Abstract: An electrically powered suspension system performs an accurate vibration damping of a vehicle with low power consumption even if a linear motor of an electromagnetic actuator strokes to reach an irregular region and includes an electromagnetic actuator generating a driving force for the vibration damping. A linear motor of the actuator includes a cylindrical rod member provided with a plurality of on-rod armature coils along its axis and a housing surrounding the rod member, mounted movable back and forth along the axis with respect to the rod member, and provided with a plurality of permanent magnets along the axis. The on-rod armature coils located on ends of the rod member are provided with short-circuit parts b suppressing the rod member and the housing from moving back and forth with respect to each other.

Abstract: An epicyclic transmission gear and disk brake based regenerative braking device includes an epicyclic transmission unit to transfer braking energy through arrangement of sun gear and the planetary gears to a clock spring of a clock spring torque storage module. The device includes a disk brake unit that arrests the rotation of a sun-planetary gear assembly in the epicyclic transmission unit such that momentum available at the extended hub is transferred to a ring gear. The ring gear is connected to an inner casing of the clock spring torque storage module that charges the spring. The device includes a chassis unit that dissipates excess energy through spinning of an outer casing of the clock spring torque storage module by a spring calibration wheel that rides over a sinusoidal contoured surface of the outer casing.

Abstract: A shock assembly with automatically adjustable ride height. The shock assembly includes a main chamber with a working fluid therein. A damping piston coupled to a piston shaft, the damping piston disposed in the main chamber to divide the main chamber into a compression side fluid chamber and a rebound side fluid chamber. An automatic ride height adjustment assembly including an internal floating piston (IFP) pump assembly and a spring preload piston assembly.

Abstract: A gas cushion device includes a cylinder, a piston slidably fitted in the cylinder, a gas enclosed in the cylinder to energize the piston, and an oil feeding mechanism configured to feed a lubricating oil to a fitting portion between the cylinder and the piston. The cylinder and the piston are fitted in an interference fit state. The piston is reduced in diameter from an inside of the cylinder toward the outside of the cylinder.

Abstract: A damper assembly includes a damper with a pressure tube and a piston slidably disposed within the pressure tube. A first working chamber is defined on one side of the piston and a second working chamber is defined on an opposite side of the piston such that a volume of the second working chamber decreases during a compression stroke of the piston and the volume of the second working chamber increases during a rebound stroke of the piston. A bellow accumulator assembly is included and in fluid communication with the second working chamber. The bellow accumulator assembly includes a housing, a bellow accumulator disposed within the housing, a pressurized gas chamber defined between the housing and the bellow accumulator and an accumulator chamber defined between the bellow accumulator and the second working chamber.

Abstract: A damper is provided having a twin tube construction interconnected to a gas reservoir. The connection of each of the inner and outer volumes of the twin tube to the gas reservoir is independently valved, and each of these valves are independently settable to change the differential pressure thereacross at which they open. The damper provides flow passages directly from the inner and outer volumes to enable flow form the compression to rebound sides thereof, as well as through the valved connections to the gas reservoir and at least one valved opening in the damper piston.

Abstract: Pressure-sensitive vales are incorporated within a dampening system to permit user-adjustable tuning of a shock absorber. In one embodiment, a pressure-sensitive valve includes an isolated gas chamber having a pressure therein that is settable by a user.

Abstract: A wheel assembly to be coupled to a hub of a vehicle may include an inner rim to be coupled to the hub of the vehicle and an outer rim surrounding the hub. The wheel assembly may also include gas springs operatively coupled between the inner rim and the outer rim to provide a gas suspension for relative movement between said inner rim and said outer rim. The wheel assembly may also include hydraulic dampers operatively coupled between the inner rim and the outer rim.

Abstract: A vibration damping device of an inverted structure includes a cylinder, a rod capable of protruding and retracting in the cylinder, an outer cylinder coupled to the rod and inserted over the outer periphery of the cylinder, and a bush slidably inserted between the outer cylinder and the cylinder. A gap between the outer cylinder and the cylinder is filled with lubricating oil. The bush contains polytetrafluoroethylene and perfluoro alkoxy alkane. The lubricating oil contains an organic molybdenum additive.

