Electrorheological (er) fluid based on amino acid containing metal polyoxo-salts

U.S. Patent Number: 5380450

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrorheological fluid composition comprising a dispersion of a plurality of solid particles in an electrically non-conducting liquid, the improvement comprising using as said solid particles a composition having the general formula: wherein M is a metal cation or a mixture of metal cations at various ratios; p is the total valence of M and has a value of greater than zero; x is zero or has a value greater than zero, y is zero or has a value greater than zero, with the proviso that only one of x or y can be zero at any given time; q has a value of p minus y with the proviso that q has a value of at least one; c has a value of greater than zero; A is an anion or a mixture of anions at various ratios; r is the total valence of A with the proviso that r has a value of at least one; d has a value of greater than zero with the proviso that (q.times.c) is always equal to (r.times.d); B is an amino acid or a mixture of amino acids; z has a value of from 0.01 to 100; and n is a number from 0 to 15. The ER fluids of the present invention have greatly improved yield stress increasing potential stress transfer characteristics, and good dispersion stability.

Inventors: Conway; Lori J. (Hope, MI), Kadlec; Donald A. (Midland, MI), Sudbury-Holtschlag; Joan (Saginaw, MI)

Assignee: Dow Corning Corporation (Midland, MI)

Application Number: 08/188,864

Issued: 1995-01-10

Expired: 2007-01-10

Classes: 252/75 ; 252/572; 252/74; 252/76

Field of search: 252/572,74,75,76

Click the image above to view patent images at uspto.gov within a frame.

Click here for the fulltext page on uspto.gov within a frame.