Abstract: In one aspect, a rotary device is provided, and includes a shaft adapter, a chambered member, a seal member and at least one internal torque transfer member. The shaft adapter is connectible to a crankshaft or accessory shaft and defines an axis. The chambered member (e.g. a pulley) is rotatably connected to it, and at least partially encloses a chamber (e.g. for oil), and includes a circumferential portion, a first side wall, and a second side wall which is a separate member from the circumferential portion. One of the circumferential portion and the second side wall has projections thereon, and the other has valleys that mate with the projections with no clearance, so as to be able to transfer a torque of at least 10 Nm into one another without plastic deformation. A seal member is compressed between the second side wall and the circumferential portion.

Abstract: In an aspect a device for a driven shaft is provided that receives an input torque that varies cyclically between a peak input torque and a low input torque at a peak input torque frequency, which includes a shaft adapter, a rotary drive member, at least one isolation member, a torsional vibration damping structure including an inertia member and a elastomeric damping member, and a supplemental damping structure. The supplemental damping structure applies a supplemental damping torque to resist relative movement between the rotary drive member and the inertia member in addition to damping provided by the elastomeric damping member. A sum of torques including the supplemental damping torque limits a maximum twist between a first end of the driven shaft and a second end of the driven shaft, to below a yield point of the driven shaft.

Abstract: In one aspect, a rotary device is provided, and includes a shaft adapter, a chambered member, a seal member and at least one internal torque transfer member. The shaft adapter is connectible to a crankshaft or accessory shaft and defines an axis. The chambered member (e.g. a pulley) is rotatably connected to it, and at least partially encloses a chamber (e.g. for oil), and includes a circumferential portion, a first side wall, and a second side wall which is a separate member from the circumferential portion. One of the circumferential portion and the second side wall has projections thereon, and the other has valleys that mate with the projections with no clearance, so as to be able to transfer a torque of at least 10 Nm into one another without plastic deformation. A seal member is compressed between the second side wall and the circumferential portion.

Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided an isolation device, which includes a hub, a pulley and at least one isolation spring arrangement including first and second springs in series. The first spring rate is higher than the second spring rate. Initially during torque transfer from the first one to a second one of the hub and the pulley, the entire first isolation spring is slid along a friction surface towards the second one of the hub and the pulley during compression of the second isolation spring thereby generating a first frictional damping torque. During torque transfer the other way, at least a portion of the first isolation spring remains stationary relative to the friction surface, such that the first frictional damping torque is greater than the second frictional damping torque.

Abstract: In an aspect a device for a driven shaft is provided that receives an input torque that varies cyclically between a peak input torque and a low input torque at a peak input torque frequency, which includes a shaft adapter, a rotary drive member, at least one isolation member, a torsional vibration damping structure including an inertia member and a elastomeric damping member, and a supplemental damping structure. The supplemental damping structure applies a supplemental damping torque to resist relative movement between the rotary drive member and the inertia member in addition to damping provided by the elastomeric damping member. A sum of torques including the supplemental damping torque limits a maximum twist between a first end of the driven shaft and a second end of the driven shaft, to below a yield point of the driven shaft.

Abstract: A check valve assembly for a shock absorber includes a tapered valve seat and a polygonal check valve which includes a plurality of flat surfaces. Each pair of flat surfaces intersects at a linear engagement surface which slidably engages a cylindrical chamber. When the polygonal check valve is in an open position, fluid flows along the flat surfaces even though the linear engagement surfaces are essentially in contact with the cylindrical chamber. Lateral movement of the check valve is effectively eliminated which minimizes noise and vibration of the cheek valve assembly.

Abstract: A shock absorber is provided with a pair of opposed hydraulic fluid chambers, and a piston head that controls the flow of hydraulic fluid between the opposed hydraulic fluid chambers. One of the hydraulic fluid chambers is provided within a hollow rod that moves with the piston head within a cylinder. Thus, a traditional solid piston rod has been modified such that the hollow rod provides one of the hydraulic fluid chambers. In this way, the number of sealing interfaces required in the prior art has been dramatically reduced. Further, compressed gas chambers are also defined within the cylinder and within the hollow rod, and a similar reduction in the number of sealing interfaces is provided.

Abstract: A suspension system includes multiple shock absorbers and corresponding preload cylinders. A single adjuster mechanism is within reach of a vehicle operator for easily changing a suspension ride height of two of the preload cylinders.

Abstract: A preload shock absorber assembly includes a shock absorber having a hydraulic cylinder. The cylinder includes a rod slideably supported by a cylinder head having a seal at one end of the hydraulic cylinder. A preload air chamber is arranged radially outwardly of the rod seal to provide a first spring having a first spring rate. The pressurized preload air chamber is separated from the rod seal to prevent loss of pressurized from the preload air chamber to the hydraulic cylinder. The pressurized air chamber uses a movable separator that seals the air chamber and isolates the air chamber from the outside environment. A second spring is supported by a seat secured to the hydraulic cylinder outer wall and is arranged between the seat and the separator. A third spring is arranged within the air chamber to supplement the spring rate provided by the pressurized air chamber.

Abstract: A suspension system includes at least one shock absorber and corresponding preload cylinder. An adjuster mechanism is within reach of a vehicle operator for easily changing the suspension stiffness. Changes to the position of the adjuster mechanism will correspondingly adjust the position of the preload cylinder. A display is connected to the adjuster mechanism so that a vehicle operator may adjust the system to the desired setting. The display corresponds to the payload weight on the vehicle. The vehicle operator may change the position of the adjuster mechanism until the desired setting is shown on the display. The system may be used on either front or rear shock absorbers.

Abstract: A vehicle shock absorber includes a piston rod. A cylinder head having a bore defining an axis supports the rod within the bore. A wiper, which preferably a hard plastic, is disposed within the cylinder head. The wiper has in inner surface that is in an interference fit with the rod. The wiper has spaced apart upper and lower contacts that are press fit to the rod. The inner surface tapers away from the upper and lower contacts to a generally central portion forming a cavity. The inner surface is spaced from the rod in the area of the cavity. In this manner, the interference between the wiper and rod is minimized forming only line contacts about the rod. The outer circumference of the wiper is preferably spaced from an annular pocket in the cylinder head receiving the wiper to permit the wiper to move laterally as its scraps debris from the rod. The cylinder head components are installed from the inner side of the cylinder head and a plate is press fit into the end of the cylinder head.

Abstract: A check valve assembly for a shock absorber includes a tapered valve seat and a polygonal check valve which includes a plurality of flat surfaces. Each pair of flat surfaces intersects at a linear engagement surface which slidably engage a cylindrical chamber. When the polygonal check valve is in an open position, fluid flows along the flat surfaces even though the linear engagement surfaces are essentially in contact with the cylindrical chamber. Lateral movement of the check valve is effectively eliminated which minimizes noise and vibration of the check valve assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle shock absorber includes a piston rod. A cylinder head having a bore defining an axis supports the rod within the bore. A wiper, which preferably a hard plastic, is disposed within the cylinder head. The wiper has in inner surface that is in an interference fit with the rod. The wiper has spaced apart upper and lower contacts that are press fit to the rod. The inner surface tapers away from the upper and lower contacts to a generally central portion forming a cavity. The inner surface is spaced from the rod in the area of the cavity. In this manner, the interference between the wiper and rod is minimized forming only line contacts about the rod. The outer circumference of the wiper is preferably spaced from an annular pocket in the cylinder head receiving the wiper to permit the wiper to move laterally as its scraps debris from the rod. The cylinder head components are installed from the inner side of the cylinder head and a plate is press fit into the end of the cylinder head.