Abstract: An air spring module is constructed and arranged to be removably mounted between a damper and a vehicular body. The module includes a bored contact piston which is slip fitted over a reciprocable piston rod of the damper. A retaining ring releasably locks the contact piston to the damper, and O-ring seals provide a seal between the contact piston and the damper. An air sleeve is secured at its lower end to the contact piston and is secured at its upper end to a canister. A bearing assembly and mount rotationally and removably secures the canister to the body.

Abstract: A cover plate for a cooling fan motor includes a heat shield portion spaced from the motor and a deflector portion extending beyond the motor. The deflector portion redirects axial discharge airflow across the motor to provide cooling, thereby improving the life of the motor bearings and the operating efficiency of the motor.

Abstract: A pressure regulating valve assembly includes a valve body mounting an electric solenoid assembly. The solenoid assembly controls the fluid pressure in a chamber defined in the valve body. Fluid in the chamber is biased against a deflectable disc which controls fluid flow through the valve assembly. Control of electric current to the solenoid assembly controls fluid pressure in the chamber and, thus, fluid flow through the valve assembly. When utilized with a damper and a controller, the present valve assembly provides continuously variable damping in real time.

Abstract: A piston and piston rod subassembly for use with a hydraulic damper is disclosed. The piston is formed from a substantially flat blank having a pattern of bendable tabs provided along a first edge. A bendable skirt is provided along a second edge of the blank. After the blank is formed into a cylindrical body, the tabs are crimped onto a flanged end of a piston rod. A valve assembly can be retained in the cylindrical body by crimping the skirt over the valve assembly.

Abstract: A semi-active hydraulic damper includes a solenoid valve assembly for controlling fluid flow through a bypass channel. A blow-off valve assembly is provided in series with the solenoid valve assembly to provide low-level damping when the bypass channel is open.

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 top mount assembly includes a resilient isolator designed to be seated on an upper end of an actuator. A guiding sleeve is seated on the isolator and includes an upstanding annular wall forming a cavity in an upper surface of the guiding sleeve. At least one Belleville spring is mounted in the cavity to permit deflection of the assembly during the operational range of the actuator. A thrust plate is mounted on the Belleville spring and attached to the body.

Abstract: A scroll housing includes a spiral portion and an outlet portion. A blower fan is mounted on the spiral portion and rotated to draw an axial air current into the scroll housing. The airflow is channeled away from the scroll housing by the outlet portion which is tangentially aligned with the blower fan. A baffle is mounted on an interior surface of the spiral portion upstream from a cutoff provided adjacent the intersection of the spiral portion and the outlet portion. The baffle projects into the exiting airflow from the blower fan and reduces airflow noise.

Abstract: A viscous fluid clutch includes an internally-mounted pump plate for separating a working chamber from a reservoir. Discharge ports in the pump plate permit fluid flow from the reservoir to the working chamber. Return orifices in the pump plate direct return flow back to the reservoir. A rotatable control arm is supported by arcuate baffle walls formed in a cover to enhance the seal provided at the discharge ports. The baffle walls limit the amount of fluid which can collect at a discharge port from the reservoir when the clutch is at rest.

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 viscous fluid clutch includes an internally-mounted pump plate for separating a working chamber from a reservoir. Fill openings in the pump plate permit fluid flow from the reservoir to the working chamber. Orifices in the pump plate direct return flow back to the reservoir. Fluid accumulators formed in a cover are aligned with each of the pump plate orifices. A non-radical channel formed in the cover begins at a respective accumulator and terminates at an inner reservoir chamber. Centripetal forces of the rotating clutch pump fluid from the accumulators to the reservoir. The geometry of the channels prevents migration of fluid from the reservoir to the working chamber without the use of mechanical valves when the clutch is at rest.

