Abstract: A shock absorber for a vehicle includes a fluid-filled cylinder having a closed end, a shaft extending partially into the cylinder, a valve attached to the first end of the shaft, and a power supply. The valve includes a valve piston and a bender. The valve piston includes at least one orifice extending therethrough. The bender is seated adjacent the orifice in the piston. The bender includes a piezoelectric material embedded therein. The piezoelectric material includes sides with conductive material disposed thereon. The power supply is attached to the conductive material across the piezoelectric material in the bender to apply a voltage across the piezoelectric material to change the stiffness of the bender. A sensor is also included for monitoring the displacement and velocity of the piston within the fluid-filled cylinder. The biasing force on the bender is changed on sensor readings according to predetermined logic sequence.

Abstract: A controllable vibration damper for motor vehicles, having a cylinder containing damping fluid, a piston rod entering the cylinder in a sealed manner and arranged axially displaceably therein, and a damping piston which is fastened to the piston rod and divides the cylinder into two working spaces, as well as a damping valve, which is provided with a valve seat and controls the effective cross section of a damping passage of the main stage via an axially displaceable valve body, the valve body being acted on in one direction by a precontrolling device and activated directly in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A dampener (628) for a shock absorber of a vehicle, such as a bicycle, is mounted within a telescoping front fork including a stanchion tube (116) and a coaxial slide tube (618). The dampener includes an internally received hydraulic fluid sleeve (640) that defines a hydraulic chamber (648) in which a piston assembly (732) is disposed. Movement of the piston assembly through hydraulic fluid within the hydraulic chamber is selectively adjusted by metering the flow of bypass hydraulic fluid to the back side of the piston assembly by adjusting a responsive valve assembly (670) disposed longitudinally within the stanchion tube. The responsive valve assembly includes a piezoelectric bender (702) that is controlled by circuitry (712) to change its biasing relative to a valve member (694) in response to sensed velocity and/or displacement of the piston assembly.

Abstract: The orientation insensitive, non-cavitating differential, bi-directional damper has a tubular body defining a closed, elongated chamber that has a first end and a second end. A piston assembly is disposed in and is movable within a portion of the chamber. One end of a piston shaft is connected with the piston assembly and the other end of the shaft extends out of one end of the chamber. Another assembly is disposed in the chamber between the piston assembly and the other end of the chamber. A floating piston is disposed in the chamber and is movable in the chamber between the other assembly and the other end of the chamber. The portion of the chamber between the other end of the chamber and the floating piston is filled with gas while the remainder of the chamber is filled with fluid. The floating piston is spring biased toward the other assembly. Orifices in the piston assembly control the rate of fluid flow across the piston assembly when the piston assembly moves relatively to the tubular body.

Abstract: A damper control valve includes a body having an inlet, a main outlet and a pilot outlet with a valve disc normally substantially closing the inlet off from the outlet. The valve disc has a continuously open orifice that permits restricted fluid communication between the inlet and the pilot outlet. An armature normally closes the pilot outlet. The armature is movable by a coil to open the pilot outlet and in response, the valve disc independently moves in response to a pressure differential to open the main outlet to the inlet.

Abstract: A hydraulic ball coupling assembly (1) comprises an inner hub (2) and an outer hub (3) disposed for relative coaxial rotational engagement. The inner hub (2) includes a continuous sinuate recessed track (4) extending circumferentially around the cylindrical outer surface (5). The outer hub (3) includes a plurality of uniformly spaced axially extending grooves (6) on the inner cylindrical surface (7). The grooves (6) extend in a direction substantially normal to the general effective direction of the sinuate track (4). A slider (10) is reciprocally disposed within each groove (6) and located in the intersecting region (11) of the sinuate track (4) and the respective groove (6) such that relative rotation of the inner and outer hubs (2, 3) causes each slider (10) to oscillate axially within its respective groove (6) while traversing the track (4).

Abstract: An articulation mechanism which can change a hinge angle freely, even if a considerable large load is attached to the tip end of a movable arm, and which can hold the hinge angle rigidly, when it is once stopped, is provided. The articulation mechanism (1) has a fluid hermetically sealing space (25) in which a non-compressive fluid or a compressive fluid compressed to a predetermined pressure is hermetically sealed, so that even if there may be energizing force, relative rotation between rotary members is prevented by a predetermined force. When the fluid hermetically sealing space is released by opening and closing valve (21), as a result of the energizing force such as may be generated, for example from load or spring, the fluid can transfer, resulting in relative rotations of the rotary members.

Abstract: A hydraulic strut for a motor vehicle for providing a movement guiding and dampening function can generally have a cylinder, with a piston disposed in the cylinder to divide the cylinder into at least first and second chamber portions, with a piston rod extending from the piston out of the cylinder. The cylinder can be sealed at both ends, and can preferably be filled with hydraulic fluid. The piston can preferably define a flow connection between the two fluid chambers, and this flow connection can typically have some sort of valve arrangement therein for controlling flow of fluid between the first and second chamber portions.

