Abstract: A hydraulic system for use in a motorized vehicle including a pressure source, a valve fluidly coupled to the pressure source, and an actuator fluidly coupled to the valve. The actuator includes an outer casing and a piston slidably received in the outer casing such that the piston defines a piston chamber and a rod chamber in the outer casing. The actuator includes a rod coupled to the piston on a side of the piston facing the rod chamber. The valve is configured such that when the valve is in an open position the valve provides fluid communication to the rod chamber and provides fluid communication to the piston chamber. Fluid flowing through the valve to the rod chamber passes through a restricted orifice having cross sectional area that is smaller than the cross sectional area of any orifice that would be passed through by fluid flowing through the valve to the piston chamber.

Abstract: A hydraulic actuator comprises piston that divides the interior into a piston chamber and a rod chamber and a valve disc assembly to regulate flow of hydraulic fluid between the piston chamber and the rod chamber through a passage in the piston. The disc valve assembly includes a washer, a valve pack that includes at least one flexible disc valve, and a spacer arrangement spacing the valve pack apart from the washer. During operation, the valve pack flexes to open and close the passage. The spacer arrangement includes a first support point supporting the valve pack relative to the washer and at least one second support point spaced apart from the flexible portion of the disc valve pack. In the open position, the valve pack engages the second support point to reduce stress build-up at the first support point, thereby reducing work fatigue of the valve disc and extending the useful life of the hydraulic actuator.

Abstract: A linear actuator system including a cylinder, a piston slidably received within the cylinder and defining a piston chamber and a rod chamber in the cylinder, wherein the piston includes a plurality of orifices therethrough that place the piston chamber and the rod chamber in fluid communication, and a sealing member movable between a closed position, wherein the sealing member restricts fluid flow through at least one of the plurality of orifices, and an open position, wherein the sealing member is less restrictive of fluid flow through the orifices. The plurality of orifices may include an always-open orifice that is not blocked by the sealing member when the sealing member is in the closed position.

Abstract: A vehicle roll control system comprises a torsion bar and a first arm extending-substantially perpendicular to the torsion bar. The first arm is fixed to the torsion bar at one end and connectable to one of the axles at the other end. A hydraulic actuator is attached to the torsion bar; and a control connected to the hydraulic actuator controls the operation thereof on detection of a predetermined vehicle condition. The hydraulic actuator comprises a housing, a piston making a sealing sliding fit inside the housing to define a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber, and a piston rod connected to the piston and extending through the second fluid chamber and out of the housing.

Abstract: A roll control actuator (34) for installation between first and second axially aligned parts (14,16) of a torsion bar (12) has a cylindrical housing (36) connectable by an end wall (38) to the second part of the torsion bar. A rod (40) is positioned inside the housing, extends out of the other end (42) of the housing, and is connectable to the second part of the torsion bar. A cylindrical inner sleeve (46) is positioned inside the housing between the housing and the rod; and the housing, the rod, and the inner sleeve are coaxial on an axis (A), with the rod being rotatable about the axis relative to the housing.