Abstract: A shock absorber utilizes a single flexing disc assembly includes a flexing disc which is capable of performing the flexing disc function normally required for allowing the passage of fluid between the two sides of a shock absorber while also providing the blow off function. The flexing disc is backed by a ridge formed on a spring seat. The ridge defines a ring that is concentric with the central long axis of the piston rod. Under normal rebounding conditions, the pressure of rebounding damping fluid builds to the point that the flexing disc is opened somewhat by flexing to allow normal bleedthrough. However, in the event that the rebound pressure builds to a higher, predetermined value, the valve flexes to an extreme degree against the ridge formed on the spring seat. In this manner, the ring acts as a fulcrum, and a quantity of damping fluid is allowed to pass thereby until normal rebound pressure values are reached.

Abstract: A shock absorber has a biasing member located between the base cup of a reserve tube and a cylinder end at the bottom of a pressure tube. The biasing member urges the pressure tube away from the base cup of the reserve tube and provides for movement between the lower ends of the two members without affecting the seating or sealing of the components within the shock absorber. The movement between the pressure tube and the reserve tube provides axial compliance for accommodating tubes materials having different materials with different coefficients of thermal expansion.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a hydraulic actuator is described which is operable to generate forces. The hydraulic actuator includes a pressure cylinder as well as a piston disposed within a pressure cylinder and being operable to divide the pressure cylinder into first and second portions. The hydraulic actuator also includes a piston rod mechanically communicating with the piston and being operable to impart movement to the piston. Finally, the hydraulic actuator includes variable restriction valves for controlling the pressure on both sides of the piston substantially independent of the velocity of the piston within the pressure cylinder.

Abstract: An automatic damper system for an automobile which includes a plurality of shock absorbers (10). Each of the shock absorbers (10) having a pressure cylinder (48), a first valve member (100) for establishing the first plurality of flow passages, as well as a second valve member (134) for establishing a second plurality of flow passages. In addition, each of the shock absorbers (10) include an actuator (176) for displacing the second valve member (134) with respect to the first valve member (100). Finally, the automatic damping system further includes a plurality of electronic control modules (34) each of which are able to control the displacement of one of the second valve members (134) with respect to one of the first valve members.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for charging a damper with pressurized gas by forming a flow passage between the dust lip of the oil seal and the piston rod. The flow passage is formed by locally deforming the dust lip under the action of a distortion clamp. A source of pressurized gas is then placed in communication with the flow passage. The pressurized gas causes the oil seal to be displaced away from the piston rod, and the gas enters the damper between the oil seal and the piston rod. When the gas within the damper has attained the desired pressure, the distortion clamp is released allowing the dust lip to return to normal circumferential contact with the piston rod, and the source of pressurized gas is removed. The pressurized gas is retained in the damper after charging by the seal engaging the rod.

Abstract: A piston post (54) for use in a damper (10) comprising a pressure cylinder (48) having a working chamber (50) with first and second portions. The piston post (54) has a first flow passage (200) fluidly communicating with the first portion of the working chamber (50). In addition, the piston post (54) has a second flow passage (202) fluidly communicating with the second portion of the working chamber (50).

Abstract: A proportioning valve actuation member (110) for a vehicle (12) having a braking system and a load leveling system has an actuator (22) mounted between the proportioning valve (20) of the braking system and the rear suspension (14) of the vehicle (12). The actuator (22) is operative to increase the amount of braking applied to the rear wheels in response to the movement of the rear suspension (14). The actuation member (110) further includes an activation cylinder (112) which is placed in parallel with the actuator (22) and is in communication with the load leveling system. When the load leveling system activates to correct the attitude of the vehicle (12), the activation cylinder (112) is also signaled to correct the reading provided to the proportioning valve (20) by the actuator (22).

Abstract: A suspension system for an automotive vehicle having a sprung portion and an unsprung portions. The suspension system includes a leaf spring for insulating the transmission of road vibration from the unsprung portion of the automotive vehicle to the sprung portion of the automotive vehicle, the open span of the leaf spring being susceptible to resonance vibration. The suspension system further includes a resonance vibration damper which is able to attenuate resonance vibration of the leaf spring.

Abstract: A direct acting shock absorber for damping the movement of the body of an automobile is disclosed. The shock absorber comprises a pressure cylinder forming a working chamber having first and second portions operable to store damping fluid. A piston is disposed within the pressure cylinder between the first and second portions of the working chamber. The shock absorber further comprises a fluid reservoir operable to store damping fluid. The shock absorber also includes a valve for permitting damping fluid to flow from the first portion of the working chamber to the fluid reservoir during movement of the piston in a first direction. Finally, a second valve is provided for permitting damping fluid to flow from the fluid reservoir to the second portion of the working chamber during movement of the piston in a second direction.

