Abstract: The present invention provides a shock absorber having improved damping. On the base of the shock absorber there is fastened the bottom of a barrel on which rests the counter-acting spring which urges in expansion the piston of the shock absorber. The barrel contains damping fluid and has a piston which is axially movable with lateral seal. The shock absorber also has an external secondary flow dampening device which is connected to the base of the shock absorber via a tube. In the strut base, and the connecting appendage there is a plug adjustment which moves laterally and limits an alternative path of flow for the liquid through the base flow damper and the piston flow damper respectively. By acting on the plug adjustments it is possible to adjust the braking level in expansion of the strut. Each flow damper also is affixed with a shim. The shim on the piston flow damper will flex at an appropriate pressure in the expansion phase, thereby damping the reaction of the strut to expansion.

Abstract: A piston-cylinder unit includes a cylinder with a piston rod guide and a piston rod with a piston axially movably mounted in the cylinder so that the piston rod runs through a hole in the piston rod guide. A movement determination device comprising a transmitter portion and a receiver portion determine the movement of the piston from the travel time of waves generated by the transmitter portion. The movement determination device is arranged inside the piston rod guide, and waves reflected by the piston-piston rod component group are analyzed to determine the movement of this component group.

Abstract: An assembly (72) including a brake (70), or a brake with guide wheel (69) combination centrally integrated within a levitating fluid caster. Assembly (72) levitates heavy loads upon a near frictionless pressurized fluid, and also controls stopping or guiding movement of loads.

Abstract: In an arrangement for transferring brake torques of a vehicle drive line including a differential transmission having a housing, a driving pinion and two wheel shafts supported in the housing and a brake structure arranged adjacent the housing, a brake member is provided for rotation with the driving pinion and a braking member is supported by the housing of the differential transmission for engaging the brake member when the brake structure is actuated.

Abstract: A rotor for an eddy current retarder has a plurality of cooling fins provided around an outer surface of a drum. A transverse cross section of each of the cooling fins is rectangular or trapezoidal, and heights h of the cooling fins are equal, and the following expressions (1) to (3) are satisfied. Since this rotor is excellent in cooling ability, this is suitable as a rotor for a retarder of a large vehicle. 6 mm≦d≦11 mm  (1) 25°≦&thgr;≦55°  (2) 20 mm≦H≦200 mm  (3) wherein d is distance between bottoms of the cooling fins, &thgr; is a fin angle in a longitudinal direction of the cooling fin with respect to a rotational direction of the rotor, H=2h2/(t1+t2), t1 is thickness of the bottom of the cooling fin, and t2 is thickness of top of the cooling fin.

Abstract: A novel apparatus and method are provided to reduce the interlaminar shear loading in the retention area of composite springs used in a vibration isolator for use with a helicopter main rotor. The composite springs, which are made of a graphite laminate, are weakest when subject to inter-laminate shear. The shear forces are highest during bending and twisting about the longitudinal axis of the laminate composite. The invention consists of several techniques to minimize the inter-laminate shear. The first is the use of nylon mounting pads which are attached to the ends of the graphite laminate spring arm at the locations where mounting to the inner and outer hubs is to take place. In particular, it has been found that the nylon spacer must be recessed back from the perimeter edges of the graphite spring arm the same distance which is approximately equal to the width of the graphite spring arm.

Abstract: A vibration damping device is mounted between two spaced portions of a vehicle for absorbing road forces exerted on the vehicle. A cylindrical housing forms an internal piston chamber and is connected at one end to one portion of the vehicle, with an outer end of the rod of a piston which is slidably mounted within the piston chamber, being connected to another portion of the vehicle. A fluid transfer duct is formed between the housing and piston and provides communication between fluid subchambers formed on opposite sides of the piston within the piston chamber. An electrode is attached to either the housing or piston for applying a voltage across the duct to affect the rheological response of an electrorheological (ER) fluid flowing therethrough to provide a controllable mechanism to modify the damping force characteristics of the device. Each end of the piston rod is slidably supported by a slide bushing assembly which is mounted within an end of the housing.

