Abstract: A bracket comprises a body extending along a center axis between a first end and a second end. The body defines a first groove and a second groove. The first groove, located at the first end and flaring radially outwardly, presents a first slanted surface. The second groove, located at the second end and flaring radially outwardly, presents a second slanted surface. A pair of coupling members including a first and a second coupling member are respectively located in the first and second grooves for engagement with a housing of a hydraulic damper assembly. The first end includes at least one first deformation for retaining the first coupling member. The second end includes at least one second deformation for retaining the second coupling member. A hydraulic damper assembly including the bracket and a method of joining the bracket and the hydraulic damper assembly are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A bracket comprises a body extending along a center axis between a first end and a second end. The body defines a first groove and a second groove. The first groove, located at the first end and flaring radially outwardly, presents a first slanted surface. The second groove, located at the second end and flaring radially outwardly, presents a second slanted surface. A pair of coupling members including a first and a second coupling member are respectively located in the first and second grooves for engagement with a housing of a hydraulic damper assembly. The first end includes at least one first deformation for retaining the first coupling member. The second end includes at least one second deformation for retaining the second coupling member. A hydraulic damper assembly including the bracket and a method of joining the bracket and the hydraulic damper assembly are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A hydraulic mount apparatus comprises a housing having an upper portion and a lower portion and defining a housing chamber. A partition member disposed therein and divides the housing chamber into a pumping chamber and a receiving chamber. A decoupler including a magnetic actuator is attached to the partition member. A moving member is disposed in the pumping chamber and attached to the decoupler. The moving member includes at least two magnetic inserts disposed therein, spaced from one another, to move the moving member from a first position to a second position in response to a magnetic field. The first position is defined as the moving member being spaced from the decoupler. The second position is defined as the moving member being attached to the decoupler.

Abstract: A hydraulic mount apparatus comprises a housing having an upper portion and a lower portion and defining a housing chamber. A partition member disposed therein and divides the housing chamber into a pumping chamber and a receiving chamber. A decoupler including a magnetic actuator is attached to the partition member. A moving member is disposed in the pumping chamber and attached to the decoupler. The moving member includes at least two magnetic inserts disposed therein, spaced from one another, to move the moving member from a first position to a second position in response to a magnetic field. The first position is defined as the moving member being spaced from the decoupler. The second position is defined as the moving member being attached to the decoupler.

Abstract: A fluid damper assembly for use in a vehicle includes a piston subassembly which includes a plurality of inflow passages and at least one rebound disk for restricting flow of hydraulic fluid through the inflow passages. A rod extends through the piston subassembly to actuate the piston subassembly between a rebound stroke and a compression stroke. An actuator supported by and within the rod includes a piezoelectric device and an amplifier for adjusting the damping force during the rebound stroke, thereby adjusting the suspension of the vehicle. A shaft within the rod is connected to a retainer to transmit motion from the amplifier to compress a spring and disengage the retainer from the rebound disk to allow the rebound disk to flex solely in response to hydraulic fluid pressure from the rebound stroke to open the inflow passages and reduce the damping force during the rebound stroke.

Abstract: A fluid damper assembly for use in a vehicle includes a piston subassembly which includes a plurality of inflow passages and at least one rebound disk for restricting flow of hydraulic fluid through the inflow passages. A rod extends through the piston subassembly to actuate the piston subassembly between a rebound stroke and a compression stroke. An actuator supported by and within the rod includes a piezoelectric device and an amplifier for adjusting the damping force during the rebound stroke, thereby adjusting the suspension of the vehicle. A shaft within the rod is connected to a retainer to transmit motion from the amplifier to compress a spring and disengage the retainer from the rebound disk to allow the rebound disk to flex solely in response to hydraulic fluid pressure from the rebound stroke to open the inflow passages and reduce the damping force during the rebound stroke.

Abstract: A monotube shock absorber assembly includes a housing (20), a gas cup (32) slidably disposed in the interior (28) of the housing (20), and a piston (42) slidably disposed in the interior (28) of the housing (20) to define an oil compression chamber (48) between the piston (42) and the gas cup (32). A cushion (58) engages one of the piston (42) and the gas cup (32) and extends axially into the oil compression chamber (48) for intermittent contact with the other of the piston (42) and the gas cup (32). The cushion (58) is a resilient material and deforms in response to the cushion (58) contacting the other of the piston (42) and the gas cup (32). In a preferred embodiment, the cushion (58) defines a central opening (60) for decreasing the axial stiffness of the cushion (58) and engages the gas cup (32) for intermittent contact with the piston (42).

Abstract: A monotube shock absorber assembly includes a housing (20), a gas cup (32) slidably disposed in the interior (28) of the housing (20), and a piston (42) slidably disposed in the interior (28) of the housing (20) to define an oil compression chamber (48) between the piston (42) and the gas cup (32). A cushion (58) engages one of the piston (42) and the gas cup (32) and extends axially into the oil compression chamber (48) for intermittent contact with the other of the piston (42) and the gas cup (32). The cushion (58) is a resilient material and deforms in response to the cushion (58) contacting the other of the piston (42) and the gas cup (32). In a preferred embodiment, the cushion (58) defines a central opening (60) for decreasing the axial stiffness of the cushion (58) and engages the gas cup (32) for intermittent contact with the piston (42).

