Forming Flexible Wall Enclosure For Fluid Patents (Class 188/298)
  • Patent number: 11173764
    Abstract: An air suspension strut for a motor vehicle, comprising an air spring having a shock, wherein the air spring comprises an air spring cover and a rolling piston, wherein a rolling bellows of elastomer material is clamped in an airtight manner between the air spring cover and the rolling piston, wherein the rolling bellows, together with the air spring cover and the rolling piston, delimit a working chamber filled with compressed air, wherein the shock damper is supported via a damper bearing arranged on a piston rod in a pot-shaped bearing holder of the air spring cover. The closure cap seal comprises an inner sleeve and a closure part radially enclosing the inner sleeve, wherein the inner sleeve is pushed onto an end section of the piston rod, and the closure part is pushed sealingly into the bearing holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. OHG
    Inventor: Ralf Pielock
  • Patent number: 10816035
    Abstract: Embodiments of a damper assembly are disclosed. In some embodiments, the damper assembly includes a damper housing, a damper plunger and a support spring. The damper plunger is disposed at least partially within the housing and movable within to define a first primary damper cavity and a second primary damper cavity. A damper cavity restrictive clearance is defined between the first primary damper cavity and the second primary damper cavity. The damper cavity restrictive clearance includes an elliptical damper orifice having a major-axis and a minor-axis at a mid-plane of the damper cavity restrictive clearance and is oriented perpendicular to a direction of a vibrational force imposed on the damper assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Bugra Han Ertas
  • Patent number: 10738932
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a foot for household appliance and a household appliance. The foot comprises a hydraulic plate; a sheath, which is fixedly connected with the hydraulic plate; a regulating foot, which is arranged in the sheath and is axially movable relative to the sheath; an accommodation chamber, which is formed by the hydraulic plate, the sheath and the regulating foot; a hydraulic medium, which is arranged in the accommodation chamber and is compressed/expands depending on pressure changes to drive the regulating foot to axially move in the sheath for leveling; and a throttling structures, which is arranged in the hydraulic plate for slowing down flow velocity of the hydraulic medium. According to the foot provided by the present disclosure, the throttling structure is arranged in the hydraulic plate, so that the rapid flowing of the hydraulic medium is prevented, and a regulating process can be more stable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignees: QINGDAO HAIER WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD., QINGDAO HAIER SMART TECHNOLOGY R&D CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Zhiqiang Zhao
  • Patent number: 10704188
    Abstract: An automatic leveling washing machine includes a shell and a barrel assembly. A bottom plate of the shell has leveling bottom feet with hydraulic medium therein and hydraulic medium flows between leveling bottom feet to execute automatic leveling washing machine. The bottom plate of the shell has mounting grooves for fixing and mounting leveling bottom feet. Hydraulic medium and some gas flows inside each leveling bottom foot or between leveling bottom feet. The amount of compression of the leveling bottom foot which is under bigger pressure is big, and the amount of compression of the leveling bottom foot which is under smaller pressure can still stretch, thereby automatically realizing the leveling of the height. The mounting groove effectively and quickly positions the leveling bottom feet. A circumferential surface of the mounting groove protects the leveling bottom feet and allows high reliability of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignees: QINGDAO HAIER WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD., QINGDAO HAIER SMART TECHNOLOGY R&D CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhiqiang Zhao, Sheng Xu
  • Patent number: 10520057
    Abstract: An engine mount includes a nozzle assembly for partitioning a fluid-filled space into an upper fluid chamber and a lower fluid chamber, wherein the nozzle assembly includes a first flow path to dampen vibrations with a first amplitude and a second flow path to dampen vibrations with a second amplitude greater than the first amplitude, so that the vibrations delivered from an engine can be efficiently reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Seung Won Kim
  • Patent number: 10458073