Abstract: A damper housing disposed on a center axis includes an extended mains section and a narrowed end section. The narrowed end section has a second predetermined wall thickness less than the first predetermined wall thickness of the extended main section. An intermediate conical section, connecting the narrowed end section and the extended main section, has an intermediate conical section wall thickness equal to the second predetermined wall thickness at an internal inclination angle relative to the center axis. A method for manufacturing the damper housing using a preformed tube, a first broaching die, a calibrating mandrel, and a swaging die is performed by compressing the preformed tube between the first broaching die and the narrowed head of the calibrating mandrel and compressing the preformed tube between the swaging die and the intermediary section of the calibrating mandrel to form the narrowed end section and the intermediate conical section, respectively.

Abstract: Cage (5) for containing the friction ring (6) of dampers for vertical axis washing machines, said cage comprising a through inner recess, configured to house slidingly the rod of the damper, and to contain a friction ring, characterized in that said through inner recess is subdivided in three parts: a first part (52) in which said recess is provided with a plurality of inner tongues therein; a second part (53) with circular section and such axial diameter and length that the friction ring is housed; a third part (54) in which said recess is provided with a plurality of tabs therein, and in that said tongues (521) and said tabs (541) are not overlapped with respect to each other, in front view.

Abstract: A structural member includes an inflatable bladder. The structural member may include a fabric shell disposed about an exterior surface of the bladder, or a spacer element attached to an interior surface of the bladder. The fabric shell or spacer element restrains the shape of the bladder to contour the bladder into a desired shape and increase the load carrying capacity of the bladder.

Abstract: A twin tube damper assembly includes a main tube defining a fluid chamber. An external tube extends about the main tube defining a compensation chamber therebetween. A piston, slidably disposed in the fluid chamber, divides the fluid chamber into a compression chamber and a rebound chamber. A rod guide is disposed in the rebound chamber, attached to the main tube and the external tube, defining at least one channel in fluid communication with the rebound and compensation chambers. A piston rod extends through the rod guide and is attached to the piston. A pressure rate sensitive system, disposed in the rebound chamber, is attached to the rod guide in fluid communication with the at least one channel, the rebound chamber, and the compensation chamber for regulating the working fluid flow through the rod guide between the rebound and compensation chambers during compression and rebound strokes.

Abstract: A back stop for a crane which eliminates operator's discomfort and adverse effects on surrounding environment due to generation of abnormal noise and enables greasing work to be facilitated. A back stop includes an outer casing having a base end portion turnably connected to a boom or a crane main body and an opening portion opened in the outer casing front end portion; an inner casing having a base end portion turnably connected to the crane main body or the boom and having a front end portion side slidably fitted into the outer case through the opening portion; and a greasing tube arranged in the outer casing or the inner casing. An inlet of the greasing tube is arranged outside of the outer casing or outside of the inner casing on the base end portion side on which the greasing tube is arranged. A discharge port of the greasing tube is attached to a front end portion of the inner casing.

Abstract: A damper is provided having a twin tube construction interconnected to a gas reservoir. The connection of each of the inner and outer volumes of the twin tube to the gas reservoir is independently valved, and each of these valves are independently settable to change the differential pressure thereacross at which they open. The damper provides flow passages directly from the inner and outer volumes to enable flow form the compression to rebound sides thereof, as well as through the valved connections to the gas reservoir and at least one valved opening in the damper piston.

Abstract: An aircraft landing gear structure includes a strut assembly configured to transition between a compressed configuration, an extended configuration, and a retracted configuration. The strut assembly has a compressed length, an extended length, and a retracted length, such that the compressed length and retracted length are less than the extended length. The strut assembly includes an upper tubular housing, an upper bulkhead configured to be translated between a lower position and an upper position, a lower tubular housing operatively coupled to the upper tubular housing, a lower bulkhead supported by the lower tubular housing, and a pressure chamber defined between the lower bulkhead and the upper bulkhead. A volume of strut liquid and a mass of strut gas are positioned within the pressure chamber. A method of retracting a strut assembly includes longitudinally translating an upper bulkhead within an upper tubular housing from a lower position to an upper position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a single shock body equipped with the gas permeable internal floating piston. The gas permeable internal floating piston was specifically designed for installation in the multiple stage air shock, the gas permeable internal floating piston being disclosed in the parent application. The gas permeable internal floating piston automatically separates the oil from the gas within the shock body thereby significantly reducing the complexity and cost of manufacturing a shock absorber with the gas permeable internal floating piston. Also, separation is maintained during the operation of the shock throughout the shock's lifetime. The gas permeable internal floating piston can operate with oils derived from either petroleum or synthetic base stocks, additives, and various gases including dry air, nitrogen, oxygen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, helium, neon, and argon.

