Abstract: A connection system for electrical conductors, in particular insulated cas which are connected to electrical equipment, has at least one pin-and-socket connector comprising two plug-in multi-line contact elements. One contact element is designed as a pin while the other is designed as a socket. The element designed as a socket has tongues which extend in the longitudinal direction of the socket and flex in the radial direction. Each of the tongues has at least one part which extends in the longitudinal direction of the tongue and projects radially inward to make contact with a line. That part is formed by longitudinal edges of the tongues. The pin of each connection is contained in a first electrically insulated housing, and the socket of each connection is contained in a second electrically insulated housing, with the two housings adapted to plug into one another in a fluid-tight and eletrically integral fashion.

Abstract: An adjustable damping valve for use on a hydraulic vibration damper, gas pressure damper or hydropneumatic suspension, which regulates the damping force, regardless of the orientation, and is variable in the regulation of the throughput, thereby providing a rapid switching frequency response. The damping valve has at least one electromagnet. In the preferred embodiment, each electromagnet can be controlled individually. Further, each electromagnet has a coil body with a winding and an armature. The armature is immersed in a fluid in the flow connection during operation. The armatures of the electromagnets interrupt and open directly the flow connection variably and quickly between an upper damping chamber of the vibration damper and a pressure equalization chamber. In one embodiment, there are a number of individual flow connections with corresponding electromagnets distributed over the circumference for fast action.

Abstract: An arrangement for varying the damping of a suspension component such as a vibration damper, gas spring or hydro-pneumatic suspension. In one embodiment, an electronic system is mounted in association with the cylinder of the suspension component to form a variable damping system which, with the aid of other circuitry, varies the damping system of the piston. A vibration damping system for motor vehicles, in which there is a damping element, which has a work cylinder, is divided into two work chambers by a piston. This cylinder contains a damping medium. There is an electronically-controlled bypass valve disposed parallel to the work cylinder. A desired, variable damping force can thereby be achieved in the decompression and compression stage, between two fixed and specified fundamental curves, by controlling the current sent to an electromagnet.

Abstract: Accelerometer with an inertial mass suspended in a housing, and with apparatus for deriving a signal for the measurement of a force acting on the inertial mass. The accelerometer measurement is thereby made by means of a light source located inside the inertial mass, the light from which is transmitted through hiles in the inertial mass. The light transmitted through the holes strikes photo elements positioned on the housing. This apparatus makes possible a direct evaluation of the signals, whereby, if necessary, digital words can be produced for the determination of the position of the inertial mass within the housing. In one embodiment the inertial mass has two holes therein which transmit light to two groups of photo elements.

Abstract: A throttle valve having a housing defining a cavity, with structures providing a flow channel within the cavity, and an inlet and outlet in communication with the flow channel. The throttle valve also includes a valve closure in the form of a plurality of individually-controlled electromagnets disposed in the housing cavity, with each having an armature projectable into the flow channel, so as to influence the cross section of the flow channel and thereby regulate the amount of fluid flow through the flow channel.

Abstract: Vehicular suspension system with apparatus for the measurement of at least one parameter related to suspended and/or nonsuspended vehicle parts. The apparatus has sensing units integrated into a vibration damper. The measurement is thereby made by a light source located inside an inertial mass, the light from which travels through at least one hole in the mass and strikes one or more photo elements located in the inside wall of a housing. This apparatus makes possible a direct evaluation of the signals. If necessary, digital words can be formed by different photo elements and holes for the determination of the position.

Abstract: Apparatus for the determination of the location and/or distance traveled by a piston in a cylinder. This apparatus can easily be integrated into shock absorbers, vibration dampers and pneumatic springs, and exhibits a high degree of insensitivity to at least electrical interference, therefore being particularly well-suited for operation under unfavorable ambient conditions. As a result of the use of the most modern semiconductor technology and a suitable geometric arrangement, a very good resolution can be achieved, along with an automatic recognition of the direction of piston travel. Such an apparatus has a number of semiconductor elements; in one embodiment, in a beam fastened inside the cylinder or, in another embodiment, in the hollow piston rod. These semiconductor elements are arranged so that, over the axial length of the piston stroke, the distances between two neighboring semiconductor elements correspond to a specified measurement value resolution.

Abstract: An arrangement for determining and measuring the position or travel of a piston in a cylinder, e.g., suspension component such as a vibration damper, gas-spring or hydropneumatic suspension, uses a structure having no moving electrical contacts, nor any movable electrical leads. The arrangement measures a variable impedance, e.g., a capacitance which is created by first and second electrodes formed within the suspension component and is distinguished in that the electrodes are fixed and are immovable with respect to each other. Capacitance variation is achieved, for example, by allowing a dielectric medium, such as a ceramic or epoxy resin cylinder to enter between two electrodes, the extent of the entry of the dielectric medium being made to be proportional to the relative travel of the piston in the cylinder. In a variation, an additional electrode forming a fixed reference capacitance with the first electrode is provided.

Abstract: A contactlessly, measuring arrangement for determining the position of a piston in a suspension component such as a vibration damper, gas spring or hydro-pneumatic suspension. In one embodiment, the piston and/or the piston rod of the suspension component and a further electrode are mounted inside the cylinder of the suspension component to form a variable capacitor which, with the aid of other circuitry, measures the position of the piston. The further electrode preferably is in the form of a tube extending from the base of the cylinder into a hollow cylinder formed within the piston rod which receives the tube. In the capacitive embodiment, additionally, there may be provided a further tube within the first tube to form a reference, second capacitor which is sensitive to pressure and temperature in the same manner as the first capacitor.