Abstract: The suspension strut of an embodiment of the invention includes a compressible fluid, a sleeve structure, a hydraulic tube adapted to contain a portion of the compressible fluid, a displacement rod and cavity piston coupled to the sleeve and adapted to move into the hydraulic tube upon the compression movement of the wheel and to move out of the hydraulic tube upon the rebound movement of the wheel, and a hydraulic seal located between the hydraulic tube and the displacement rod. The hydraulic tube defines a hydraulic cavity adapted to contain a portion of the compressible fluid and to cooperate with the compressible fluid to supply a suspending spring force that biases the wheel toward the surface.

Abstract: The present invention involves a fluid seal assembly of a pressured system for reducing static friction on a displacement rod of the pressured system. The assembly comprises a sealing member disposed on a surface of the pressured system. The sealing member is in circumferential engagement about the displacement rod to define a radial preload on the displacement rod forming a static friction thereon. The assembly further comprises an actuator attached to the sealing member and being configured to bend when the electric input is applied thereacross to displace the sealing member from the displacement rod for reducing the static friction on the displacement rod when the displacement rod move from a stagnant position within the pressured system.

Abstract: The present invention involves a fluid seal assembly of a pressured system for reducing static friction on a displacement rod of the pressured system. The assembly comprises a sealing member disposed on a surface of the pressured system. The sealing member is in circumferential engagement about the displacement rod to define a radial preload on the displacement rod forming a static friction thereon. The assembly further comprises an actuator attached to the sealing member and being configured to bend when the electric input is applied thereacross to displace the sealing member from the displacement rod for reducing the static friction on the displacement rod when the displacement rod move from a stagnant position within the pressured system.

Abstract: A magnetorheological fluid actuated damper. At least a first and a second cylinder with the first cylinder positioned axially within the second cylinder are provided. A gap is formed between the cylinders. The second cylinder is mounted to a stationary mount of the vehicle chassis and a control arm is mounted at an end of the first cylinder. The first cylinder is mounted on bearings to allow it to rotate relative to the chassis. The gap between the cylinders contains a magnetorheological fluid having an adjustable viscosity in reaction to the application of a magnetic field. A magnetic field is generated over the fluid in the gap.

Abstract: Suspension system (10) includes a compressible fluid (12), a suspension strut (14), a hydraulic cavity (16), a reservoir (18), and a volume modulator (20). The hydraulic cavity (16) is at least partially defined by the suspension strut (14) and is adapted to contain a portion of the compressible fluid (12). The hydraulic cavity (16) and the compressible fluid (12) supply a suspending spring force that biases a wheel (22) of a vehicle toward the road surface. The volume modulator (20) selectively pushes the compressible fluid (12) into the hydraulic cavity (16) and vents the compressible fluid (12) from the hydraulic cavity (16), thereby actively modulating the suspending spring force.

Abstract: An efficient method of supplying a first series of suspension struts for a first vehicle and a second series of suspension struts for a second vehicle. The method includes providing a first series of pressure vessels for the first vehicle and a second series of pressure vessels for the second vehicle. Each pressure vessel defines an outer cavity with an effective fluid volume. The effective fluid volume of the pressure vessels of the first series is smaller than the effective fluid volume of the pressure vessels of the second series. The method also includes providing a series of hydraulic tubes for the first vehicle and for the second vehicle, wherein each hydraulic tube is adapted to be located within the outer cavity of the pressure vessel of the first series and alternatively within the outer cavity of the pressure vessel of the second series.

Abstract: A suspension strut (10) for a vehicle including a compressible fluid (20), a hydraulic tube (22,22′) and displacement rod (24) adapted to cooperate with the compressible fluid (20) to supply a suspending spring force that biases the wheel toward the surface, a cavity piston (26,26′) separating the inner cavity (30) into a first section (32) and a second section (34) and defining a first orifice (36) adapted to allow flow of the compressible fluid (20) between the first section (32) and the second section (34) of the inner cavity (30), and a first variable restrictor (28) adapted to variably restrict the passage of the compressible fluid (20) through the first orifice (36) based on the velocity of the cavity piston (26,26′) to the hydraulic tube (22,22′).

Abstract: Suspension system for a vehicle is disclosed and claimed. The suspension system includes a compressible fluid, a suspension strut, a hydraulic cavity, a reservoir, and a volume modulator. The hydraulic cavity is at least partially defined by the suspension strut and is adapted to contain a portion of the compressible fluid. The hydraulic cavity and the compressible fluid supply a suspending spring force that biases a wheel of a vehicle toward the road surface. The volume modulator selectively pushes the compressible fluid into the hydraulic cavity and vents the compressible fluid from the hydraulic cavity, thereby modulating the suspending spring force.

Abstract: A magnetorheological fluid actuated damper. At least a first and a second cylinder with the first cylinder positioned axially within the second cylinder are provided. A gap is formed between the cylinders. The second cylinder is mounted to a stationary mount of the vehicle chassis and a control arm is mounted at an end of the first cylinder. The first cylinder is mounted on bearings to allow it to rotate relative to the chassis. The gap between the cylinders contains a magnetorheological fluid having an adjustable viscosity in reaction to the application of a magnetic field. A magnetic field is generated over the fluid in the gap.

Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle having left and right wheels is disclosed and claimed. The system includes first and second suspension struts and first and second hydraulic cavities to supply first and second suspending spring force for the left and right wheels, respectively. The system also includes a volume modulator to selectively push fluid into and vent fluid from the first and second hydraulic cavities, thereby actively modulating the first and second suspending spring forces. The volume modulator includes first and second modulator pistons and first and second cavity-side valves. In a preferred embodiment, the modulator pistons are cycled and the cavity-side valves are opened and closed to counteract roll of the vehicle. Further, in a preferred embodiment, the first modulator piston and the second modulator piston are located approximately 180° apart relative to an eccentric to minimize power consumption of the volume modulator during roll of the vehicle.

Abstract: Suspension system for a vehicle is disclosed and claimed. The suspension system includes a fluid, a suspension strut, a hydraulic cavity, an accumulator, and a volume modulator. The hydraulic cavity is at least partially defined by the suspension strut and is adapted to contain a portion of the fluid. The hydraulic cavity supplies a suspending spring force that biases a wheel of a vehicle toward the road surface. The volume modulator selectively pushes the compressible fluid into the hydraulic cavity and vents the compressible fluid from the hydraulic cavity, thereby actively modulating the suspending spring force.