Abstract: Provided is a continuous hydraulic suspension system which has, in each front and rear valve block (25, 26), an Energy Management Valve (EMV) (27, 28) and Check Valves (CV) (29, 30, 31, 32) to provide re-circulation of oil in the resistive mode. The system allows reduced energy consumption during non-motoring modes, and enables a smaller capacity pump and/or an electric motor pump to be used.

Abstract: Provided is a hydraulic damper with a position dependent valve assembly (3) to prevent abrupt stop of a piston at the end of the compression stroke. The position dependent valve assembly (3) comprises a supporting member (31) partitioning damper (2) internal tube (22) and provided with an axial opening (312), an axial member (32) disposed slidably within said axial opening (312) of said supporting member (31), a rigid body (33) fixed on said axial member (32), a compression stroke disc assembly (35) and a rebound stroke disc assembly (34) fixed on said axial member (32).

Abstract: In shock absorber system 10, solenoid 18 varies the damping force by changing the position of spring seat 24, and the effective preload force, at the same time. In the normal, de-energized condition (with no current), damping forces are generated by the piston valve 30 including piston 20. The actuated valve spring 16 is relaxed and set in such a way that it applies only a minimum preload force to the rebound-side disc stack 28. The motion of the plunger 14, pin 32 and movable spring seat 24 assembly changes the spring force by varying the distance between the movable spring seat 24 and the stationary spring seat 22. In the energized state, applying current to coil 12 generates a pulling force on the plunger 14 in the direction of the core element 34 to attract plunger 14 towards the core 34 and across the initial gap 36 until it is in a direct contact with the core's surface 38.

Abstract: A mount apparatus (20) for supporting a vibration source on a base is provided. The mount apparatus (20) includes a moving member (134) that is partially disposed in a pumping chamber (64) for moving within the pumping chamber (64) along a first axis (A) to create a volume change in the pumping chamber (64) to maintain the volume of the pumping chamber (64) to prevent a pressure increase in the pumping chamber (64) during the deformation of a flexible body (46) in response to an external excitation to effectively cancel the external excitation. The moving member (134) includes a moveable wall (144) of a flexible material, having a generally hour glass-shape in steady state, and extending between moving member upper and lower ends (140, 142). The moveable wall (144) flexes radially outwardly and inwardly relative to the first axis (A) in response to relative axial movement between the moving member upper and lower ends (140, 142), to amplify the volume change in the pumping chamber (64).

Abstract: A caliper housing including a piston bore and a bridge extending between the piston bore and a pair of caliper fingers interconnecting the caliper fingers and the piston bore. The caliper fingers of the caliper housing extend downwardly from the bridge to define a flat surface. A rotor having a disc shape defines a first side and a second side and disposed adjacent to the caliper fingers. An outer brake pad defining a first centroid is disposed adjacent to the first side of the rotor abutting the caliper fingers allowing the caliper fingers to urge the outer brake pad into engagement with the first side of the rotor. Each of the caliper fingers defines a pivot edge extending between the outer brake pad and the flat surface of the caliper fingers allowing the outer brake pad to pivot about the pivot edge.

Abstract: A cup shaped spring retainer is slidably disposed within a cup shaped piston, encapsulating a spring therebetween. The side wall of the spring retainer presents a plurality of recesses and a plurality of slots defining a plurality of fingers. A tang, projects radially outward at the distal end of each of the fingers to engage a retaining ring within the piston in a latch position. The combination of the spring retainer and the piston provide an arrangement whereby all of the fingers may be compressed with the spring retainer outside of the piston to an insert position with the tangs disposed in gripping engagement with the spring. After inserting the compressed spring retainer into the piston, the radial compression the of the fingers may be released to allow the fingers to expand from the insert position to the latch position at which point the deflection of the fingers is discontinued.

Abstract: A gas cup (36) is slidably disposed in the main chamber (34) of a housing (20) and a piston (50) is disposed spaced apart from the gas cup (36). The gas cup (36) includes a volume reducing device (110) for forcing a lubricant from a closed lubricant chamber (112) through a lubricant passage (108) to a lubricant reservoir (106) in response to a sliding movement of the piston (50). A flexible diaphragm (116) flexes into the closed lubricant chamber (112) in response to the sliding movement of the piston (50). A seal cap (118) sandwiches the flexible diaphragm (116) between the seal cap (118) and an annular projection (114) and the seal cap (118) includes a plurality of seal ports (120) for forcing the lubricant to flow from the closed lubricant chamber (112) through the lubricant passage (108) to the lubricant reservoir (106). The seal cap (118) includes a skirt (122) retained on the annular projection (114).

