Abstract: A wheel 4 mounted on a vehicle body 2 by a suspension arm 6 can be retained in a raised position by a retaining mechanism 10. The retaining mechanism 10 comprises a latching element 12 which can be disposed in a deployed position by a control element 14. When the control element 14 is moved to a position corresponding to the deployed position of the latching element 12, the latching element 12 is resiliently displaceable towards the vehicle body 2, to allow the suspension arm 6 to rise, for example when the wheel 4 is driven over an obstacle. The latching element 12 can then move to the deployed position to prevent lowering of the arm 6, so retaining the wheel 4 in the raised position. All wheels of the vehicle may be moved to the raised position, so as to reduce the ride height of the vehicle.

Abstract: A suspension unit 1 comprising a resilient arrangement 37 is provided. The damping arrangement 37 comprises a chamber having a primary volume arranged to contain a primary fluid and jounce and rebound variable volumes 58, 60 arranged to contain jounce and rebound fluids respectively. A piston 38 is slidably disposed in the chamber so as to act on the primary fluid and jounce and rebound moveable members 54, 56 separate the primary fluid from jounce and rebound volumes 58, 60 respectively. A jounce abutment member 55 is provided to limit the movement of the jounce moveable member 54 and a rebound abutment member 57 is provided to limit the movement of the rebound moveable member 56. When in use and the piston 38 is in a static position, the jounce moveable member 54 abuts the jounce abutment member 55 and the rebound moveable member 56 abuts the rebound abutment 57 member over a range of temperatures.

Abstract: A suspension unit, for example for a track-laying vehicle, comprises an oil-filled cylinder within which a piston, connected to a piston rod, is provided. The cylinder 4 is oil-filled, and communicates with an upper region of a spring chamber, the lower region 46 of which contains gas under pressure. The piston rod has a hollow interior filled with gas under pressure. The piston is connected by a connecting rod to a secondary piston which is slidable within the piston rod. On rebound the piston rod and the piston move relatively to each other between a retracted end position and an extended end position. During this movement and the return movement, oil is transferred, by way of apertures between damping chambers which serve to damp the relative movement of the piston and the piston rod so avoiding shock loading at the end positions of the movement.

Abstract: A suspension unit is disclosed comprising: a hub 6; a bearing sleeve 24 eccentrically mounted within the hub 6; a crank pin 22 rotatably received within the bearing sleeve 24; and a connecting rod 20, a first end 28 of which is connected for rotation with the crank pin 22 over a connecting area 26 that comprises less than a complete circumference of the crank pin 22; the bearing sleeve 24 comprising a slot 52 through which the connecting rod 20 extends from the first 28 end to a second end.

Abstract: A suspension unit 1 comprising a resilient arrangement 37 is provided. The damping arrangement 37 comprises a chamber having a primary volume arranged to contain a primary fluid and jounce and rebound variable volumes 58, 60 arranged to contain jounce and rebound fluids respectively. A piston 38 is slidably disposed in the chamber so as to act on the primary fluid and jounce and rebound moveable members 54, 56 separate the primary fluid from jounce and rebound volumes 58, 60 respectively. A jounce abutment member 55 is provided to limit the movement of the jounce moveable member 54 and a rebound abutment member 57 is provided to limit the movement of the rebound moveable member 56. When in use and the piston 38 is in a static position, the jounce moveable member 54 abuts the jounce abutment member 55 and the rebound moveable member 56 abuts the rebound abutment 57 member over a range of temperatures.

Abstract: A suspension system comprises a suspension unit having a chamber arranged to contain a fluid; a piston slidably disposed within the chamber so as to act on the fluid; and a sensor arranged to measure load data relating to the load through the suspension unit. The suspension system also comprises a diagnostics processor which is arranged to receive the load data measured by the sensor of the suspension unit, and diagnose the suspension unit as abnormal if the load data received is determined to be abnormal. There is further provided a display arranged to display if the suspension unit is diagnosed as abnormal.

