Abstract: A conventional shock absorber is modified by adding a valve cage to the rod nd and providing an additional cylinder outside the shock absorber to form an annular reservoir outside the shock absorber. Temperature sensitive valves open when oil heats to a potentially destructive level, unloading the shock absorber. When the oil cools to a safe operating temperature, the temperature sensitive valves re-close and the shock absorber is again operative.

Abstract: In a vehicle wherein road wheel travel is controlled by a hydraulic damper hose flow is controlled by a spring-urged metering valve, the improvement wherein the valve spring comprises a helical spring having a constant load-deflection curve and a plurality of coned spring disks having variable load-deflection curves. The preferred suspension for cross-country operation exhibits a relatively hard response to minor bumps, a soft floating response to major bumps, and a comparatively hard snubber-like response to abnormally large bumps. Movement in the rebound direction can be substantially unrestricted, controlled by conventional springs, or controlled by spring stacks similar to those described herein. Conversely, for operation on hard surfaced roads the major control functions could be reversed.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension height control unit comprising a hydraulic pump operd by reciprocatory action of the suspension dashpot to pressurize an accumulator. Tendency of the sprung mass to go above or below its normal height range actuates a directional valve for either venting liquid from the dashpot to a sump or passing pressurized liquid from the accumulator to the dashpot. Preferably each roadwheel is equipped with one of these hydraulic units, thereby avoiding the complexity of a central hydraulic system and myriad hydraulic lines.

Abstract: The invention relates to an emergency braking system for a tracked vehicle, uch as a military tank. Loss or separation of one or both tracks from the vehicle energizes an electrical sensor which automatically triggers an emergency brake control system operating on the road wheels. The track loss triggers a "driver override" system that inhibits manual steering, manual shift change, and manual sprocket brake operation. The emergency system takes over control of the vehicle to preclude the driver from making unsafe inputs to the system.

Abstract: A heat engine power system includes a fluid fuel heat engine designed to determined performance characteristics for military vehicles, and a cooling subsystem which has enough capacity to carry away the rejected engine heat. When the exigencies of parts support require replacement of the original engine by a more powerful one which at high ambient temperatures and wide-open throttle would overload the cooling subsystem, the speed controls are such that either of two heat sensors closes an electric circuit to a solenoid which is energized to move the throttle to a given position to restrict fuel flow to an amount which limits engine output so that the rejected heat is within the capacity of the cooling subsystem, thus avoiding overheating and failure, and keeping the military equipment in service without permanently sacrificing total available horsepower.