    Abstract: Systems and methods for arresting aircraft. In specific embodiments, the systems and methods can be useful in arresting light aircraft because they typically do not have the weight to penetrate available EMAS systems. The system is generally provided as a structure having a suspended layer of energy absorbing material. A lower portion of the system can have a lower strength, used as a method to suspend an upper, stronger/more highly energy absorbent portion of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Engineered Arresting Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Shawn P. Doherty, Nicholas M. Flynn, Yijian Shi, Sarah Ma, Hong Zou
  • Patent number: 10443777
    Abstract: A household appliance leveling device comprises at least two leveling feet mounted at the bottom of the appliance, wherein each leveling foot comprises a fixed part and a movable part, the fixed part is mounted at the bottom of the household appliance, one end of the movable part is telescopically sleeved with the fixed part while the other end is arranged on a support plane, a closed chamber is formed between the fixed part and the movable part, and the closed chamber is provided with a hydraulic medium; the closed chambers of at least two said leveling feet communicate with each other, the hydraulic medium flows between the closed chambers of the leveling feet communicating with each other, and the movable parts expand or contract along with the flowing of the hydraulic medium to perform automatic leveling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignees: QINGDAO HAIER WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD., QINGDAO HAIER SMART TECHNOLOGY R&D CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhiqiang Zhao, Sheng Xu
  • Patent number: 10294602
    Abstract: A washing machine foot with automatic leveling function comprises: a jacket; an adjusting foot, which is arranged in the jacket and moves axially relative to the jacket; and a flexible assembly, which is arranged in the adjusting foot and is used for accommodating a hydraulic medium; one end of the flexible assembly is mounted in the jacket in a limiting manner, and another end of the flexible assembly is a telescopic end acting on the adjusting foot; and the telescopic end of the flexible assembly extends and contracts under action of the hydraulic medium to drive the adjusting foot to move axially, thereby implementing automatic leveling. According to the hydraulic principle, the washing machine foot is provided with the hydraulic medium, the washing machine feet can automatically adjust adaptively for different pressures due to the fluidity of the hydraulic medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignees: QINGDAO HAIER WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD., QINGDAO HAIER SMART TECHNOLOGY R&D CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhiqiang Zhao, Sheng Xu
  • Patent number: 10244995
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a mobile x-ray imaging apparatus having an improved structure to prevent breakage of or damage to an x-ray detector. One or more damping units are installed at base plates of one or more slots. The one or more damping units minimize an impact that may be applied to one or more x-ray detectors in a process of storing the one or more x-ray detector in the one or more slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ku-Il Jang, Jung Min Kim, Jae Won Nam, Seung Hwan Lee
  • Patent number: 10227723
    Abstract: The bottom of a washing machine is provided with feet that compromise a fixed part and a movable part, and a hollow chamber is formed between the fixed part and the movable part. The hollow chamber is provided with a hydraulic medium. The feet are connected by high-pressure oil pipes, to communicate hollow chambers of the feet. Under the action of pressure, the hydraulic medium can be circulated between hollow chambers of connected feet to realize the expansion and contraction of the movable part, to execute automatic leveling. Under different pressures, the foot is made to automatically adjust adaptively due to the fluidity of the hydraulic medium. The hydraulic medium can flow between the feet, so the adjusting range is larger and can achieve better results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignees: QINGDAO HAIER WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD, QINGDAO HAIER SMART TECHNOLOGY R&D CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhiqiang Zhao, Sheng Xu
  • Patent number: 10221517
    Abstract: A foot of a washing machine comprises a foot base, a flexible accommodating body and an adjustable foot, a hollow chamber is arranged in the foot base, and the hollow chamber comprises at least a gas chamber for filling gas. The flexible accommodating body is arranged in the hollow chamber and is communicated with the gas chamber, an accommodating chamber is arranged in the flexible accommodating body and is provided with a hydraulic medium. The hydraulic medium can flow to the gas chamber under pressure. An end of the adjustable foot is relatively slidably set in the hollow chamber and the flexible accommodating body is in contact or connected with the adjustable foot. The foot of a washing machine can automatically adjust adaptively due to the fluidity of the hydraulic medium under different pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignees: QINGDAO HAIER WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD., QINGDAO HAIER SMART TECHNOLOGY R&D CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhiqiang Zhao, Sheng Xu
