Abstract: PCT No. PCT/FR78/00007 Sec. 371 Date May 2, 1979 Sec. 102(e) Date May 2, 1979 PCT Filed Jul. 7, 1978 PCT Pub. No. WO79/00124 PCT Pub. Date Mar. 22, 1979The bumper device which is the object of the invention relates principally to the absorption of high energy impacts which can be sustained by all types of moving bodies or vehicles and in particular by cars.In its preferred embodiment, the device comprises one or more capacities usually arranged at the front of the vehicle and containing a hydraulic fluid. Each of these capacities is connected by a pipe to a receiving chamber which can be deformed by expansion and is also filled with fluid. Under the influence of a violent impact, these capacities crush and eject the fluid which they contain towards the receiving chambers, the walls of which dilate in proportion to the entry of the fluid. The plastic deformation of these walls absorbs the energy of the impact.

Abstract: An improved type of hydraulic control cartridge with mounting structure and accessorial safety device for installation within both ends of reciprocative pneumatic actuators to permit a safe increase in their speed of operation. The safety device automatically stops the actuator if the hydraulic cartridge malfunctions.

Abstract: An improved type of hydraulic control cartridge with mounting structure and accessorial safety device for installation within both ends of reciprocative pneumatic actuators to permit a safe increase in their speed of operation. The safety device automatically stops the actuator if the hydraulic cartridge malfunctions.

Abstract: A dash pot which functions to control a throttle throughout its movement and also functions as a throttle return spring comprising a cylindrical body in which a guide member and associated shaft are positioned with the shaft extending externally of the body and a chamber associated with the cylinder having a diaphragm defining one wall thereof. The chamber and cylinder are filled with an incompressible fluid and an orifice is provided between the chamber and the cylinder. A spring yieldingly urges the shaft inwardly. A check valve and orifice are provided in the body to restrict the flow of fluid as the guide member is moved inwardly and permit the relatively free flow of liquid from one side of the guide member to the other as the guide member and associated shaft are moved outwardly. The end of the shaft is connected to the throttle so that when the throttle is released by the operator of the vehicle, the return velocity of the throttle to idle position is controlled throughout its movement.

Abstract: An automatic-locking damping unit designed to prevent damage to pipelines exposed to violent shaking. The unit is characterized by the presence of a compensating chamber provided in the inner cavity of the cross-head; this chamber communicating with the inner space of the unit via two valves and nozzles. The invention is of interest to designers of hydraulic equipment.

Abstract: A hydraulic shock absorber for use on vehicles which includes a rubber attachment on the upper end thereof which is supported on the vehicle. A cap sealingly covers the rubber attachment to provide a sealed chamber communicating with oil in the cylinder of the shock absorber. A partition provided with a communicating hole is disposed in the chamber. A flexible membrane is disposed above the partition in the chamber and divides the chamber into sealed compartments. One of the sealed compartments is filled with pressurized gas, and the other sealed compartment is held in communication with the interior of the shock absorber. The arrangement of the invention provides a shock absorber with an improved secondary performance in dampening forces between the shock absorber and the body of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hydropneumatic accumulator comprising a pressure vessel or casing having a cylindrical bore, a cylindrical container closed at both ends slidably mounted within said bore, the container having restricted flow passages communicating the bore of the casing to the interior of the container, and an expansible bladder member disposed within the container adapted to separate the container into two chambers communicating, respectively, with the bore of the casing and a gas input orifice in the end of the container external of the casing.

Abstract: A damping valve for a pressure regulator wherein the valve is actuated by a valve diaphragm and coacts with an inlet orifice formed in the transverse wall separating the inlet from the outlet. An outlet chamber is formed on the outlet side of the wall. A damping chamber is formed in the housing below the valve and separated from the outlet chamber by a flexible seal. A connecting rod passes through the central aperture in the seal, and has one end connected to the valve and the other end connected to a piston slidingly disposed in the damping chamber. The piston has a hexagonal head having six circular segmented openings or flats which provide passages for a hydraulic liquid which fills the damping chamber to pass from one side of the piston to the other whenever the piston is moved responsive to a corresponding movement of the valve.

