Abstract: A vehicle with a suspension system having a compressible liquid confined in a cylinder and compressed to a predetermined static pressure. A damping piston is disposed on a double ended rod where the rod ends have different cross sectional areas to provide a differential area which is acted on by the liquid to spring support the weight of the vehicle. The end of the larger rod is connected to the vehicle chassis and bearings in each end of the cylinder transfer high bending moments due to wheel loads. Friction is reduced by eliminating contact between the large diameter piston and cylinder, and limiting frictional contact to the relatively small diameter of the bearings and seals. Total fluid volume is increased to provide a lower spring rate by a fluid chamber within the rod, and an apparatus is provided to control ride height by changes in liquid pressure and/or volume which also changes spring rate.

Abstract: A liquid spring shock absorbing device 8 comprising an hydraulic piston 10 with an integral surge valve 14. The hydraulic piston 10 is positioned within a fluid filled piston housing 12 and is made up of a piston body 16, a spring reaction plate 22 and a piston heat 18. A large annular spring 30 and a small annular spring 36 are positioned adjacent to the spring reaction plate 22. Short duration shocks are transmitted by the fluid to cause rotation of annular spring 36 which opens relief valve port 42. Long duration, high intensity shocks cause compression of both annular springs, opening of relief valve port 42 and movement of hydraulic piston 10.

Abstract: A hydraulic device for controlling the knee-joint function in a leg prosthesis has a cylinder which is divided into first and a second cylinder parts adapted to be fixed to the lower leg of the prosthesis, and a piston rod which carries one piston in each cylinder part and is fixed to the upper leg of the prosthesis. The pistons divide the interior of the respective cylinder parts into two chambers. The adjacent first chambers of the cylinder parts are interconnected by a throttle device. The two, second chambers are also interconnected. One piston has a sealing member which is of a single-acting type to allow leakage of hydraulic fluid from the second chamber to the first chamber when the piston is moved in a direction reducing the volume of the second chamber, while it is completely sealing when the piston is moved in the opposite direction. A connection is provided between one of the first chambers and one of the second chambers.

Abstract: A frictionless hydraulic damper including a cylinder having end walls mounting the opposite ends of a shaft with a clearance in labyrinth seals, bellows seals between each end wall and the portions of the shaft extending beyond each end wall, a piston head on the shaft within the cylinder, hydraulic fluid in the cylinder and in both bellows seals, an orifice construction located relative to the piston head for permitting flow of hydraulic fluid past the piston head to produce damping, and a conduit in the shaft for effecting communication between the two bellows. The damper as described above also functions as a snubber by including a valve construction which selectively closes the orifice construction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic shock absorber with two-way action, in which two pistons (18, 19), one for each direction of motion, act in a housing (1). The pistons (18, 19) are movable relative to each other in, or with, a pressure tube (6). Equalizing elements (4, 5) are provided at the ends. The pistons (18, 19) are each provided with a piston rod. The piston rods are provided with seals (38, 39) which are nearly completely relieved of pressure.

Abstract: A handlebar structure particularly adapted for use on motorcycles employed in racing over rough and uneven terrain. The grips and the angulation of first and second oppositely disposed cross members structures are manually adjustable to suit the riding characteristics of a particular rider. A combination of resilient pads and a fluid containing shock absorber cooperate to minimize the shock transmitted to the arms of a rider in traveling over a rough and uneven course. In an alternate form of the invention resilient cross members serve to minimize the shock transmitted to a rider as his motorcycle traverses an uneven course.

Abstract: A telescopic leg suspension comprising a lower wheel-supporting element connected by an articulated lever to the structure of the vehicle, an upper element articulated to the structure and serving to guide the lower element, these two elements being able to slide and possibly rotate in relation to each other and a device for causing pressurized liquid to act between the elements in such a way that the liquid tends to separate these two elements axially one from the other.One of the two elements comprises a tubular member having at one end a bore and a piston adapted to slide sealingly in this bore, the pressurized liquid being contained in this member whereas the other element comprises a cylinder surrounding the member, this cylinder being closed at one end by a bottom against which the piston bears, guiding between the two elements being provided between the cylinder and the member.This invention applies more particularly to a suspension for a motor vehicle steering wheel.

Abstract: A piston slides in a fluid-filled piston chamber for damping or snubbing the movement of an object connected thereto. Attached to the piston is a piston rod which is disposed in the main fluid supply reservoir located below the piston chamber, at the lowest point in the apparatus. As the piston moves, the associated movement of this rod in the reservoir varies its displacement therein, thereby displacing fluid into a vented secondary reservoir which is located above the piston chamber, at the highest point in the damper apparatus. Any leakage from the piston chamber collects in the reservoirs. Both reservoirs are in fluid supply connection with the piston chamber so that piston movement causes fluid to flow into the chamber from the reservoirs so as to keep the chamber completely filled with fluid at all times. Both reservoirs supply fluid to the piston rod seals, which are thereby always immersed in fluid.