  • Patent number: 10100896
    Abstract: A hydraulic energy absorption device including a cylindrical housing having an interior hollow compartment, the interior hollow compartment having a distal end and a proximal end, a resilient member arranged within the distal end of the cylindrical housing, a piston arranged adjacent to the resilient member within the cylindrical housing, the piston including a piston head and a piston rod extending from the piston head toward the proximal end and a compressible accumulator arranged within the cylindrical housing and connected to the piston. When the piston rod is displaced toward the distal end of the cylindrical housing in operation, the piston head and the compressible accumulator are displaced toward the distal end of the cylindrical housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: KYNTEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gerald J Spyche, Jr., Joseph A Schoen
  • Patent number: 9963191
    Abstract: A damper for a bicycle, having a primary unit including a damper tube, a piston rod that supports a main piston, a reservoir tube that is outside of the compression chamber of the primary tube, and an inertial valve within the reservoir tube. The damper also includes a flow path connecting the reservoir fluid chamber and the compression chamber of the primary tube. The damper also may have a damping valve in the reservoir tube. When the inertia valve is open, the damping valve opens before flow through the inertia valve is maximized. The main piston and the damper tube at least partially define a compression chamber and a rebound chamber. The main piston is movable within the damper chamber of the primary unit. The reservoir tube includes a reservoir fluid chamber. The inertial valve is responsive to terrain-induced forces and not responsive to rider-induced forces when the shock absorber is assembled to the bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventor: Michael McAndrews
  • Patent number: 9897162
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for vibration damping and isolation. The apparatus includes an annular spring portion including a resilient member that is substantially equally resilient in two dimensions, an annular bellows portion including at least two pairs of diametrically opposed bellows providing damping in the two dimensions, and a rigid connection member coupling the annular spring portion and the annular bellow portion in parallel to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Kevin Witwer, Tim Daniel Barber, Stella Silvana Dearing, Ken Young
  • Patent number: 9816241
    Abstract: A pneumatic fender and a mouth piece metal for a pneumatic fender with an open/close valve fixed at a position in which a through hole formed in a dividing wall constituting a receiving chamber, where the valve is closed by closed position fixing members. A safety valve is isolated from a cavity of a fender bladder by a receiving chamber, the safety valve being able to be detached and attached while the pneumatic fender is in use. A confirmation test of a valve opening pressure of the safety valve is performed by opening a receiving chamber open/close valve and raising an internal pressure of a cavity of the receiving chamber to a pressure threshold via a receiving chamber communication passage. The open/close valve is fixed at a position in which the through hole is open by open position fixing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD.
    Inventor: Shu Yamada
  • Patent number: 9809940
    Abstract: A pneumatic fender and a mouth piece metal with an open/close valve is biased by a resilient member toward a closing direction of a through hole formed on a dividing wall constituting a receiving chamber. A safety valve is isolated from a cavity of a fender bladder by a receiving chamber, thus allowing the safety valve to be able to be detached and attached while the pneumatic fender is in use. A confirmation test of a valve opening pressure of the safety valve is performed by opening a receiving chamber open/close valve and raising an internal pressure of a cavity of the receiving chamber to a pressure threshold (Pm) via a receiving chamber communication passage. Upon an internal pressure (P) of the cavity being less than the pressure threshold (Pm) and greater than a standard pressure (Pc), the open/close valve opens the through hole, thus allowing the safety valve to function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD.
