Magnetorheological damper charging system

摘要

A novel and improved magnetorheological (MR) damper charging system is provided which simply and effectively substantially minimizes MR fluid leakage during a MR damper assembly process thereby minimizing cleanup and reducing costs. The damper charging system includes a charging body having a bore for receiving damper components and damper fluid, at least one inlet formed in the charging body for delivering fluid to the bore, and a magnetic field generating assembly mounted at the inlet and operable in an energized state to generate a magnetic field across the inlet to cause MR fluid in the inlet to experience a MR effect sufficient to prevent leakage flow through and from the inlet. An inlet valve is mounted on the charging body for controlling flow of fluid through the inlet into the bore. The magnetic field generating assembly is positioned to generate magnetic flux within a clearance gap between the valve and the inlet walls thereby blocking flow and preventing leakage through the clearance gap as the MR damper components move past the inlet.