Coil And Fluid Pressure Patents (Class 267/34)
-
Publication number: 20120104704Abstract: A solid state cup device that assists a coil over arrangement of an air suspension system for at least one motor vehicle wheel is disclosed. The device comprises at least one outer cup having a plurality of o-rings placed on the coil over arrangement. The system further includes at least one inner cup having a plurality of smaller o-rings placed on top of at least one spring. The at least one outer cup further includes at least one c-ring designed to prevent the at least one inner cup from sliding out of the at least one outer cup. With air injected into the at least one outer cup, the at least one inner cup may press down the at least one spring to provide tension on the at least one spring resulting in a smoother lift and lowering of the at least one motor vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2010Publication date: May 3, 2012Inventor: HOANG MINH NGUYEN
-
Patent number: 8113321Abstract: Helicopter reduced vibration axial support struts and aircraft suspension system are disclosed with at least one vibration controlling fluid containing strut. The powered struts include an outer rigid housing containing an inner rigid member and first and second variable volume fluid chambers. Fluid pressure differentials are created between the first and second variable volume fluid chambers to control motion between the strut ends. The powered fluid containing struts, support isolators, suspension systems, and methods of operation provide reduced helicopter aircraft vibrations.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2007Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Lord CorporationInventors: Dennis McGuire, Lane R. Miller, Mark R. Jolly, Askari Badre-Alam
-
Patent number: 8109371Abstract: A damper is comprised of an actuator (A) connected to a sprung member (B) side of a vehicle, the actuator (A) including a motion converting mechanism (T) for transforming a linear motion into a rotational motion and a motor (M) to which the rotational motion resulting from the transformation by the motion converting mechanism (T) is transmitted; a hydraulic damper (E) including a cylinder (C), a piston (P) inserted slidably into the cylinder (C) and defining two pressure chambers within the cylinder (C), and a rod (R) connected at one end thereof to the piston (P), wherein a linear motion of the actuator (A) being transmitted to one of the rod (R) and the cylinder (C) while the other of the rod (R) and the cylinder (C) being connected to an unsprung member (W) side of the vehicle; and biasing means (1, 2, X, Y, Z) for biasing the hydraulic damper (E) in both compressing and extending directions.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2006Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignees: Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takuhiro Kondo, Hirofumi Inoue
-
Patent number: 8066265Abstract: A gas suspension member includes a first section and a second section. The first section includes an end wall and a side wall that at least partially form an inner chamber. An opening is formed through the end wall. A connector fitting is embedded within a cover wall that extends across the opening. The end wall has a first flexural stiffness and the cover wall has a second flexural stiffness that is greater than the first flexural stiffness of the end wall. A gas suspension assembly includes a first spring device used in combination with the gas suspension member. A method of forming a gas suspension member is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2008Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLCInventor: Joshua R. Leonard
-
Patent number: 8042658Abstract: A suspension device (A) comprising a damper (S) and a gas spring (C), the damper (S) comprising a motion transforming mechanism (H) for transforming a relative motion between a vehicle body-side member and an axle-side member into a rotational motion and a motor (M) having a rotor (8) to which the rotational motion is transmitted, the gas spring (C) being interposed between the vehicle body-side member and the axle-side member, in which the motor (M) comprises a hollow casing (9), a partition wall member (16) which forms a rotor chamber (r) within the casing (9), with the rotor (8) being received within the rotor chamber (r), a cylindrical stator (17) disposed between an outer periphery of the partition wall member (16) and an inner periphery of the casing (9), and the rotor (8) held rotatably by the casing (9) within the rotor chamber (r), and the interior of the rotor chamber (6) is brought into communication with the interior of a gas chamber (R) of the gas spring (C).Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2007Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takuhiro Kondo, Hideshi Watanabe
-
Publication number: 20110254209Abstract: A strut assembly includes a damper having a housing and a rod moveable relative to the housing along a longitudinal axis. The strut assembly includes a flexible membrane configured to receive a pressurized gas to form an air spring. A coil spring defines an inner diameter with the housing disposed within the inner diameter to permit relative movement between the coil spring and the housing. The coil spring is at least partially disposed outside the flexible membrane relative to the longitudinal axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2011Publication date: October 20, 2011Inventor: Nikolaos Adonios Adonakis