    Inventor: Shu Yamada
  • Patent number: 9707874
    Abstract: A seat suspension includes a seat support, a base, and a suspension assembly positioned between the seat support and the base. The suspension assembly includes a compressible cushion for containing a gas; and a chamber. The chamber includes a cylindrical hollow member, a front cap at one end of the cylindrical hollow member, an end cap at another end of the cylindrical hollow member, and a piston positioned within the cylindrical hollow member between the front cap and the end cap. The front cap includes an orifice. The orifice provides fluid communication between the cushion and the chamber. When a compressive force causes movement of the seat support portion towards the base, thereby compressing the cushion, the gas from the cushion flows through the orifice into the chamber and directly forces movement of the piston away from the front cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Inventor: Alan Bauman
  • Patent number: 9624886
    Abstract: A hydraulic coupling is specified, particularly for fuel injectors, which has a housing pot having a pot bottom and a lateral pot surface, a piston guided axially displaceably in the housing pot, a fluid-filled coupling gap that is provided between the piston and the pot bottom, diaphragm situated on the outer side of the housing pot facing away from the piston, a compensation chamber that is bordered by the diaphragm and flow-connected to the coupling gap, and a spring element acting upon the diaphragm with an axially directed spring force. In order to achieve a low overall stiffness of the hydraulic coupling at the required specified coupling force, the spring element is developed as a spring bracket fixed to the housing pot, which lies against the diaphragm with axial prestressing in the region of the pot bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Dietmar Schmieder, Thomas Sebastian, Andreas Jakobi
  • Patent number: 9611914
    Abstract: An adjusting device includes a connecting member having a chamber. The connecting member further includes first and second openings defined in two ends thereof and communicated with the chamber. The connecting member further includes a first assembling portion in the chamber and a threaded portion in the second opening. A through-hole extends from an inner periphery through an outer periphery of the connecting member and communicates with the chamber. An adjusting member includes a pivotal end having a second assembling portion for assembling with the first assembling portion. The adjusting member further includes a passage having first and second openings respectively in two ends thereof. The first opening of the adjusting member is located in the pivotal end. A sealing cap is in threading connection with the threaded portion. A damper and a damp adjustment cylinder can be coupled to the adjusting device to form a vehicular shock absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Inventor: Ted Lin
  • Patent number: 9587702
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for vibration damping and isolation. The apparatus includes a housing having an inner surface defining a passage therethrough, a first bellows disposed within the housing passage, the first bellows having an outer surface and spaced apart from the housing inner surface to define a first chamber having a volume, and a second bellows disposed within the housing passage, the second bellows having an outer surface and spaced apart from the housing inner surface to define a second chamber having a volume. The apparatus further includes a restrictive flow passage in fluid communication with the first and second chambers, fluid disposed within the first chamber, the second chamber, and the restrictive flow passage, and a shaft positioned externally to the housing and coupled with the first bellows and the second bellows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Kevin Witwer, Ken Young, Timothy Hindle
  • Patent number: 9500254
    Abstract: A damper for a bicycle, having a primary unit including a damper tube, a piston rod that supports a main piston, a reservoir tube that is outside of the compression chamber of the primary tube, and an inertial valve within the reservoir tube. The damper also includes a flow path connecting the reservoir fluid chamber and the compression chamber of the primary tube. The damper also may have a damping valve in the reservoir tube. When the inertia valve is open, the damping valve opens before flow through the inertia valve is maximized. The main piston and the damper tube at least partially define a compression chamber and a rebound chamber. The main piston is movable within the damper chamber of the primary unit. The reservoir tube includes a reservoir fluid chamber. The inertial valve is responsive to terrain-induced forces and not responsive to rider-induced forces when the shock absorber is assembled to the bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventor: Michael McAndrews
  • Patent number: 9366305
    Abstract: In a hydrostatic fluid guide device, a damping mechanism is provided. A fluid is supplied to the damping mechanism by a hydrostatic pressure caused by natural fall, instead of being pressurized and supplied. Thus, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the pressure of the fluid in a hydrostatic fluid guide mechanism, and to position a movable body with high accuracy by setting rigidity for load support during linear movement of the movable body to a value substantially equal to a design value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroki Yamato, Yoshiaki Ando, Masayuki Takeshima
  • Patent number: 9291229