Abstract: An improved liquid-filled dashpot mechanism for use with a spring-biased, axially-displaceable valve stem, comprising: a housing having a passageway therein, a stem in the passageway adapted for reciprocation therein, a pair of annular rolling diaphragms disposed in spaced-apart, face-to-face relationship within the passageway in the housing, each diaphragm being respectively secured in fluid sealing relationship to the housing and the stem to collectively form an enclosed container for the dashpot liquid, a piston fixedly mounted on the stem intermediate the rolling diaphragms adapted for operative displacement within the housing and dividing the container into two chambers, a liquid metering passageway in the piston for providing fluid communication between the two chambers, and a check valve secured to the piston to permit the unidirectional flow of liquid therethrough, and when the dashpot liquid is not permitted to flow through the check valve, to direct the flow of dashpot fluid through the liquid meter

Abstract: A dashpot apparatus is shown as having a housing containing a movable diaphragm which, in turn, effectively establishes or defines two variable and distinct chambers at either side thereof within the housing; a movable rod or actuator extending generally through a wall of the housing is operatively connected to the diaphragm; and a porous air bleed member operatively carried by the actuator within the housing serves to permit a controlled rate of air flow from a first of the two variable chambers to the other of the two variable chambers in order to thereby control the velocity of movement of the actuator in the direction of travel toward the first of such chambers.

Abstract: A shock absorber, particularly adapted for use in the rear suspension of a motorcycle, comprises a tubular housing having a piston reciprocally mounted therein. A first chamber is defined between the housing and the head end of the piston whereas a second chamber is defined between the rod end of the piston and the housing. An inflatable bladder is disposed in a hollow rod of the piston and defines the third chamber with the rod which is in open communication with the first chamber. The chambers are at least partially filled with oil and the first chamber and bladder are air-pressurized to selectively set the spring rates of the shock absorber. A plurality of circumferentially disposed ports are formed through a head of the piston and are normally closed by a spring washer to prevent communication of oil from the first chamber to the second chamber upon extension of the shock absorber and for permitting such communication upon compression thereof.

Abstract: A dashpot wherein a fitting including a calibrated bleed orifice formed therein is detachably retained in a valve body which houses a check valve and forms a part of a diaphragm chamber.

Abstract: A stress damper comprising a hydraulic accumulator having an expansible cavity filled with hydraulic fluid, a body of elastomer provided with at least one internal cavity filled with hydraulic fluid, and an intermediate element of elastomer provided between the accumulator and the elastomer body, having at least one duct providing communication between the cavities in the accumulator and the elastomer body and arranged so that a compressive stress applied to the accumulator will cause a reduction in the cross-section of the duct.

Abstract: A constant-force spring of the liquid-gas type comprising a piston slidable n a cylinder and an elastomeric bladder enclosed in the cylinder. The bladder is filled with a gas, preferably nitrogen. The rest of the cylinder is filled with a compressible liquid having a low bulk modulus. A liquid that can be used is dimethyl silicone which has a bulk modulus of only 150,000 psi. The low bulk modulus gives a low spring constant which is necessary if a constant force characteristic is to be achieved.

Abstract: An improved liquid-filled dashpot mechanism for use with a spring-biased, axially-displaceable valve stem, comprising: a housing having a passageway therein, a stem in the passageway adapted for reciprocation therein, a pair of annular rolling diaphragms disposed in spaced-apart, face-to-face relationship within the passageway in the housing, each diaphragm being respectively secured in fluid sealing relationship to the housing and the stem to collectively form an enclosed container for the dashpot liquid, a piston fixedly mounted on the stem intermediate the rolling diaphragms adapted for operative displacement within the housing and dividing the container into two chambers, a liquid metering passageway in the piston for providing fluid communication between the two chambers, and a check valve secured to the piston to permit the unidirectional flow of liquid therethrough, and when the dashpot liquid is not permitted to flow through the check valve, to direct the flow of dashpot fluid through the liquid meter

Abstract: A dashpot assembly having a single annular diaphragm the inner periphery of which forms a valve movable relative to a metering passage between chambers formed at opposite sides of a plunger assembly in the dashpot. Upon movement in one direction the valve element requires air to pass through the metering passage and upon movement in the opposite direction the valve moves out of engagement to permit free flow between opposite sides of the plunger. The dashpot incorporates a ring element which serves to maintain the metering passage free of obstructions and dirt and which extends the effective area of the diaphragm.

Abstract: A vehicle shock absorber of the hydraulic cylinder and piston type which includes a control valve for limiting pressure of the hydraulic fluid during compression movement to control the damping force of the device in accordance with rate of compression movement above a predetermined rate. The damping force is limited during expansion movement to provide good road-holding ability for the vehicle.

Abstract: A rubber flap type damper valve, particularly intended for incorporation in a hydraulic suspension unit for a vehicle, the valve including rubber flaps which are precompressed resiliently against bump and rebound ports in a port plate, the invention being characterized in that each rubber flap covers one or more ports with each port so covered consisting of a hole of a diameter not exceeding 3 mm with the object of preventing the rubber flaps from becoming adhered to the port plate by sticking in the holes thereof. As a further measure of preventing adherence of the flaps to the port plate the undersurface of each flap may be corrugated, or otherwise rendered uneven. Respective different flaps may be precompressed against the port plate to different extents.

