Abstract: An upper mounting system for a MacPherson strut includes a shock absorber mount and an air spring mount. The air spring mount is disposed coaxially around the shock absorber mount. A curved spherical interface of the air spring mount permits pivotal movement of the air spring such that it maintains a coaxial relationship with the shock absorber. The curved spherical interface also provides a seal for sealing the gas chamber of the air spring.

Abstract: An upper mounting system for a MacPherson strut includes a shock absorber mount and an air spring mount. The air spring mount is disposed coaxially around the shock absorber mount. A curved spherical interface of the air spring mount permits pivotal movement of the air spring such that it maintains a coaxial relationship with the shock absorber. The curved spherical interface also provides a seal for sealing the gas chamber of the air spring.

Abstract: A steel inner tube and thermoplastic outer tube are placed in an injection mold apparatus and a thermoplastic intermediate tube is molded between the inner and outer tubes. The intermediate tube shrink fit locks to the inner tube and shrinks relative to the outer tube to provide a selected journal-bearing torque relation therebetween. Projections and mating recesses on the inner tube and intermediate tube facilitate locking the intermediate tube to the inner tube without adhesives or other bonding agents. One or more thrust rings and recesses are formed on the mating surfaces of the outer tube and intermediate tube to preclude axial relative displacement therebetween in response to axial thrust loads. An elastomeric tubular member (or other known bushing construction) is secured over the outer tube and an outer steel tube is over the elastomeric member to provide an enhanced control arm bushing with a predetermined torque response for automotive suspension systems.

Abstract: A self powered vacuum evacuation device adapted for medical applications employing cylinderical body with piston member which is instantly energizable to a preselected variable vacuum level by using locking members and having automatic flow control valve system so that the device can be continuously cycled in operation without connecting and disconnecting to a source of fluid and drainage reservoir.

Abstract: Apparatus and method adapted for detecting the profile deflection condition in a wheel structure of the type comprised of a pneumatic tire mounted on a wheel rim and which deflection may be caused by tire under inflation or overloading. A sensing and actuating structure constructed from flexible material having high flex fatigue characteristics to include a body portion and a profile sensor is conveniently mounted to the drop center portion of the rim such that the profile sensor extends into the tire cavity so that it is positively engaged by the inside of the tire wall when tire profile deflection reaches an amount greater than a predetermined maximum amount due to overloading or under inflation, to thereby cause flexure in the profile sensor generally inwardly toward the rim. This flexure causes a piezoelectric device positioned adjacent the profile sensor to provide an electrical discharge.

Abstract: Apparatus and method particularly adapted for detecting over and/or under inflated conditions in a wheel structure of the type comprised of a pneumatic tire mounted on a wheel rim. A generator unit is mounted to the wheel generally coaxial of the axis of wheel rotation and is constructed such that the generator rotor is operably journalled within the generator stator in a manner facilitating rotation of the rotor independently of the remainder of the generator unit and wheel itself. One side of the rotor is weighted so that as the wheel and generator unit are rotated, the rotor disposition remains generally stationary due to the influence of gravity forces on the weighted area. The relative rotation thus achieved between stator and rotor causes a voltage to be induced in the stator field winding which is utilized to energize a small radio transmitter mounted on the wheel with the generator unit.