Abstract: An elastomeric isolator has an elastomeric body which incorporates an inner structural member and an outer structural member. The elastomeric body includes a shear hub extending between radial flanges defined by the inner and outer structural members that undergoes shearing stresses during deflection of the elastomeric isolator. The inner and outer structural members are designed to provide a travel stop for the elastomeric isolator in order to avoid compression of the shear hub during high loads. The elastomeric bushing can also includes an optional integral elastomeric heat shield which protects the shear hub.

Abstract: A coulomb damper is attached to a component of an exhaust system. The inner surface of the coulomb damper is in intimate contact with the outer surface of the component of the exhaust system. The intimate contact is defined by a pair of weld lines extending along an axial length of the coulomb damper in one embodiment. In another embodiment, the intimate contact is defined by at least a three point contact between the coulomb damper and the component of the exhaust system. In another embodiment a coulomb damper includes an outer member press fit over an inner member. A chamber is defined between the inner and outer member. In one embodiment, the inner member and the outer member are coaxial and the chamber is an annular chamber having a constant radial width. In another embodiment, the chamber is eccentric in relation to the inner member and has a variable radial width.

Abstract: A coulomb damper is attached to a component of an exhaust system. The inner surface of the coulomb damper is in intimate contact with the outer surface of the component of the exhaust system. The intimate contact is defined by a pair of weld lines extending along an axial length of the coulomb damper in one embodiment. In another embodiment, the intimate contact is defined by at least a three point contact between the coulomb damper and the component of the exhaust system.

Abstract: A testing machine tests the durability of backer pads on the track shoe assembly and the surface of the road wheel. The test machine utilizes two eccentric drives to move a section of a road wheel to simulate actual vehicle conditions. A positioning system positions the track shoe assembly with respect to the road wheel to adjust the loading between the two components.

Abstract: A light weight torque rod includes a first end joint assembly, a second end joint assembly and a connecting rod. The connecting rod is a non-ferrous material connecting rod that is produced by an extrusion process. The connecting rod is welded to the first and second end joint assemblies using a welding process which produces a full face weld. The first and second end joint assemblies can include an eye which is manufactured from an extrusion process and the eye can also be manufactured from a non-ferrous material.

Abstract: A mount assembly has a plurality of elastomeric members having a separator plate disposed between adjacent elastomeric members. The separator plate defines a flange which extends toward an adjacent separator plate to confine the elastomeric layer. A mounting plate is located at both ends of the mount assembly and can be used to attach the mount assembly to two components.

Abstract: An elastomeric isolator has an elastomeric body which incorporates an inner structural member and an outer structural member. The elastomeric body includes a shear hub extending between radial flanges or end plates of the inner and outer structural members that undergoes shearing stresses during deflection of the elastomeric isolator. The elastomeric body is bonded to the radial flanges or end plates. The inner structural member includes a radial flange which is axially offset from an axial flange of the outer structural member. The outer structural member includes a radial flange which is axially offset from an axial flange of the inner structural member. With this configuration, excessive stresses on the elastomeric body are avoided during high load movements of the elastomeric isolator.

Abstract: A hydraulic bushing assembly includes an inner tube, an elastomeric bushing disposed around the inner tube, an insert disposed around the elastomeric bushing and an outer tube disposed around the insert. The elastomeric bushing and the insert define a pair of chambers which are connected by a passageway defined by the insert. A pair of intermediate tubes are disposed in the elastomeric bushing at opposite axial ends of the insert.

Abstract: An elastomeric bushing assembly has an inner component, an outer component and an elastomeric bushing disposed between the inner and outer components. A bearing engages the inner component and is disposed between the elastomeric bushing and the inner component. The bearing allows pivoting of the inner component with respect to the bearing. A low friction coating is disposed between the inner component and the bearing to provide a low friction interface.

Abstract: An elastomeric bushing includes an inner component, a pair of outer components and an elastomeric bushing disposed between the inner component and the pair of outer components. An annular gap is defined between the pair of outer components. When the elastomeric bushing is assembled into a housing, the width of the gap is reduced or eliminated increasing the compression of the elastomeric bushing.

