An operating device includes a magnetic disk capable of rotational motion around a rotation axis, a first yoke located on one side and a second yoke located on an other side across the magnetic disk, a coil disposed to overlap the magnetic disk when viewed in a direction along a direction in which the rotation axis extends, a magnetic viscous fluid filled between the magnetic disk and each of the first yoke and the second yoke, a magnetic measurement portion for measuring magnetism caused by a magnetic field using the magnetic viscous fluid, the magnetic disk, the first yoke, and the second yoke as a magnetic path, and a control unit configured to acquire a measured value from the magnetic measurement portion and control a magnetic field that is generated by the coil based on the measured value to change a viscosity of the magnetic viscous fluid.

An active suspension system comprises at least one biasing device configured to support a body from a structure, and at least one motor. A magnetorheological (MR) fluid clutch apparatus(es) is coupled to the at least one motor to receive torque from the motor, the MR fluid clutch apparatus controllable to transmit a variable amount of torque. A mechanism is between the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus and the body to convert the torque received from the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus into a force on the body. Sensor(s) provide information indicative of a state of the body or structure. A controller receives the information indicative of the state of the body or structure and for outputting a signal to control the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus in exerting a desired force on the body to control movement of the body according to a desired movement behavior.

A tensioning set comprises an output member. A magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus is configured to receive a degree of actuation (DOA) and connected to the output member, the magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus being actuatable to selectively transmit the received DOA through the output member by controlled slippage. A tensioning member is connected to the output member so as to be pulled by the output member upon actuation of the magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus, a free end of the tensioning member adapted to exert a pulling action transmitted to an output when being pulled by the output member. The tensioning set, or a comparable compressing set, may be used in systems and robotic arms. A method for controlling movements of an output driven by the tensioning set or compressing set is also provided.

The present disclosure is a high-stability and large-torque magnetorheological fluid clutch. Firstly, in order to prevent sedimentation of the magnetorheological fluid, blades are installed on the disc body of an input disc. When the clutch operates in a power interruption mode, the blades can stir the magnetorheological fluid, so that the sedimented magnetorheological fluid is uniformly mixed. Secondly, in order to improve the maximum transmission torque of the magnetorheological fluid clutch, an excitation magnetic field is increased in a mode that a permanent magnet and an electromagnet are connected in series. Meanwhile, a third electric push rod is used for pushing the input disc, and the magnetorheological fluid works in a shearing-extruding working mode, so that the yield stress of the magnetorheological fluid is improved. Therefore, the maximum transmission torque of the magnetorheological fluid clutch is improved.

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.

A tensioning set comprises an output member. A magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus is configured to receive a degree of actuation (DOA) and connected to the output member, the magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus being actuatable to selectively transmit the received DOA through the output member by controlled slippage. A tensioning member is connected to the output member so as to be pulled by the output member upon actuation of the magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus, a free end of the tensioning member adapted to exert a pulling action transmitted to an output when being pulled by the output member. The tensioning set, or a comparable compressing set, may be used in systems and robotic arms. A method for controlling movements of an output driven by the tensioning set or compressing set is also provided.

A magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus comprises a stator having at least an annular wall; a first rotor rotatably mounted to the stator, the first rotor having at least one first shear surface; a second rotor rotatably mounted to the stator for 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. A magnetorheological (MR) fluid is 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. An inner magnetic core and an outer magnetic core with an annular cavity therebetween receive the annular wall of the stator, the inner magnetic core and the outer magnetic core connected to at least one of the rotors to rotate therewith so as to be rotatably mounted to the stator. Outer and inner fluid gaps are between the inner magnetic core and the annular wall, and between the outer magnetic core and the annular wall, the outer and inner fluid gaps filled with at least one fluid. At least one coil is supported by the annular wall and actuatable to deliver a magnetic field through the MR fluid, the magnetic field following a path comprising the annular wall, the outer fluid gap, the outer magnetic core, the at least one first shear surface and the at least one second shear surface, the inner magnetic core and the inner fluid gap, wherein one of the rotors is adapted to be coupled to a power input and the other of the rotors is adapted to be connected to an output whereby actuation of the at least one coil results in a variation of torque transmission between the rotors.

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 clutch system is provided. The clutch system includes an outer unit having a surface defining an aperture in the outer unit; an inner unit disposed in the aperture, wherein a shape of the inner unit matches a shape of the aperture; a low melting point material disposed in the aperture between the inner unit and the surface of the outer unit; a heating element; a temperature sensor; and a processor in electronic communication with the heating element and the temperature sensor. The processor is configured to control the heating element thereby changing the low melting point material between a soft state and a rigid state.