-
Publication number: 20110215551Abstract: A method and apparatus for a vehicle suspension system gas spring. In one embodiment, a vehicle suspension system gas spring includes a compressible main gas chamber and an additional volume combinable with the main chamber to change a gas spring rate of the system. In one embodiment, a low friction piston seal is created by a flexible seal member.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2011Publication date: September 8, 2011Inventors: Mario Galasso, Josh Yablon, Andrew Laird, William M. Becker, Joseph Franklin, Dennis K. Wootten
-
Publication number: 20110024957Abstract: A vehicle height adjusting apparatus of a hydraulic shock absorber has a hydraulic pump carrying out a pumping action by an extending and retracting motion of a piston rod with respect to a damper tube so as to feed a working fluid to a jack chamber of a hydraulic jack, and a blow valve releasing a jack pressure of the jack chamber which is pressurized by a plunger of the hydraulic jack exposed to a spring load on a suspension spring.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2010Publication date: February 3, 2011Applicant: SHOWA CORPORATIONInventor: Osamu Nagai
-
Publication number: 20100156012Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle has an upper control arm and an associated lower control arm for mounting a wheel on the vehicle body. A hydro-pneumatic spring is connected between one of the control arms and the vehicle body. A compensating spring is associated with the hydro-pneumatic spring and is operable to act in opposition to the force exerted by the hydro-pneumatic spring as the hydro-pneumatic spring approaches full extension.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2009Publication date: June 24, 2010Inventors: Sean Timoney, Colin James Anderson
-
Patent number: 7717669Abstract: A load absorption arrangement 40 for absorbing loads in a variable stator vane positioning system of a gas turbine engine includes a valve 42 which has a first operating condition to enable the load absorption arrangement 40 to transmit load, and a second operating condition, which is operable above a predetermined load, in which the valve 42 can release to enable the load absorption arrangement 40 to absorb the load thereon. The arrangement 40 is particularly suitable for absorbing shock loads which may arise under engine surge.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2005Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLCInventors: Michael J. Sheath, Paul S. McCabe
-
Patent number: 7540480Abstract: A shock absorber includes a cylinder tube connected to one portion of a shock absorbing body, a main piston rod extending from a piston with its extension end being connected to another portion of the shock absorbing body, a sub piston rod extending from the piston, an oil chamber pressurizing device arranged to pressurize a hydraulic oil, and damping force generators arranged to generate a damping force by allowing the hydraulic oil to flow between first and second oil chambers. A sealed space for containing an extension end of the sub piston rod is provided. Gas having a pressure larger than atmospheric pressure and smaller than a pressure applied on the hydraulic oil by the oil chamber pressurizing device is filled in the sealed space.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2008Date of Patent: June 2, 2009Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Seiji Sawai, Yutaka Yamazaki
-
Patent number: 7520494Abstract: A spring element with a hydropneumatic strut are positioned between the bogie and the body of a rail car, with the strut having a sliding piston in a cylinder, whereby the piston or the cylinder can be connected with the bogie and the other component can be connected with the body, and the piston area of the cylinder is connected with a hydraulic accumulator. A strut that is easy to service and maintain and does not accumulate any appreciable amount of dirt is created by virtue of the fact that the hydropneumatic strut has a hydraulic height regulator valve or a height sensor connected or connectable with a feedback loop, whereby the position of the piston in the cylinder can be adjusted or determined.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2003Date of Patent: April 21, 2009Assignee: Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg GmbHInventor: Anton Gaile
-
Patent number: 7410154Abstract: The invention is a fluidic damper which comprises a closed cylinder (100) containing a valve mechanism. The valve mechanism is attached to a piston rod (110), a portion of which (the piston rod) emerges through an opening in one end wall of the cylinder (100). The valve mechanism (90) comprises a disc (10) with an axle (15), a rotatable annular cover piece (20) and an annular turning piece (40). A spring (30) is disposed between the cover piece (20) and the turning piece (40).Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2004Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Harn Marketing SDN BHDInventors: Harn Lian Lam, Harn Yan Lam
-
