Abstract: A shock absorber cartridge for use in a shock absorber assembly. The shock absorber cartridge includes a cartridge containment member having an inner cavity, an opening, and a lip about the opening. The shock absorber cartridge also includes an inner shock assembly disposed substantially in the inner cavity of the cartridge containment member. The inner shock assembly includes an inner shock cylinder. The lip of the cartridge containment member engages-the outer surface of the inner shock assembly, preferably at the outer surface of the inner shock cylinder.

Abstract: The motor vehicle shock absorber selectively enables the selective realtime adjustments to the shock absorber damping based on driving conditions and desired driving characteristics. The adjustments are achieved by using a solenoid assembly to exert a valve closing force, which is selectively adjustable, on the compression valve and so as to control the damping characterization of a shock absorber. The design and construction of the compression head assembly and end cap assembly of the shock absorber permit these assemblies to be manufactured as subassemblies and then brought together and expeditiously assembled so as to minimize the cost of manufacturing the shock absorber.

Abstract: A vehicular suspension strut or shock absorber of the type which is connected to a wheel spindle by means of a mounting bracket and which operates in conjunction with a helical coil spring is disclosed. The suspension strut includes a strut body that has upper and lower increased diameter portions or dimples which form lands for receiving the spring seat assembly and the lower mounting bracket, respectively. The spring seat assembly is adapted to be mounted on and held in place by the upper increased diameter portion or dimples, and the lower mounting bracket is adapted to be mounted on the lower increased diameter portion or dimples, which advantageously avoids having to separately weld the spring seat assembly and mounting bracket to the strut body.

Abstract: A proximity detection apparatus for detecting objects within a predetermined space. The apparatus comprises a transmitter, a receiver, a processor, and a power supply that provides electrical potential to the transmitter, the receiver, and the processor. The processor produces transmitted data bursts to the transmitter, the transmitter emits optical data bursts toward the predetermined space where, if the object is present, the optical data bursts reflect off of the object as return optical bursts. The receiver detects the return optical bursts and transmits received data bursts to the processor. The processor compares the received data bursts against the transmitted data bursts to verify that the object is present in the predetermined space. The processor produces an output signal to control equipment based the object being present or absent from the predetermined space. A dispensing system embodiment may include a portion control device.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for controlling damping in a shock absorber based on the relative acceleration between the shock main body and the piston rod extended from the shock main body. The shock absorber has a reservoir compartment and a fluid-filled internal chamber divided into a compression compartment and a rebound compartment by a movable piston. A piston rod is connected to the piston and extends through a seal in the rebound end of the internal chamber. The shock absorber contains flow passages connecting, and normally allowing fluid to flow between, the reservoir compartment, the compression compartment and the rebound compartment. Fluid flow in the flow passages, which is directly related to the relative motion between the shock main body and the piston rod assembly, is allowed or inhibited based on the relative acceleration between shock absorber components.

Abstract: A sensor mountable within a hydraulic cylinder provides a precision signal indicative of the position of the piston utilizing a non-contacting electromechanical transducer. The sensor includes a flexible connector attached between the cylinder piston and a converting element for sensing the displacement of the cylinder piston. The converting element comprises a pick-up spool coupled to the other end of the connector and rotatable about an axis. The spool is under tension from a spring coupled to the spool. A lead screw engages threads on the interior of the spool, and translates along an axis when the spool rotates. A transducer is disposed to sense the position of the lead screw, and provides an output signal proportional to the motion or position of the movable element. The transducer may be an LVDT or other non-contacting transducer.

Abstract: An apparatus for damping vibrations between the torque producing device and the transmission of torque has a member having a pair of generally parallel plates with a spacer bar disposed between the plates, and an output member disposed between the plates. The input and output members are angularly movable with each other about a common axis and relative to each other from neutral positions. A torsional damping member is disposed between the input and output members, the torsional damping members being in contact with the spacer bar and enclosed within an annular chamber formed between the input and output members.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for controlling and making real-time adjustments to damping in a shock absorber based on driving conditions and desired driving characteristics. The shock absorber has a reservoir compartment and a fluid-filled internal chamber divided into a compression compartment and a rebound compartment by a movable piston. A piston rod is connected to the piston and extends through a seal in the rebound end of the internal chamber. The shock absorber contains flow passages connecting, and normally allowing fluid to flow between, the reservoir compartment, the compression compartment and the rebound compartment. Fluid flow in the flow passages, which is directly related to the relative motion between the shock main body and the piston rod assembly, is controlled by providing a variable valve closing force.

Abstract: An improved seat suspension system including, in combination, an air spring and shock absorber, which comprise an air spring member and a shock absorber member, respectively. The air spring member and shock absorber member are longitudinally coupled to provide support and damping along a longitudinal axis. The air spring member and shock absorber member are coupled in a manner that enables them to be readily separated and independently serviced. A seat suspension also comprises a seat moveably coupled to a seat base that has a support structure. The combination air spring and shock absorber is interposed between the seat and the seat base to govern relative motion between the seat and the seat base. The combination air spring and shock absorber is rotationally coupled at each end to allow angular motion between the longitudinal axis of the combination air spring and shock absorber and the centerline of the seat.