Abstract: A viscous fluid clutch includes a clutch plate rotatably driven by an input shaft. The clutch plate includes a plurality of concentric, annular lands and grooves in a rear face which are mated with complementary lands and grooves of a clutch body to form a shear zone. A plurality of passages are provided in the clutch plate lands and grooves for directing fluid from a reservoir to the shear zone. A first system of arcuate ramps are provided in a front surface of the clutch plate facing a pump plate of the clutch. The arcuate ramps are radially aligned with pump plate orifices and enhance the pump-out of fluid through the orifices. If desired, a second system of circumferential ramps can be provided about the periphery of the clutch plate to enhance the pump-out of fluid.

Abstract: A mounting bushing block for a stabilizer bar includes a central body having a pair of flexible projecting legs. A semicircular seat is provided in the body for receiving a tubular stabilizer bar. A second bushing block formed identical to the first bushing block includes a semicircular seat for receiving the stabilizer bar and indentations for receiving the legs of the first bushing blocks. The bushing blocks are snapped together with respect to one another and then mounted on the stabilizer bar to provide a mounting assembly for snap-on connection to a chassis.

Abstract: The present gear arrangement for an automatic transmission includes one compound planetary gear unit and two simple planetary gear units. Three clutches and three brakes are selectively engaged to produce five forward and two reverse drive ratios.

Abstract: A connector assembly for attaching an end of a rotatable stabilizer bar to a control arm includes a cap member and a nut member. The cap member includes a barrel portion for receiving a stabilizer bar and a central stem. An annular, resilient base surrounds the stem and yieldably supports the cap member on a first surface of a control arm. A threaded bolt extends from the stem. The nut member includes a stem having a complementary sleeve for receiving the bolt and an annular, resilient base for supporting the nut member on a second surface of the control arm. Preferably, both the cap and nut members are molded from a resilient material.

Abstract: A two-part, spliced air sleeve assembly for use with an air spring damper includes a first corded, resilient sleeve member bonded to a second corded, resilient sleeve member. The bond angles and fabrics of the first sleeve members are selected so that the first sleeve inflates to a smaller diameter than the second sleeve. A first fastener secures the first sleeve member to the second portion of a damper. A second fastener secures the upper sleeve to a piston rod of the damper to form a closed chamber for receiving pressurized fluid. When inflated for operation, the first sleeve has a smaller diameter than the second sleeve. A pair of rolling lobe members are provided in the first and second sleeve members which travel as the air spring damper is actuated.

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: A molded piston for a shock absorber is formed as a cylindrical member having a central, axial opening for receiving a piston rod. A plurality of unrestricted axial openings are provided in the piston radially outbound of the central opening and aligned substantially parallel to the axis of the piston to serve as primary flow passages. A plurality of axial grooves are provided on the circumference of the piston to serve as secondary flow passages. A flexible, circumferential valving ring is integrally molded at one end of the piston for permitting only one-way flow of fluid through the secondary flow passages as the piston reciprocates in an inner cylinder.

Abstract: A hydraulic damper for a suspension system comprises a fluid-filled inner cylinder mounting a reciprocating piston and piston rod. The piston divides the interior of the inner cylinder into upper and lower chambers. A reservoir tube surrounds the inner cylinder and forms a reservoir in the interior volume between the reservoir tube and the inner cylinder. A base valve assembly permits the return of fluid into the lower chamber from the reservoir. A pair of concentric tubes are mounted between the inner cylinder and the reservoir tube and provide a one-way laminar flow path for fluid exiting the upper chamber of the inner cylinder and entering the reservoir. The length and the spacing of the concentric tubes can be varied to provide a preselected damping force.

Abstract: A vortex valving assembly for a hydraulic damper is adaptable for use in both a piston and a cylinder end. A generator plate includes a plurality of upstanding, arcuate vanes for imparting a vortex to passing fluid and directing the fluid to a central opening. A control plate having a plurality of openings is stacked adjacent the generator plate to control the entry and exit of fluid from the control plate during reciprocation of the piston.