Abstract: A truck design and load/unload configuration includes a tractor and an enclosed semi-trailer. The enclosed semi-trailer includes front and rear full size cargo doors or openings. The cargo loaded into the semi-trailer first is assured to be the cargo that is unloaded from the semi-trailer first.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes an integral pressure tube and rod guide. The integration of these two components manufactured from aluminum allows the use of an aluminum pressure tube to eliminate axial differential thermal expansion between the pressure tube and an aluminum reserve tube. The use of aluminum for these two components reduces weight and improves the heat dissipation for the shock absorber. On addition, by producing the rod guide integral with the pressure tube and also of aluminum, additional weight savings are realized. Further advantages for the integration of these components include the elimination of leak paths, the limitation of assembly operations and the opportunity to utilize a "near net-shape" manufacturing process such as impact extrusion or semi-solid forming for the manufacture of the integral pressure tube and rod guide.

Abstract: A telescopic cylinder (10) is disposed between the sprung (22) and unsprung (14, 18) portions of an automotive vehicle and is in fluid communication with a source of fluid external to the telescopic cylinder (10). The telescopic cylinder (10) includes the housing (46) which is operable to receive the fluid. The telescopic cylinder (1) also includes a mount (48) which is operable to secure the housing (46) of the telescopic cylinder (10) to the automotive vehicle (12). The mount (48) includes a fluid passage (66) for allowing fluid to flow from the source of fluid through the mount (48) to the housing (46).

Abstract: A shock absorber has a biasing member located between the base cup of a reserve tube and a cylinder end at the bottom of a pressure tube. The biasing member urges the pressure tube away from the base cup of the reserve tube and provides for movement between the lower ends of the two members without affecting the seating or sealing of the components within the shock absorber. The movement between the pressure tube and the reserve tube provides axial compliance for accommodating tubes materials having different materials with different coefficients of thermal expansion.

Abstract: Vehicle suspension apparatus operating between the sprung and unsprung masses of a vehicle includes a pendular anti-roll bar connected to the vehicle, and a pair of links which connect the bar to the wheels. One and the other link, respectively, is extensible and inextensible, with the extensible link comprising a selectively controllable hydraulic piston-cylinder assembly having first and second flow paths, and valve means which upon command automatically locks the piston at a midstroke position, depending on the flow of fluid in the passages. The flow paths allow the user to select either of two roll stiffness levels (i.e., high and low) and provide automatic convergence of the piston to its locked midstroke position (high roll stiffness hard ride) upon command.

Abstract: In a remote controlled fluid piston-piston rod type damper, a ported damping piston divides a cylinder into upper and lower chambers, a "spoiler" sleeve reciprocably encircles an electrical coil, a pair of shoulders extend radially from the piston rod, and a pair of precompressed coil springs position the piston between the shoulders for reciprocable axial movement relative to the piston rod. An electrically controlled valve operates to regulate flow between the chambers in response to relative reciprocable motion between the piston rod and the piston, the electrical coil being energized by an alternating voltage input whereby to generate a magnetic field about the sleeve. Movement of the spoiler sleeve through the magnetic field changes the current in the electrical due to self-inductance, and a remote control module generates a control signal, in response to the change in coil current, to actuate the electrically controlled valve whereby to regulate flow between the chambers.

Abstract: A direct acting hydraulic damper comprising an internal, non-contact sensing means for the direct measurement of relative velocity between the piston and the cylinder of the damper. The damper comprising a cylinder forming a working chamber operable to store damping fluid. A piston is disposed within the cylinder defining an upper and lower portion of the working chamber. The damper further comprises a first transducer for emitting ultrasonic waves within the lower portion of the working chamber. The ultrasonic waves emitted by said first transducer are reflected by a base valve or end surface of the cylinder facing the transducers and are received by a second transducer. A frequency detection circuit determines the difference in frequency between the emitted and reflected ultrasonic waves and generates an output in response thereto. A computer then calculates the relative velocity of the piston with respect to the base valve or end surface, based on the Doppler principle.