apphcation mechanism for

subsequent selective activation

upon heating.

Patent number: US 6149742

Publication date: 2 1 November

2000

Inventors: B.F. Carpenter, J.L.

Draper

Fabricating iron-cobalt

magnetostrictive alloy Applicant: Lucent Technologies,

USA

This relates to an alloy exhibiting

high magnetostriction in relatively

low applied magnetic fields which

can be formed in a relatively easy

manner and has desirable physical

properties. The Co-Fe alloy exhibits

a magnetostriction of at least 100

times 10 sup -6 in a magnetic field

less than 400 Oe, advantageously in

a magnetic field less than 100 Oe.

The alloy is formed by plastically

deforming the alloy, for example,

by cold rolling, to a reduction in

cross-sectional area of at least 50%,

and then heat treating the alloy to

induce recrystallisation. This

combination of plastic deformation

and recrystallisation was found to

provide desirable grain growth and

microstructure. The resultant alloy

is useful in various device

components, such as transducers,

frequency filters, signal delay lines

and optical fibre grating devices.

Patent number: US 6153020

Publication date: 28 November

2000

Inventors: L-H. Chen, S. Jin, T.J.

KIemmer, H. Mavoori

Magnetically tunable and

latchable laser Applicant: Lucent Technologies,

Inc., USA

The invention provides a device

with an improved tunable laser

structure, the structure useful with

surface emitting lasers and capable

of exhibiting desirable latchability.

The tunable laser contains a laser

structure with a lower reflector, an

active laser region and an upper

reflector. The upper reflector

contains a non-movable reflector

portion located adjacent to the

active laser region and a movable

reflector portion located a spaced

distance from the non-movable

reflector portion. A magnetic

material is located either on a

surface of the movable reflector

portion or on a surface in contact

with the movable reflector portion,

and a programmable magnet is

located near the magnetic material.

The magnet is capable of inducing

controlled movement of the

magnetic material. This in turn

induces movement of the movable

reflector portion so that the spaced

distance between the movable

reflector portion and the non-

movable reflector portion is capable

of being adjusted. By adjusting this

spaced distance (i.e. the air gap

between the movable and non-

movable reflector portions), the

phase of reflection and thus the

laser output wavelength is

controlled.

Patent number: US 6154471

Publication date: 28 November

2000

Inventors: S. Jin, H. Mavoori

MEMS scanning mirror for

laser scanner Applicant: Intermec II’ Corp., USA

A light beam scanner comprises a

light source providing a beam of

light and a microelectromechanical

systems (MEMS) scanning mirror

that reflects the beam of light

through a light-transmissive

window. A light detector receives

the light that is reflected off a target

and passes back through the light-

transmissive window. The MEMS

scanning mirror oscillates to

provide a scan pattern to the beam

of light. The MEMS scanning

mirror comprises a resonate

transducer in order to oscillate the

reflective surface to provide a

desired scan pattern.

Patent number: US 6155490

Publication date: 5 December 2000

Znventor: H.S. Ackley

Two-way MR fluid valve Applicant: Lord Corporation, USA

This invention relates to a

controllable valve assembly

applicable in magnetorheological

(MR) fluid devices such as MR

mounts and MR dampers. The

valve assembly includes a valve

body containing a magnetic circuit

which carries magnetic flux $I, a

controllable passageway within the

magnetic circuit, a MR

(magnetically controlled) fluid

including soft-magnetic particles in

a liquid carrier contained in the

controllable passageway, a magnetic

flux generator, such as a wound

wire coil, generating magnetic flux

.phi. which is directed through the

MR fluid in the controllable

passageway thereby generating

‘rhzology’ changes causing

restriction in flow of MR fluid. In

one aspect, a one-way check valve is

operative with a passive passageway

which is arranged in parallel

relationship to the controllable

passageway. This provides

‘asymmetric’ damping across the

controllable valve, creating higher

pressure differentials in a first

direction and lower in a second

direction without ‘rapidly

switching’ the current to the coil. In

another aspect, ‘asymmetric’

damping is provided by a

‘changeable gap’ formed by a

movable wall portion of the

controllable passageway. In a third

aspect, a first controllable

passageway provides controllable

flow in a first direction and a

second controllable passageway

provides controllable flow in a

second direction, thereby provide

asymmetry. In a fourth aspect,

asymmetry is provides by a ‘variable

magnetic short’ which changes

magnetic circuit reluctance

dependent on flow direction.

Patent number: US 6158470

Publication date: 12 December

2000

Inventors: D.E. Ivers, J.D. Carlson,

M.R. Jolly, M.J. Chrzan, D.R.

Prindle, K.A. St. Clair

Magnetorheological grip Applicant: Lord Corporation, USA

A deformable grip has been

developed for handheld

implements such as writing pens

and other handheld equipment

such as shaving instruments,

medical instruments, sporting

equipment and similar articles. The

grip can be deformed in

conformance with the user’s hands

and fingers. The present grip

includes an elastomeric sleeve filled

with a magnetorheological fluid

and a magnetic field generator that

acts upon such fluid to adjust grip

deformability. In a preferred form

of the invention, the implement

body or other equipment handle is

configured to include a recessed

cavity within which the (MR)

fluid-filled sleeve is located. A

permanent magnet assembly is

disposed within the tubular sleeve

such that in an on-state of the

present grip, the magnetic flux field

extends radially to pass through the

(MR) fluid to solidify it

instantaneously in a relatively

nondeformable set condition in

conformance with the user’s

anatomical contours. In an off-state

of the grip, the magnetic flux field

is diverted from the (MR) fluid,

which reverts back to a soft,

deformable condition. The

deformability of the grip is

controlled by a sliding mechanical

mechanism within the pen.

Patent number: US 6 1589 10

Publication date: 12 December

2000

Inventors: M.R. Jolly, S.R. Bryan

ulletin

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