Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydraulically damped powertrain mount (10) which includes an inner and outer in-series elastomeric springs (12, 14), having a cylindrical form with an oval cross section. The powertrain mount is secured to a supporting object by a flange extending outwardly from the periphery of an outer support housing (18) conforming generally to the shape of the outer elastomeric spring. Adjoining the inner and outer springs is a intermediate metal plate (16) utilized to assemble the springs concentrically in a partially nested relation therewith. A mounting member (22) is received within a centrally located recess portion formed in the inner spring and projects freely from the inner spring for attaching the engine or motor which is to be supported. A diaphragm (32) is secured to the intermediate metal plate and cooperates with the inner spring to define a fluid filled chamber. The fluid chamber is divided by a partition assembly (28) into two fluid filled holding chambers (A, B).

Abstract: A fluid damped bushing (10, 100) comprising a metallic sleeve (12, 112) and an annular elastomeric body (14, 114) mold bonded to the exterior of the metallic sleeve. The elastomeric body has a spaced apart pair of fluid containing recesses (18, 118 and 20, 120) in its exterior surface with a serpentine shaped inertia track (26, 126) in the outermost surface of the elastomeric body to provide communication between the recesses. A window metal sleeve (16, 116) is encapsulated within the elastomeric body by mold bonding, and the window metal sleeve has a longitudinally spaced apart pair of rings (30, 130 and 32, 132) above and below the level of the recesses, respectively, and a diametrically opposed pair of webs (38, 138 and 40, 140) extending between the rings. In a first embodiment, a plurality of outwardly projecting pads (28) is located in one of the webs in the region of the inertia track to prevent deformation of the inertia track under lead.

Abstract: A fluid damped bushing (10) comprising a metallic sleeve (12) and an annular elastomeric body (14) mold bonded to the exterior of the metallic sleeve. The elastomeric body has a spaced apart pair of fluid containing recesses (18, 20) in its exterior surface with a serpentine shaped inertia track (26) in the outermost surface of the elastomeric body to provide communication between the recesses. A window metal sleeve (16) is encapsulated within the elastomeric body by mold bonding, and the window metal sleeve has a longitudinally spaced apart pair of rings (30, 32) above and below the level of the recesses, respectively, and a diametrically opposed pair of webs (38, 40) extending between the rings. A plurality of outwardly projecting pads (28) is located in one of the webs in the region of the inertia track to prevent deformation of the inertia track under load.

Abstract: A fluid damped bushing (10) comprising a metallic sleeve (12) and an annular elastomeric body (14) mold bonded to the exterior of the metallic sleeve. The elastomeric body has a spaced apart pair of fluid containing recesses (16, 18) in its exterior surface with an intermediate recess (20) positioned between the fluid containing recesses. An inertia track plate (22), which is formed from a relatively rigid material, is positioned within the intermediate recess, and the track plate has a flow passage (24) formed in its exterior surface, opposed ends of the flow passage being in fluid communication with the fluid containing recesses. The bushing is circumscribed by longitudinally short, metallic rings (26, 28) on longitudinally opposed sides of the recesses, and is then tightly surrounded by a metallic sleeve (30) which has an elastomeric inner liner (32) mold bonded to its interior surface..

Abstract: A variable shock absorber assembly of the adaptive or semi-active type or an active actuator wherein the actuator, sensors, electronic controller and valving are integral to and integrated into one assembly and comprise one compact integral unit. Feedback control provides a signal proportional to and indicative of the actuator position and velocity. The compact system is temperature compensated by incorporating temperature sensors into the integrated assembly. The integrated system also provides diagnostics integral to the assembly and an LED mounted on the assembly for providing a visual indication of system condition.

Abstract: A control method for semi-active damper (32) which oscillates in real time (at the frequency of the moving member (22) motion or higher) between a high-damping On state and a low-damping Off state wherein the On and Off damping states are selected by the driver via a driver selectable switch (60) and overridden when the absolute velocity differential across the suspended body exceeds a threshold value and the signs are opposite. Damping bands can be set to a luxury, touring, or sport mode via the driver selectable switch (60). This system provides driver selectable ride feel and yet controls excessive roll and pitch due to vehicle maneuvers, braking, and acceleration by overriding the driver selectable setting whenever the absolute velocity differential threshold setting is exceeded and the directional signs are different. When the threshold is exceeded and the signs are opposed, the null band is adjusted to a narrower setting to initiate control of the damper.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling suspension deflection in a semiactive damping system is disclosed. A semiactive control policy operates to set the damper force to a low magnitude when the relative position of the suspension members is within a "null band," and to a high magnitude when the relative position is within an "overshoot" band. The null band is a predefined range of displacement about the equilibrium position of the members and the overshoot band is a range about the end stops. When in the overshoot band, the high damper force limits the incidence of suspension end stop collisions that cause damaging shock inputs to the system. The high damper force is maintained once the overshoot band is entered until the relative position of the members again reaches the equilibrium position. One or more intermediate or "active" bands are defined to exist between the null and overshoot bands. When in the active band(s), the damper force is set to an intermediate magnitude to thus stiffen the suspension.

