Abstract: A hydromechanical pressure control system includes a dual pump and cam assembly, which operates in association with an orifice and a relief valve to develop a pressure for operating a multiple disk friction damper. In one embodiment, the friction damper is associated with a torsion bar for spring supporting a vehicle hull on a road arm, which has a spindle for connection to a road wheel, and the cam is configured to operate two pumps to produce a pressure on the friction damper for damping of both jounce and rebound movements of the road wheel relative to the hull, independently of the relative position of the hull and the road wheel during terrain induced movements of the vehicle and its road wheels and wherein a snubber and the torsion bar system improve the energy absorption and energy storage characteristics of the suspension system to thereby improve the ride quality and handling characteristics of said vehicle and to reduce energy requirements when operating off-road.

Abstract: An active suspension system for use with a mass suspended relative to a movable structure and subject to external forces such as the chassis of off-road vehicles, and in particular the hull of heavy combat vehicles, has a passive hydropneumatic suspension system (PHSS) connected to a servopump and an accumulator, and wherein the servopump transfers fluid energy between the accumulator and the suspension system, in accordance with sensed operating conditions which are inputted to a processor whose output commands the velocity of the servopump to control the pressure and volume relationships of the PHSS and accumulator to improve the ride of said vehicle and to substantially reduce energy requirements when operating off-road.

Abstract: An active suspension system for use with a mass suspended relative to a movable structure and subject to external forces such as the chassis of off-road vehicles, and in particular the hull of heavy combat vehicles, has a passive hydropneumatic suspension system (PHSS) connected to a servopump and an accumulator, and wherein the servopump transfers fluid energy between the accumulator and the suspension system, in accordance with sensed operating conditions which are inputted to a processor whose output commands the velocity of the servopump to control the pressure and volume relationships of the PHSS and accumulator to improve the ride of said vehicle and to substantially reduce energy requirements when operating off-road.

Abstract: An in-arm hydropneumatic suspension system includes a road wheel spindle connected to a vehicle hull. A road wheel arm has a spindle housing on one end supported by complementary tapered roller bearings for oscillation on the spindle; the opposite end of the road wheel arm defines an air spring housing for air spring means supporting the sprung mass of the vehicle. Damper components of the suspension unit are located remotely of the air spring at a location in the spindle housing so as to isolate the air spring operation from damper generated heat and wherein damper generated heat is dissipated from crankcase oil in the spindle housing directly to the hull.

Abstract: A linear engine/hydraulic pump system provides an efficient source of controllable fluid power thay may be used for a hydrostatic drive system of a vehicle. The engine/pump has a prompt first stroke full power capability and capability of prompt power increase from a lower power operation. A supplemental engine (bounce engine) produces output work to operate the power engine of the free piston engine pump during a compression stroke of the latter. The engine is of the opposed piston type with a synchronizer and cross drive to maintain controlled interrelated operational movement of the two oppositely moving pistons thereof while combining output work effort and holding approximately constant the approximate center of mass of the engine. A novel starter also is disclosed.

Abstract: A hydropneumatic suspension system consists of plural separate individual wheel suspension units, one for each wheel, whereby should damage occur to any one of the units, it will not affect the operation of the other units. The heat generated by each individual wheel suspension unit is kept to a minimum, and the heat that is generated is dissipated through the vehicle hull by locating the valving and fluid passageways in close proximity to the hull. Increased heat dissipation may also be obtained by providing an air cooled tube in the fluid path between the actuator and accumulator, and by providing a flow path for the return fluid from the accumulator to the actuator in the unit mounting flange which is bolted or otherwise secured in close mating engagement with a large surface area of the vehicle hull.