Abstract: A damper for damping movement of a shaft, the damper including a housing having an inner surface defining a chamber and a rotor rotatably mounted in the chamber. The chamber is filled with magnetorheological fluid such that when the rotor is moved in the chamber the magnetorheological fluid damps the movement of the rotor. The rotor has an outer surface adjacent to and spaced apart from the inner surface. The damper further comprises shaft coupled to the rotor and an outer magnet adjacent the space between the outer surface and the inner surface for restricting the flow of the magnetorheological fluid in the space between the outer surface and the inner surface.

Abstract: A monotube suspension damper including a cylinder tube having a fluid chamber and a gas chamber, a piston dividing the fluid chamber into a compression chamber and a rebound chamber, a primary fluid flow path across the piston including flow control valves which throttle fluid flow, a secondary fluid flow path across the piston parallel to the primary flow path including flow control valves which throttle fluid flow, and a tubular connecting rod on the cylinder tube connected to the piston. A valve spool is supported on the piston for linear translation between closed and open positions blocking and unblocking the secondary flow path. A control rod inside of the connecting rod is disposed between the valve spool and a flexible diaphragm exposed to pneumatic pressure in an expansible load leveling chamber between sprung and unsprung masses of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A brake apply system includes a pressure charging module having a bore carrying a pumping piston that has a base piston surface and an augmentation piston surface. The pressure charging piston separates the bore into an input chamber adjacent the base piston surface and an output chamber adjacent the augmentation piston surface. A suspension damper is hydraulically connected to the input chamber of the pressure charging module, preferably through a continuously open fluid communication circuit. A wheel brake is hydraulically connected to the accumulator output chamber through a selectively open fluid communication circuit.

Abstract: A damper provides tunable variable rates in both extension and compression operation. A piston is carried in a cylinder tube separating out extension and compression chambers. The piston carries a first valving assembly that is tuned to provide a first damping level when fluid flows through the piston from the extension chamber to the compression chamber and a second valving assembly that is tuned to provide a second damping level when fluid flows through the piston from the compression chamber to the extension chamber. A control valve assembly is mounted to move with the piston. When the control valve assembly is closed, fluid flow between the compression and extension chamber flows substantially only through the first and second valving assemblies and when the control valve is open at least some fluid flows between the compression and extension chambers through a secondary valve assembly without passing through the first and second valving assemblies.

Abstract: A hydraulic mount is operable in soft and firm modes and includes a valve positioned at the partition between the working chamber and the reservoir. A normally open fluid path extends through the partition and opens between the working chamber and the reservoir for soft operational characteristics useful in attenuating low amplitude vibrations. The valve body and the partition together define a control chamber in the fluid path. The control chamber is open to the reservoir through lateral openings in the valve body so that fluid pressure in the control chamber is approximately at atmospheric pressure so that a small actuator can move the valve. When the valve is closed the fluid path is closed for firm operational characteristics in controlling large amplitude inputs such as those from torque transients.

Abstract: A braking system generally provides pressure equalization between the sides of a split braking circuit. The amount of equalization provided is limited to enable the introduction of purposely induced pressure variances. A result is that unintentional pressure variations are moderated and intentional target pressure variations are easily obtainable. The braking system provides power braking operation in response to a manually actuated master cylinder. Fluid pressure is transmitted through isolation valves directly to the wheel brakes. The braking system also provides power operation in response to a powered pump. The pump delivers pressurized fluid through a controllable supply valve. When the supply valve is open, the isolation valve(s) are shifted to provide open fluid communication path between proportional pressure control valves and the wheel brakes. The pressure equalization effecting device is isolated from the master cylinder pressurized circuit during base brake operation.

Abstract: A magnetorheological fluid fan clutch effects modulated rotational motion transmission between a rotatable input shaft carrying an input clutch plate and a housing having a front cover and a rear cover forming a cavity about the input clutch plate wherein the front and rear covers operate as output clutch plates. A nonmagnetic spacer is positioned between the front and rear covers and radially outside the input clutch plate. A bearing supports the housing on the input shaft through the rear cover so that the input clutch plate is rotatable on the input shaft relative to the housing. Magnetorheological fluid is carried in the cavity, through which torque is variably transferred between the input clutch plate and the housing.

Abstract: A split rotor cooling fan clutch includes an input member that is constantly driven at engine speed, or at some selected proportion thereof. An output member is journaled on the input member so as to be supported thereon in a substantially nonrotating state when decoupled and alternately, to be concentrically rotatable in concert therewith at a variety of speeds. A space presented between the input and output members contains a quantity of magnetorheological fluid. An engagement mechanism includes the split rotor and coil, with a ferromagnetic element positioned to define an operative gap between the rotor and the ferromagnetic element. The coil is selectively energized with a given current to result in a torque transfer between the input and output elements that provides a rotational speed of the fan tailored to the cooling requirements of the associated engine. Internal heat generation is managed electronically to prevent overheating.

Abstract: In a vehicle braking system, integral control and isolation valves are used to individually control the brake line pressure to each wheel brake and to provide pedal isolation for each brake channel. The system is operable on a single fluid or a separated fluid system with an integrated power source. Full proportional anti-lock braking and traction control is provided to each selected wheel independently. The system is applicable as a two, three or four channel base brake system.

Abstract: A passive magnetorheological clutch includes an input member that is constantly driven at engine speed, or some selected proportion thereof. An output member is journaled on the input member so as to be supported thereon in a nonrotating state and to be concentrically rotatable in concert therewith. A space presented between the input and output members contains a quantity of magnetorheological fluid. The space also contains an engagement mechanism including a permanent magnet and a ferromagnetic ring concentrically positioned with an operative gap therebetween, wherein the operative gap's dimension is variable to effect changes in the magnetic field passing between the magnet and the ring. When an actuator effects a reduction in the distance between the magnet and ring, the amount of magnetic field increases in density adjacent the ring. The resultant torque transfer from the input member to the output member is effected across the operative gap and through the magnetorheological fluid.

Abstract: A hydraulic power booster for a brake apply system includes a mechanically actuated hydraulic booster of compact design that can be integrated in line with a conventional type master cylinder. Additionally, a combination of twin mechanically actuated check valves is arranged to provide a structure with essentially no leakage when the hydraulic booster is at rest and when the hydraulic booster is at poise. A mechanically actuated check valve is normally held open and is positioned in a passageway between the power piston and a fluid reservoir. This check valve is substantially, immediately closed upon the application of force to the brake pedal. Another mechanically actuated check valve is provided in a passageway between the hydraulic power supply and the power piston. This check valve is mechanically opened to supply a selected amount of pressurized fluid to the power piston which generates a selected amount of vehicle braking in response to actuation of the brake pedal.

Abstract: A proportional fluid pressure regulation system is provided using a combination of a proportional valve and a shuttle valve for fluid flow control. A system of fluid pressure regulation is achieved where the desired pressure output is provided by one of two pressure input sources. The two pressure input sources are alternately selected by operation of a pilot operated shuttle valve and a solenoid operated proportional valve. The two pressure sources may comprise a manually actuated vehicle braking system's master cylinder and a power operated fluid pump.