Abstract: A valve unit having a needle valve member, a control valve, a control line extending between the control valve and the needle valve member. Pressurized actuation fluid may be applied to the needle valve member via the control valve and the control line, in order to bias the needle valve member in a first direction. A vent passage is provided, which is fluidly connected to the control line between the needle valve member and the control valve. A valve element which is movably disposed in the control line and has a first position in which said vent passage is closed, and a second position in which said vent passage is open to the control line.

Abstract: A vehicle air spring assembly has a pair of spaced end plates which sealing engage a bladder to form an air chamber. A pair of bead skirts are attached to the end plates to guide the bladder radially outwardly as the air spring is compressed. By guiding the bladder as it expands radially outwardly, the bead skirts control the effective area with respect to the air spring height, thus controlling the dynamic load and dynamic spring rate of the air spring. The bead skirts are formed complementary in shape and nestle together as they move towards one another. This nestling reduces pinching of the bladder when the air spring is compressed during use.

Abstract: The movement of the intensifier piston in a fuel injector, to control the pressurization of fuel, can be controlled with a flow control valve. The flow control valve provides different flow rates depending upon the direction of flow. In a first direction, flow control valve has a first rate of flow and in the second direction flow control valve allows a second different rate of flow. Typically, this can be applied to a intensifier piston as follows: flow traveling to the intensifier piston, in the first direction, has a first flow rate, allowing the intensifier to move downward and pressurize fuel. When injection is over, and the intensifier piston is vented, the flow control valve allows a second flow rate which is greater than the first flow rate, allowing the intensifier piston to vent quickly and reset for another injection.

Abstract: A tire tag includes a monitoring package, a battery, and an antenna encapsulated within an encapsulation mold. The antenna is connected to the encapsulation mold so that the antenna does not move during the encapsulation process. The antenna remains spaced apart from the monitoring package but connected to the monitoring package by connectors that are completely surrounded by encapsulation material so that the connectors are protected during the operation of the tire tag. The antenna may be connected to the encapsulation mold by an adhesive, by pins, by an interference fit, or by clips. The connection between the antenna and the monitoring device may be made by soldered wires or by spring loaded connector pins. The method of encapsulating the tire tag in this manner allows the position of the antenna to be precisely known before, during, and after the encapsulation process.