| 摘要 |
<p>A flow-control valve assembly for an electro-rheological (ER) fluid has an inlet port (12), an outlet port (14) and a flow path for ER fluid extending between the inlet and outlet ports (12 and 14). A flow-control valve is disposed in the flow path and includes a resilient diaphragm (22) which is acted upon by pressure in the flow path and which is moveable towards and away from the free end (40) of a hollow boss (36). A flow restrictor in the form of an annular passage (16) defined by electrodes (8 and 18) is disposed in the flow path upstream of the flow-control valve. An electric field is applied to the ER fluid as it passes between the electrodes (8 and 18) to enable control of the resistance to flow of the ER fluid therethrough, and thereby to enable control of the pressure drop across the diaphragm (22). A bypass passage (39) defining a pressure-relief means is disposed downstream of the flow restrictor and permits flow between inlet and outlet ports (12 and 14) when the flow-control valve is closed.</p> |