Abstract: There is disclosed a suspension unit comprising a suspension hub having a connecting element which is arranged to be secured to a vehicle chassis and a suspension arm which is mounted on the suspension hub for pivoting movement about an axis of the suspension hub. A resilient arrangement is accommodated within the suspension arm and includes a displaceable element which is connected by a connecting rod to a crank pin supported by the suspension hub at a position spaced from the hub axis. A rotational damper acts between the suspension hub and the suspension arm and comprises a first damping part and a second damping part that are rotatable with respect to one another and which define a damping chamber therebetween which is arranged to contain a damping fluid. A fluid expansion chamber is provided which is arranged to contain excess damping fluid and which is in fluid communication with the damping chamber through a fluid passageway.

Abstract: A suspension unit is disclosed comprising: a hub 6; a bearing sleeve 24 eccentrically mounted within the hub 6; a crank pin 22 rotatably received within the bearing sleeve 24; and a connecting rod 20, a first end 28 of which is connected for rotation with the crank pin 22 over a connecting area 26 that comprises less than a complete circumference of the crank pin 22; the bearing sleeve 24 comprising a slot 52 through which the connecting rod 20 extends from the first 28 end to a second end.

Abstract: A wheel 4 mounted on a vehicle body 2 by a suspension arm 6 can be retained in a raised position by a retaining mechanism 10. The retaining mechanism 10 comprises a latching element 12 which can be disposed in a deployed position by means of a control element 14. When the control element 14 is moved to a position corresponding to the deployed position of the latching element 12, the latching element 12 is resiliently displaceable towards the vehicle body 2, to allow the suspension arm 6 to rise, for example when the wheel 4 is driven over an obstacle. The latching element 12 can then move to the deployed position to prevent lowering of the arm 6, so retaining the wheel 4 in the raised position. All wheels of the vehicle may be moved to the raised position, so as to reduce the ride height of the vehicle.

Abstract: A suspension unit comprises a hub about which a suspension arm is pivotable. The hub is secured to a vehicle chassis or hull by means of a connecting element. The connecting element has a flange provided with holes positioned to coincide with pre-existing holes on the vehicle hole or chassis. The suspension unit can thus be retro-fitted to a vehicle in place of an existing suspension unit of a different kind.

Abstract: A suspension unit comprises a hub about which a suspension arm is pivotable. The hub is secured to a vehicle chassis or hull by means of a connecting element. The connecting element has a flange provided with holes positioned to coincide with pre-existing holes on the vehicle hole or chassis. The suspension unit can thus be retro-fitted to a vehicle in place of an existing suspension unit of a different kind.

Abstract: A suspension unit, for example for a track-laying vehicle, comprises an oil-filled cylinder within which a piston, connected to a piston rod, is provided. The cylinder 4 is oil-filled, and communicates with an upper region of a spring chamber, the lower region 46 of which contains gas under pressure. The piston rod has a hollow interior filled with gas under pressure. The piston is connected by a connecting rod to a secondary piston which is slidable within the piston rod. On rebound the piston rod and the piston move relatively to each other between a retracted end position and an extended end position. During this movement and the return movement, oil is transferred, by way of apertures between damping chambers which serve to damp the relative movement of the piston and the piston rod so avoiding shock loading at the end positions of the movement.

Abstract: A hydraulic damper has a rotor (38) with vanes (36) sweeping through respective working chambers (56, 54) defined by a stator ring (12) with integral stator abutments (50). An orifice (64) is formed in each vane to permit flow past each vane which has reduced temperature dependence. Valves (66) in the vanes open at excessive torque. One stator abutment (50) is hollowed to enable overall dimensions of the damper to be reduced. In one embodiment the hollowed stator abutment receives a spool valve (70) enabling replenishment of the working chambers when at low pressure. In other embodiments the hollowed stator abutment accommodates the other torsion bar spring of a pair, so enabling the spring spacing to be reduced.