Abstract: A pump includes a housing defining an interior volume, a diaphragm partitioning the interior volume into a pumping chamber and an actuating chamber, a diaphragm support associated with the actuating chamber and configured to limit movement of the diaphragm, and a dispersion element coupled to the housing. The dispersion element includes a network of channels that is configured to distribute a fluid within the pump.

Abstract: A gas spring for a vehicle suspension system includes a cylinder, a rod disposed within the cylinder, a relative movement between the rod and the cylinder changing the volume of a chamber formed between the rod and the cylinder, and an accumulator in communication with the chamber. Compression of gas in the chamber at least partially provides a first spring rate for deflections of the gas spring below a threshold, compression of gas in the chamber at least partially provides a second spring rate for deflections of the gas spring above the threshold, and the first spring rate is greater than the second spring rate.

Abstract: The current invention discloses several methodologies that mitigate shock loading and propensity to resonance in agricultural spray boom structures. These include a near planar linkage for decoupling the boom assembly from the vehicle. This serves to permit further aspects of the invention to: Use the combined mass of the booms and center section as the tuned mass of a tuned mass damper: Act as an enabling part of a boom compliant suspension system to mitigate shock loadings otherwise imposed on the boom system, and: Act as an enabling part of an active boom height and roll control systems to permit the accurate navigation of the boom over undulating terrain. Further aspects include the incorporation of tuned mass dampers in the boom structure and components; and the use of the mass and operation of the boom outboard “breakaway” sections as tuned mass dampers.

Abstract: A pump includes a housing defining an interior volume, a diaphragm partitioning the interior volume into a pumping chamber and an actuating chamber, a diaphragm support associated with the actuating chamber and configured to limit movement of the diaphragm, and a dispersion element coupled to the housing. The dispersion element is configured to laterally distribute a fluid within the pump.

Abstract: A method of controlling a pump (43), including operating an engine (23) having an engine intake (49) coupled to a pump output (51) of a pump, and a transmission (41) coupled to the engine and to the pump, and operating a valve (58) between a pump input of the pump and the engine intake, such that the valve can be opened during a ratio change of the transmission.

Abstract: A method of controlling a pump (43), including operating an engine (23) having an engine intake (49) coupled to a pump output (51) of a pump, and a transmission (41) coupled to the engine and to the pump, and operating a valve (58) between a pump input of the pump and the engine intake, such that the valve can be opened during a ratio change of the transmission.

Abstract: A gas spring for a vehicle suspension system includes a cylinder, a rod, and an accumulator. The rod is disposed within the cylinder, and relative movement between the rod and the cylinder changes the volume of a chamber formed between the rod and the cylinder. The accumulator is in gaseous communication with the chamber such that a continuous body of gas extends between the chamber and the accumulator.

Abstract: A method of controlling a pump (43), including operating an engine (23) having an engine intake (49) coupled to a pump output (51) of a pump, and a transmission (41) coupled to the engine and to the pump, and operating a valve (58) between a pump input of the pump and the engine intake, such that the valve can be opened during a ratio change of the transmission.

Abstract: A pump includes a housing defining an interior volume, and a diaphragm, where the diaphragm partitions the interior volume into a pumping chamber and an actuating chamber. The diaphragm is formed from a polymeric material, and the pump further includes a diaphragm support configured to limit a stroke of the diaphragm. The diaphragm support includes an array of apertures through which fluid passes to interface with the diaphragm during operation of the pump.

Abstract: A pump includes a housing defining an interior volume, a diaphragm partitioning the interior volume into a pumping chamber and an actuating chamber, a diaphragm support associated with the actuating chamber and configured to limit movement of the diaphragm, and a dispersion element coupled to the housing. The dispersion element is configured to laterally distribute a fluid within the pump.

