Abstract: A closure package for a vibration damper may include a base body that is connectable to a damper tube and comprises a first end and a second end. The first end forms an end side of the damper tube and the second end is disposed in the damper tube. A seal for sealing a piston rod may be disposed in the base body. A seal holder may be disposed between the seal and the base body at the first end. The seal holder for axially fixing the seal may be connected to the base body in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner. The seal holder may be fusible in an emergency. For releasing the connection to the base body, the seal holder may be thermoplastically deformable upon overheating of the vibration damper.

Abstract: A damper device provided with a first connection member, a second connection member, a resilient member, and a hydraulic system. The hydraulic system includes an outer casing and a rod, the first connection member being fastened in reversible manner to the outer casing, the resilient member being arranged around a projecting portion of the rod, the resilient member comprising at least one resilient means interposed between a first strength member and a second strength member, the first strength member being fastened in reversible manner to the outer casing, the second strength member being constrained to move in translation with the projecting portion, and the connection member being fastened in reversible manner to the projecting portion.

Abstract: A movement stage for a hydraulic shock absorber has a damping volume and a stage throttle with a valve disk, an analogue piston, and an elastic biasing means supported on the analogue piston and on the valve disk. The valve disk has a pressure surface defining a portion of the surface of a disk valve arranged upstream of an entry edge of a disk valve seat. The analogue piston has a pressure surface facing away from the biasing means. The valve disk pressure surface and the analogue piston pressure surface are impinged by damping fluid flowing out of the damping volume as the shock absorber moves in a movement direction. The analogue piston pressure surface is larger than the valve disk pressure surface when projected in the closing direction of the disk valve so that the analogue piston is displaced and the bias of the valve disk increases.

Abstract: A damper guard coupled to an external surface of an engine block includes a back cover defining an opening. The damper guard also includes a front cover adapted to couple to the back cover such that an enclosed space is defined between the front and back covers. The damper guard further includes a pressure balancing line coupled at a first portion of the back cover. The pressure balancing line is adapted to vent the enclosed space to an engine crankcase for maintaining the enclosed space at an engine crankcase pressure. The damper guard includes a drain line adapted to allow drainage of a damper oil present in the enclosed space.

Abstract: Embodiments of an isolator are provided, as are embodiments of a spacecraft isolation system employing a number of three parameter isolators. In one embodiment, the isolator includes a damper assembly and a thermal compensator external to the damper assembly. The damper assembly includes, in turn, a damper housing and a first hydraulic chamber, which is located within the damper housing and which is configured to contain a damping fluid. The thermal compensator includes a thermal compensator chamber, which is fluidly coupled to the first hydraulic chamber and which is configured to exchange damping fluid therewith during operation of the isolator. A thermal compensator bellows bounds an inner circumference of the thermal compensator chamber such that the bellows is externally pressurized when the first hydraulic chamber and the thermal compensator chamber are filled with the damping fluid.

Abstract: A front fork in which a stroke amount of a spring leg that relies on an air spring can be detected precisely, wherein pressure leaks in the spring leg are detectable. The front fork has: a guide cylinder that extends from one of a vehicle body-side tube or an axle-side tube that make up a spring leg; a piston mounted to the leading end of a guide rod extending from the other one of the tubes; an inner airspring chamber in the interior of the guide cylinder; an outer airspring chamber, outward of the inner airspring chamber, in the interior of the vehicle body-side tube and the axle-side tube; first and second detectors for detecting pressure and temperature in the outer airspring chamber the inner airspring chamber, respectively; and stroke detection compensator for detecting a stroke amount on the basis of outputs of the first and second detectors.

