Magnetorheological fluid brake and force-feedback system for a steering mechanism

摘要

The brake has a positive displacement fluid pump with two ports (20, 22). The pump pumps a magnetorheological fluid from one port to the other when a pump shaft is rotated relative to a pump housing. A viscosity regulator (14) is connected between the two ports. The regulator varies the viscosity of the fluid so as to vary pumping restriction against the pump. The variation results in variable resistance to shaft rotation. An independent claim is also included for a steering mechanism for a vehicle.