Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for surface damping augmentation. The apparatus of the present invention includes a viscoelastic material, a hybrid constraining layer mechanically connected to the viscoelastic material and having an active material and a passive material, and the active material mechanically connected to the passive material. The method provides for selecting an active constraining material, selecting a passive constraining material, forming a hybrid constraining layer from the active constraining material and the passive constraining material, and mechanically connecting the hybrid constraining layer to a viscoelastic material.

Abstract: A fluid-filled cylindrical elastic mount having an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve, and an elastic body interposed therebetween. The elastic mount also has a intermediate sleeve having a plurality of windows through which a plurality of pockets formed at respective circumferential positions of the elastic body are open in the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate sleeve, respectively. The plurality of windows are fluid-tightly closed by the outer sleeve, thereby defining a plurality of fluid chambers filled with a non-compressible fluid. The elastic mount further includes an orifice member for defining an orifice passage for fluid communication between the plurality of fluid chambers.

Abstract: A brake for retaining a mobile carriage on which storage facilities are constructed and having a slidable actuating assembly with a claw which engages a slotted member when the actuating assembly is depressed. The mobile carriage is mounted on a platform with a track in which the mobile carriage rolls and with a channel in which the slotted member is secured. A back plate is used to mount the brake on the mobile carriage. A cover is mounted on the back plate and an actuating assembly extends through and is slidably mounted in the pair of openings in the cover so that the actuating assembly may move to and from the platform.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system of the type in which a stored volume of fluid is used to apply the wheel brakes of the vehicle under the control of an electronic unit, the stored volume being held in an accumulator arranged to be replenished by pumping additional working fluid using a pump driven by an electric motor. The speed of the pump electric motor is arranged to be controlled in dependence upon whether or not any vehicle dynamic intervention, such as ABS, TC and VSC, is active. If it is deduced that one or more vehicle dynamic functions is active, then the pump is arranged to be run at high/full, and relatively noisy, speed, but if it is concluded that only base braking is being applied with no vehicle dynamic function being active, then the pump is arranged to be operated at a relative slower and hence quieter speed.

Abstract: A shift control device for a bicycle is disclosed having a planetary gear assembly for varying the relative angular position between an actuating member and a control member. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the shift control device includes a control member engageable with a ring gear to drive a plurality of planetary gears about a fixed base member. The fixed base member preferably includes a sun gear integrally attached thereto. The planetary gears are preferably carried by an actuating member configured to pull and release a bicycle shift cable. Rotation of the planetary gears results in the tension or release of the bicycle shift cable. The shift control device can include a positioning mechanism for controlling the position of the actuating member relative the base member.

Abstract: A vehicle includes multiple wheels, a locking drive differential, and a stability controller. A first wheel is mechanically coupled to a second wheel. The locking drive differential mechanically couples the second wheel to a third wheel. The stability controller is coupled to the third wheel. The stability controller is programmed to attain a slip rate of about the first and the second wheel at the third wheel, which stabilizes the vehicle in an over-steer condition. The method applies a modulated stability pressure to the third wheel until the third wheel attains about the combined slip rate of the first wheel and the second wheel and a fourth wheel is rotating at about the velocity of the vehicle.

Abstract: A mount assembly for a vehicle suspension strut includes a mount plate assembly having upper and lower plate members secured together and supporting a cushion member. The cushion member is secured to a retainer which is secured directly to a damper piston rod or through a bearing assembly. Multiple load paths may be provided by a bumper mounted on a spring seat member secured to the piston rod and engageable with the lower plate of the plate assembly for transferring jounce loads directly to the vehicle body structure. The steering bearing may be mounted to engage the lower plate for transferring loads directly through the bearing and the lower plate to the body structure. The plate assembly may include a composite upper plate member.