    Abstract: An inner tube as a cylinder includes an axially extending tubular portion, a large-diameter portion, and a tapered portion. The large-diameter portion is located at one end side of the tubular portion and is formed so as to have a diameter increased radially outwardly. The tapered portion is located between the large-diameter portion and the tubular portion, and is formed in such a manner that the diameter thereof increases in a flaring manner from the one end of the tubular portion to the large-diameter portion. A tubular protrusion of a rod guide is fittedly attached to the inner circumferential side of the large-diameter portion. A valve mounting portion is formed at the inner circumferential side of the tubular portion. A valve mechanism is mounted on the valve mounting portion. A seat surface is formed at the back side of the valve mounting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventor: Kazuaki Shibahara
  • Patent number: 9273749
    Abstract: Embodiments of a low profile three parameter isolator are provided, as are embodiments of an isolation system employing one or more low profile three parameter isolators. In one embodiment, the three parameter isolator includes a first damper and a flat plate structure, which is coupled to the first damper and which extends substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the isolator. A main spring is formed in the flat plate structure and is coupled in series with the first damper, as taken along a first load path through the three parameter isolator. A tuning spring is also formed in the flat plate structure such that the tuning spring is coupled in parallel with the main spring and in series with the first damper, as taken along a second load path through the three parameter isolator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Ryan Goold, Zach Rogers
  • Patent number: 9103403
    Abstract: Embodiments of a three parameter, multi-axis isolator configured to limit the transmission of vibrations between a mass and a base are provided. In one embodiment, the three parameter, multi-axis isolator includes an isolator housing configured to be mounted to the base, opposing bellows sealingly mounted within the isolator housing, and a damper piston movably suspended within the isolator housing between the opposing bellows. The damper piston is configured to be coupled to the mass. The opposing bellows deflect with movement of the damper piston along multiple axes to limit the transmission of vibrations between the mass and the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Steven Hadden, Dale Thomas Ruebsamen, Ryan Goold
  • Publication number: 20150047935
    Abstract: A vibration isolator assembly includes a bellows component, a piston component, a shaft component, and a housing component, wherein at least one of the bellows component, the piston component, the shaft component, and the housing component is formed using additive manufacturing techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Donald G. Godfrey, Brian Cottrell, Mark C. Morris, Zach Rogers
  • Patent number: 8925697
    Abstract: A shock absorber has dissipation power and practically no oil. The shock absorber comprising a rod-and-piston assembly slidable in a tubular body. The rod-and-piston assembly co-operating with the tubular body to define two working chambers containing hydraulic fluid. Each working chamber being in permanent communication with an auxiliary chamber containing a heterogeneous energy absorption-dissipation structure with at least one porous capillary matrix and an associated liquid relative to which the matrix is lyophobic. The two auxiliary chambers are annular chambers formed in the wall of the tubular body on either side of central portion of the tubular body. Each of the annular auxiliary chambers houses a flexible bag containing the associated heterogeneous structure; and each of the two working chambers also communicates with an associated compensation chamber. The compensation chambers ensures hydraulic fluid continuity during movements of the rod-and-piston assembly in the tubular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Walden Associates Ltd., S.A.
    Inventor: Valentin Eroshenko
  • Publication number: 20140360826
    Abstract: An elastically deformable energy management assembly includes a first component. Also included is at least one protrusion extending from the first component, the at least one protrusion having an outer surface. Further included is a second component comprising at least one aperture defined by an aperture wall, the aperture wall in slideable engagement with the outer surface of the at least one protrusion, wherein at least one of the protrusion and the aperture wall comprises an elastically deformable material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Steven E. Morris, Jennifer P. Lawall, Randy A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8899389
    Abstract: Embodiments of a thermally-conductive vibration isolator are provided, as are embodiments of a spacecraft isolation employing a plurality of thermally-conductive vibration isolators. In one embodiment, the thermally-conductive vibration isolator includes a first end portion, a second end portion substantially opposite the first end portion, and first and second load transfer paths from the first end portion to the second end portion. The first and second load transfer paths comprise a main spring and a damper in parallel with the main spring, respectively. An elongated thermal conduit, which has a thermal conductivity exceeding that of first load transfer path and the second load transfer path, extends from the first end portion to the second end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Wayne Smith, Steven Hadden
  • Patent number: 8863918
    Abstract: In a hydraulic shock absorber, upper and lower pistons forming upper and lower two stages are fixed to a leading end portion of a piston rod. An intermediate oil chamber is provided between the upper and lower pistons. An intermediate air chamber is provided in such a manner as to compensate an oil amount change in an oil chamber by coming into contact with the intermediate oil chamber and expanding and compressing on the basis of the oil amount change of the oil chamber caused by an extension and compression stroke of the piston rod, and an air compression rate of an upper portion air chamber of the oil reservoir chamber is set to be equal to or more than an air compression rate of the intermediate air chamber, with respect to the extension and compression stroke of the piston rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Showa Corporation
