Abstract: A suspension system for use with a motorcycle includes a device for producing a supply of pressurized air. The suspension system is operably disposed between a frame member and a swing arm of the motorcycle. The suspension system comprises a double-acting pneumatic cylinder.

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 suspension system for use with a motorcycle includes a device for producing a supply of pressurized air. The suspension system is operably disposed between a frame member and a swing arm of the motorcycle. The suspension system comprises a double-acting pneumatic cylinder.

Abstract: A continuously blockable arresting device includes a housing and a shaft having an end received in the housing and which may be externally acted upon causing rotation thereof. The housing has a fluid-filled working space and two subchambers which can be connected to the working space. The subchambers lie next to each other. First and second pistons are guided respectively in a displaceable manner in the subchambers and can be displaced therein by a swash plate. The shaft is connected to the swash plate for rotating the swash plate. Respective control devices of the subchambers include blocking valves for respectively connecting the subchambers to the working space and passage valves for respectively connecting the working space to the subchambers.

Abstract: A rotary damper for use in an automotive vehicle. The rotary damper includes an outer casing having a main chamber and a pair of piston orifices, the main chamber and the piston orifices being filled with a damping fluid, a pivotable cam located in the main chamber and attached to an arm for transferring the rotary movement of the arm to the cam. The damper also includes a pair of pistons, each located in its own orifice, and connected to opposite sides of the cam. When the arm transfers the rotary movement to the cam, each piston is moved in opposite directions in its respective piston orifice to damp the rotary movement of the arm.

Abstract: A dampening apparatus for dampening an actuating member over a wide array of temperatures. The present invention provides a fluid filled housing having a first chamber, a second chamber, and a passageway therebetween. A first piston is slidably received within the first chamber for movement from a pre-actuated position to an actuated position. A second piston is slidably received within said second chamber for movement from said pre-actuated position to said actuated position. A spring disposed within the second chamber biases the second piston toward said passageway and maintains a constant level of fluid pressure within the housing regardless of the temperatures of the fluid. An exhaust port is in communication with the second chamber wherein the second piston is disposed between the passageway and the exhaust port in the pre-actuated position, and wherein the exhaust port is located between the passageway and the second piston in the actuated position to allow the fluid to escape through the exhaust port.

Abstract: A rotary damper for use in an automotive vehicle. The rotary damper includes an outer casing having a main chamber and a pair of piston orifices, the main chamber and the piston orifices being filled with a damping fluid, a pivotable cam located in the main chamber and attached to an arm for transferring the rotary movement of the arm to the cam. The damper also includes a pair of pistons, each located in its own orifice, and connected to opposite sides of the cam. When the arm transfers the rotary movement to the cam, each piston is moved in opposite directions in its respective piston orifice to damp the rotary movement of the arm.

Abstract: A rotary damper for use in an automotive vehicle. The rotary damper includes an outer casing having a main chamber and a pair of piston orifices, the main chamber and the piston orifices being filled with a damping fluid, a pivotable cam located in the main chamber and attached to an arm for transferring the rotary movement of the arm to the cam. The damper also includes a pair of pistons, each located in its own orifice, and connected to opposite sides of the cam. When the ami transfers the rotary movement to the cam, each piston is moved in opposite directions in its respective piston orifice to damp the rotary movement of the arm.

Abstract: A pneumatic, rotary, rack and pinion actuator with counter-pressure actuated damping device. The actuator comprises first and second rack and piston assemblies reciprocable inside corresponding pneumatic cylinders, which engage on the opposite sides of a pinion and output shaft. Each rack and piston assembly is provided with an axially extending duct opening at opposite ends into a drive chamber and a counter-pressure control chamber, respectively; counter-pressure control and damping means are provided in the piston-assemblies and cylinders, comprising a throttling valve opening into the control chamber and a check valve in said ducts; a thrust pin member protrudes in the control chamber and into the duct end to open the check valve and feed in a controlled manner pressurised air from the drive chamber into the control chamber, before each rack and piston assembly reaches the end of its stroke.

Abstract: A rotary motor with a counterbalanced torque arm adapted to be mounted within an auger housing. The torque arm is mounted on the stationary cylinder block of the motor which extends radially outwardly from the access of the cowling and is attached to the auger housing. The torque arm includes a pair of diametrically opposed torque arm members which support pairs of cylinders. The cylinders engage the housing and are interconnected such that diametrically opposed pairs of cylinders are in fluid communication. Accordingly, rotational torques exerted on the torque arm by the cylinder block, for auger screw rotation both in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions, are born equally by the opposing torque arm members.

Abstract: Shock absorber (31) for a hydropneumatic vehicle suspension element, comprising a disk (32) fastened in an outer casing having ports (30, 38) for the passage of the hydraulic fluid, first elements (48, 49, 37a, 37b) allowing this passage in only one direction for some ports (30) and in the opposite direction for the other ports (38), and second elements (53, 54, 55) for fastening the first elements to the disk; the abovementioned first elements comprise, mounted on the two opposite faces of the disk (32), stacks (46, 47) of elastically flexible metal washers (46a-46c; 47a-47c) arranged in rigid annular deflectors (48, 49) located opposite the hydraulic-fluid passage ports (30, 38). The deflectors protect the flexible washers against any damage caused by the very high peaks of hydraulic pressure which occur on uneven ground.