Patent number: 7392978Abstract: A wheel suspension comprising a vehicle body, a wheel movably articulated on the vehicle body via a control arm assembly. A wheel carrier and at least one helical pressure spring which is supported on the vehicle body on the one hand and on the wheel carrier or the control arm assembly on the other hand. The spring stiffness of the vehicle body support referred to the wheel contact point of the wheel can be controlled so as to be variable. Use is made of a helical pressure spring assembly whose force action line deviates from the geometric spring center line. Furthermore, there are provided rotational means for the 3-dimensional adjustment of the force action line relative to the geometric spring center line.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2005Date of Patent: July 1, 2008Assignee: Muhr und Bender KGInventors: Andreas Carlitz, Jörg Neubrand, Rolf Hengstenberg
-
Patent number: 7377500Abstract: A shock absorbing device uses a damper including a cylinder enclosing a viscous fluid; a piston rod; and a piston dividing the interior of the cylinder in two axially separated parts. The piston is connected to the piston rod and has an orifice communicating the two parts. The piston includes an inner member integrally connected with the piston rod, and an outer member disposed about an outer perimeter of the inner member and configured to be axially movable with respect to the inner member. The inner and outer members are configured to define a gap therebetween through which the viscous fluid can flow, and to be biased away from each other by a spring disposed therebetween. The inner and outer members are arranged so that the gap is reduced as the amount that the inner member protrudes into the outer member increases, to thereby define a variable orifice.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2005Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Assignee: Nifco Inc.Inventors: Katsuyasu Tomiji, Takefumi Tsuchiya
-
Patent number: 7125008Abstract: A vibration isolation device including a stationary housing; a movable top plate positioned horizontally above the stationary housing; an airtight flexible member forming an airtight pressure chamber between the movable top plate and the stationary housing; a vibration-free movable base having a mounting plate portion; and a dome-shaped contacting portion, provided between opposed surfaces of the movable top plate and the mounting plate portion. The movable top plate is moved up and down by varying an internal pressure of the airtight pressure chamber. The vibration-free movable base is moved up and down via the dome-shaped contacting portion. The vibration isolation device includes a biasing device, positioned inside the airtight pressure chamber for holding the planar centers of the movable top plate and the mounting plate portion in contact with each other when the internal pressure of the airtight pressure chamber is smaller than a predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2005Date of Patent: October 24, 2006Assignee: Fujikura Rubber Ltd.Inventors: Akihiro Hayashi, Keiji Tamaki, Masakuni Kainuma
-
Patent number: 7017893Abstract: A suspension unit used in a pull type shock application is disclosed, whereby a main shaft passes completely through a damping fluid so that the shock absorber fluid is not compressed when the shock shaft is displaced. The shaft also acts on a compression spring by an additional piston on the shaft. A cylindrical outer housing provides two distinct air chambers. The pressurization of these air chambers alters the spring rate, preload of the suspension, and vehicle ride height.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2004Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Inventor: Costa Vincenzo F.
-
Patent number: 6957806Abstract: An improved airspring assembly includes a collapsible support member disposed within the pressurizable chamber of an airspring having a flexible sidewall. The support member is configured such that it extends and collapses along a longitudinal axis of the chamber responsive to pressurization and depressurization of the chamber, respectively. The support member also is configured such that it retains a substantially rigid outer perimeter, thereby restricting movement of the chamber's flexible sidewall toward the longitudinal axis when the chamber is depressurized. The support member also is configured such that it does not interfere with the full stroke of the airspring.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2002Date of Patent: October 25, 2005Assignee: The Modern Group LimitedInventor: Orain Tubbs
-
Patent number: 6957807Abstract: The invention concerns a damping device for damping the kinetic energy of movable cabinet components, which has a first damping element with a first cylinder that has a first piston, which slides lengthwise in it, and at least one more (second) damping element with a second cylinder that has a second piston, which slides lengthwise in it. Both damping elements are located one behind the other in a serial arrangement and form an integral system. The invention is characterized by the fact that each of the two damping elements are each designed as pneumatic (air) dampers, and a compression chamber and an expansion chamber respectively contain variable volumes; whereby, the damping effects of the damping elements are affected by the guide canals, which control the air distribution and air flow within and between the compression chambers and/or expansion chambers.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2003Date of Patent: October 25, 2005Assignee: Grass GmbHInventors: Martin Zimmer, Rainer Thallner, Juergen Ahlfeld, Wolfgang Mueller