Abstract: A piston pump assembly for pumping a fluid including a pump housing defining a bore. The pump housing further defines a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and a fluid flow path extending therebetween for conveying the fluid from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet. A piston is slidably disposed in the bore of the pump housing, and an eccentric engages the piston to propel the fluid through the fluid flow path. An inlet check valve and an outlet check valve body are disposed in the bore for only allowing the fluid to flow in one direction from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet. A filter is disposed in the fluid flow path downstream of the inlet check valve and the outlet check valve body and adjacent to a damper orifice for filtering debris from the fluid before the fluid is conveyed to the fluid outlet.

Abstract: A tie bar assembly includes front and rear units each including inner inserts interconnected with outer inserts with webs of elastomeric material. A pole sub-assembly is disposed between the units. The pole sub-assembly and the units define front and rear fluid chambers containing a magneto-rheological fluid. Fluid orifices are disposed through the pole sub-assembly for flow of the magneto-rheological fluid between fluid chambers. An electromagnet coil generates an electromagnetic field to affect viscosity of the magneto-rheological fluid. A connecting rod connects inner inserts and is slidably disposed through the pole sub-assembly for causing movement of the magneto-rheological fluid between fluid chambers. A displacement sensor detects movement to generate a signal to the electromagnet coil. Front and rear travel cushions are each disposed on the inner inserts for limiting the movement of the inner inserts toward the pole sub-assembly.

Abstract: A hydraulic damper (2) comprises a tube (3) filled with working liquid, inside of which a slidable piston assembly (4) is attached to a piston rod (6) and provided with at least one valve assembly (43) to control the flow of working liquid passing through the piston assembly (4) during rebound and compression stroke of the damper. The valve assembly (4) contains a floating disc valve (431) and additionally comprises a unidirectional check valve disc (436) disposed serially with the floating disc valve (431) across the passage of the flow of working liquid during compression or rebound stroke of the damper (2). Preferably the piston assembly (4) forms a symmetrical cross-flow arrangement and preferably the at least one valve assembly includes compression (43a) and rebound (43b) valve assemblies of the piston assembly (4) which each have the same constructions.

Abstract: A shock absorber assembly including a fluid for absorbing forces between the body and the wheel of a motor vehicle. The shock absorber includes a valve having a resilient disc engaging a piston for impeding the passage of fluid through the aperture of the piston. A bi-stable solenoid is disposed in the housing and is interconnected with the resilient disc of the valve. The bi-stable solenoid's armature is moveable between a first stable position for applying a first biasing force against the resilient disc of the valve and a second stable position for applying a second biasing force being less than the first biasing force against the resilient disc of the valve. The adjustment of the biasing force on the valve also adjusts the damping force of the shock absorber.

Abstract: A gas cup (36) is slidably disposed in the main chamber (34) of a housing (20) and a piston (50) is disposed spaced apart from the gas cup (36). The gas cup (36) includes a volume reducing device (110) for forcing a lubricant from a closed lubricant chamber (112) through a lubricant passage (108) to a lubricant reservoir (106) in response to a sliding movement of the piston (50). A flexible diaphragm (116) flexes into the closed lubricant chamber (112) in response to the sliding movement of the piston (50). A seal cap (118) sandwiches the flexible diaphragm (116) between the seal cap (118) and an annular projection (114) and the seal cap (118) includes a plurality of seal ports (120) for forcing the lubricant to flow from the closed lubricant chamber (112) through the lubricant passage (108) to the lubricant reservoir (106). The seal cap (118) includes a skirt (122) retained on the annular projection (114).

Abstract: A magnetorheological fluid-based hydraulic mount apparatus (20, 220) for supporting a vibration source on a base is disclosed. A main fluid passage (104, 304) extends between pumping chamber (64, 264) and receiving chamber (66, 266) for passing the fluid therebetween. Electromagnet coil (98, 298) variably generates a magnetic flux across the main fluid passage to variably change the damping stiffness of the mount. A rate dip track passage (120, 320) extends between the pumping chamber (64, 264) and receiving chamber (66, 266) for oscillating the magnetorheological fluid (68, 268) therethrough to decrease the dynamic stiffness of the mount apparatus (20, 220) at predetermined frequencies.