Abstract: An apparatus for spring-assisted pivoting a liftgate or door against gravity between a closed position and an open position includes a torsion bar spring system with springs arranged in parallel in a meander pattern and connected with one another in fixed rotative engagement. An outer bearing-torsion bar spring and another outer lever-torsion bar spring are each supported in a support bracket of a tracker. The lever-torsion bar spring is connected in fixed rotative engagement with a length-adjustable lever guided in a control cam of the tracker. A coupling rod configured for translatory movement engages with the length-adjustable lever for rotating a hinged lever associated with the liftgate or door. An adjusting device is connected with the bearing-torsion bar spring in fixed rotative engagement and can be variably locked relative to the support bracket. A method for producing such apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: To reliably prevent re-lifting of a rear wheel immediately after landing of the rear wheel. When it is determined that output of a detection signal corresponding to detection of lifting of a rear wheel has ended (S102), brake pressure—and specifically a pressure increase gradient of a wheel cylinder pressure of a front wheel—is reduced, and the pressure increase gradient that has been reduced is maintained until it is determined that vehicle body deceleration has fallen below a predetermined value K1 (S108, S110), whereby re-lifting of the rear wheel caused by an increase in brake pressure at a high pressure increase gradient after landing of the rear wheel can be reliably prevented.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper comprises a housing with a fluid-tight ring-shaped chamber and a vibration ring, which is rotatably supported in the ring-shaped chamber of the housing. Between the vibration ring and the housing, a gap-shaped oil receiving space is formed, which is filled with a viscous damping fluid The oil receiving space has an oil outflow and an oil inflow. The oil drain communicates with a section of the oil receiving space located radially further outside than the oil inflow. The replacement of the damping fluid present in the oil receiving space is thus controlled. This makes it possible to refresh the damping fluid over an operation interval, so that the defined damping properties are maintained during the entire operation period. This helps to increase the life of a torsional rotary damper that is autonomous with reference to the oil supply, or to lengthen maintenance intervals.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for determining shock-absorber wear are presented. The device includes a shock absorber, a temperature sensor, and an electronics assembly. The temperature sensor may generate temperature data for the shock absorber. The electronics assembly may determine a condition of the shock absorber based on the temperature data. The temperature sensor may be inside, on the surface, or nearby the shock absorber. A condition of the shock absorber, such as a shock-wear value or a remaining useful life (RUL) is determined, based on the temperature data. A shock-wear state may be determined by comparing the shock-wear value to one or more thresholds. A shock-wear indicator and/or a combined indicator may indicate the shock-wear value, RUL, and/or the shock-wear state.

Abstract: Vibration damper with a damping medium-filled cylinder, in which a piston rod is installed with freedom of axial movement, and a pressure container, which is connected to the vibration damper by an adapter piece. The adapter piece comprises a connecting part, which is connected to the pressure container, and an upper part, which is connected permanently to the vibration damper. A filling channel inside the adapter piece is open at both ends when the pressure container is full, and a filling channel on the vibration damper side, which is connected to the filling channel of the adapter piece, has a closing element.

Abstract: A compact temperature compensating gas spring including a gas filled hollow cylinder and a piston assembly slidably received in the gas filled hollow cylinder. The piston assembly includes a piston head and a piston rod. The piston rod includes a temperature compensation chamber. The piston head includes an aperture formed therein in communication with the temperature compensation chamber. A temperature activated valve is operably connected to the aperture to control gas flow between the cylinder and the temperature compensation chamber.

Abstract: A gas spring provides an outer cylinder which is partitioned into a multiple of auxiliary volumes. A multiple of temperature compensation valves are located within a piston cylinder which sequentially open or close. As the temperature increases, the temperature compensation valves open sequentially and as the temperature decreases the temperature compensation valves close in reverse sequence. Between each pair of adjacent temperature compensation valves is a passage which provides communication between the working volume and an auxiliary volume to effectively increase or decrease the working volume of gas within cylinder through communication with or isolation of the auxiliary volumes.

Abstract: The hydraulic cylinder or shock absorber arrangement has a cylinder unit limiting an inner space in which a medium in the form of a gas or a liquid is intended to be placed. A forwardly and backwardly movable piston unit is placed such that it can slide within the space that is defined by the piston into a first chamber and a second chamber. An inlet/outlet is defined in the respective chambers of the cylinder unit for the addition to and removal of medium from the chambers together with devices that co-acts in order to determine the relative position of the piston within the cylinder unit.