-
Patent number: 6902045Abstract: A vehicle suspension system comprising a damper having a lower mount end and an upper mount end and a spring having a lower end and an upper end positioned around the damper. The spring and the damper have a common central axis. An adjustment assembly is operably attached at the lower mount end of the damper and the lower end of the spring is operably attached to and supported by the adjustment assembly thereby allowing the position of the lower end of the spring to continuously vary along the central axis of the damper. The method comprising supporting a lower end of a spring positioned around a damper and moving the end of the spring for adjusting vehicle ride height.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2003Date of Patent: June 7, 2005Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Michael L. Oliver, William C. Kruckemeyer
-
Patent number: 6886817Abstract: A damping device for movable furniture parts, such as doors or drawers, includes a cylinder filled with a free-flowing medium which is compressed by a piston which has a spring applied to it in its extended position. In order to provide a damping device of this type of smaller length, the cylinder includes a telescopic cylinder having at least two stages. A pressure spring is clamped between the bottom of the outer cylinder of the last stage and the piston of the first stage.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2002Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Assignee: Arutro Salice S.p.A.Inventor: Luciano Salice
-
Patent number: 6854720Abstract: The invention concerns a shock strut for a MacPherson wheel suspension comprising a shock absorber with a body (21) and a rod (22). A coil spring (24) is mounted on a lower spring retainer (23) integral with the shock absorber body (21). The first turn of the spring (24) of the MacPherson strut can be immobilized on and relative to the lower spring retainer (23) in various predetermined positions on the lower spring retainer (23).Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2003Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin-Michelin & CieInventors: Francis Aubarede, Antoine Ducloux
-
Patent number: 6811168Abstract: In a suspension of a vehicle wheel on a vehicle body, including a spring element for accommodating the compressive forces acting between the vehicle wheel and vehicle body and with a linear actuator for adjusting the kinematics and the distance between the vehicle wheel and the vehicle body, the spring element and the linear actuator include at least one tubular contraction element with at least one hydraulic or pneumatic or hydropneumatic pressure chamber enclosed in a casing, which is designed in such a way that a pressure rise in the pressure chamber widens the casing radially and shortens it axially.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2002Date of Patent: November 2, 2004Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AGInventors: Bernd Acker, Gerhard Meier, Friedrich-Wilhelm Schlüter, Arnulf Sponheimer, Cornelius Statescu, Thomas Szell
-
Publication number: 20040113335Abstract: An improved airspring assembly includes a collapsible support member disposed within the pressurizable chamber of an airspring having a flexible sidewall. The support member is configured such that it extends and collapses along a longitudinal axis of the chamber responsive to pressurization and depressurization of the chamber, respectively. The support member also is configured such that it retains a substantially rigid outer perimeter, thereby restricting movement of the chamber's flexible sidewall toward the longitudinal axis when the chamber is depressurized. The support member also is configured such that it does not interfere with the full stroke of the airspring.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2002Publication date: June 17, 2004Applicant: The Modern Group LimitedInventor: Orain Tubbs
-
Publication number: 20040036204Abstract: The invention concerns a shock strut for a Mac Pherson wheel suspension comprising a shock absorber with a body (21) and a rod (22). A coil spring (24) is mounted on a lower spring retainer (23) integral with the shock absorber body (21). The first turn of the spring (24) of the MacPherson strut can be immobilized on and relative to the lower spring retainer (23) in various predetermined positions on the lower spring retainer (23).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Applicant: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin - Michelin & CieInventors: Francis Aubarede, Antoine Ducloux
-
Patent number: 6691841Abstract: Heat of an electrothermal part of a heater can be transmitted indirectly and efficiently to a pressure medium. A tubular case 6 having one end portion connected to a piston rod 2 airtightly and the other end portion slidably placed in contact with the outer circumference of a cylinder 1 is provided, a mounting hole 15 is formed within a holder 4 for closing an open end on the piston rod 2 connecting side of the case 6, and an electrothermal part 13a of a heater plug 13 is fitted into the mounting hole 15 directly or through a heat conductivity collar 16.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignees: Kayaba Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Koji Otake, Osamu Miyatani, Yukio Hayakawa, Ryosuke Fujiya, Kiyoshi Nakahara
