System and method for limiting vibration in an apparatus during a loss of power

Abstract

An apparatus comprising a frame; a member movable relative to said frame; a damping device interconnected between the frame and the movable member; a controller for activating said damper to generate a damping condition at a predetermined member operating condition; and system for activating the damping device at a predetermined operating condition of the moving member during a loss of power to the apparatus. The damping device may comprise a field controllable damper that includes a volume of field controllable fluid, which may in turn comprise magnetorheological fluid for example. The rheology of the field controllable fluid is effected during the application of said field.

1 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a) a frame;    b) a member movable relative to said frame;    c) damping means including a volume of a field controllable medium, the field controllable damper interconnected between the frame and the movable member;    d) a controller for activating said field controllable damper to generate a damping condition at a predetermined member operating condition; and    e) means for activating said damping means at a predetermined operating condition of the moving member during a loss of power to the apparatus.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the device is a washing machine.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the device is a front loading washing machine.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the device is a top loading washing machine.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the device is a centrifuge.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the field controllable medium is a magnetorheological medium.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the magnetorheological medium is a magnetorheological fluid.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the magnetorheological medium is a magnetorheological powder  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the damping means is a piston-type damper.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said means for activating said damping means during a loss of power to the apparatus is comprised of a secondary controller and a storage device, said secondary controller being in signal receiving relation with the storage device.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said storage device is comprised of at least one battery.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the storage device is comprised of at least one capacitor.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said means for activating said damping means during a loss of power to the apparatus is comprised of a secondary controller and a means for generating a signal for activating the secondary controller and damping means, said secondary controller being in signal receiving relation with the signal generating means and being in signal transmitting relation with the damping means.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the signal generating means is a storage device.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the storage device is a battery.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the storage device is a capacitor.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the signal generating device is a generator.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the signal generating device is a DC motor.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the signal generating device is comprised of a magnet mounted on the damper and a coil proximate the coil.  
   
   
       20 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a) a frame;    b) a member movable relative to said frame;    c) damping means including a volume of a field controllable medium, the field controllable damper interconnected between the frame and the movable member;    d) a controller for activating said field controllable damper to generate a damping condition at a predetermined member operating condition; and    e) a means for limiting vibration in said apparatus during a loss of power to the apparatus.    
   
   
       21 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 20  wherein the means for limiting vibration is comprised of a brake.  
   
   
       22 . (canceled)  
   
   
       23 . (canceled)  
   
   
       24 . (canceled)  
   
   
       25 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 20  wherein said means for limiting vibration is comprised of a secondary controller in signal receiving relation with a storage device, said secondary controller being in signal transmitting relation with said damping means.  
   
   
       26 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 20  wherein said means for limiting vibration is comprised of a secondary controller in signal receiving relation with a DC motor, said secondary controller being in signal transmitting relation with said damping means.  
   
   
       27 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 20  wherein said means for limiting vibration is comprised of a secondary controller in signal receiving relation with a generator, said secondary controller being in signal transmitting relation with said damping means.  
   
   
       28 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 25  wherein the storage means is a battery.  
   
   
       29 . In an apparatus comprising a frame; a movable member; a damping device including a volume of a field controllable medium, the field controllable damper interconnected between the frame and the movable member; a controller for activating said field controllable damper to generate a damping condition at a predetermined member operating condition; and means for activating the damping device at a predetermined operating condition of the moving member, the method comprising the steps of upon loss of power to the apparatus, supplying an activating signal to the means for activating the damping device and as required supplying activating signals to the damping device to change the rheology of the field controllable medium in the damping device.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 29  further comprising the additional step of sending a signal from the controller to the damper activating means at predetermined intervals.  
   
   
       31 . In an apparatus comprising a frame; a movable member; a damping device interconnected between the frame and the movable member where said damping device is activated in response to a signal; a controller for supplying said signal to activate said damper to generate a damping condition at a predetermined member operating condition; and means for activating the damping device at a predetermined operating condition of the moving member, the method comprising the steps of upon loss of power to the apparatus, supplying an activating signal to the means for activating the damping device and as required supplying activating signals to the damping device to provide the required damping to the apparatus.  
   
   
       32 . The method as claimed in  claim 31  wherein the damper comprises a field controllable damper comprising a volume of field controllable material, the method comprising the further step of changing the rheology of the field controllable medium in the damping device when the signal is sent to the damping device.  
   
   
       33 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a) a frame;    b) a member movable relative to said frame;    c) damping means interconnected between the frame and the movable member, said damping means for supplying damping in response to an actuating signal;    d) a controller for actuating said damper to generate a damping condition at a predetermined member operating condition; and    e) means for limiting vibration in said apparatus during a loss of power to the apparatus.    
   
   
       34 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 33  wherein the damping means is a field controllable damper, said damping means comprising a volume of a field controllable medium.  
   
   
       35 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 34  wherein the field controllable medium is magnetorheological fluid.