Appeal No. 95-1872
Application 07/953,340
The Claimed Subject Matter
The claims on appeal are directed to an electro-rheological fluid composition. Appellant defines
“electro-rheological fluids” on page 1 of the specification as follows:
Electro-rheological fluids are slurries composed of a non-conducting fluid medium and a
particulate. The particulate is responsive to a high-voltage electric field applied across
small gap (1-2mm) electrodes placed in the fluid. The reaction by the particulate
effectively changes the viscosity of the fluid in the localized area between the electrodes.
The claimed electro-rheological fluid composition comprises a dielectric oil such as silicon oil and a
particulate. The particulate is defined as a polymeric sponge material which has entrapped therein an
electro-rheological constituent such as water. Claim 1 is illustrative of the claimed subject matter and reads
as follows:
1. An electro-rheological fluid composition comprising a dielectric oil and a particulate
mixed therein, said particulate being 20-50% by weight of said electro-rheological fluid
composition and consisting essentially of a polymeric sponge material entrapping an
electro-rheological constituent, said electro-rheological constituent being liquid having
molecules with high polar moments, said polymeric sponge material being inert with respect
to said dielectric oil and existing as 10-30 micron diameter beads, each said bead having
a network of pores and a calculated cross-linking density in excess of 10%, said electro-
rheological constituent having been entrapped in each said network of pores during
polymerization of each said bead, wherein said electro-rheological constituent remains
entrapped in said polymeric sponge material when mixed in said dielectric oil.
2
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