Abstract: A system for controlling fluid flow about a vehicle. The system comprises a fluid flow control device, an obstacle sensor for detecting obstacles, and a controller. The fluid flow control device has a body with at least one surface and an actuation means in operative communication with the surface. The actuation means is operative to alter at least one attribute of the fluid flow control device in response to a control signal. The controller has control logic for generating the control signal in response to the obstacle sensor.

Abstract: A tensioning mechanism for a vehicle auxiliary seat which spans a space between first and second adjacent structures. In a preferred embodiment, the tensioning mechanism includes a; ratchet having a telescopically extended ratchet arm and wherein the ratchet can only be adjusted to a position tensioning the seat or adjusted to release the seat when the ratchet arm is extended.

Abstract: A vehicle auxiliary seat is provided for spanning the space between first and second adjacent structures. In a preferred embodiment, the seat includes a sheet providing a seating surface, the sheet having a first free end; a roll for storing the sheet, the roll being rotatively mounted with the first structure; a connector to removably attach the sheet with the second structure; and a ratchet to tension the sheet to a desired tension by rotating the roll, the ratchet having a telescopically extended ratchet arm and wherein the ratchet can only be adjusted to a position tensioning the roll or adjusted to release the tension in the roll when the ratchet handle is extended.

Abstract: A steer-sensitive jounce bumper and bump plate are adapted for use with a steerable hydraulic strut. The jounce bumper is a generally tubular member formed from a compressible material having a pattern of predetermined indentations formed in its lower end. The jounce bumper is mounted about a piston rod of the strut and secured to a mount assembly. A bump plate having a series of alignment pins is mounted to an upper end of the strut. As a wheel assembly is steered, the bump plate is rotated so that misalignment occurs between the pins and the indentations. When misaligned, compression of the jounce bumper is reduced, thereby reducing the compression stroke of the strut.

Abstract: A non-steerable shock absorber includes a steer-sensitive valve assembly placed in the lower working chamber of an inner cylinder in series with a compression valve. A linkage is provided between a turnable steering knuckle and the steer-sensitive valve assembly to vary the damping characteristics of the shock absorber based on a steering motion of a vehicle's wheels.

Abstract: A method for varying the damping force of a hydraulic damper in a vehicular suspension system includes rotatably fixing a reciprocable piston slidably mounted in a fluid-filled cylinder to the vehicular body and rotatably fixing the cylinder to a steerable wheel assembly. A variable flow fluid bypass is provided between upper and lower chambers of the cylinder. As the wheel assembly is steered, the bypass is opened and closed to vary fluid flow between the chambers and thus vary the damping force of the damper.

Abstract: A hydraulic damper for use with a vehicular suspension system includes a reciprocating piston rod and piston in an inner cylinder. A piston valving means is carried by the piston and controls the flow of fluid between upper and lower chambers of the inner cylinder. A base valving assembly controls the flow of fluid from the inner cylinder to a reservoir. A slotted control plate is rotationally fixed with resepct to the piston in the lower chamber adjacent the base valving assembly. As the vehicle is steered, rotation of the inner cylinder and base valve assembly selectively aligns the slotted control plate to vary flow between the control plate and the base valve assembly, thereby providing steer-sensitive damping.

Abstract: A hydraulic damper for use with a vehicular suspension system includes a reciprocating piston rod and piston in an inner cylinder. A piston valving is carried by the piston and controls the flow of fluid between upper and lower chambers of the inner cylinder. A base valving assembly controls the flow of fluid from the inner cylinder to a reservoir. A plurality of circumferentially-spaced slits are provided in the inner cylinder adjacent the base valve assembly. A control wheel having a plurality of openings corresponding to the slits is mounted inside the inner cylinder and rotatably fixed to the piston. As the vehicle is steered, rotation of the inner cylinder with respect to the control wheel selectively aligns the slits with the openings to permit fluid flow from the lower chamber to the reservoir, thereby providing steer-sensitive variable damping.

Abstract: A compression resistor assembly for use with a steerable suspension strut includes a canister mounted on a reciprocating piston rod of the strut. A plurality of longitudinal slots are provided in a cylindrical wall of the canister. An outwardly-projecting flange of the canister provides a camming surface for engaging guide pins of pivotable stoppers mounted on an upper end of the strut. For a predetermined steer angle of the strut, the guide pins are aligned with the slots to permit full compression of the strut. When the preselected steer angle is exceeded, the camming surface engages the guide pins so that the stoppers pivot to limit the compression of the strut.

Abstract: A hydraulic strut for use with a vehicle suspension system includes a reciprocating piston rod and piston in an inner cylinder. A piston valving assembly is carried by the piston and controls the flow of fluid between upper and lower chambers of the inner cylinder. A base valving assembly controls the flow of fluid from the inner cylinder to a reservoir. A bypass valving assembly, selectively dependent upon a rotation movement input when the vehicle is steered, permits fluid flow to travel between the upper and lower chambers of the inner cylinder without traveling through the piston valving assembly.

Abstract: To wipe an elongated, raked windshield, two of fixed length wipers are oscillated about pivot points located midway along the side edges of the windshield.Consequently, a larger area wipe pattern is achieved than that which could be achieved by equivalent length wipers mounted in conventional locations. In addition, in the embodiment disclosed, the wiper pivot points are located beneath the housings of a pair of side mirrors. This allows a portion of the wipers to be covered when the wipers are parked, for aesthetic purposes.