-
Patent number: 6669178Abstract: An air damper suitably used in the glove box of an automobile comprises a cylinder having a first open end and a second end, a guide cap covering the first open end, and a piston moveable in the cylinder. A compression coil spring is inserted into the cylinder between the piston and the guide cap. The coil spring forces the piston toward the second end of the cylinder in the free state. The piston has a hook piece, which is threaded with a string. At least one end of the string is taken out of the cylinder via the guide cap, and connected to the glove box. The guide cap has a stopper means projecting inside the coil spring and toward the piston. When the glove box is opened and the string is pulled out of the cylinder, the piston moves toward the guide cap. The piston then strikes the stopper means of the guide cap before the coil spring is fully compressed.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2001Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Assignee: Piolax, Inc.Inventor: Toshihiko Ookawara
-
Patent number: 6612553Abstract: The invention concerns a shock strut for a McPherson wheel suspension comprising a shock absorber with a body (21) and a rod (22). A coil spring (24) is mounted on a lower spring retainer (23) integral with the shock absorber body (21). The shock strut comprises means capable of blocking the first turn of the spring (24) on and relative to the lower spring retainer (23) in various predetermined positions on the lower spring retainer (23).Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2001Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin-Michelin & CieInventors: Francis Aubarede, Antoine Ducloux
-
Patent number: 6607185Abstract: A front suspension fork for cycles includes an inverted U-shaped reversed arch having downwardly extending legs that are integral with the upper ends of the outer sections of the telescopic fork, thereby to define a rigid unitary slider component fork. The reversed arch is inclined rearwardly at an acute angle relative to the vertical plane of the fork. Strengthening mass portions extend forwardly from the lower ends of the arch between the inner fork sections, thereby to increase the rigidity of the slider component without interfering with brake operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2001Date of Patent: August 19, 2003Assignee: Answer Products, Inc.Inventors: Brent T. Graves, James C. Rathbun
-
Publication number: 20030141638Abstract: The invention relates to an air damper for mobile furniture parts, such as drawers or doors, consisting of a cylinder that is open at one end and a piston with seal that is movable in the longitudinal direction in this cylinder and that is connected to a ram. According to the invention, there is a small drilled hole provided in the outer wall of the cylinder near the closed end section of the cylinder.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2002Publication date: July 31, 2003Inventor: Luciano Salice
-
Publication number: 20030107161Abstract: A spring suspension device is provided for rail vehicles which is arranged in the region of the wheels in the form of a primary spring suspension between the wheel axle and a frame and/or in the form of a secondary spring suspension between the frame and the vehicle box body, wherein the spring suspension device includes at least one main spring and at least one auxiliary spring device assigned to the main spring, and wherein the at least one main spring comprises a hydropneumatic spring arranged in series with the auxiliary spring device. The auxiliary spring device is, for example, realized in the form of a coil spring. In a spring suspension system for a rail vehicle in which several such spring suspension devices are used, two or more hydraulic units of the hydropneumatic springs may be connected to a common gas reservoir by means of a synchronization unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2002Publication date: June 12, 2003Inventors: Martin Teichmann, Gerhard Kaserer, Herwig Waltensdorfer
-
Patent number: 6513822Abstract: A hydraulic suspension unit which is arranged in a supporting pipe has a piston arranged in a cylinder and a piston rod which is coupled with the piston and projected from the cylinder and detachably coupled with a slide pipe edge portion. Coil springs for buffering are further built in the cylinder. Thus, the hydraulic suspension unit can be easily exchanged.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2000Date of Patent: February 4, 2003Assignee: Sakae Engineering Inc.Inventor: Yoshiya Chonan
-
Patent number: 6499570Abstract: A shock-absorbing device includes an airtight cylindrical casing; at least one compressible springy ball arranged in the cylindrical casing; a main piston mounted in the cylindrical casing above the at least one compressible springy ball and reciprocated to compress the at least one compressible springy ball, the main piston having a piston rod extended out of the cylindrical casing; a damping substance flowing in the cylindrical casing; and a plurality of main piston valves respectively installed in said main piston for enabling the damping substance to flow between an upper chamber in the cylindrical casing above the main piston and a lower chamber in the cylindrical casing below the main piston.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2001Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Inventor: Yu-Hsueh Chu