Abstract: An externally adjustable dampening control for a shock absorber provides the ability to adjust the hardness and softness of the ride near the normal curb/ride height, and still give strong resistance, and hence control, when the piston moves beyond the intermediate region. The adjustable dampening control includes a bypass for permitting fluid to bypass the piston when the piston is within an intermediate region of the cylinder corresponding to the normal curb/ride height of the shock. The bypass includes a valve body extending longitudinally along a portion of the hollow cylinder and defining a flow passage having first and second longitudinally spaced ports opening to cylinder and defining a flow passage having first and second longitudinally spaced ports opening to the internal chamber. Resistance to piston movement can be adjusted by rotating a knob to move a second piston into and out of the flow passage, thereby adjusting the amount of fluid that can flow through the bypass flow passage.

Abstract: An annular nut cooperates with threaded sectors, which are formed on the reservoir tube of a shock absorber having a coil over spring preload, to provide for adjustment of the preload. The threaded sectors are equispaced angularly about the longitudinal axis of the reservoir tube of the shock absorber, and the threads of the threaded sectors are disposed in the planes that are substantially traverse to the longitudinal axis of the reservoir tube. The annular nut abuts the adjacent end of the coil over spring and the spring end is attached to the nut so that the spring and annular nut rotate together.

Abstract: Bedding articles which are encased (or of which all or part of the upholstery is enclosed) in an allergen barrier. The allergen barrier comprises an elastic stretch knit substrate laminated with a monolithic, hydrophilic, moisture-vapor permeable elastic film made from at least one polymer and having a thickness of no more than 1 mil.

Abstract: A proximity detection apparatus for detecting objects within a predetermined region. The apparatus comprises a transmitter, a receiver, a microcontroller, and a power supply that provides electrical potential to the transmitter, the receiver, and the microcontroller. The microcontroller produces transmitted data bursts to the transmitter, the transmitter emits optical data bursts toward the predetermined region where, if the object is present, the optical data bursts reflect off of the object as return optical bursts. The receiver detects the return optical bursts and transmits received data bursts to the microcontroller. The microcontroller compares the received data bursts against the transmitted data bursts to verify that the object is present in the predetermined region. The microcontroller produces an output signal to control equipment based the object being present or absent from the predetermined region.

Abstract: A device for the control of mosquito larvae includes a float and a self-contained electrical power source positioned on or within the float. There is a light source extending downwardly from the float and connected to the power source for activation thereof. A walled enclosure depends from the float, which enclosure will be filled with water when the float is placed upon the surface of a body of water. There is a generally 360.degree. circumferential opening generally intermediate the ends of the enclosure which permits the passage of mosquito larvae into the enclosure when attracted by the light source. The opening is located generally adjacent the light source and mosquito larvae attracted by light from the source will swim into the enclosure and then upwardly seeking air and will shortly thereafter expire due to the lack of air within the enclosure.

Abstract: An apparatus for vehicle distribution of solid insecticide-carrying pellets or briquets into bodies of water such as catch basins includes a bracket which is formed and adapted to be supported on the door of a vehicle with the window rolled down. Preferably, the bracket is positioned adjacent the vehicle operator's driving position. The bracket extends outside of the vehicle and has an opening therein. A funnel and a tube are positioned at a location to be accessible to the driver with the tube extending through the bracket opening. The relative sizes of the tube and the opening permit movement of the tube therein so that the vehicle operator may direct the tube to a desired location for application of an insecticide-carrying pellet or briquet. The funnel extends upwardly to a height relative to the bracket which permits the vehicle operator to place an insecticide-carrying pellet therein.

Abstract: An overtravel switch actuator for actuating a switch exposed through a switch housing, includes a housing positioned in a vicinity of the exposed switch. The housing includes opposite side walls having opposite angled elongated slots therein. An actuating lever includes a first end, a second opposite end and an intermediate bent portion between the first and second ends, the bent portion being positioned to actuate the exposed switch. A pin is fixed to the first end of the lever and positioned in the elongated slots for pivotal movement in the slots and for movement along the slots. A double torsion spring is mounted between the housing and the pin and applies a force to the pin. The pin is retained in a substantially fixed position at one end of the slots when an external force is initially applied to the second end of the lever such that the lever pivots about the first end and the bent portion actuates the exposed switch.

Abstract: A programmable logic controller (PLC) in an operating system such as a machine includes a software development tool having labels in a first field to identify and describe specific input/output (I/O) points in the PLC. Each label assignment can be used in the formation of rungs in a ladder logic array to facilitate programming of the PLC. The PLC also allows for the entry of descriptive comments in a second comment field associated with each label assignment to assist the programmer. Secondary function instructions replace the descriptive comments in the comment portion of a label, or in the comment field, to generate a diagnostic, or status, indication such as an alarm for the machine when executed by the PLC. Comments for labels are transformed by a translator, with a file containing the labels and associated comments accessed and scanned for label comments with the appropriate syntax. Secondary function instructions are recognized by the use of specific key words in the comment field.

Abstract: A roll control system for countering the rolling forces generated by a vehicle. The hydraulically operated roll control system is activated by the vehicular speed and steering angle equalling or exceeding predetermined threshold values.