Abstract: Pressure-sensitive valves are incorporated within a dampening system to permit user-adjustable tuning of a shock absorber. In one embodiment, a pressure-sensitive valve includes an isolated gas chamber having a pressure therein that is settable by a user.

Abstract: A landing detection system for a landing gear assembly of an aircraft may comprise a moveable member mechanically coupled between an aircraft wheel and a strut piston, wherein the moveable member is in communication with a strut chamber pressure of the landing gear assembly, wherein the moveable member moves relative to the strut piston in response to a first force applied to the aircraft wheel and the strut piston strokes in response to a second force applied to the aircraft wheel.

Abstract: A temperature-independent rotation damper 100 is presented. A housing 108 and a piston 102, between which a viscous liquid is located in annular gaps 118, 120, rotate one around the other. When the temperature falls, the damping by the viscous liquid increases. This effect is countered by reducing the effective area which constitutes the braking action, or by enlarging the volume in the annular gaps 118, 120. As the drive, a material having a positive expansion coefficient is used, which material drives a piston 132. In this way, the damping of the rotation damper 100 is broadly practically independent of the temperature.

Abstract: A bicycle fork includes a pair of fork leg assemblies, each of the leg assemblies having an upper leg telescopingly engaged with a lower leg. A damping assembly is provided in at least one of the legs. The damping assembly includes lock-out and blow-off compression circuits. These compression circuits are externally adjustable without tools. Furthermore, these two compression circuits may be adjusted independently of each other.

Abstract: A hydraulic buffer device includes a first cylinder that stores oil, a rod member capable of being moved with respect to the first cylinder as being inserted into the first cylinder toward a first side of the first cylinder and being protruded outward from the first cylinder on a second side of the first cylinder, a rod guide that covers the second side of the first cylinder as having a through-hole, an oil seal arranged at the outer side of the rod member in the radial direction on the second side of the first cylinder, a groove portion that forms a flow path for oil flowing from the inside of the first cylinder toward the oil seal, and a small-diameter portion that restricts flow of oil flowing through the groove portion. An appropriate amount of fluid is supplied to a seal member in a pressure buffer device.

Abstract: An oil seal holder for a shock absorber contains: a body, plural push members, and plural resilient elements. The body includes a first semi-circular ring and a second semi-circular ring, and a rear end of the first semi-circular ring is connected with a rear end of the second semi-circular ring. The body also includes a retainer configured to retain with or remove from a front end of the first semi-circular ring and a front end of the second semi-circular ring. The plural push members are mounted and radially move on the first semi-circular ring and the second semi-circular ring, and each push member includes an abutting post extending out of the first semi-circular ring or the second semi-circular ring. The plural resilient elements are connected with the first semi-circular ring and the second semi-circular ring so as to push the plural push member inward.

Abstract: A monotube damper assembly includes a housing presenting a wall extending between a rod end and a closed end to define a main chamber. A gas cup having a top portion and a body portion is disposed in the main chamber to divide the main chamber of the housing into a gas chamber and a fluid chamber. The gas cup includes a top portion and a body portion. A piston is disposed in the fluid chamber. A rod guide is disposed adjacent to the rod end and spaced part from the piston. A piston rod is connected to the piston. A gas damper having a cylindrical shape includes a restrictor disposed the body portion of gas cup and the top potion of the gas cup for providing additional damping force to the gas cup.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a gas spring having a travel control includes positive and negative chambers and a valve mechanism that controls the fluid communication between the chambers. The valve mechanism includes a valve bore that while only moving a small amount, allows for large changes in gas spring travel length.

Abstract: An electromechanical strut for moving a closure member between open and closed positions relative to a vehicle body includes a housing having an inner surface bounding a cavity extending along a central axis between opposite first and second ends. A power screw is disposed in the cavity in operable communication with a motor, with a gear assembly operably connecting the motor to the power screw. An extensible member has an outer cover tube received in the housing cavity and a drive mechanism for converting rotary motion of the power screw into linear motion of the extensible member. An annular gap extends between the inner surface of the housing and an outer surface of the outer cover tube. An annular bushing is disposed within the annular gap to minimize laterally play between the housing and the outer cover tube.