Abstract: An elongated coupling member is connectable to the upper link of a three point tractor lift and to an implement carried by the lift, such as a spreader. The member includes a piston slideably mounted in a cylinder and a hydraulic circuit between a space at each side of the piston. The piston can be adjusted to a set position in which the relative positions of the piston and cylinder are maintained by hydraulic fluid within the circuit and spaces. An overload device, such as a spring biased, one-way valve, is included in the circuit so that upon overload, the piston moves, usually to lengthen the coupling member and allow fluid to flow from one space to the other. In one version, an overflow space or reservoir is in the circuit to accomodate excess fluid when the piston is shifted and one space is larger than the other.

Abstract: A mechanical link member is provided which is easily variable in length for ease of connection yet rigid in operation by the use of hydraulic valve and screw-type adjustments. In addition to an interrupted flow position which prevents relative axial movement of the ends of the link member, the hydraulic valve has full flow and restricted flow positions to control the rate of length adjustment. A spring positions the mechanical link to a midrange position when the hydraulic valve is opened and the link ends are not attached to a load.

Abstract: A pipe hanger/snubber for supporting and/or protecting high-pressure piping and the like against damage by seismic, vibrational, and thermal shocks to the mechanical integrity of the piping system. The apparatus includes a sealed snubber cylinder containing a non-Newtonian fluid as the hydraulic fluid medium. A working shaft extends completely through the snubber cylinder. A shaft-mounted, perforate load nozzle is moved longitudinally through the non-Newtonian fluid in the snubber cylinder to thereby dissipate the shock forces. Shaft-engaging seals at each end of the snubber cylinder inhibit leakage of the non-Newtonian fluid from the snubber cylinder. Selectively, reservoir apparatus containing non-Newtonian fluid are provided adjacent at least one seal to compensate for leakage, if any, of the non-Newtonian fluid through the seal.

Abstract: A hydraulic positioner for maintaining a given separation between its attachment points and having a bidirectional detenting action whereby the given separation can be altered only by application of a sufficiently large overriding force. A closed cylinder is divided into two closed fluid-filled chambers by a slidable piston. Motion of the piston requires transfer of fluid between the chambers. The transfer flow is determined by preloaded check valves in the transfer flow path. The check valves are preloaded in opposite directions to achieve the bidirectional detenting action. A reservoir supplies fluid under a small positive pressure to one of the closed fluid-filled chambers to replace fluid lost through leakage.

Abstract: A cylinder-and-piston type hydraulic damper has spaced dual seals on its piston rods to provide annular cavities between seals. A fluid leakage line connects said cavities to the closed reservoir of a fluid leakage indicator which consists of a cylinder closed by a spring biased diaphragm which carries the indicating member of the indicator. The damper chambers on opposite sides of the piston are alternately supplied with fluid from the reservoir during operation of the damper by means of a shuttle valve, thus providing a closed and sealed fluid system including redundant seals with means for indicating that the damper needs servicing upon a predetermined loss of fluid from the reservoir.

Abstract: A stabilizer assembly including a torsion bar twistably mounted on the frame of a vehicle and a slidable braking device provided at one end or both ends of the torsion bar. The slidable braking device comprises two members which are slidable relative to each other, one member being secured to the end of the torsion bar and the other member being secured to the lower arm in a suspension system of the wheel. The sliding braking device is arranged to move when its predetermined resistance is less than, and thus is overcome by the spring-back force due to the distortion of the torsion bar. Thus, the initial distortion of the torsion bar has no effect upon the stabilizing action unless the resultant spring-back force exceeds the predetermined frictional resistance. The stroke of the slidable braking device is limited to about 15 mm from a neutral position. This limited stroke overcomes the unevenness in the road surface, and produces a roll angle of about 1.degree.

Abstract: This invention relates to new and improved methods and apparatus for effeating recoil and counterrecoil movement of the gun tube of a weapon system wherein a movable piston sleeve concentric with and movably connected to the gun tube defines a pressurizable compressible fluid chamber with the stationary cradle of the weapon system and carries a piston head which separates the chamber into two compartments, a muzzle compartment and a breech compartment, and which defines with the interior wall of the cradle an annular fluid throttling orifice to cause energy dissipation during movement of the piston. The piston sleeve is separated by the piston head into two sections of different diameters, the larger diameter section being located on the muzzle compartment side of the chamber so that compressed fluid, at the termination of the recoil cycle acting on the piston, may initiate counterrecoil movement of the piston and gun tube as a result of the force differential in said compartments.

Abstract: A hydraulic damper for controlling the lag-lead movements of a helicopter rotor blade has dual oil seals on its piston rods. A fluid conduit connects the area between the seals to the area beneath the piston of a cylinder-and-piston type indicator and also through a fluid restriction back into an open fluid system. A bypass conduit is extended from the fluid conduit on the downstream side of the restriction to the area above the indicator piston so that any back pressure in the fluid system which creates a pressure rise of the other side of the restriction also acts on the upper end of the indicator piston.