Abstract: A housing having a closed end and an open end with a first and second flexible sealing member attached to the inside surface of the housing, a piston carried out of contact with the inside surface of the housing by the first and second flexible sealing members, and a perforate baffle positioned inside the housing between the first and second flexible sealing members are disclosed. A chamber defined by the closed end of the housing and the first flexible sealing member may be filled with a compressible fluid, and a chamber defined by the first and second flexible sealing members may be filled with an incompressible fluid. A one-way valve may cover a perforation in the baffle.

Abstract: A hydraulic shock absorber which comprises a piston rod inserted into a cylinder assembly; a piston fixed to the inner end of the piston rod to divide the internal space of the cylinder assembly into first and second oil chambers; and passage means designed to attain communication between both chambers and provided with an opening-variable orifice whose opening area automatically varies with the temperature of damping oil, wherein the damping property of said shock absorber is always kept constant independently of changes in the temperature of damping oil.

Abstract: A liquid damper comprises a piston head which slides within a cylinder and which is carried by a piston rod which slides within an annular gland at one end of the cylinder. A passage which includes a damping valve connects the annular cylinder space to a liquid reservoir so that liquid displaced from the annular cylinder space by movement of the piston in either direction is fed through the damping valve to the liquid reservoir. The liquid reservoir is connected to the other cylinder space through a non-return valve. A groove which varies in area along its length, extends partway along the piston rod.

Abstract: A cap member is fitted in a liquid-tight fashion to the open end of a cylinder. The cap member has a flexible member made of rubber etc. A piston rod connected to a piston within the cylinder is slidably inserted through the cap member. When an impact load is applied to the piston rod the piston rod and thus the piston are forced into the interior of the cylinder to cause an operational medium pressure to be increased to permit the flexible member to be resiliently deformed outward. As a result, a shock due to the impact load is absorbed.

Abstract: A telescoping springing means for a vehicle, for example a motorcycle or automobile. The springing means comprises a first and a second telescopic member which are coaxial and are intended for attachment to respective relatively movable parts of the vehicle. One of the telescopic members forms an internal fluid-tight chamber which includes a plunger recess. A plunger is attached to the other of the telescopic members, projects into the chamber, and makes a fluid seal therewith. The plunger is adapted to enter the plunger recess to form a first decelerator for deceleration of contraction of the springing means. A pneumatic-hydraulic accumulator has a closed pneumatic section adapted to be filled with a gas under pressure and a hydraulic section filled with liquid. A movable wall separates the sections so as to equalize their pressures. A conduit connects the hydraulic section to the chamber.A second decelerator is provided for deceleration of extension of the springing means.

Abstract: In a mechano-pneumatic timer device having a vessel, a membrane piston with its skirt fixedly attached to the vessel for defining jointly a variable volume chamber, a spring for urging the piston in its expanding direction, a check valve cooperating with the piston for evacuating air from the chamber to the outside atmosphere when the piston is contracted, a passage for supplementing air from open atmosphere to the chamber when negative pressure prevails in the chamber by virtue of the expanding movement of the piston for a performing predetermined time-limiting operation of the timer, and a device cooperating with the passage for allowing a limited flow rate of the air drawn by the piston, with the device consisting of a composite sheet having a main body formed lengthwise of pervious material such as foamed synthetic resin and a non-pervious cover layer integral with the main body in facial engagement with the passage.

Abstract: Shock absorber comprising a casing delimiting an inner recess having two portions of different diameters and containing a liquid, a piston assembly consisting of two pistons of slightly different diameters mounted on the same rod and slidable into said recess, the larger of said pistons being traversed by a channel for liquid passage, a liquid reservoir either inside the rod or outside the casing, in communication with the inner recess through a further channel, sealing structure tightening the recess from the external medium and an element in the reservoir which is compressed or expanded in response to a change in the pressure of the liquid contained in the reservoir.

Abstract: In a shock absorber assembly for a vehicle, a closed flexible hollow body mounted on a rigid support member, such as a part of the vehicle understructure, and a highly compressible fluid medium, for instance air, is filled into the hollow body. Another rigid support member of closed hollow construction is mounted against the opposite side of the hollow body from the support member on the vehicle understructure. The hollow support member can be lined interiorly with a closed bladder-like member and connected by a throttling member to the hollow body to act as an equalizing member when the hollow body is compressed by shock forces. As an alternative, two similar shock absorber assemblies can be spaced apart on a vehicle with each including one of the closed flexible hollow bodies and with the throttling member connected between the hollow bodies in the separate shock absorber assemblies.