    Inventor: Yosuke Murakami
  • Patent number: 8844912
    Abstract: A shock absorber for a vehicle, having a bellows piston, bellows, and a fluid as the damping medium. The shock absorber has a first partition wall, which is situated on the bellows piston, and is implemented to separate a volume area of the bellows piston from a volume area of the bellows. The first partition wall has a first opening, which is implemented to limit a fluid flow between the volume area of the bellows piston and the volume area of the bellows. The shock absorber further has a sprung mass, which is situated inside the shock absorber to influence the fluid flow inside the shock absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Naber
  • Patent number: 8701846
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a hydraulic compression stop. The hydraulic stop includes a pressure tube surrounding the pressure tube of the shock absorber and a piston in hydraulic communication with the interior of the pressure tube. The piston can be disposed within the pressure tube and can be attached to the pressure tube or to the shock absorber. The hydraulic stop can also include a hydraulic fluid chamber and the piston can be disposed within the hydraulic fluid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc
    Inventors: Koen Reybrouck, M'Hand Nait Oukhedou, Simon Anne de Molina
  • Publication number: 20140014450
    Abstract: A hydraulically damped mounting device (10) having a flow limiting element (42), such as a resilient diaphragm, in a switchable auxiliary passageway (36) that is in fluid communication with its working chamber (22). The switchable auxiliary passageway corresponds to an additional fluid mass that can be switched into and out of communication with the working chamber to control the vibration characteristics of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventor: John West
  • Patent number: 8627930
    Abstract: A bushing having a variable and controllable hardness, and a method of restricting movement comprising using such bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Inventors: S. Gregory Smith, Jeffrey Beitzel
  • Patent number: 8365876
    Abstract: An air bladder actuator for a railroad car retarder utilizes a simplified stroke limiting arrangement that can be used in new actuator construction or applied as a retrofit assembly to an existing air cylinder actuated retarder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: AAA Sales & Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Mazur, Robert B. Zimmer, Thomas J. Heyden
  • Patent number: 8327985
    Abstract: A vibration isolating system is disclosed. The vibration isolating system comprises a passive mechanical system comprising a damping assembly, a first resilient member coupled in series with the damping assembly, and a second resilient member coupled in parallel with the series combination of the damping assembly and the first resilient member. The vibration isolating system further comprises a support member coupled in series with the passive mechanical system, a viscoelastic mount coupled to the support member, and a motion limiter coupled to the support member such that the passive mechanical system transmits a force to the support member when the passive mechanical undergoes longitudinal displacement greater than a predetermined displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: James Boyd, Timothy Hindle, Dale Thomas Ruebsamen
  • Patent number: 8272786
    Abstract: An annular vibration isolator for a rotating shaft supported by a bearing is provided. The annular vibration isolator comprises an outer ring extending substantially entirely around the bearing, an arc portion having a contact portion extending toward the bearing, first and second axial portions enclosing a cavity, a first flange portion forming a first channel, a second flange portion forming a second channel, and the first and second flange portions forming a chamber within the cavity and forming a radial passageway connecting the chamber to the first and second channels, and a bellows disposed in the chamber and coupled to the radial passageway, the bellows adapted to receive a fluid from the first and second channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Cottrell
  • Patent number: 8256750
    Abstract: A mounting assembly is provided. The mounting assembly comprises an outer ring having a plurality of insert portions, each of the plurality of insert portions extending toward the center of the outer ring and having an insert cavity, a plurality of vibration isolation assemblies, each of the vibration isolation assemblies disposed in one of the insert cavities, each of the plurality of vibration isolation assemblies comprising a first bellows portion and a second bellows portion, a passageway formed therein and connecting the first and second bellows portions, and a contact portion adapted to receive a force, an inner ring having a plurality of contact cavities, each contact cavity adapted to receive a contact portion from one of the plurality of vibration isolation assemblies, and a central ring coupled to the outer ring by the plurality of insert portions, and to the inner ring by a plurality of bridge portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Cottrell, Porter Davis
  • Patent number: 8256588