Abstract: A mount has an inner metal and an outer metal with an elastomeric bushing disposed between them. The elastomeric bushing includes a first pair of interconnected passages to control the damping rate during axial motion and a second, separate pair of interconnected passages to control the damping rate during motion orthogonal to the axial direction.

Abstract: A sway bar assembly has a center spacer bar which is attached at each end to a lever arm. An elastomeric bushing assembly is disposed between the center spacer bar and each lever arm. At the end of the lever arms opposite to the center sway bar, an elastomeric bushing assembly is attached to each lever arm to facilitate attachment to the vehicle. The elastomeric bushing assembly between the lever arms and the center spacer bar includes an inner metal defined by the center spacer bar, an outer metal defined by the respective lever arm and an elastomeric bushing disposed between the inner and outer metals.

Abstract: A V-configuration torque rod includes an apex joint assembly which includes a cast apex joint housing. A pair of solid rods are threadingly received by the cast apex joint housing and an end joint assembly is attached to the end of each solid rod. A retention system in the form of a clamp or jamb nut secure the solid rods to the cast apex joint housing. A length adjustment mechanism can be incorporated between the solid rods and the end joint assemblies if necessary.

Abstract: A sway bar assembly has a tubular bar extending between two mounts. A pair of brackets mount the center section of the tubular bar to a vehicle. A first solid bar extends from the first mount to one of the brackets and a second solid bar extends from the second mount to the other bracket. The solid bars provide a redundancy of back-up features for the sway bar assembly.

Abstract: An elastomeric isolator has an elastomeric body which defines a void extending into the elastomeric body from one side and a void extending into the elastomeric body from the opposite side. One member for attaching the elastomeric body to a component is located inside of the two voids and another member for attaching the elastomeric body to a component is located outside of the two voids. The two voids overlap a specified distance to determine the stresses and stiffness for the isolator.

Abstract: A hydraulic mount has an upper support member and a lower support member. An upper elastomeric spring and a lower elastomeric spring are disposed between the upper support member and the lower support member to define an upper fluid chamber and a lower fluid chamber. A channel extends between the upper and lower chambers. During compression and extension of the hydraulic mount, fluid transfers between the upper and lower chamber to provide a damping force for the hydraulic mount.

Abstract: An elastomeric isolator has an elastomeric body which incorporates an inner structural member that extends through an outer structural member. The elastomeric body includes an axial shear leg extending between the inner and outer structural members that undergo shearing stresses during deflection of the elastomeric isolator. The inner structural member includes radial flanges which are axially offset from radial flanges of the outer structural member. The axial shear leg extends between the pair of radial flanges and is bonded to them at a position outside of the outer structural member. With this configuration compression of the shear hub during high loads is avoided.

Abstract: A mount has an inner metal and an outer metal with an elastomeric bushing disposed between them. The elastomeric bushing includes a first pair of interconnected passages to control the damping rate during axial motion and a second, separate pair of interconnected passages to control the damping rate during motion orthogonal to the axial direction.

Abstract: An elastomeric bushing assembly has an inner component, an outer component and an elastomeric bushing disposed between the inner and outer components. A bearing engages the inner component and is disposed between the elastomeric bushing and the inner component. The bearing allows pivoting of the inner component with respect to the bearing. A low friction coating is disposed between the inner component and the bearing to provide a low friction interface.

Abstract: An elastomeric isolator has an elastomeric body which incorporates an inner structural member and an outer structural member. The elastomeric body includes a shear hub extending between radial flanges or end plates of the inner and outer structural members that undergoes shearing stresses during deflection of the elastomeric isolator. The elastomeric body is bonded to the radial flanges or end plates. The inner structural member includes a radial flange which is axially offset from an axial flange of the outer structural member. The outer structural member includes a radial flange which is axially offset from an axial flange of the inner structural member. With this configuration, excessive stresses on the elastomeric body are avoided during high load movements of the elastomeric isolator.