Abstract: The valve comprises a hollow body (36, 37, 40) provided with a first inlet or outlet opening (38) and a second outlet or inlet opening (41) for a hydraulic fluid, and the following elements:(a) a hollow slide (58) slidably mounted inside a hollow sleeve (56) slidably mounted in the body and coaxial with the slide (58);(b) an elastic element (61) bearing against the body (40) and biasing the slide into abutment against an annular end of the sleeve and the sleeve (56) into abutment against an annular seat (58) of the body;(c) and the annular bearing section (59) of the slide (58) on the sleeve (56) is less than the annular bearing section (57) of the sleeve on its seat (58), the sleeve being moreover provided with apertures (66) communicating with the first opening (38).This valve avoids deterioration of the suspension of a heavy vehicle travelling at high speed over uneven ground.

Abstract: In the speed reducer disclosed, the gear ring (12) of the planetary gear train is connected via a pair of diametrically-opposed appendages (13) with a corresponding pair of vertically disposed and parallel double-acting hydraulic cylinders (14) suspended via ball-and-socket joints beween the gear unit and a fixed structure. Each cylinder shows a low pressure (31) and a high pressure (32) oil chamber connected to low and high pressure hydraulic accumulators (33, 34) respectively by means of respective throttle valves (35, 36) in parallel with respective ball check valves (37, 38). There are no bearings between the gear case (18, 19)and the shaft instead, the output shaft hub is fitted with an assembly which incorporates thrust rings and a rotary seal (20) featuring diametrial-flow lubrication to ensure freedom from foreign matter.

Abstract: A rear suspension system mounted on a motorcycle having a body frame, a rear wheel and a rear wheel supporting member which is pivotable together with a vertical movement of the rear wheel. The system comprises a pivotal damper disposed on the body frame and having an operating shaft which is integrally pivotable with a link member interlocked with the rear wheel supporting member, and a coil spring tensioned between the body frame and the link member in a position different from the position of the pivotal damper. With such arrangement, there is attained increased design freedom with respect to changing the capacity of the damper, reduction in size and weight of the coil spring, and increase in size and capacity of devices disposed in the vicinity of the coil spring.

Abstract: A front suspension system for a motorcycle, including an upper fork member supported by a vehicle body frame, a lower fork member which supports a front wheel and a link mechanism connecting between the upper and lower fork members. The system includes a pivotal damper which provides a pivotal reaction force proportional to a pivoted amount thereof in operative cooperation with the link mechanism. The pivotal damper is disposed in the interior of the upper fork member to thereby attain simplification of the construction, reduction of the number of parts and improvement of the aesthetic appeal.

Abstract: A front wheel suspension system for motorcycles which cooperates with a front wheel suspension including an upper fork supported by a motorcycle frame and a lower fork supporting the front wheel. The system includes a rotary lever type damper operatively coupled to the lower fork. The rotary lever type damper is disposed between a pair of side members comprising the upper fork, thus reducing unsprung weight.

Abstract: A torque limiter means for controlling rotary motion is disclosed, comprising a casing, a shaft rotatively mounted in the casing, a pulley fixedly secured to the shaft and a coaxial rotor also secured to the shaft. The rotor has an odd number of radial cam projections which engage a pair of pins, these latter oscillating in transverse back and forth movement. A transversely oriented follower plate is rigidly secured to the pins and consequently also oscillates in back and forth movement thereby producing a braking action on the shaft.

Abstract: A shock absorbing device comprising a pair of fluid containers (1A, 1B) interconnected by a restriction passage (5), each of the fluid containers being provided with a piston (3A, 3B) which is slidably mounted to the respective fluid container, in a fluid-tight fashion, so that one end of each of the pistons is projected outwards from the respective fluid container, and a closure valve (7) which is provided in the restriction passage (5) and which can be broken when a fluid pressure of a predetermined value acts on the closure valve.

Abstract: A hydraulic counterweight and shock-absorbing system for unbalanced loads comprises a hydraulic cylinder having a reciprocable piston attached to a rod which controls the position of the load. The hydraulic cylinder is filled with a hydraulic liquid and is provided with a valved by-pass conduit which is selectively operable to permit free movement of the piston in a "free-wheeling" mode. An accumulator partially filled with hydraulic liquid under a high-pressure gas phase is operatively connected to the rod end of the cylinder to provide a shock-absorbing function during a "hook-up" mode. In a "disconnect" mode, by-pass conduits provided with a check-valve and with a relief or pressure-controlled valve permit unimpeded upward movement of the load in response to an external applied force, but prevent downward movement of the load except on application of a force exceeding the weight of the load.

Abstract: An adaptive actuator system comprising a rotatable shaft operatively coupled to a torque biasing means for biasing the rotational direction of the shaft, and also operatively coupled to a counter torque developing means for sensing the rotational bias of the shaft and providing a counter torque proportional to the rotational bias.