Abstract: A controllable shock absorber of the externally actuated type with greatly decreased valve response time. The shock absorber assembly utilizes valve rotation stops on the rotary valve for limiting the rotational motion of the valve. The valve is attached to a bendingly flexible control rod which is supported by a sealing and support assembly located down inside the piston rod, thus allowing easy assembly of the rotational motor by way of a bendingly alignable self-locating feature. The use of the one seal and support assembly further reduces the rotational forces needed to allow faster actuation of the valve. The valve actuation torque requirements have been further decreased by reducing the viscous drag on the valve body and reducing the inertia of the rotational valve assembly by hollowing out the valve. Performance robbing, side loading on the valve is minimized by using a at least two preferably symmetrical ports.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus is provided for estimation of absolute velocity in active or semi-active suspension systems. A controller produces a signal estimate of absolute velocity which can be implemented by a control algorithm to attenuate motion between spaced members, such as in vehicular suspension systems. The controller performs time integration of an accelerometer input signal by an analog integrator means comprising a first-order low-pass filter. A digital feedback or offset means is utilized to stabilize the signal and constrain the constant and relatively low frequency components of the analog integrated signal about an oscillatory voltage range. A digital filter means receives the stable signal and removes selected constant and low frequency components of the signal to produce a signal indicative of absolute velocities for a frequency range of interest further stabilized about a select mid-range voltage value.

Abstract: The transducer is directly associated with a fluid-type damper having a cover member and a cylinder member that undergo telescopic movement relative to each other in response to relative movement between vehicle components interconnected by the damper. In the preferred embodiments, both a passive electrical coil and a magnet are mounted upon the cover member, in fixed relationship to each other. Relative axial telescoping movement between the cover member and the cylinder member of the damper changes the flux field of the magnet and induces in the coil a voltage which is proportional to the relative velocity between the damper members and thus between the vehicle components interconnected by the damper. In an alternative embodiment, the magnet is mounted upon an end portion of the damper cylinder member.

Abstract: An improved isolation system for time responsive attenuation control led electromechanical valve assembly comprising the piston of motion between spaced members is provided having a remotely actuator of a fluid damper for generating motion attenuating forces. The piston valve assembly employs a moving coil valve slider moveable between first and second positions to generate damper forces independently of the fluid pressure differential between opposing fluid chambers. Direct flow passages extend through the piston valve assembly between the opposing chambers. In the first position of the valve slider, fluid flow is substantially permitted through the direct flow passages to provide a substantially nonresistant damper force. In the second position, the valve slider intersects internal porting portions of the direct flow passages to substantially restrict fluid flow therethrough and provide a resistant damper force.

Abstract: The piston of the damper, which is of the piston-and-cylinder type, has therein at least one fluid passageway, a pair of fluid inlet/outlet ports opening from one end of the piston and communicating with the passageway at spaced locations along its length, an outlet/inlet port opening from the opposite end of the piston and communicating with the passageway at a location along its length intermediate the locations of the inlet/outlet ports, and a valve element mounted within the passageway for movement transversely thereof between an open-valve position, where the valve element permits relatively free flow of fluid through the passageway, and a closed-valve position wherein the valve element obstructs the fluid flow. The valve element has at least one pressure-equalizing opening extending therethrough and is substantially pressure balanced in a plurality of orthogonal directions. The valve element is driven by an actuator which may be and preferably is a linear actuator of a springless single acting type.

Abstract: An accurate high speed gripper assembly for use in handling articles in an automated manufacturing process. The gripper assembly includes a pair of movable fingers which depend from movable carriages mounted in a housing rotatably mounted on the end of a robot arm. A pair of stepper motors are mounted in the housing and are connected to rotary actuators which displace the fingers in discrete incremental steps toward or away from one another when rotated. Compliant elements provided on each finger cooperate with force/torque sensors for determining the proximity of the fingers to an article to be gripped and the gripping force applied by the fingers. The sensors generate signals which are processed in a controller that regulates operation of the stepper motors so as to achieve desired finger movements and gripper forces.