Abstract: A gas spring for a vehicle suspension system includes a cylinder, a rod, and an accumulator. The rod is disposed within the cylinder, and relative movement between the rod and the cylinder changes the volume of a chamber formed between the rod and the cylinder. The accumulator is in gaseous communication with the chamber such that a continuous body of gas extends between the chamber and the accumulator.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system includes a pump, a gas spring, and an accumulator. The gas spring assembly includes a cylinder, a rod, and a chamber for supporting gas. The rod is coupled to the cylinder and moveable relative to the cylinder. The chamber is formed between the cylinder and the rod, where movement of the rod relative to the cylinder changes the volume of the chamber. The accumulator is configured for receiving, storing, and releasing potential energy from gas of the chamber. The accumulator is coupled to the chamber, and is in gaseous communication with the chamber such that a continuous body of gas extends between the chamber and the accumulator when the accumulator is receiving or releasing the potential energy.

Abstract: A vehicle (10) comprising a vehicle body, a suspension system coupled to the vehicle body, and a plurality of wheels (16) coupled to the suspension system comprising at least one pair of wheels, each wheel of the at least one pair of wheels being located on opposite sides of the vehicle. The suspension system comprises a changeable wheel track width for the at least one pair of wheels and the wheel track width is changeable between a narrow wheel track width setting (12) and a wide wheel track width setting (14) by pivoting a suspension link (18) about a vertical axis.

Abstract: A method of controlling a pump (43), including operating an engine (23) having an engine intake (49) coupled to a pump output (51) of a pump, and a transmission (41) coupled to the engine and to the pump, and operating a valve (58) between a pump input of the pump and the engine intake, such that the valve can be opened during a ratio change of the transmission.

Abstract: A pump includes a housing defining an interior volume, and a diaphragm, where the diaphragm partitions the interior volume into a pumping chamber and an actuating chamber. The diaphragm is formed from a polymeric material, and the pump further includes a diaphragm support configured to limit a stroke of the diaphragm. The diaphragm support includes an array of apertures through which fluid passes to interface with the diaphragm during operation of the pump.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system includes a pump, a gas spring, and an accumulator. The gas spring assembly includes a cylinder, a rod, and a chamber for supporting gas. The rod is coupled to the cylinder and moveable relative to the cylinder. The chamber is formed between the cylinder and the rod, where movement of the rod relative to the cylinder changes the volume of the chamber. The accumulator is configured for receiving, storing, and releasing potential energy from gas of the chamber. The accumulator is coupled to the chamber, and is in gaseous communication with the chamber such that a continuous body of gas extends between the chamber and the accumulator when the accumulator is receiving or releasing the potential energy.

Abstract: A torsional pulse dampener including a pulley rotationally coupled to a piston that is axially displaceable and adapted to give torsional compliance from an engine for at least one-half revolution of an angular differential displacement between the pulley and the piston.

Abstract: Vehicle armor includes a body panel of the vehicle having a stressed skin construction with an inside surface and an outside surface. A liner overlies the inside surface of the body panel and a particle-filled elastomer overlies the outside surface of the body panel. Thin, single-layer steel tiles overlie the elastomer layer, with the tiles each having a hardened outer side and a non-hardened inner side.

Abstract: Vehicle armor includes a body panel of the vehicle having a stressed skin construction with an inside surface and an outside surface. A liner overlies the inside surface of the body panel and a particle-filled elastomer overlies the outside surface of the body panel. Thin, single-layer steel tiles overlie the elastomer layer, with the tiles each having a hardened outer side and a non-hardened inner side.

Abstract: A vehicle (10) comprising a vehicle body, a suspension system coupled to the vehicle body, and a plurality of wheels (16) coupled to the suspension system comprising at least one pair of wheels, each wheel of the at least one pair of wheels being located on opposite sides of the vehicle. The suspension system comprises a changeable wheel track width for the at least one pair of wheels and the wheel track width is changeable between a narrow wheel track width setting (12) and a wide wheel track width setting (14) by pivoting a suspension link (18) about a vertical axis.