Abstract: A brake apply master cylinder includes a body and a piston assembly. The body includes a bore. The bore has a longitudinal axis, a closed front end, a primary fluid outlet fluidly connectable to a primary brake circuit, and a secondary fluid outlet fluidly connectable to a secondary brake circuit. The piston assembly includes a single brake apply piston positioned in the bore. The piston assembly fluidly divides the bore into a primary fluid chamber in fluid communication with the primary fluid outlet and a secondary fluid chamber in fluid communication with the secondary fluid outlet. Another brake apply master cylinder includes a body, a piston assembly, and a return spring assembly. The return spring assembly is positioned in the bore of the body and extends from the closed front end of the bore to a return-spring seat of a single brake apply piston of the piston assembly.

Abstract: A brake apply master cylinder includes a body and a piston assembly. The body includes a bore. The bore has a longitudinal axis, a closed front end, a primary fluid outlet fluidly connectable to a primary brake circuit, and a secondary fluid outlet fluidly connectable to a secondary brake circuit. The piston assembly includes a single brake apply piston positioned in the bore. The piston assembly fluidly divides the bore into a primary fluid chamber in fluid communication with the primary fluid outlet and a secondary fluid chamber in fluid communication with the secondary fluid outlet. Another brake apply master cylinder includes a body, a piston assembly, and a return spring assembly. The return spring assembly is positioned in the bore of the body and extends from the closed front end of the bore to a return-spring seat of a single brake apply piston of the piston assembly.

Abstract: An improved piston to seal configuration for a master cylinder including a master cylinder housing defining a bore, the bore defining an elongated axis, a seal groove defined by the master cylinder housing and disposed about the bore, a seal positioned within the seal groove and a piston closely and slideably received within the bore, wherein the piston includes a distal end and a chamfer formed on the distal end, the chamfer being adapted to engage the seal, with the caveat that the piston is free of bypass holes.

Abstract: A magnetorheological (MR) damper includes a damper tube, a movable non-MR damper piston, and a non-movable MR damper piston. The damper tube has substantially hermetically separated first and second chambers, wherein the first chamber contains a non-MR fluid and the second chamber contains an MR fluid. The non-MR damper piston is located in the first chamber and is slidable with respect to the damper tube. The MR damper piston has a longitudinal axis and an electric coil, is located in the second chamber, and is fixedly attached to the damper tube. Sliding the non-MR damper piston with respect to the damper tube causes movement of at least some of the MR fluid longitudinally past the electric coil.

Abstract: The invention provides a magnetorheological piston and damper assembly. The piston includes a piston body including at least one bypass port and an annular gap formed therein. The bypass port is in fluid communication with the annular gap. The bypass port includes a longitudinal portion extending substantially parallel to a piston longitudinal axis, and a bend portion extending substantially away from the longitudinal axis. The annular gap is spaced apart from the longitudinal portion and extends substantially parallel to the piston longitudinal axis. During operation, fluid flows through the bypass port and annular gap. The damper assembly includes a rod and a housing including the fluid carried therein. The piston is slidably carried in the housing and operably attached to the rod.

Abstract: The invention provides a magnetorheological piston and damper assembly. The piston includes a piston body including at least one bypass port and an annular gap formed therein. The bypass port is in fluid communication with the annular gap. The bypass port includes a longitudinal portion extending substantially parallel to a piston longitudinal axis, and a bend portion extending substantially away from the longitudinal axis. The annular gap is spaced apart from the longitudinal portion and extends substantially parallel to the piston longitudinal axis. During operation, fluid flows through the bypass port and annular gap. The damper assembly includes a rod and a housing including the fluid carried therein. The piston is slidably carried in the housing and operably attached to the rod.

Abstract: A method of testing magnetorheological fluid comprises cycling the fluid at an elevated temperature, allowing the fluid to stand, performance testing the fluid, cycling the fluid at superimposed frequencies, and noting settling characteristics of the fluid.

Abstract: A magneto-rheological (“MR”) damper having a gas cup that slidably moves within a damper body tube and isolates an MR fluid from a gas in one end of the damper body tube. The gas cup has a dynamic seal that comprises an MR fluid compatible O-ring located in a narrow O-ring groove disposed in an outer surface of the gas cup. The narrow O-ring groove is sized to reduce entrapment of abrasive magnetic particles in the MR fluid between the O-ring and an inner surface of the damper body tube. The O-ring groove has a free roll room of about less than 12%.

Abstract: A guide assembly for a rod of a motor vehicle strut comprises a rod guide, a seal cover, and a retainer. The seal cover engages the rod guide, and defames an area therebetween. The retainer is engaged with the seal cover. A first O-ring is disposed between the seal cover and the rod guide, and a second O-ring is disposed between the rod guide and the retainer.