Abstract: A vehicle brake apparatus includes a brake pedal, a wheel brake cylinder operatively mounted on a wheel for applying a braking force to the wheel in proportion to a hydraulic braking pressure, a pressure source for pressurizing brake fluid to generate a hydraulic braking pressure and supply the hydraulic braking pressure to the wheel brake cylinder, and an auxiliary pressure source for pressurizing brake fluid in response to operation of the brake pedal to generate a hydraulic braking pressure and supply the hydraulic braking pressure to the wheel brake cylinder when the pressure source is non-operational. A mechanical valve is operatively mounted between the wheel brake cylinder and the auxiliary pressure source. A first passage is connected between the auxiliary pressure source and the mechanical valve and a second passage is connected between the mechanical valve and the wheel brake cylinder.

Abstract: An oven latch includes a base, a pivot, and a latch arm with a slot that engages the pivot and allows the latch arm to slide and rotate relative to the pivot. A motor mounted on the base rotates a cam, and a rod connected between the cam and the latch arm closes the latch when the cam turns, thereby pivoting the latch arm closed to engage the oven door and sliding the latch arm inwards along the latch arm slot to pull in the door. The pivoting and sliding motion of the latch arm is controlled by a guide slot formed in the base having a normal guide portion and a repair guide portion. During normal operation, an end of the rod moves along the normal guide portion of the guide slot. If the motor fails, the end of the rod may be manipulated into the repair guide portion of the guide slot to open the latch when the motor and cam are in the closed position.

Abstract: Suggested is a disc brake for motor vehicles which can be actuated by means of an electric motor with the interconnection of a reduction gear and which includes a floating caliper with two friction linings arranged within the brake caliper so as to be displaceable therein. The reduction gear is constructed as a threaded roller drive with threaded roller recoil the axially displaceable spindle whereof brings one of the two friction linings into engagement with a brake disc. For the purpose of realizing a clamping or arresting function this invention suggests to provide a clamping or arresting device (34) cooperating with a rotating part (11) of the reduction gear (7) or with a part (21) having power-transmitting connection to the reduction gear (7) so as to lock the latter.

Abstract: A brake pressure control device of a road vehicle has an automatic control of a starting clutch and/or of a transmission. During a stoppage of the motor vehicle achieved by a stoppage braking, the driver can, by a respective arbitrary activity, trigger a “starting assist” function for a defined time period. During this function, a continuation of the stoppage braking takes place by maintaining a brake pressure controlled into the wheel brakes by pressure maintaining valves so that, during the above-mentioned time period, the driver can change over to the accelerator pedal.

Abstract: The invention concerns a pneumatic suspension system (1) comprising at least an elastomer bellows (2) provided with reinforcement linings, a cover (5) with a bottom zone (A) whereon is fixed, by means of a clamp ring or the like (3), the bellows (2) top end (2′), a median zone (B) and a top zone (C) which, simultaneously, is assembled with a connecting component, in particular a component integral with the body, and a pneumatic piston (6) whereon is fixed the bellows (2) bottom end (2″), also by means of a clamp ring (3′) or the like, and on whose external wall the bellows can roll. The invention is charaterized in that the system is provided with a pleated structure enclosing in the form of a ring the cover (5) thereby elastically supporting the pleated structure (4) formed in the bellows (2) top end zone, and the pleated structure bearing surface is, once more, supported on a part, which is either part of the cover, or a connecting component, or an auxiliary component.

Abstract: An exemplary pocket spring assembly comprises a plurality of elongate fabric tubes disposed adjacent each other. Each fabric tube has a plurality of pockets, with at least some of the pockets of adjacent fabric tubes being welded together at midpoints on the adjacent pocket. Further, a spring is disposed in each of the pockets.

