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Abstract Semi-active devices have been widely investigated and applied due to their advantages in control systems. However, for satisfying complicated applications, some semi-active devices need to be capable of controlling multiple mechanical properties, which is hard to implement with a mechanical network considering the space limitation. In this paper, a semi-active variable equivalent stiffness and inertance (VESI) device is developed by an electrical network and an electromagnetic device instead of a mechanical system. Due to that the inerter and spring can store energy, the dynamic cont...

  If you've ever had an iPhone Lightning cable in your car, you already know how fragile they are. Apple may now have a solution that could also protect any kind of cable. Apple is never going to say that Lightning cables have a death wish, but it has come close in a newly revealed patent application that is really about fixing the problem. "Cable with Variable Stiffness," does not mention Lightning once, nor does it say anything approaching the word "frayed." "It is well known that bending of the cable near the termination point may cause unwanted strain on the wire connections, which may l...

Apple patent application imagines charging cables that might not fray so easily Share this story Image: Apple Apple’s charging cables aren’t exactly known for their durability. They often fray after a year or two and can even break down to the point where they won’t charge your device at all. (I’ve also noticed they can turn an increasingly sour shade of yellow.) But Apple is apparently working on some ideas to make its cables more durable, filing a patent application for a “Cable with Variable Stiffness.” AppleInsider, describes some different ideas for a cable that wouldn’t fr...