Abstract: A temperature responsive valve assembly for a gas spring includes a valve body, a seal, a bi-metal valve and a locking member. The valve body includes a flexible radial member defined along the outer periphery of the valve body. Each radial member includes a radially inward extending tab which engages the outer diameter of the locking member. The construction allows the temperature responsive valve assembly to be essentially “snapped” together. The locking member further includes axial spring feet which provide axial pressure upon the bi-metal valve to maintain engagement with the valve seat.

Abstract: The hydraulic cylinder or shock absorber arrangement has a cylinder unit limiting an inner space in which a medium in the form of a gas or a liquid is intended to be placed. A forwardly and backwardly movable piston unit is placed such that it can slide within the space that is defined by the piston into a first chamber and a second chamber. An inlet/outlet is defined in the respective chambers of the cylinder unit for the addition to and removal of medium from the chambers together with devices that co-acts in order to determine the relative position of the piston within the cylinder unit.

Abstract: A shock absorber assembly includes a damping mechanism that adjusts to compensate for operation at elevated temperatures. A member made of two dissimilar materials permanently bonded together with one material having a higher expansion coefficient than the other material provides a biased response toward the material with the lower expansion coefficient. This biased response compensates for incremental pressure changes in the shock absorber due to operation at elevated temperatures to provide constant damping regardless of temperature.

Abstract: A control assembly for use in regulating movement of a vehicle seat back is provided. The control assembly uses damping fluid to regulate the degree of damping applied to the seat back. The control assembly includes one or more initiator assemblies. A selected one or more of them can be activated when a front and/or rear end collision occurs. When an initiator assembly is activated, a transfer member changes between closed and open states to regulate a path for damping fluid. The control assembly also includes a piston head having first and second sides. Movement of the damping fluid occurs relative to these two sides. The piston head can include at least one bore, which functions as an additional path for damping fluid. The control assembly preferably also includes a temperature compensation assembly to accommodate temperature changes in the damping fluid.

Abstract: A hydraulic tensioning device for a power transmission system having a belt or a chain includes a cylinder and piston assembly of which a movable element, generally the piston, acts on the belt or chain so as to ensure that it is tensioned and thus ensures taking up of any slack in the chain or belt. The piston includes a plurality of piston elements slidable along a central axis of the cylinder.

Abstract: A gas spring includes a cylinder containing a fluid at least part of which is a compressed gas. The cylinder receives a piston that is affixed to a piston rod and divides the cylinder into two working chambers. The piston has a one-way valve that is cycled in response to the direction of motion of the piston and pressure-control valve consisting of a spring and a valve body. In a partial stroke region of the piston a bypass allows fluid flow past the one-way valve and the pressure-control valve. The partial stroke region is adjoined by a bypass-free stroke region, the gas spring being arrested in the bypass-free stroke region. The spring of the pressure-control valve has a temperature-dependent elastic force, the elastic force of the spring increasing with increasing operating temperature, owing to which the compressive force necessary for opening the pressure-control valve increases to an equal extent.

Abstract: A gas spring has a single bypass across the piston that is controlled by a valve member of an elastomeric material, which restricts flow through the bypass when the gas spring is compressed (piston rod moving into the cylinder) and produces a pressure differential across the piston that varies inversely with temperature. The increasing force opposing compression of the gas spring due to the pressure differential across the bypass as the temperature of the gas spring, and thus the output force, decreases maintains the handle load more even over a range of temperatures. The elastomeric valve member has very little effect on the normal operation of the gas spring in the extension (rod moving out) mode.

Abstract: A shock absorber demonstrating temperature conscious damping includes an auxiliary valve for passing damping fluid between the compression side and the rebound side. The auxiliary valve opens at lower temperatures and closes at higher temperatures. The valve includes an axial channel formed partially through a piston rod that terminates in a side hole on the rebound side of the piston. Movably fitted within the channel is a sliding rod valve that is movable between an open position which allows passage of the damping fluid and a closed position which prohibits passage. The valve is tubular and includes a hole formed in its side at one end. A steel spring is positioned between the blind end of the channel and the sliding rod valve. A tubular sleeve is fitted in the channel on the compression side of the piston. Between the tubular sleeve and the rod valve is positioned a spring formed from a shape memory alloy.

