Abstract: A first expression of an embodiment of the invention is for apparatus including a magnetorheological-fluid (MR-fluid) hydraulic mount. The mount includes an internal MR-fluid cavity and a partition plate assembly. The partition plate assembly partitions the cavity into first and second MR-fluid chambers. The mount is adapted to receive an MR-fluid pressure sensor in fluid communication with the second MR-fluid chamber. A second expression of an embodiment of the invention is for apparatus including an MR-fluid hydraulic mount. The mount includes an internal MR-fluid cavity, a partition plate assembly, and an MR-fluid pressure sensor. The partition plate assembly partitions the cavity into first and second MR-fluid chambers. The MR-fluid pressure sensor is in fluid communication with the second MR-fluid chamber.

Abstract: A method of the invention is for controlling an MR-fluid hydraulic mount connected to a vehicle engine. The mount includes an internal MR-fluid cavity. The mount includes a partition plate assembly partitioning the cavity into first and second MR-fluid chambers. The partition plate assembly has an orifice extending from the first MR-fluid chamber to the second MR-fluid chamber. The mount includes an electric coil positioned to magnetically influence the orifice. The method includes, when the vehicle engine is at idle, determining a reference pressure as a fluid pressure within the second MR-fluid chamber. The method includes, when the vehicle engine is above idle, determining a command electric current to be applied to the electric coil using at least a difference between the reference pressure and a current fluid pressure within the second MR-fluid chamber. The method includes applying the command electric output current to the electric coil.

Abstract: An MR-fluid (magnetorheological-fluid) hydraulic mount includes a hydraulic-mount partition plate assembly and an electric coil. The partition plate assembly has a longitudinal axis, has first and second sides, and has an MR-fluid through orifice extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis from the first side to the second side. The partition plate assembly is devoid of any non-MR-hydraulic-fluid orifice. The electric coil is substantially coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis and is adapted to magnetically influence the MR-fluid through orifice. The MR-fluid through orifice is positioned radially outward of the electric coil.

Abstract: A hydraulic mount provides passive rate dip performance through use of a secondary orifice track-mass resiliently constrained within a first orifice track for reciprocating movement within the first orifice track under conditions such as engine idle, and constrained against reciprocating motion within the first orifice track for conditions imposing large amplitude, low frequency loads on the mount.

Abstract: A magnetorheological-fluid hydraulic mount includes a hydraulic-mount partition plate assembly, a hydraulic-mount decoupler, an electric coil, and a flexible membrane assembly. The partition plate assembly has first and second sides, has a non-magnetorheological-fluid first orifice, and has a magnetorheological-fluid second orifice. The first orifice has a first terminus positioned at the first side and a second terminus positioned at the second side. The second orifice has a first end positioned at the first side and has a second end positioned at the second side. The hydraulic-mount decoupler is operatively connected to the first orifice. The electric coil is disposed to magnetically influence the second orifice.

Abstract: A hydraulic mount is provided having a body with first and second fluid chambers and a decoupler subassembly interposed between to partially define the first and second fluid chambers. The decoupler subassembly comprises first and second flexible decoupler members operatively sealed together to form a third fluid chamber. The first and second chambers may be substantially filled with a magneto-rheological fluid. The third chamber may be filled with a standard hydraulic fluid, like glycol.

Abstract: A hydraulic mount having first and second fluid tracks, and a decoupler functioning as an air spring with two remotely selectable settings. The settings allow tailoring of the air spring characteristics to provide mount damping for differing engine operating states, such as engine idle. A solenoid is used to select a smaller or larger air volume to control the characteristics of the air spring and, in turn, the dynamic response of the hydraulic mount. An integral controller provides switched operation of the solenoid and compensates for variations in temperature and input voltage, as well as minimizing electrical noise generated by the solenoid when it is energized.

Abstract: A hydraulic mount provides active control through the use of a rotary track assembly connecting a primary pumping chamber of the mount to a secondary fluid chamber. With low amplitude vibrations the fluid path remains open, providing low dynamic stiffness. For high amplitude vibrations, the fluid flow path is closed, providing a high level of dynamic stiffness. The rotary track assembly control is continuously variable offering a wide range of active control of hydraulic mount stiffness.

Abstract: A powertrain mount comprises an orifice plate including two tracks, a control track and an isolation track. The control track is spirally formed within the orifice plate, which has an exit and entrance on either side of the plate. The control track provides damping to control damping from engine bounce; whereas, the isolation track controllably provides dynamic rate dip. The isolation track is formed between an alignment plate and rotatable track member, each having an exit and entrance, respectively. The rotatable track member and the alignment plate are sealingly engaged and affixed to a decoupler and an annular area disposed about the orifice plate of the powertrain mount. The exit of the alignment plate is adjacent the decoupler. The rotatable track member forms a cavity with the molded body of the powertrain mount, with the entrance exposed to fluid within the cavity for controlling and minimizing vibrations within the powertrain.

