Abstract: A bicycle shock absorber and methods for differentiating between rider-induced forces and terrain-induced forces includes a first fluid chamber having fluid contained therein, a piston for compressing the fluid within the fluid chamber, a second fluid chamber coupled to the first fluid chamber by a fluid communication hose, and an inertial valve disposed within the second fluid chamber. The inertial valve opens in response to terrain-induced forces and provides communication of fluid compressed by the piston from the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber. The inertial valve does not open in response to rider-induced forces.

Abstract: A one way braking device has a first sealed chamber filled with a viscous fluid, a braking rotor being rotably supported within the chamber, a housing or the braking rotor, respectively, coacting with a pinion which in turn cooperates with a tooth rod or a gear or the like. The first housing is floatingly supported in a second chamber of a second housing. The circumference of the first housing and a locking portion of the wall of the second chamber are formed such that a positive interengagement between the first and second housings takes place if by a linear first force component the first housing and the locking portion are moved against each other. A free running between the first and second housings is effected when a second force component opposite to the first component effects between the first and second housings.

Abstract: A damping device with variable damping force, including a cylinder, in which a piston rod is arranged axially movably, and an adjustable damping valve which is activated as a function of the compression travel of an axle part. The adjustable damping valve is activated by a generator device. The generator device includes an equidirectional device which causes an equidirectional regulating variable to take effect on the adjustable damping valve independently of the compression direction.

Abstract: A vibration damping system for absorbing shock loads includes a hydraulic damper containing a piston slidably reciprocating within an oil filled chamber and dividing the chamber into a pair of subchambers. A hydraulic motor is in fluid communication with and located between the subchambers and is controlled by a field responsive fluid, such as an electrorheological (ER) actuated device. The hydraulic motor transforms fluid motion into rotating motion by a pair of meshing gears. The ER device is a flow cell and is connected to a shaft of one or both of the meshing gears. The magnitude of an electric field applied to the ER fluid controls the flow rate of the hydraulic fluid passing through the hydraulic motor by controlling the resistive force to the rotary motion of the gears. A plurality of check valves controls the direction of flow of the hydraulic fluid between the hydraulic motor and the subchambers.

Abstract: In a braking axle driven by a wheel of a trailer vehicle, wherein an axle-driven pumping mechnism is used to pressurize a volume of hydraulic fluid in response to a braking command, the fluid pressure activates a turbine which in turn drives a cooling fan aimed at a radiator used to dissipate the heat accumulating into the hydraulic fluid. The coaxially circular arrangement of the pumps, control valves and other components of the system yields a simple, efficient and sturdy mechanical structure that can withstand very high internal fluid pressure with a limited and controllable leakage rate.

Abstract: An automatic lowering mechanism for a toilet seat comprises a device for translating the rotational movement of the toilet seat into a lateral movement which is used in conjunction with a pneumatic compression cylinder to retard the descent of the toilet seat so that it comes to gently rest upon a toilet bowl. This mechanism for translating the motion of the toilet seat from a rotary to a lateral motion as well as the pneumatic compression cylinder can easily be replaced without removal of the entire automatic toilet seat lowering mechanism.

Abstract: The invention relates to an oscillating arm suspension assembly for a heavy vehicle, in particular for a track vehicle. According to the invention, the oscillating arm comprises a housing receiving firstly a shock absorber of the type in which a semi-solid elastomer is hydrostatically compressed, said shock absorber being mounted coaxially about the oscillation axis of said arm, and secondly an oleo-pneumatic spring of the two-chamber type, having a hydraulic chamber closed by a sliding piston with a piston rod hinged thereto whose end opposite from the piston is hinged to a fixed member inside said housing.

Abstract: A shock absorber having a hollow slide slidably mounted in a fixed member disposed in a sleeve inside the body, separated from the latter by an annular gap and having an opening which communicates with a conduit opening into an a hydraulic chamber. The fixed member is mounted with clearance in the sleeve and is provided with radial ports communicating with the interior of the slide which is biased against the fixed member by an elastic return member bearing on the body. The slide is arranged in such manner as to be capable of occupying alternately a first position, in which it closes any communication between the annular gap and the interior of the slide when the suspension element is subjected to a low frequency oscillation less than .sqroot.

Abstract: A tensioner for a power transmission belt that is adapted to be operated in an endless path and a method of making the same are provided, the tensioner comprising a support unit for being fixed relative to the belt, a belt engaging unit carried by the support unit and being movable relative thereto, a mechanical spring unit operatively associated with the support unit and the belt engaging unit for urging the belt engaging unit relative to the support unit and against the belt with a force to tension the belt, and a fluid operated transmitting unit operatively associated with the spring unit and the belt engaging unit for translating motion therebetween whereby the spring unit is adapted to be disposed remote from the belt engaging unit.