Abstract: An electromechanical actuator (10), comprising a movable member (14) provided with connecting means (20) and translationally movable with respect to a frame (12), and an energy absorbing-dissipating structure (28, 30) located on a strain path between said connecting means (20) and said frame (12) and comprising a porous capillary matrix (40) having an apparent porosity and an associated liquid (42) having a wetting angle higher than 90 degrees relative to said matrix (40) and selected such that part of said liquid (42) penetrates the pores of said matrix (40), when said chamber is subjected to a pressure equal to or higher than a first pressure level P1, and is spontaneously rejected off the pores of said matrix (40) by capillary action, when said structure is subjected to a pressure lower than a second pressure level P2 itself lower than said first pressure level P1.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a shooting range which is movable or transportable so as to enable it to be operated at different locations as desired. The shooting range disclosed comprises of at least one open ended tubular element, a target assembly comprising at least one target and is placed at a rear end of the tubular element. The shooting range comprises of a wall means placed behind the target for resisting penetration by projectiles and to inhibit rebounding of projectiles there from. The shooting range comprises of a plurality of supporting frames for holding the open ended tubular element and wall means and further comprises a tray at the bottom of the wall means for collecting the residues.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a single shock body equipped with the gas permeable internal floating piston. The gas permeable internal floating piston was specifically designed for installation in the multiple stage air shock, the gas permeable internal floating piston being disclosed in the parent application. The gas permeable internal floating piston automatically separates the oil from the gas within the shock body thereby significantly reducing the complexity and cost of manufacturing a shock absorber with the gas permeable internal floating piston. Also, separation is maintained during the operation of the shock throughout the shock's lifetime. The gas permeable internal floating piston can operate with oils derived from either petroleum or synthetic base stocks, additives, and various gases including dry air, nitrogen, oxygen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, helium, neon, and argon.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension control system is disclosed for use in load-carrying vehicles. The system controls a response of a suspension cylinder configured to support a main body of a vehicle in relation to a ground-contacting portion of the vehicle. A main accumulator is configured to contain a main compressible gas volume and is fluidly connected with the suspension cylinder. An auxiliary accumulator is configured to contain an auxiliary compressible gas volume. A valve is configured to selectively fluidly connect the auxiliary accumulator to the suspension cylinder. When the valve is open, compressing the suspension cylinder compresses both the main compressible gas volume and the auxiliary compressible gas volume. When the valve is closed, the auxiliary accumulator is fluidly isolated from the suspension cylinder. A processor is configured to automatically open or close the valve using a solenoid actuator based on one or more operating parameters of the vehicle.

Abstract: A diaphragm unit detachably attached to a damper body, includes: a cylinder in which a liquid is sealed; a piston rod having a piston sliding inside the cylinder on one end side of the piston rod, in which other end side of the piston rod is extended to an outside of the cylinder; and a rod guide having a bottomed cylindrical shape wherein an insertion opening into which the piston rod is inserted is provided at a bottom portion of the rod guide, the rod guide being fixed to a side of an opening of the cylinder into which the piston is inserted to thereby make the piston rod be slidably inserted in a liquid tight manner, the diaphragm unit further comprising: an end member; an air seal; a rod side member; an annular bump rubber; and a tubular diaphragm, as defined herein.

Abstract: A hydraulic damper (3) includes a tube (4), a piston assembly (5) disposed slidably inside the tube (4), and an additional valve assembly (13). A compression chamber (9) is defined between the piston assembly (5) and the additional valve assembly (13). An additional compensation chamber (14) is defined between the additional valve assembly (13) and one side of a slideable partition (10). A gas chamber (11) is defined at the other side of the slidable partition (10). The damper includes an additional chamber assembly (15) to retain all the advantages of a twin-tube damper while providing the single construction offered by a mono-tube damper. One end of the additional chamber assembly (15) is attached to the slidable piston chamber (5) or to said piston rod (6) at the compression side thereof and the other end of said additional chamber assembly (15) is terminated with the additional valve assembly (13).

Abstract: A hydro-mechanical device for providing tactile feel curve shaping, including: a housing; a fluid displacing element; and, a preloaded flow regulating assembly operatively connected to the housing. The housing has a working fluid chamber formed therein, the working fluid chamber containing working fluid. The fluid displacing element is positioned within the working fluid chamber. The fluid displacing element divides the working fluid chamber into at least two cavities upon which fluid is transferred upon movement of the fluid displacing element. The flow of the working fluid is controlled through the preloaded flow regulating assembly in accordance with a custom force profile combining a controlled velocity dependent force component and a controlled resisting force component which opposes an applied force at a controlled maximum threshold.