    Abstract: A hydraulic shock absorber includes a damper cylinder having a hollow bore therein. A piston rod and piston separate the bore into a rod side oil chamber and a piston side oil chamber. A pressure side damping force generator is provided with a sub piston in the piston side oil chamber. A first separator is provided in a sub piston side oil chamber of the sub piston, with a communication hole that communicates between the sub piston side oil chamber and a bladder side oil chamber. A hollow bladder is mounted in the bladder side oil chamber. A blow hole is provided in the bladder side oil chamber, the blow hole being normally closed by the bladder and opening when oil enters the bladder side oil chamber such that the bladder is contracted by an oil pressure when a volume of the oil reaches a predetermined capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yotaro Mori
  • Publication number: 20120180200
    Abstract: A force limiting device comprises a housing defining an axially extending chamber containing a working fluid. A force transmitting member may be mounted for linear reciprocable movement inside the chamber under the action of external loads. An axial array of plates is floatingly disposed in the chamber between the force transmitting member and an end wall of the chamber. At rest, each plate is spaced from an adjacent plate by a gap occupied by the working fluid. When the force transmitting member is displaced towards the array of plates, the fluid in the chamber causes the plates to be successively pushed against each other, thereby causing some of the fluid to be squeezed out from between the plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventor: Martin GAUDET
  • Patent number: 8177202
    Abstract: The damping device is intended to form a drag-mode damper for a helicopter blade, and is incorporated in an aircraft rotor system. This damping device comprises: an external frame intended to be coupled to a first rotating element, and a radially internal element mounted coaxially to the frame and intended to be coupled to a second rotating element; at least one elastomer damper of annular cross section mounted fixedly to the frame and to the internal element; and a working chamber bounded by the frame and by the damper and communicating with a compensation chamber bounded by a highly deformable flexible member mounted coaxially to the internal element. The working chamber is formed at a first end of the device and communicates with the compensation chamber via a porous structure surmounting an end opening of the flexible member, which member is mounted in the internal element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Hutchinson
    Inventors: Hervé Richer De Forges, Jean-Pierre Ciolczyk
  • Patent number: 8113322
    Abstract: Air suspension systems, devices, apparatus, and methods for allowing motorcycle drivers to increase and decrease compressed air supplies in air suspension devices. Deflating interior air springs/airbags (bladders) inside the devices allows for springs and pistons on shock absorbers in the devices to expand outward separating lower front and rear frame portions which effectively lowers the motorcycle to the ground surface and for the driver to have a firmer ride. Inflating the air springs/airbags (bladders) allows for the springs and the pistons on the shock absorbers in the devices to retract into the devices so that the devices have a more shock absorbing effect giving the rider a smoother ride, which also raises the motorcycles above the ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Arnott, Inc.
    Inventor: Adam Arnott
  • Patent number: 7958981
    Abstract: A shock absorber interposed in parallel with a suspension spring between a vehicle wheel and a vehicle body of a vehicle comprises a main piston (2) partitioning a cylinder (1) into a first operating chamber (R1) and a second operating chamber (R2), and connected to a piston rod (8). The first operating chamber (R1) and the second operating chamber (R2) are connected by a laminated leaf valve (V1, V2) under a first flow resistance. A passage (4a) connects one of the pressure chambers (R3A, R3B) partitioned by a free piston (5) and the first operating chamber (R1) under a second flow resistance. A passage (4b) connects the other of the pressure chambers (R3A, R3B) and the second operating chamber (R2) under a third flow resistance. The shock absorber displays stable damping force characteristics as a result of a spring (S) supporting the free piston (5) in a predetermined neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Teraoka, Tatsuya Masamura, Futoshi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7950674
    Abstract: An air suspension system is configured to adjust and maintain a desired vehicle ride height and spring rate. The air suspension system includes a plurality of air spring assemblies that each include a piston airbag and a primary airbag mounted around the piston airbag. A controller receives ride height input data and adjusts pressures within the primary and piston airbags until the desired ride height and spring rate is achieved. The controller accommodates for system hardware differences by varying flow rates into and out of the primary and piston airbags relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Honig, David A. VanRaaphorst
  • Patent number: 7802776
    Abstract: Disclosed is a pneumatic spring shock absorber unit having working chambers (2, 3), which are filled with compressed air and which are partially delimited by rolling or folding bellows (7, 8, 9). These working chambers are situated one above the other and are interconnected via throttle valves that can be flowed through. Both working chambers are located inside a common pot-shaped housing (4) and are separated by a piston (6) so that one working chamber (2) is located on the front side of the piston and the other working chamber (3) is located on the rear side of the piston and at least partially surrounds the piston rod (5) so that the piston and the piston rod are sealed and guided inside the housing by rolling bellows (7, 8, 9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Continental Aktiengesellschaft, Inc.