Abstract: A powertrain mount comprises an orifice plate including two tracks, a control track and an isolation track. The control track is spirally formed within the orifice plate, which has an exit and entrance on either side of the plate. The control track provides damping to control damping from engine bounce; whereas, the isolation track controllably provides dynamic rate dip. The isolation track is formed between an alignment plate and rotatable track member, each having an exit and entrance, respectively. The rotatable track member and the alignment plate are sealingly engaged and affixed to a decoupler and an annular area disposed about the orifice plate of the powertrain mount. The exit of the alignment plate is adjacent the decoupler. The rotatable track member forms a cavity with the molded body of the powertrain mount, with the entrance exposed to fluid within the cavity for controlling and minimizing vibrations within the powertrain.

Abstract: A powertrain mount comprises an orifice plate and a rotatable track member. The orifice plate has an opening, a first surface sloping toward the opening, and an inner surface. The rotatable track member has an outer surface proximate the first surface of the orifice plate, and the outer surface of the rotatable track member has an opening. A compliant member is positioned adjacent the orifice track for isolating and damping amplitudes of vibration frequencies, as an amplitude dependent device. For small amplitudes, the compliant member takes up displaced fluid within the mount; whereas, large amplitudes the compliant member is bottomed out, forcing displaced fluid through the orifice track or into the molded assembly of the mount.

Abstract: A hydraulic mount provides passive rate dip performance through use of a secondary orifice track-mass resiliently constrained within a first orifice track for reciprocating movement within the first orifice track under conditions such as engine idle, and constrained against reciprocating motion within the first orifice track for conditions imposing large amplitude, low frequency loads on the mount.

Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle. A control arm is attachable to the vehicle frame by a first bushing and by a second bushing and is attachable to the knuckle by a ball joint. A torsion spring assembly has a torsion tube and a torsion bar positioned within the torsion tube. A first end portion of the torsion bar is attached to a first end portion of the torsion tube, and a second end portion of the torsion bar extends beyond a second end of the torsion tube and is attached to the control arm. No portion of the torsion tube is immobilized with respect to the frame. A moment bar has a first end portion attached to the torsion tube and has a second end portion attachable to the frame.

Abstract: A powertrain mount comprises an orifice plate and a track member. The orifice plate has an exit, a first surface sloping toward the exit, and an inner surface. The track member has an outer surface proximate the first surface of the orifice plate, and the outer surface of the track member has an entrance. A containment plate forms an orifice track with the first and inner surfaces of the orifice plate and with the outer surface of the track member.

Abstract: A hydraulic mount provides active control through the use of a rotary track assembly connecting a primary pumping chamber of the mount to a secondary fluid chamber. With low amplitude vibrations the fluid path remains open, providing low dynamic stiffness. For high amplitude vibrations, the fluid flow path is closed, providing a high level of dynamic stiffness. The rotary track assembly control is continuously variable offering a wide range of active control of hydraulic mount stiffness.

Abstract: A powertrain mount comprises an orifice plate and a track member. The orifice plate has an exit, a first surface sloping toward the exit, and an inner surface. The track member has an outer surface proximate the first surface of the orifice plate, and the outer surface of the track member has an entrance. A containment plate forms an orifice track with the first and inner surfaces of the orifice plate and with the outer surface of the track member.

Abstract: A powertrain mount comprises an orifice plate and a slug. The orifice plate defines an orifice track having a first cross-sectional area. The slug is disposed in the orifice track, and has a bore with a second cross-sectional area less than the first cross-sectional area.

Abstract: A method is provided for use in an electronic processor-controlled vehicular braking system. When integrated into such a braking system, the need for downstream caliper pressure sensors, and any algorithms associated therewith, is eliminated. The method consists of generating and using estimated caliper pressure for comparison to command pressure, instead of actual caliper pressure. The method elicits a far quicker yet accurate response to the estimated caliper pressure in line with command pressure.

Abstract: A method of the present invention is provided for use in an electronic processor controlled vehicular braking system. When integrated into such a braking system, the need for down-stream caliper pressure sensors, and any algorithms associated therewith, is eliminated, the method generating and using estimated caliper pressure, for comparison to command pressure instead of actual caliper pressure, and eliciting far quicker yet accurate response to be estimated caliper pressure in line with command pressure.