Abstract: A throttle device for the directionally-dependent influencing of the flow velocity of the fluid in hydraulic actuator systems, in particular of friction clutches in motor vehicles, with a throttle located between a master cylinder and a slave cylinder in the hydraulic system. The throttle is formed by a base body with at least one through hole, which through hole can be at least partly closed by a rubber-elastomer disc. The rubber-elastomeric disc is located on the side of the base body facing the slave cylinder, which disc radially overlaps a through hole, which through hole can be at least partly closed.

Abstract: A rotary damper for stabilizing a temperature characteristic while allowing a leakage of operating oil from a clearance between a basic portion of a rotor and a bearing end on the casing side for supporting said rotor with relative rotational motion between the casing and the rotor. Two sets of operating oil chambers (17a, 17b) and (18a, 18b) which alternately expand and contract with rotational displacement of (9) are connected by an interconnecting flowpassage (54) provided on the housing (2). A damping force generating mechanism (44) includes two sets of damping elements (43a, 43b) arranged midway on the interconnecting flowpassage (54). A flow resistance of operating oil passing through the interconnecting flowpassage (54) is imparted by the damping force generating mechanism (44) and the damping force regulating mechanisms (72, 73) to generate a predetermined damping force corresponding to the operating direction of the rotary damper.

Abstract: A temperature compensating system for a closed system, such as a damping system, in which fluid is subject to temperature increases and accompanying volume increases. The temperature compensating system provides a compressible member within a temperature compensation volume, and a barrier restricting the entry of fluid to the volume. When the fluid volume increases as a result of temperature increases, fluid seeps past the barrier into the temperature compensation volume to compress the compressible member and thus increase the total volume available to the fluid in the closed system. The increased volume reduces pressure buildup that would otherwise occur, and thereby tends to maintain a steady pressure within the closed system. Dynamic or high speed fluid flows are restricted by the barrier or other restriction, inhibiting such flows from passing into the volume.

Abstract: A damper is provided which includes a first cylinder containing a viscous fluid. The first cylinder is sealed at both ends by end plates. The first cylinder is adapted for connection to a structure such as a building or a bridge. A piston head within the first cylinder is adapted for reciprocation with respect to the first cylinder. A piston rod is connected to the piston head. The other end of the piston rod extends through the end plate and is adapted for connection to the structure. A second piston rod extends from the piston head through the second end plate. A first ring surrounds the piston head and is constructed from a material having a high coefficient of thermal expansion such as plastic. A second ring surrounds the first ring and is constructed from a material having a low coefficient of thermal expansion such as metal.

Abstract: A gas spring includes a piston assembly or pack having an additional seal, pressure relief valve, and check valve that increases the output force of the gas spring. Various temperature compensation structures, also added to the piston pack, permits this increase to vary from zero at higher ambient temperatures to a maximum value at very cold temperatures thus achieving a temperature compensation, which varies, in an analog manner, inversely in response to the temperature changes.

Abstract: A suspension system control according to the steps of: determining an actuator demand force command; determining, responsive to vehicle speed, a first signal indicative of a first maximum demand force; determining, responsive to ambient temperature, a second signal indicative of a second maximum demand force; and constraining the determined actuator demand force command so that it is no greater than the lesser of the first and second maximum demand forces, wherein vehicle body isolation from suspension events is maintained during low temperature and low speed operation of the vehicle to thereby minimize suspension noise and ride harshness.