    Inventors: Christof Behmenburg, Heinz Job, Jens-Uwe Gleu, Christian Hilger
  • Publication number: 20100207008
    Abstract: An annular vibration isolator for a rotating shaft supported by a bearing is provided. The annular vibration isolator comprises an outer ring extending substantially entirely around the bearing, an arc portion having a contact portion extending toward the bearing, first and second axial portions enclosing a cavity, a first flange portion forming a first channel, a second flange portion forming a second channel, and the first and second flange portions forming a chamber within the cavity and forming a radial passageway connecting the chamber to the first and second channels, and a bellows disposed in the chamber and coupled to the radial passageway, the bellows adapted to receive a fluid from the first and second channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Brian Cottrell
  • Publication number: 20100207007
    Abstract: A mounting assembly is provided. The mounting assembly comprises an outer ring having a plurality of insert portions, each of the plurality of insert portions extending toward the center of the outer ring and having an insert cavity, a plurality of vibration isolation assemblies, each of the vibration isolation assemblies disposed in one of the insert cavities, each of the plurality of vibration isolation assemblies comprising a first bellows portion and a second bellows portion, a passageway formed therein and connecting the first and second bellows portions, and a contact portion adapted to receive a force, an inner ring having a plurality of contact cavities, each contact cavity adapted to receive a contact portion from one of the plurality of vibration isolation assemblies, and a central ring coupled to the outer ring by the plurality of insert portions, and to the inner ring by a plurality of bridge portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Brian Cottrell, Porter Davis
  • Patent number: 7732988
    Abstract: Fluid amplifiers and vibration damping and isolation systems are provided. A fluid amplifier includes a housing assembly, a piezo-electric element, two amplification stages, and a rod. The piezo-electric element is disposed within the housing assembly and is capable of being energized to lengthen axially to provide an input stroke at an initial magnitude. The first amplification stage is disposed within the housing assembly adjacent to the piezo-electric element and is adapted to amplify the input stroke from the piezo-electric element to a first magnitude. The second amplification stage is disposed in series with the first amplification stage and is adapted to increase the input stroke from the first magnitude to a second magnitude that is greater than the first magnitude to yield an amplified input stroke. The rod extends through the second amplification stage and is coupled thereto to transmit the amplified input stroke having the second magnitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: James Boyd, Dale T. Ruebsamen, Brett M. McMickell
  • Publication number: 20080308367
    Abstract: An air spring and damper unit for vehicles has, as operating spaces, at least two pressure spaces filled with compressed air and connected to one another via flow channels. The pressure spaces have movable walls in the form of rolling bellows or folding bellows, wherein a pilot-controlled main valve which can be loaded with a control pressure on the low-pressure side is configured at least in one flow direction in a first flow channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: Nevzat Gilner, Swen Wiethoff, Knut Welke, Sonke Gurtler, Rogelio Villaroel, Martin Voss, Reinhard Kassen, Reinhard Ganghofner, Michael Keller, Peter Birke, Axel Rudorff
  • Publication number: 20080250836
    Abstract: The invention relates to a damping method and device for a roll stand to reduce the sensitivity to chatter thereof. In the method of the invention the absorption is conducted by a chatter mass (8) situated above each post (2) forming the roll stand (1) and the vibration energy is dissipated in a mattress (83) of an incompressible fluid forming a direct link between each post (2) and the chatter mass (8) According to the invention the fluid mattress is kept in a steady flow by supply means (91) and exhaust means of adjustable caliber (92). The frequency response of the system and its damping coefficient are set by the dimensioning of the chatter mass (8), the control of the thickness (h) of the fluid mattress and its flow rate via the calibrated orifice (92).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventors: Stephane Gouttebroze, Yves Leclercq