Abstract: A roll control device of a vehicle for executing a roll suppress braking according to a detection of a rolling condition of the vehicle so that the braking is executed when the rolling condition increases beyond a first threshold value and the braking is canceled according to a normal brake ending schedule when the rolling condition subsides below a second threshold value lower than the first threshold value, wherein when an abnormal condition occurs about the detection of the rolling condition, the braking is canceled according to an abnormal brake ending schedule at a less quickness than according to the normal brake ending schedule, even before the rolling condition subsides below the second threshold value.

Abstract: An electronically controllable brake actuation system for automotive vehicles includes a simulator interacting with the master brake cylinder, a pressure source drivable by an electronic control unit and by which wheel brakes of the vehicle are pressurizable, the wheel brakes being connectable to the master brake cylinder by at least one hydraulic connection that is closable by separating valves, a device for the identification of the driver's wish for deceleration, each one inlet and outlet valve connected upstream of the wheel brakes, and wheel sensors sensing the rotational behavior of the vehicle wheels. To improve the meterability of braking pressure of a system of the above type, especially in the range of low pressure values, the pressure source is configured as at least one continuously adjustable piston-and-cylinder assembly having a pressure chamber which is connectable to the master brake cylinder and the wheel brakes.

Abstract: A spring-set, electromagnetically released brake that requires a relatively small amount of current to release is provided. The brake includes a magnet shell disposed about a first axis. The shell includes a radially outwardly extending pole. The brake also includes an armature disposed radially outwardly of the pole and pivotable at a first axial end and a first engagement element, such as a brake shoe, coupled to the armature proximate a second axial end of the armature. The brake further includes a spring disposed about the pole. The spring biases the armature radially outwardly to urge the first engagement element towards a second engagement element such as a friction surface in a brake drum. Finally, the brake includes a coil disposed about the pole and means for selectively energizing the coil to urge the armature radially inwardly and the first engagement element away from the second engagement element. A bobbin for use in the brake is also provided.

Abstract: A semi automatic brake applicator for wheel chairs which have at least one arm with an actuator lever pivotally attached to the arm, an actuator rod pivotally attached to the actuator lever at the first of two ends and to a clamp at the second end, the clamp being attached to the brake actuator lever of the wheel chair brake system. In operation, the actuator lever is rotationally pivoted which causes the actuator rod to move linearly which, in turn, causes the clamp to rotate the brake actuation handle thereby bringing the brake shoe into contact with the drive wheel thus setting the brake. Reverse motion of the actuator lever causes the brake to release.

Abstract: A brake force control apparatus which can always accurately generate a brake force confirming to a driver's intention is provided. The brake force control apparatus performs brake assist control for supplying an increased brake fluid pressure which is greater than that generated in a regular brake operation to a wheel cylinder of a vehicle when an emergency brake operation is performed by a driver. A deceleration of the vehicle is detected. Additionally, a difference between a target deceleration which is to be generated during execution of the brake assist control and the deceleration is detected. A brake fluid pressure which is supplied to the wheel cylinder during execution of the brake assist control is controlled based on the difference.

Abstract: A pneumatic type of stabilizer for an automobile uses pressurized air as an elastic means of the stabilizer. The stabilizer comprises a cylindrical case in which a left rotating rod and a right rotating rod, each having a radial blade, respectively, are pivotally mounted, a rotator connected with an outer end of the rotating rods and protrudes out of the cylindrical case, a connecting rod connected with the ends of the rotators, and two arms connecting the connecting rods with two suspension arms of a suspension system.

Abstract: A fluid-filled vibration damping device including a first mounting member, a second mounting member including a tubular portion having an end open toward the first mounting member, the first and second mounting members being spaced from, and opposed to, each other, an elastic rubber body which elastically connects the first and second mounting members to each other, and which fluid-tightly closes the open end of the tubular portion of the second mounting member and cooperates with the tubular portion to define a fluid chamber filled with a non-compressible fluid, and a working member which is supported by the first mounting member such that the working member extends, in the fluid chamber, in a direction substantially perpendicular to a central axis of the tubular portion of the second mounting member, and thereby divides the fluid chamber into two divided chambers which are located on opposite sides of the working member, respectively, and which are communicated with each other via a fluid-flow restricting p