Abstract: An adjustable damping system (10) for motor vehicles is disclosed. The adjustable damping system (10) includes dampers (10) for damping road vibration. Each of the dampers (10) include a pressure cylinder (48) which forms a working chamber (50) which are operable to store damping fluid. In addition, the dampers (10) have a device (176) for electrically controlling the flow of damping fluid between each of the portions in the pressure cylinder (48). The adjustable damping system further includes a plurality of separate electronic control modules (34) which are operable to control the damping characteristics of the dampers (10). Finally, the adjustable damping system (10) includes a switch (32) for generating a plurality of electrical control signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for absorbing mechanical shock is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a pressure cylinder forming a working chamber having first and second portions operable to store damping fluid. The apparatus further comprises the first valve for controlling the flow of damping fluid between the first and second portions of the working chamber during compression of the shock absorber. In addition, the apparatus further comprises a pressure chamber in fluid communication with the first portion of the working chamber and the first valve. A solenoid is also provided for regulating the flow of damping fluid between the pressure chamber and the second portion of the working chamber. A second valve is further provided for controlling the flow of damping fluid between the first and second portions of the working chamber during rebound of the shock absorber.

Abstract: A novel tunable hydraulic valve assembly, adaptable to a standard direct acting hydraulic shock absorber, variably responsive to a plurality of selected ranges of fluid pressure differentials to provide a plurality of fluid flow paths between fluid containing portions of the shock absorber, and a method for achieving same, is disclosed. The valve assembly comprises a plurality of deflectable valve disks with flow ports, in stacked abutting relationship whereby selected ranges of fluid pressure differentials deflect variable numbers of valve disks providing varying fluid flow paths therebetween. The valve assembly of the present invention is shown to be adapted to use in both the piston, tunably affecting fluid flow between portions of the pressure cylinder on either side of a reciprocable piston disposed therein, and the base valve assembly, tunably affecting fluid flow between the pressure cylinder and the fluid reservoir.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the temperature and pressure of air in a pneumatic tire. The apparatus comprises a circuit for sensing the temperature and pressure of air in the pneumatic tire. The apparatus further comprises a circuit for transmitting a signal indicative of the temperature and pressure of air in the pneumatic tire as sensed by the circuit for sensing. The apparatus also comprises a circuit for receiving the signal from the circuit for transmitting. The signal could be used to control a vehicle suspension system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamically leveling the attitude of a vehicle using a low power fully active suspension system. The suspension system includes a hydraulic actuator operably connected at each corner of the vehicle between sprung and unsprung portions thereof, sensors for detecting movement of the sprung and unsprung portions of the motor vehicle and for deriving a force signal for each actuator in response thereto, and a valving arrangement for causing the hydraulic actuator to generate a desired output force in response to the force signal. The valving arrangement has a first valving that is operable for generating the output force by selectively varying the damping characteristics of the hydraulic actuator when the force signal is within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for absorbing mechanical shock is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a pressure cylinder forming a working chamber having first and second portions operable to store damping fluid. The apparatus further comprises the first valve for controlling the flow of damping fluid between the first and second portions of the working chamber during compression of the shock absorber. In addition, the apparatus further comprises a pressure chamber in fluid communication with the first portion of the working chamber and the first valve. A solenoid is also provided for regulating the flow of damping fluid between the pressure chamber and the second portion of the working chamber. A second valve is further provided for controlling the flow of damping fluid between the first and second portions of the working chamber during rebound of the shock absorber.

Abstract: Vehicle suspension apparatus operating between the sprung and unsprung masses of a vehicle includes a pendular anti-roll bar connected to the vehicle, and a pair of links which connect the bar to the wheels. One and the other link, respectively, is extensible and inextensible, with the extensible link comprising a selectively controllable hydraulic piston-cylinder assembly having first and second flow paths, and valve means which upon command automatically locks the piston at a midstroke position, depending on the flow of fluid in the passages. The flow paths allow the user to select either of two roll stiffness levels (i.e., high and low) and provide automatic convergence of the piston to its locked midstroke position (high roll stiffness hard ride) upon command.

Abstract: A direct acting shock absorber for damping the movement of the body of an automobile is disclosed. The shock absorber comprises a pressure cylinder forming a working chamber having first and second portions operable to store damping fluid. A piston is disposed within the pressure cylinder between the first and second portions of the working chamber. The shock absorber further comprises a fluid reservoir operable to store damping fluid. The shock absorber also includes a valve for permitting damping fluid to flow from the first portion of the working chamber to the fluid reservoir during movement of the piston in a first direction. Finally, a second valve is provided for permitting damping fluid to flow from the fluid reservoir to the second portion of the working chamber during movement of the piston in a second direction.

Abstract: A hydraulic actuator including a pressure cylinder forming a working chamber having first and second portions operable to store damping fluid. The hydraulic actuator further includes a piston disposed within the pressure cylinder between the first and second portions of the working chamber, and a piston rod for supporting the piston in the pressure cylinder. In addition, the hydraulic actuator includes a reservoir for storing damping fluid as well as a pump at least partially disposed within the hydraulic actuator for pumping damping fluid from the reservoir to the working chamber.

Abstract: A shock absorber for damping the movement of the body of an automobile. The shock absorber includes a pressure cylinder forming a working chamber with a piston disposed therein. The piston has a plurality of flow passages extending therethrough. A first valve disk is located on one surface of the piston, while the second valve disk is located on the second surface of the piston. Finally, an electromechanical transducer is disposed adjacent to the first valve disk so as to permit control of flow of damping fluid through the piston.

Abstract: A suspension assembly for a wheel of a motor vehicle, includes a suspension assembly, an axle beam, an elongated spring, and a radius arm. The radius arm has an extended length for attachment at a mid-region suspension connection point on the vehicle frame. The suspension bracket has multiple surfaces adapted for flush mounting to the chassis of the vehicle.