Abstract: A fluid-filled active vibration damping device comprising an elastic body elastically connecting a first and a second mounting member and partially defining a fluid chamber filled with a non-compressible fluid, an oscillating member partially defining the fluid chamber and being reciprocatory movable in order to control a pressure of the fluid in the fluid chamber. The above vibration damping device further includes an independently formed electromagnetic actuator for applying driving force to oscillate the oscillating member and having an oscillating sleeve member fixedly connected to the oscillating member, and a retainer adapted to support the electromagnetic actuator with respect to the second mounting member such that the retainer fixed to the second mounting member while housing the electromagnetic actuator, while a yoke member of the electromagnetic actuator is fixed to a bottom wall portion of the retainer so as to extend through the bottom wall portion.

Abstract: A system and method of vehicle stability enhancement control the method comprising the steps of determining a Delta Velocity of the vehicle, determining one of an understeer and an oversteer condition of the vehicle, applying a percentage of the Delta Velocity to an outside front and an outside rear wheel in the oversteer condition, and applying a percentage of the Delta Velocity to an inside front and an inside rear wheel in the understeer condition. The system and method may further comprise the step of applying the Delta Velocity to a rear wheel during the oversteer condition or applying the Delta Velocity to a front wheel during the understeer condition using fluid pressure from a master cylinder when braking is occurring.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic braking system of the type which operates normally in a brake-by-wire (EHB) mode wherein hydraulic pressure is applied to braking devices at the vehicle wheels in proportion to the driver's braking demand as sensed electronically at a brake pedal, but which, if the brake-by-wire mode should fail, operates in a push-through mode wherein hydraulic pressure is applied to the braking devices at the vehicle wheels by way of a master cylinder coupled mechanically to the brake pedal. In order to minimize jolting within the system when changeover from push-through to brake-by-wire braking takes place, the existence of a push-through condition is recognized during an initialization stage of the EHB mode and the initial EHB demand is set at the prevailing push-through braking or deceleration level and then adapted smoothly to the desired EHB demand.

Abstract: A vehicle includes four wheels, a drive axle, a power train which connects a vehicle engine to the drive axle via a transmission, a clutch, and an axle differential, a brake system, which may brake at least the wheels associated with the drive axle independently of the other wheels, a steering system which includes a manual steering device, at which a driver may set a steering angle for steerable wheels, and a control system, which brakes at least the drive axle wheel inside the curve and generates a steering-supporting braking torque on this wheel below a predefined vehicle velocity and as of a predefined steering angle. In order to improve the steering support, the control system monitors the status of the transmission and/or the clutch, the control system actuating the brakes of the appropriate wheel as a function of this status in order to generate the steering-supporting braking torque.

Abstract: A brake control device for a vehicle includes a master cylinder generating a master cylinder hydraulic pressure in response to a brake pedal depressing force, a wheel cylinder connected with the master cylinder via a hydraulic conduit, a stroke simulator connected to a branch hydraulic conduit branching from the hydraulic conduit, a first solenoid valve connecting or disconnecting the master cylinder with the wheel cylinder and disposed at the hydraulic conduit between a branch portion where the branch hydraulic conduit branches from the hydraulic conduit and the wheel cylinder, a second solenoid valve connecting or disconnecting the master cylinder with the stroke simulator, a pressure controlling mechanism having a pressure source and connected at a portion of the hydraulic circuit between the first solenoid valve and the wheel cylinder, and a controller for controlling the pressure controlling mechanism, the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve.

Abstract: To provide a wheel support bearing assembly having a capability of detecting the number of revolutions of a wheel, having no risk of breaking of wire outside a vehicle body, capable of reducing the weight and cost of an automotive vehicle. This wheel support bearing assembly for rotatably supporting a wheel 13 relative to a vehicle body structure 12 includes an outer member 1 having its inner periphery formed with plural rows of raceways 6 and 7, an inner member 2 having raceways 8 and 9 confronting respectively to the raceways 6 and 7, and rows of rolling elements 3 accommodated respectively between the raceways. An electric generator 4 for generating an electric power as one of the outer and inner members 1 and 2 rotates relative to the other of the outer and inner members 1 and 2. A signal indicative of the number of revolutions of the wheel 13 outputted from the electric generator 4 is transmitted wireless by mean of a wireless transmitting means 5A.