Abstract: A fluid lubricated projectile trap includes a substantially cylindrical chamber defined by a forward concave wall and a rearward concave wall. A bullet funnel extending forwardly therefrom. The funnel having a lower panel connecting to the forward concave wall in conjunction with an end plate defines a pressurized fluid containment with discharge outlets directed to the rearward concave wall. All plumbing may be secured below the ramp and forward of the chamber.

Abstract: A hydraulic cylinder enclosing a cavity, the cylinder containing a thru hole, an inner cylinder surface, and a longitudinal axis, and a piston within the cavity and movable relative to the cylinder in parallel to the longitudinal axis between a first and second positions. The piston includes a rod extending through the thru hole, the piston attached to the rod and in sealed engagement with the inner cylinder surface, and dividing the cavity into low and high pressure cavities, and each of the low and high pressure cavities containing a hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic cylinder further including a flexible bladder within the high pressure cavity containing a gas and preventing the gas from mixing with hydraulic fluid in the high pressure cavity.

Abstract: A damper is provided having a twin tube construction interconnected to a gas reservoir. The connection of each of the inner and outer volumes of the twin tube to the gas reservoir is independently valved, and each of these valves are independently settable to change the differential pressure thereacross at which they open. The damper provides flow passages directly from the inner and outer volumes to enable flow form the compression to rebound sides thereof, as well as through the valved connections to the gas reservoir and at least one valved opening in the damper piston.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a novel gas permeable internal floating piston specifically designed for installation in the multiple stage air shock whereby the multiple stage air shock is covered in prior patent applications. The multiple stage air shock includes a mixture of oil and gas whereby the mixture provides the shock with emulsion dampening properties. The gas permeable internal floating piston operates by separating the oil from the gas thereby improving the dampening properties of the shock. The permeability of the internal floating piston is based on a membrane that allows the gas but not the oil to pass through the structure of the internal floating piston. The mechanism of the permeability is governed by the creation of a pressure differential across the structure of the internal floating piston, the creation effected with a spring. The membrane features a slow rate of permeation thereby ensuring that the internal floating piston moves in conjunction with the shaft during the operation of the shock.

Abstract: A regenerative braking control method of a hybrid vehicle may include determining whether to perform regenerative braking in a regenerative braking determining step, determining whether to stop an engine in an engine stopping determining step, and performing shifting to a lowest gear stage driven by a motor in a preceding shifting step if it is determined in the engine stopping determining step that the engine stops.

Abstract: To provide a novel damper for a compressor that includes a vibration isolation system that suits the low rotation speed of a compressor of a cooling apparatus. A plurality of support projections that support annular mounting portions of a compressor at multiple points are provided at an upper end portion of a cylindrical support. The plurality of support projections elastically support the compressor so that the compressor has a high center of gravity and allow the compressor to be laterally displaced by vibration. Moreover, a bellows portion that is elastically deformed while being in contact with the annular mounting portion that becomes laterally displaced is provided. The elastic deformation of the bellows portion buffers the lateral displacement of the compressor and stirs a viscous fluid that fills inside thereof to buffer the vibration.

Abstract: A snubber apparatus comprises a casing defining an inner cavity. A shaft passes through the inner cavity and rotates about its longitudinal axis. The shaft has one or two ends laterally projecting out of the casing and being connected to a moving part of a tool to dampen given motions thereof. A wiper arm is on the shaft so as to rotate therewith the shaft, with a free end in close proximity to the surface portions of the inner cavity. The free end has an arcuate contour complementarily corresponding to a circumferential surface portion. A dam extends from the circumferential surface portion into close proximity to the wiper arm, to divide the inner cavity in two chambers, with movements of the wiper arm changing the volume of the chambers. A hydraulic circuit controls a flow of fluid between chambers to oppose a force to rotation of the shaft.

Abstract: A pneumatic spring strut assembly comprises a cylinder wall defining an interior volume having a working end and a boosting chamber adjacent to the working end, the working end including a first volume of gas and the boosting chamber including a second volume of gas, a piston assembly disposed for reciprocation in the working end of the interior volume, a piston rod having a proximal end secured to the piston and a distal end projecting out of the interior volume, a temperature control valve assembly disposed in the interior volume separating the working end from the boosting chamber and including an engineered portion that is configured to prevent fluid flow between the working end and the boosting chamber while the first volume of gas is present in the working end and to permit fluid flow between the working end and the boosting chamber should the working end be evacuated of the first volume of gas.