-
Publication number: 20020158382Abstract: A pull-in device for a string includes a tubular cylinder (1), a piston (2) adapted to move inside the cylinder (1), an urging spring (3) for elastically urging the piston (2) inside the cylinder (1) in the direction of one terminal part thereof, and a string (4) to be pulled in or pulled out with the movement of the piston (2). The device is characterized by a plurality of hooking parts (14) each capable of slidably hooking the string that are formed on the piston (2) as mutually opposed across the center of the piston (2), a hooking part capable of slidably hooking the string (4) that is formed on the cap (6) adapted to close the other terminal opening part of the cylinder (1), one terminal part of the string (4) pulled out of the cylinder (1), intervening points of the whole length of the string (4) hooked serially on the hooking parts (11) and (14) as folded back, and the other terminal part of the string (4) fixed on the cylinder (1) or piston (2).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2001Publication date: October 31, 2002Inventor: Oomi Arisaka
-
Patent number: 6460835Abstract: Provided is a wheel suspension system (4) and a spring (6, 16, 26) therefor which can improve the ride comfort of the vehicle by reducing the sliding resistance between the cylinder and the piston of the tubular shock absorber (5) surrounded by the compression coil spring without increasing the size of the suspension system and without complicating the assembly work. The compression coil spring is adapted to produce lateral forces between two ends thereof as the compression coil spring is extended and compressed by forming the coil spring so as to have cyclically varying pitch angle for each turn of the coil wire.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2000Date of Patent: October 8, 2002Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshio Hamano, Hirotake Kato, Iwao Shigeoka, Takahiro Nakamura, Toshiyuki Kamakura, Masaya Komazaki
-
Publication number: 20020074760Abstract: A bushing block for use with a trunnion assembly of an independent suspension integrates a bearing cap and a bushing into a single component. A face seal is installed on a trunnion pin of the trunnion assembly. The bushing block is next assembled on the trunnion pin, the bushing block contacting the face seal. The trunnion assembly in installed on a lower control arm assembly, a pair of cap screw apertures on the bushing block aligning with a pair of cap screw apertures on the lower control arm assembly. Cap screws are installed therein. Grease grooves are formed on the interior surface of the bushing block to allow grease to flow down the exterior surface of the trunnion pin, eliminating additional machining on the trunnion pin.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2000Publication date: June 20, 2002Applicant: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Technology, LLCInventor: Edward J. Eshelman
-
Patent number: 6378851Abstract: A fluid and elastomer device for isolating dynamic loading between members connected to the device, the fluid and elastomer device comprising: an inner member that defines a compliance chamber; an outer member that defines an outer housing chamber; an elastomeric element flexibly interconnecting said inner member relative to said outer member; a passageway located in the compliance chamber and flow connecting the compliance chamber with a primary working chamber; a secondary compliance member joined to the passageway in the compliance chamber; a volume compensator located in the housing chamber the volume compensator comprising spring means, piston member at one spring end and a diaphragm member that overlies the piston; a member located between the compliance and housing chambers, the member being moveable with the outer housing, the moveable member in combination with the diaphragm defining a compensator chamber; and a volume of working fluid in said chambers and passageway.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2000Date of Patent: April 30, 2002Assignee: Lord CorporationInventor: Dennis P. McGuire
-
Patent number: 6367785Abstract: A tubular cylinder has a first end and a second end. A piston is movable in the cylinder. A compressed coil spring resiliently biases the piston toward the first end of the cylinder. A string transmits a damper function, caused by a movement of the piston, to a body to be moved. The string slideably wraps over the piston, and extends the length of the cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2000Date of Patent: April 9, 2002Assignee: Piolax, Inc.Inventors: Isao Nakabayashi, Seiji Sawatani
-
Patent number: 6352126Abstract: A dampening device for use with conventional finish dirt scrapers characterized by a shaft with the lower end of the shaft attached to a skid shoe and the upper end of the shaft having a piston mounted thereon which operates in a cylinder, wherein the cylinder has a divider containing an orifice which separates the chamber into a lower chamber and an upper chamber and a by-pass oil line with the upper end opening into the upper cylinder chamber and the lower end opening into the lower cylinder chamber below the piston so that the cylinder operates in a closed oil system in which the oil helps minimize bounce as the piston moves up and down, and a compression-expansion spring surrounding the shaft with the upper end abutting the bottom of the cylinder and the lower end rotatably attached to the skid shoe, the piston and spring working in unison to dampen the normal bounce of the bucket on finish dirt scrapers.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2000Date of Patent: March 5, 2002Inventor: Dennis A. Brown