Abstract: A braking system for braking a rotor relative to a stator, the braking system comprising braking means respectively secured to the rotor and to the stator, a brake piston, return means for returning the piston to its braking position, a braking chamber, and a brake release chamber, which chambers are interconnected via a link duct serving to generate a flow of fluid in an assisted braking situation in which the braking chamber is connected to a fluid feed duct, while the brake release chamber is connected to a fluid return duct. The link duct is equipped with means for limiting the flow of the fluid at least in the direction going from the brake release chamber to the braking chamber.

Abstract: An aircraft brake assembly, wherein the actuator portion of the brake assembly is no longer provided as part of the brake assembly but instead as part of the aircraft landing gear. Accordingly, the actuator portion or individual actuators assemblies are designated as Line Replacement Units (LRUs), which are replaceable independently of other brake components, e.g., the torque tube and heat sink, which then comprise the brake assembly designated as a separate LRU. This new arrangement is particularly suited to electro-mechanically actuated brakes, where actuator maintenance intervals will typically be more closely related to landing gear maintenance intervals than to brake maintenance (i.e., hydraulic actuator and/or heat sink maintenance). The invention also provides for more effective and desirable mounting of one or more electro-mechanical actuators wherein reactionary loads are transferred in compression as opposed to in tension through mounting bolts or other removable fasteners.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for connecting a pipe (2, 31) in the region of its pipe end to a pipe coupling (1), comprising at least one support sleeve (3) with engagement elements (5, 65, 67, 124), in which context the pipe (2, 31) and the support sleeve (3) are first pushed into one another, the pipe (2, 31) then being pressure deformed, thereby bringing about a form-fitting connection with the engagement elements (5, 65, 67, 125) and bringing about a sealing relationship with sealing surfaces (7, 66, 68, 122), mutually adjoining each other in axial direction. The process is characterised in that an axial force, bearing on the sealing surfaces (7, 66, 68, 122) is applied to the pipe (2, 31) by way of a spring device (20, 52) deriving support from the pipe coupling (1) and that a facility for expansion is provided for the pipe (2, 31) on the side of the engagement elements (5, 65, 67, 125) oriented towards the pipe.

Abstract: A foil journal bearing utilizes a plurality of piezoelectric actuators to increase the load carrying capacity of the bearing. The foil journal bearing is provided at an interior surface of its bearing housing with a plurality of foils or a top foil for supporting a rotating shaft The foil journal bearing includes a plurality of piezoelectric actuator devices embedded in an inside portion of the bearing housing while coming into contact with and supporting the foils or foil to increase stiffness and damping coefficient of the bearing at critical speeds of the rotating shaft.

Abstract: A low profile rod clamp comprises two halves having semi-circular channels for receiving a support rod. When the two halves of the clamp are fastened together, the outer surfaces of the rods are in contact. The positioning of the two rods adjacent one another and with surface-to-surface contact results in increased friction and the highest possible load resistance. The clamp provides the ability to raise or lower the support rods in a vertical direction, while also allowing for rotation and the ability to move the rods in a horizontal direction as well.

Abstract: A shock absorber for an automobile which exhibits a vibration damping effect in a wide range of a frequency, while suppressing generation of frictional noise. The shock absorber for the automobile has a buffer member interposed between parts. The buffer member has a laminated structure including a plurality of vibration damping layers each having a peak of loss tangent tan&dgr; in a range of a frequency which is different from others and surface layers made of thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: A cross elastomer mount comprising a body composed of an elastomer and having a plurality of legs, a first platform for supporting a first member and a second platform for supporting a second member, a plurality of rigid platform arms pivotally attached to the platforms, and a plurality of hinges pivotally attaching the rigid platform arms to the legs of the cross elastomer mount whereby the plurality of legs bow or arc under a shock and vibration force to allow the cross elastomer mount to attenuated the forces while providing a tension and shearing resistance to the shocks and vibrations.