Abstract: A gas spring comprises a first bypass with a one-way valve that allows fluid to bypass the piston when the piston moves outward and a second bypass with a temperature-compensating spring-biased one-way valve that allows fluid to bypass the piston when the piston is pushed inward with a force exceeding the total of the force due to the gas pressure of the gas spring and the force required to open the spring-biased valve. Variations due to temperature changes in the force required to retract the gas spring are minimized.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damping device located between an input member and an output member of a power transmission device comprises a case and a slider. The case is connected to either the input or output member, extends circumferentially and contains fluid. The slider is connected to the other input or output member and is located within the case at a given clearance from an inner wall thereof wherein It is slidable circumferentially. The coefficient of thermal expansion of the slider is greater than that of the case.

Abstract: A partitioning body is fixed to an inner wall of a gas-charged cylinder to separate the cylinder into an actuating chamber and a pressure accumulating chamber, and a thermo-actuator is provided in the partitioning body. A plunger valve device comprising a plunger valve and a valve seat is provided in the partitioning body. A piston rod of a piston is slidably mounted in actuating chamber of the cylinder, an end of the piston rod is projected from the actuating chamber. The plunger valve is arranged to be engaged with the valve seat to close the plunger valve device when projected from the partitioning body by the thermo-actuator, and arranged to be disengaged from the valve seat to open the plunger valve device when retracted by the piston.

Abstract: A gas spring comprises a first bypass with a one-way valve that allows fluid to bypass the piston when the piston moves outward, a second bypass with a spring-biassed valve that allows fluid to bypass the piston when the piston is pushed inward with a force exceeding the combined gas-spring and spring-biased valve forces, and a third bypass having a temperature-responsive valve that allows fluid to bypass the piston when the rod is pushed in but only when the temperature of the gas exceeds a selected level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for regulating the damping of masses rotating on roller bearings. An oil pressure film in an oil pressure gap has its viscosity changed via temperature control as a function of the vibrating condition of the rotating masses in order to provide an optimally quiet operation of the rotating system.

Abstract: A shock absorber of the type having a hydraulic cylinder and piston is disclosed. The hydraulic cylinder is filled with an elevated viscosity fluid having slight compressibility which exhibits pseudo-plastic flow. The piston has an associated thermal expansion means associated therewith, which defines an annular space between the peripheral surface of the thermal expansion means and the cylinder wall. The annular space acts as a peripheral valve to impart resistance to piston travel through the fluid. The thermal expansion means is selected to have a coefficient of thermal expansion greater than that of the cylinder, whereby extremes of ambient or internally generated temperatures cause the thermal expansion means to adjust the peripheral valving, thus compensating for temperature-induced fluid viscosity changes to produce consistent dampening.

Abstract: An adjustable shock absorber includes a valve in the piston which has a flow path. The valve can be adjusted both rotationally and longitudinally to alter different characteristics of the flow path.

Abstract: The damper assembly has improved valve means that includes at least one annular movable valve member of the voice-coil type. Such valve member is formed at least in part of composite material that increases the strength and stiffness of the member, while reducing its coefficient of thermal expansion and its weight. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the assembly includes two movable annular valve members which are driven in unison with each other such that when one occupies a flow-permitting position the other occupies a flow-inhibiting position. Check valves utilized in the assembly preferably are of a resilient split-ring type.

Abstract: A telescopic hydraulic shock absorber with controlled damping comprising a cylinder (1), within which a piston (6) connected to the end of a rod (7) can reciprocate, the piston having at least one restricted passage (12) interacting with an elastic flap (13), an additional passage (16, 17) capable of being closed to a greater or lesser extent by a remote-controlled shut-off (18), to allow the hydraulic fluid to pass from one side of the piston to the other during the movement of the latter within the cylinder, wherein the movement of the shut-off (18) is controlled via an actuating member (21) comprising an active element comprised of a metallic memorizing material capable of changing its size at a predetermined conversion temperature.

Abstract: A shock absorbing mechanism has a fluid filled pressure chamber with a piston mounted therein along with a restrictive orifice leading to an outer chamber. When shock is transmitted by the piston, fluid is forced through the opening against compressed gas contained in the outer chamber. The opening is formed in a movably mounted valve element normally biased against a valve seat but which is forced away from the valve seat by the fluid which had previously passed through the orifice after the force caused by the shock is abated. The size of the orifice in the valve element is controlled by a thermostatic coil mounted on the valve element. The coil is connected to a pin which pivots as the coil expands or contracts due to changes in temperature causing a flag mounted on the pin to slide over the surface of the valve element in which the orifice is formed.

