No abstract

In this study, a hand master using five miniature magneto-rheological (MR) actuators, which is called 'the smart glove', is introduced. This hand master is intended to display haptic feedback to the fingertip of the human user interacting with any virtual objects in virtual environment. For the smart glove, two effective approaches are proposed: (i) by using the MR actuator which can be considered as a passive actuator, the smart glove is made simple in structure, high in power, low in inertia, safe in interface and stable in haptic feedback, and (ii) with a novel flexible link mechanism designed for the position-force transmission between the fingertips and the actuators, the number of the actuator and the weight of the smart glove can be reduced. These features lead to the improvement in the manipulability and portability of the smart glove. The feasibility of the constructed smart glove is verified through basic performance evaluation.

No abstract

The magnetic droplet should be held in position against the flow of the blood for the magnetic drug targeting. In the present research, as the basis of this problem three types of experiments were conducted. In the first and the second experiments, a two-dimensional and a three-dimensional droplet are placed on the inclined flat plate and are supported by the magnetic force against the gravity. The maximum inclination for the droplet to flow down is measured. In the third experiment, a two-dimensional droplet is placed on the floor of the channel and is held in position by the magnetic force against the flow of the water. The droplet itself can be held at the position of the magnet, but, as the flow is faster, the spikes on the droplet move downstream with the water flow as if they rotate around the droplet.

This paper is concerned with the applicability of the developed MR damper to the landing gear system for the attenuating undesired shock and vibration in the landing and taxing phases. First of all, the experimental model of the MR damper is derived based on the results of performance evaluations. Next, a simplified skyhook controller, which is one of the most straightforward, but effective approaches for improving ride comport in vehicles with active suspensions, is formulated. Finally, the vibration control performances of the landing gear system using the MR damper are theoretically evaluated in the landing phase of the aircraft. A series of simulation analyses show that the proposed MR damper with the skyhook controller is effective for suppressing undesired vibration of the aircraft body.