Abstract: A hydraulic damper (2) comprises a tube (3) filled with working liquid, inside of which a slidable piston assembly (4) is attached to a piston rod (6) and provided with at least one valve assembly (43) to control the flow of working liquid passing through the piston assembly (4) during rebound and compression stroke of the damper. The valve assembly (4) contains a floating disc valve (431) and additionally comprises a unidirectional check valve disc (436) disposed serially with the floating disc valve (431) across the passage of the flow of working liquid during compression or rebound stroke of the damper (2). Preferably the piston assembly (4) forms a symmetrical cross-flow arrangement and preferably the at least one valve assembly includes compression (43a) and rebound (43b) valve assemblies of the piston assembly (4) which each have the same constructions.

Abstract: A mount apparatus (20) for supporting a vibration source on a base is provided. The mount apparatus (20) includes a moving member (134) that is partially disposed in a pumping chamber (64) for moving within the pumping chamber (64) along a first axis (A) to create a volume change in the pumping chamber (64) to maintain the volume of the pumping chamber (64) to prevent a pressure increase in the pumping chamber (64) during the deformation of a flexible body (46) in response to an external excitation to effectively cancel the external excitation. The moving member (134) includes a moveable wall (144) of a flexible material, having a generally hour glass-shape in steady state, and extending between moving member upper and lower ends (140, 142). The moveable wall (144) flexes radially outwardly and inwardly relative to the first axis (A) in response to relative axial movement between the moving member upper and lower ends (140, 142), to amplify the volume change in the pumping chamber (64).

Abstract: Disclosed is a hydraulic damper including a valve housing (78) having a valve housing bore (88) disposed in abutting relationship with a bypass insert (68) of a base valve assembly (56) for isolating a bypass passage (70) from a reservoir (36). The valve housing (78) defines a valve housing orifice (128) extending therethrough to define an orifice plane (P). A valve (106) is rotatably disposed within the valve housing bore (88) and defines at least one valve orifice (130) extending therethrough along the plane (P). The valve (106) is rotatable between a closed position and an open position to align the valve orifice (130) and the valve housing orifice (128). A working fluid flows serially through the bypass passage (70), the valve orifice (130), and the open valve housing orifice (128).

Abstract: A magnetorheological fluid-based hydraulic mount apparatus (20, 220) for supporting a vibration source on a base is disclosed. A main fluid passage (104, 304) extends between pumping chamber (64, 264) and receiving chamber (66, 266) for passing the fluid therebetween. Electromagnet coil (98, 298) variably generates a magnetic flux across the main fluid passage to variably change the damping stiffness of the mount. A rate dip track passage (120, 320) extends between the pumping chamber (64, 264) and receiving chamber (66, 266) for oscillating the magnetorheological fluid (68, 268) therethrough to decrease the dynamic stiffness of the mount apparatus (20, 220) at predetermined frequencies.

Abstract: A caliper housing including a piston bore and a bridge extending between the piston bore and a pair of caliper fingers interconnecting the caliper fingers and the piston bore. The caliper fingers of the caliper housing extend downwardly from the bridge to define a flat surface. A rotor having a disc shape defines a first side and a second side and disposed adjacent to the caliper fingers. An outer brake pad defining a first centroid is disposed adjacent to the first side of the rotor abutting the caliper fingers allowing the caliper fingers to urge the outer brake pad into engagement with the first side of the rotor. Each of the caliper fingers defines a pivot edge extending between the outer brake pad and the flat surface of the caliper fingers allowing the outer brake pad to pivot about the pivot edge.

Abstract: A shock absorber assembly including a fluid for absorbing forces between the body and the wheel of a motor vehicle. The shock absorber includes a valve having a resilient disc engaging a piston for impeding the passage of fluid through the aperture of the piston. A bi-stable solenoid is disposed in the housing and is interconnected with the resilient disc of the valve. The bi-stable solenoid's armature is moveable between a first stable position for applying a first biasing force against the resilient disc of the valve and a second stable position for applying a second biasing force being less than the first biasing force against the resilient disc of the valve. The adjustment of the biasing force on the valve also adjusts the damping force of the shock absorber.