Abstract: A damping device adapted for use in exercise apparatus includes a cylinder with internally threaded front and and rear end portions, a front cylinder cover and a rear cylinder cover, each of which has a threaded raised portion for engaging the internal threads of the cylinder and a central through hole as well as a valve hole in an upper side thereof; two valves respectively disposed in the valve holes of the cylinder covers; two C-clips for positioning the valve bodies inside the valve holes; a piston located inside the cylinder; a tube fixedly secured to the upper sides of the cylinder covers; a regulating rod disposed inside the tube and provided with valves for cooperating with vents in the bottom side of the tube, spring being fitted to a rear end thereof; and a stop element for controlling the displacement of the regulating rod inside the tube. The damping device does not require damping oil and permits regulation of the desired damping force.

Abstract: A twin-pipe shock absorber comprises a working cylinder (1), a piston (4) which is movable in the cylinder and has a passage and upstream valve (13, 14, 15), an external pipe (2) which is fitted around the working cylinder having an oil tank (3) formed therebetween, a disc (7) having a passage (16) and an upstream valve (17) positioned near the passage to shut off the working cylinder, a central pipe (10) extending through the piston (4) having its bottom end projecting through the disc (7) so as to produce a shock absorber in which the shock absorption can be adapted very rapidly to the frequency of movement of the upsprung wheel guide part, the damper valve being disposed at the bottom end of the central pipe (10), and a regulation device to regulate the damping exerted by the damper valve depending at least on the frequency at which the working cylinder vibrates.

Abstract: An apparatus to cushion movement of a member in a machine includes a piston which divides a cylinder into upper and lower variable volume chambers. A body of lubricating liquid is held in a chamber in the piston. Lubricating liquid is conducted from the chamber in the piston to an annular space between upper and lower seals on a head portion of the piston. During reciprocation of the piston, the lubricating liquid engages the inner side surface of the cylinder. In addition, the lubricating liquid conducts heat away from the cylinder. Fluid pressure is applied against upper side surface of the body of lubricating liquid in the piston chamber by gas pressure conducted from a chamber of the cylinder. During assembly of the apparatus, the piston is inserted part way into the cylinder and a space between seals on the piston is partially filled with lubricating liquid. The piston, with the lubricating liquid between the seals, is fully inserted into the cylinder.

Abstract: A suspension system for motor vehicles is disposed between body (1) and wheel (2) and is provided with a damper (4) with integrated resonance dampers (40, 48) for improved insulation of transmission of road unevenness to the body. The resonance damper is formed in that the casing (40) of the damper (4) forms a moving mass m.sub.40 between the body (1) and the wheel (2), the casing being connected to the wheel via a spring (48) harmonized with the mass m.sub.40. The pistons (41, 42) of the damper are connected via piston rods (43, 44, respectively) to the body (1) and the wheel (2), respectively.

Abstract: A variable orifice damper includes a sealed cylinder, a piston rod mounted for sliding movement along the axis of the cylinder carrying a piston head and a tail rod, the piston rod and tail rod extending from the interior of the cylinder outward beyond a corresponding support surface on the cylinder wall. The cylinder contains a cavity portion whose internal size varies along the cylinder axis located axially between two adjacent cavity portions of larger size than the intermediate cavity portion. The piston head has a surface whose cross sectional area varies along the axis of the cylinder and is adapted to pass through the cavity portion of variable size, the piston head and cavity portion defining a orifice of variable size therebetween. The piston rod has a bore containing a separator piston actuated by fluid passing the orifice and adapted to compress gas held in the bore.

Abstract: A damping apparatus including a piston having an axis therethrough. The piston includes a coaxial body portion and a first and second end extending oppositely therefrom along the axis. A rigid housing is coaxial with and surrounds the body of the piston for forming a rigid fluid volume between the piston and the rigid housing. The rigid fluid volume includes a first fluid chamber at a first end of the piston and a second fluid chamber at the second end of the piston. The first and second fluid chambers are connected by a damping path. The damping apparatus further includes a flexible housing coupled to the first and second ends of the piston and surrounding the rigid housing to form a fluid return of lower resistance to flow than the damping path between the rigid housing and the flexible housing and to allow movement of the rigid housing with respect to the piston.

Abstract: A vibration damper assembly is provided which includes a first attachment element or bracket for securing the damping mechanism to a first component, the vibrations of which are to be damped. A visco-elastic spacer is secured to the element or bracket at one end, and to a cylinder of a piston/cylinder assembly at its other end. A piston is slidably received in the cylinder with a predetermined clearance between the peripheral surface of the piston and the cylinder wall. A piston rod extending from the piston and the opposite end of the cylinder is received within a housing of a viscous damping device, the piston rod having a plurality of discs mounted thereon in predetermined, spaced relationship. An interior wall of the housing is also formed with a plurality of disc-like surfaces projecting toward the radial center of the housing, with aligned apertures therein to accommodate the piston rod.