-
Patent number: 6315093Abstract: A hydraulic shock absorber (10) is composed of a piston (3) that partitions the inside of a cylinder (1) into an extension side chamber (R1) and a compression side chamber (R2), a throttler (3c) for connecting the extension side chamber (R1) and the compression side chamber (R2), a piston rod (2) that extends from the cylinder (1) interlocking with the piston (3), an accumulator (11) that allows entrance and exit of a volume of hydraulic operating fluid equivalent to the volume of a portion of the piston rod (2) entered within the cylinder (1), and a spring (8) that pushes the piston (3) against the piston rod (2).Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2000Date of Patent: November 13, 2001Assignee: Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshiya Miura, Tadashi Miyazawa
-
Patent number: 6308974Abstract: A suspension system 10 has one or more protrusive seating portions 21L;22L, on which a coil spring 13 is situated, and is formed in a partly circumferential portion of a spring seat 14L supporting the coil spring 13, and a tapered surface 23L for preventing body warp or bending of the coil spring 13 in a circumferential portion of at least one protrusive seating portion 22L.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 1998Date of Patent: October 30, 2001Assignee: Showa CorporationInventors: Kenji Hashirayama, Yoshihisa Nakamura
-
Patent number: 6260677Abstract: On an outside of a damper main body (1) of an inverted type of damper, a cylindrical case (12) which is coupled to a damper rod (2) is provided so as to be movable up and down. Between the damper main body (1) and the case (12), there is formed a pressure chamber (13) filled with a pressure medium of low boiling point which varies between a gaseous state and a liquid state. By use of a heater (16) which is disposed inside the pressure chamber (13) the pressure medium is heated and evaporated, whereby the vehicle height is increased by the vapor pressure of the pressure medium. In the above-described damper with a vehicle height adjusting function, the heater (16) is arranged to be easily mounted and dismounted to thereby improve the ease with which the maintenance is performed. The influence on the suspension stoke which is caused by the presence of the heater (16) is also minimized. The heater is formed into a bar heater (16).Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2000Date of Patent: July 17, 2001Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yukio Hayakawa, Kiyoshi Nakahara
-
Patent number: 6237904Abstract: A motion stabilizer for yieldingly urging a relatively movable load member toward a normal or centered position relative to another load member includes a telescoping body that shortens (retracts) as the load members move toward one another and lengthens (extends) as the load members move apart. A reaction unit is mounted within an axially extending internal chamber defined within the body. The reaction unit has a normal length and a displaced length. The reaction unit may include a spring such as a gas spring or coil spring, and the spring may operate in compression or in expansion. The reaction unit may provide damping. Depending of the characteristics of the reaction unit, the displaced length may be either longer or shorter than the normal length.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1999Date of Patent: May 29, 2001Inventor: John D. Shepherd
-
Patent number: 6220583Abstract: An air damper of the present invention is provided with a cylinder whose one end is closed and other end is open; a piston which is movable along an axial direction of the cylinder within the cylinder in a state where an end of a string is connected to the piston; a recess groove formed in a peripheral surface of the piston; an O-ring seal between the cylinder and the piston and movably fitted to the recess groove; a coil spring butted against one of a pair of flanges defining the recess groove of the piston for biasing the piston toward the one end of the cylinder; a hook provided on one of the pair of flanges, the end of the string being attached to the hook; and opposed notches formed by notching portions of the pair of flanges of the piston corresponding to opposite sides of the hook.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 1999Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: Piolax, Inc.Inventor: Kiichiro Ito
-
Patent number: 6213454Abstract: The damper includes a piston assembly which travels within a cylindrical damper housing between an extended position and a retracted position. A transverse channel is formed proximate to the open end of the damper housing. A latching diamond travels within the transverse channel. The piston assembly includes a piston shaft with a camming wall sub-assembly formed thereon which engages the latching diamond so that the piston assembly is latched in a “push-push” configuration in the extended position. In this latched configuration, the latching diamond is detent engaged by a concave detent apex formed on an island which includes a longitudinally chamfered portion. Additionally, the flexibility of the island in which the concave detent apex is formed may be increased by transverse passageways or “cored-out” areas in the piston shaft immediately adjacent to the island.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 1999Date of Patent: April 10, 2001Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Steven L. Bivens, Calvin Derr, Joseph Wach