Abstract: In a shock absorber unit for vehicles of the double-tube type a piston rod guiding and sealing unit is provided adjacent a first end of a cylinder and a container surrounding the cylinder, and a bottom valve unit is provided at a second end of the cylinder and the container, respectively. The cavity within the cylinder is divided into two working chambers by a piston unit. The piston unit is connected to a piston rod extending through the piston rod guiding and sealing unit. The cavity within the cylinder is filled with a damping liquid. The compensation chamber defined radially between the cylinder and the container is partially filled with damping liquid and partially filled with gas. Adjacent the piston rod guiding and sealing unit, there is provided a by-pass connection the working chamber adjacent the piston rod guiding and sealing unit and the compensation chamber. This by-pass defines a throttling flow cross-sectional area.

Abstract: An improved compression valve mechanism for a shock absorber comprising an upwardly facing annular valve seat on the shock absorber piston, an annular valve seat engaging member having an exterior periphery spaced closely from the interior periphery of the cylindrical shock absorber chamber providing a relatively small annular gap therebetween and a downwardly facing surface adapted to engage the upwardly facing annular valve seat, an annular seal mounted above the annular member in motion transmitting relation therewith, the seal being made of relatively rigid material and being split radially so as to be expandable radially outwardly and having an upwardly and inwardly facing generally frustoconical spring force transmitting surface and a peripheral sealing surface, and a coil spring above the seal having its upper end fixed with respect to the piston and having its lower end disposed in force transmitting relation with the force transmitting frustoconical surface of the seal so that the seal is biased ther

Abstract: A pneumatic, piston/cylinder counterbalance in which the counterbalance force is obtained by differential pressure across the piston and in which the force changes due to temperature are compensated by use of a variable volume cylinder having one or more auxiliary chambers separated by walls, each including a temperature responsive bi-metal disc valve normally acting as a check valve permitting flow into the auxiliary chambers but preventing flow out of the chambers except when the temperature drops to a predetermined value. In the multiple auxiliary chamber embodiment, flow into and out from each chamber is controlled by an associated bi-metal disc valve responsive to successively lower temperatures to enable a more linear stabilization of force output regardless of temperature.

Abstract: A hydraulic shock absorber includes a split ring surrounding the piston head and being mounted thereon so as to maintain a slight radial play between the ring and the shock absorber casing, and to maintain a slight longitudinal play between the ring and the piston head. Radially extending flanges on the piston head support the ring in place in a longitudinal direction. A longitudinal channel defining a flow passage for the hydraulic oil between opposite sides of the piston head is defined by a space between opposed free ends of the ring and between the inner wall of the casing and the periphery of the piston head. The ring is capable of expanding under elevated temperatures to an extent causing the space between the free ends thereof to vary so as to change the size of the passage and to control the dampening effect.

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: A hydrodynamic brake device for motor vehicles comprises a rotor which is rotatably journalled in a stator shell, the rotor being operably connected to the transmission of the vehicle. The stator shell has a brake fluid inlet and outlet, and a regulator valve is arranged which can be set for regulating the supply of brake fluid to the fluid inlet of the stator shell. A thermostat controls the regulator valve so as to decrease the degree of filling as the temperature of the fluid increases.

Abstract: A hydropneumatic shock absorber for use with a motor vehicle or the like has disposed therein a valve, which is movable in the normal course of operation relative to a fluid passage. A heat sensitive element sensitive to the temperature of a damping fluid, such as oil, of the shock absorber is connected to the valve whereby the valve is urged from flow-preventing engagement with the passage after a predetermined damping fluid temperature is reached. Thus the provided valve permits increased damping fluid movement through the passage with temperatures in excess of the predetermined temperature.