second yokes, and a magnetic viscous fluid filled between the magnetic disk and the first and second yokes. The third yoke has a magnetic gap between the third and first yokes. The magnetic gap is formed at a position outside an outer peripheral edge of the magnetic disk or overlapping the outer peripheral edge of the magnetic disk along the direction of the rotation axis.

Clutch apparatus, systems, and related methods for use with vehicle stabilizer bars are disclosed. A disclosed stabilizer bar disconnect system includes a fluidic clutch configured to control torque transferred between first and second bar members during a driving event to control a roll stiffness of a vehicle. The fluidic clutch includes: a housing, a fluid chamber in the housing; a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the fluid chamber; first and second fluid control members in the fluid chamber and connected to the first and second bar members, and fluid valves configured to control a flow of a fluid through the fluid chamber and the fluid reservoir. The fluidic clutch is changeable between a connected state in which the fluidic clutch couples the first bar member to the second bar member and a disconnected state in which the fluidic clutch decouples the first bar member from the second bar member.

A system for assisting a user in moving a device relative to a structure comprises a magnetorheological (MR) fluid actuator unit including at least one torque source and at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus having an input coupled to the at least one torque source to receive torque from the at least one torque source, the MR fluid clutch apparatus controllable to transmit a variable amount of assistance force via an output thereof. An interface is configured for coupling the output of the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus to the device or surrounding structure. At least one sensor provides information about a movement of the device. A processor unit for controlling the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus in exerting the variable amount of assistance force as a function of said information, wherein the system is configured for one of the MR fluid actuator unit and the interface to be coupled to the structure, and for the other of the MR fluid actuator unit and the interface to be coupled to the device for the assistance force from the MR fluid actuator unit to assist in moving the device.

The present invention discloses a brake-by-wire actuator based on motor-magnetorheological fluid clutch. The system includes a motor, a transmission mechanism and a floating-caliper disc mechanism. The transmission mechanism includes a magnetorheological fluid clutch, a planetary gear set and a ball screw set. The ball screw set includes balls, a ball screw and a sleeve. The floating-caliper disc mechanism includes a brake pad back plate, left and right brake pads, a caliper body, a brake disc and a guide rail. The motor and the magnetorheological fluid clutch cascaded in series, the linear motion of the sleeve of the ball screw set is achieved by the magnetorheological fluid clutch and the transmission mechanism. The sleeve pushes forward the brake pad back plate of the floating-caliper disc mechanism to clamp the brake disc by left and right brake pads, which accomplishes braking. The present invention uses a brake-by-wire actuator based on motor-magnetorheological fluid clutch, which not only has the advantages of fast response and improved braking security, but also solves the problem of the motor stalling during long time braking.

In an aspect a device for a driven shaft is provided that receives an input torque that varies cyclically between a peak input torque and a low input torque at a peak input torque frequency, which includes a shaft adapter, a rotary drive member, at least one isolation member, a torsional vibration damping structure including an inertia member and a elastomeric damping member, and a supplemental damping structure. The supplemental damping structure applies a supplemental damping torque to resist relative movement between the rotary drive member and the inertia member in addition to damping provided by the elastomeric damping member. A sum of torques including the supplemental damping torque limits a maximum twist between a first end of the driven shaft and a second end of the driven shaft, to below a yield point of the driven shaft.

A system comprises magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatuses, each magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus including a first rotor having at least one first shear surface, a second rotor rotating about a common axis with the first rotor, the second rotor having at least one second shear surface opposite the at least one first shear surface, the shear surfaces separated by at least one annular space, magnetorheological (MR) fluid in an MR fluid chamber including the at least one annular space, the MR fluid configured to generate a variable amount of torque transmission between the rotors when subjected to a magnetic field, and coil(s) actuatable to deliver a magnetic field through the MR fluid such that each said magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus is actuatable to selectively transmit actuation by controlled slippage of the rotors with respect to one another. The MR fluid chambers of the second magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatuses are in fluid communication for the MR fluid to circulate between the magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatuses.

The present invention relates to a joint mechanism (100), a method for controlling the joint mechanism (100), a multi-arm device (200) including the joint mechanism (100), and a robot. The joint mechanism (100) comprises: a base (4) having a pivot shaft (41); a swinging arm (1) having a first end (11) mounted on the pivot shall (41); a first driving member (2) and a second driving member (3) mounted on the pivot shall (41) for interacting with the swinging arm (1) through magnetorheological fluid; and a first electromagnetic component (22) and a second electromagnetic component (32), configured to change phase state of the magnetorheological fluid. The first driving member (2) and the second driving member (3) can selectively drive tire swinging arm (1) to rotate along a first direction or a second direction.

A mechanical actuator system has variable and controllable mechanical impedance. Such a mechanical actuator system may be used to effectuate a degree of freedom in a robot, i.e., to control speed, output torque and direction of movement of a robotic component, such as a joint, wheel, arm, wrist or grabber. Mechanical impedance, i.e., an amount of “resistance” the robot presents to a human user, can be controlled for safety and rehabilitation purposes. The mechanical actuator system includes a mechanical differential and two adjustable-engagement clutches driven by motor. Advantageously, the motor may turn at a constant speed and direction, yet the mechanical actuator system can be controlled to turn in either direction and at a desired speed. The adjustable-engagement clutches may be electrorheological (ER) fluid clutches, magnetorheological (MR) fluid clutches, conventional dry friction clutches or any other type of clutch whose degrees of engagement can be controlled.

A mechanical actuator system has variable and controllable mechanical impedance. Such a mechanical actuator system may be used to effectuate a degree of freedom in a robot, i.e., to control speed, output torque and direction of movement of a robotic component, such as a joint, wheel, arm, wrist or grabber. Mechanical impedance, i.e., an amount of “resistance” the robot presents to a human user, can be controlled for safety and rehabilitation purposes. The mechanical actuator system includes a mechanical differential and two adjustable-engagement clutches driven by motor. Advantageously, the motor may turn at a constant speed and direction, yet the mechanical actuator system can be controlled to turn in either direction and at a desired speed. The adjustable-engagement clutches may be electrorheological (ER) fluid clutches, magnetorheological (MR) fluid clutches, conventional dry friction clutches or any other type of clutch whose degrees of engagement can be controlled.