-
Patent number: 6183015Abstract: A load limiting device is used with a vehicle seat belt during a crash to allow a limited and controlled forward motion of a vehicle occupant after the retractor has locked. The load limiting device decreases the forces exerted by the seat belt on the vehicle occupant's torso. The load limiting device has a container which defines a flow path for a fluid, with a restriction in the flow path. An actuator is located within the container and is movable within the container under the action of a load transmitted to the seat belt webbing from the vehicle occupant under extreme acceleration conditions, to move the fluid through the restriction in the flow path to dissipate a predetermined portion of the load on the webbing.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2000Date of Patent: February 6, 2001Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.Inventors: Alan Smithson, David Blackadder, John Taylor, Andrew Downie, Joe Harte, Andrew Park, Elizabeth Rees
-
Patent number: 6126154Abstract: A system for centering a relatively movable member relative to a relatively fixed member includes telescoped inner and outer cap tubes with opposed closed ends adapted to be connected to the fixed and movable members. A strut tube assembly within the cap tubes includes a gas spring unit that is compressed by a force transfer tube assembly when the system is compressed or extended. Resilient bumpers smooth the force transition near the centered position. A set screw permits adjustment of the system to have preload or no preload or to have free play at the centered position. The system is easily adapted to specific requirements by selection of the gas spring unit and the material of the bumpers and by adjustment of the set screw.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 1999Date of Patent: October 3, 2000Inventor: John D. Shepherd
-
Patent number: 6116584Abstract: In an air spring strut for a wheel suspension of a motor vehicle including an air spring head to be mounted to a vehicle body, a shock absorber having a piston rod resiliently supported in the air spring head and a cylinder receiving the piston rod with a damper piston, a tubular air spring piston mounted to the cylinder and extending therefrom into a cylindrical extension of the air spring head and a rolling sleeve bellows connected to the air spring piston and the cylindrical extension, the air spring piston is connected to the shock absorber cylinder elastically and has at its opposite end a slide structure disposed around a guide structure extending from the air spring head for slideably supporting the end of the tubular air spring piston to prevent adjacent wall portions of the rolling sleeve bellows from contacting each other.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 1999Date of Patent: September 12, 2000Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AGInventor: Matthias Romer
-
Patent number: 6102378Abstract: A spring device arrangement in particular for the area of railway vehicles, in particular for spring suspension between a bogie and coach body, in which a spring device is located between a supporting plate and a substructure includes two spring systems connected in parallel. Each spring system comprises three parallel springs, the spring being an air spring or hydropneumatic spring comprising a bellows of elastomer material which connects the supporting plate to the upper part of a spring-support piston, the springs of the spring system being interconnected in a pressure-equalizing manner by an overflow duct. The spring is disposed outside the spring and extends from the supporting plate to the substructure, and the spring is installed in the support piston of the spring, a force-transmitting pressure piston simultaneously being used.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1998Date of Patent: August 15, 2000Assignee: Phoenix AktiengesellschaftInventors: Eckhard Gieseler, Dirk Lambrecht
-
Patent number: 6098966Abstract: Apparatus for both attenuating vibrations below a given load and absorbing shock above the given load. A hydraulic damper unit is equipped with a spring that preloads the device and positions the damper in a neutral or centered position. The spring holds the damper unit centered until the preload force is exceeded in either tension or compression. Elastomeric rod ends connect the damper unit to a mass to be protected and a supporting structure. The elastomeric rod ends have a response such that they attenuate vibrations up to the preloading force of the spring whereupon the elastomer is fully compressed thus permitting the damper to be displaced to absorb shock loads that are greater than the preload break-away force.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 1999Date of Patent: August 8, 2000Assignee: Enidine IncorporatedInventors: Michael Paul Latvis, Jr., Daniel Charles Radice, Gerald John Spyche, Jr.