Abstract: A lubricator for use in a plunger lift system includes a tubular body having an outlet formed through a wall thereof and a bore therethrough. The bore is closed at an end thereof. The lubricator further includes a striker assembly disposed within the bore. The striker assembly includes a dampener housing longitudinally movable relative to the tubular body between a ready position and a stroked position and a choke plate. The choke plate: is disposed in the dampener housing, separates a bore of the housing into an upper hydraulic chamber and a lower hydraulic chamber, and has one or more orifices formed therethrough. The striker assembly further includes a dampener support rod connecting the choke plate to the tubular body. The orifices are sized to dissipate kinetic energy of a plunger striking a lower end of the dampener housing.

Abstract: A tensioning device for applying a tensioning force to a component has a cylinder housing having a hydraulic medium filled axial cylinder, a piston rod guided in the cylinder recess telescoping in a longitudinal axis direction, and displaceable back and forth, projecting out of the cylinder housing at one end, a piston guided in an axial piston rod recess, and displaceable, back and forth, by a limited amount, in the longitudinal axis direction, from a moved-in position to a moved-out position, and a spring element connected with the piston driving the piston in an outward piston movement direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. Force is applied to the piston by the spring element and by the hydraulic medium, so that inward movement of the piston rod into the cylinder housing (8), in the inward piston rod movement direction (77), brings about inward movement of the piston into the piston rod.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dampening a structure in an aircraft. The apparatus comprises a housing, a first compartment located along an axis extending centrally through the housing, a second compartment located adjacent to the first compartment on the axis extending centrally through the housing, a first piston, a rod, and a second piston. The housing has an elongate shape. The first piston is located within the first compartment of the housing. The first piston defines a first chamber and a second chamber of the first compartment as the first piston moves within the housing. The rod is associated with the first piston and extends centrally through the first compartment and the second compartment. The second piston is coaxial to the first piston and located within the second compartment. The second piston moves relative to the rod to accommodate a flow of a fluid into the second compartment.

Abstract: A shock damper is disclosed. The shock damper may have a shear control apparatus through which a shear-thickening fluid may flow. In this manner, the shock damper may compress at different rates for different applied impulse forces, in response to the changing viscosity of the shear-thickening fluid.

Abstract: A spring system that includes a compressible material that is used to control the speed of the rod movement and/or the end travel cushioning.

Abstract: A fluid lubricated projectile trap includes a substantially cylindrical chamber defined by a forward concave wall and a rearward concave wall. A bullet funnel extending forwardly therefrom. The funnel having a lower panel connecting to the forward concave wall in conjunction with an end plate defines a pressurized fluid containment with discharge outlets directed to the rearward concave wall. All plumbing may be secured below the ramp and forward of the chamber.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a gas spring having a travel control includes positive and negative chambers and a valve mechanism that controls the fluid communication between the chambers. The valve mechanism includes a valve bore that while only moving a small amount, allows for large changes in gas spring travel length.

Abstract: A magneto-rheological (MR) damping system for preventing stratification of MR fluid is disclosed. The MR damping system has a housing, a piston, and a stir band. The piston operably reciprocates within the housing and includes a circumferential portion. The circumferential portion has a groove. The stir band is disposed in the groove of the piston and includes an outer periphery and a plurality of flexible protrusions. The flexible protrusions have a head portion and a tail portion. The head portion is fixed to the outer periphery. The tail portion extends from the head portion and is disjointed from the outer periphery and is substantially flexible relative to the head portion. Therefore, the stir band diverts a flow of MR fluid in one of a clockwise or a counter-clockwise direction about the circumferential portion of the piston, during a reciprocatory movement of the piston.

Abstract: The present invention provides a damping device and a method for assembling the damping device. The damping device includes an outer tube and an inner tube disposed concentrically along a center axis defining a chamber, with a diaphragm located between the inner tube and outer tube dividing the chamber. A gas charge seal is secured over the chamber between the outer tube and inner tube. An inner clamp is in a sealing engagement with the inner tube and holds the diaphragm in place. A waist defines a sealing surface adjacent to outer tube. The diaphragm extends from under the inner clamp and through a “U” shaped turn back towards the waist. An upper clamp axially aligns with the waist and holds the diaphragm into the waist of the outer tube, sealing the diaphragm to the outer tube.