Abstract: Impact damper for motor vehicles, the impact damper having two tubes which can be pushed one inside the other, the inner tube having a first and second fluid chamber and a gas chamber separated from the fluid chamber by a separating piston. A third fluid chamber is located behind a work piston and the tubes can be retracted or extended by changing the pressure within the fluid chambers of the impact damper.

Abstract: A device for elastic coupling between two parts, especially the principal transmission box and the fuselage of an aircraft with rotating wings, such as a helicopter, includes first and second inner and outer tubular bodies, and an elastic connection, housed in the annular space existing between the first and second bodies and coupling the first and second bodies in a leaktight fashion. The annular space is separated by the elastic connection into first and second chambers filled with a liquid, the first and second chambers being in communication with the inside of the first body. On the inside of said first body, there is a liquid distributor provided with an elastic damping connection and including two pistons, which are coupled by a piston rod and separated from each other by the distance separating orifices in the first and second chambers.

Abstract: A dampener for devices such as a leveling valve in which the dampener is a separate self-contained member formed of a piston cylinder part and a cap connected to each other and having a piston mounted in the chamber between the parts. The cylinder chamber occupied by the piston contains a viscous fluid that passes over the edge of the periphery of the inner wall of the chamber as the piston is moved from one end to the other. The two parts of the dampener are preferably constructed of transparent material so that it can be determined whether the space between the piston and the walls of the chamber is completely filled with a viscous fluid or whether there are any air bubbles or the like in the chamber. A temporary opening is provided in the cylinder cap for escape of air when the two parts are connected together. Extending from both sides of the piston are hubs exposed to the exterior of the dampener.

Abstract: A door closer of the kind which acts between a door hinge stile and a hinge jamb has a body for mounting usually in the stile, and from the body a spring-biased tension member extends for anchoring to the jamb. A hydraulic cylinder piston damper is interposed between the tension member and its biasing spring, the damper incorporating no unidirectional valve means and instead its piston being undersized relative to the cylinder by an amount predetermined by the viscosity of hydraulic fluid in the damper so as to allow fluid to flow restrictedly around the piston when the tension member is moved in door-closing and door-opening directions.

Abstract: In a hydraulic tensioner, shock absorber or lash adjuster having a plunger in a cylinder filled with hydraulic fluid, and having a coiled compression spring acting on the plunger in a pressure chamber on one side of the plunger, air scavenging through the restricted space between the plunger and the cylinder wall is improved by providing radial grooves either on a face of the plunger contacted by the spring, or on the spring-contacting face of a plug which is located between the spring and the plunger. The radial grooves enable air to escape from the interior of the coil spring and move toward the cylinder wall. The grooves increase in depth proceeding from the interior of the spring toward the exterior thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a shock absorber for a water jet ski which comprises a cylinder-and-piston assembly, the cylinder and piston of which are pivotably attached to a water jet ski body and to the handlebar of the water jet ski respectively. The fluid filled in the cylinder is allowed to pass through the orifices of the piston body while the piston moves back and forward in the cylinder in response to the rise and descent of the handlebar. With this arrangement the rider can move up and down the handlebar so freely as to permit him to keep his balance on the water jet ski while running on water. The orifice size is selected to be appropriate for the purpose of preventing uncontrollable quick move of the handlebar which otherwise would be caused by sudden application of strong force to the water jet ski body, thereby preventing the rider from losing his balance on the water jet ski.

Abstract: A viscous damper wherein the viscosity of a fluid, such as an oil, is used to generate damping effect when the fluid is passed through a restricted orifice or slit. Electrodes are arranged to face each other across the orifice or slit so that an electric field is created in a direction which is transverse to the direction of the fluid flow in the orifice or slit. The voltage applied to the electrodes is controlled in accordance with a frequency of vibration of a vibrating member to be damped. The viscosity of the fluid is controlled by applying a voltage thereto, so that a desired damping effect is obtained within a wide range of the frequency of the vibrating body.

Abstract: A door closer wherein a housing defines a fluid-containing space for a reciprocable damping piston which divides the space into a first and a second compartment. The piston carries a check valve which is closed during movement of the piston in a first direction while the door panel is being opened and which is open when the piston moves in the opposite direction. A channel is provided in the housing to permit fluid to flow from the first compartment into the second compartment during a first stage of movement of the piston in the first direction.

Abstract: A door closer wherein a housing defines a fluid-containing space and rotatably supports a shaft which is articulately connected with a pivotable door panel. A piston in the housing divides the space into a chamber and a compartment and has a toothed rack which mates with a pinion on the shaft so that the piston moves in the housing in response to rotation of the shaft as a result of pivoting of the door panel and vice versa. One or more springs in the chamber bias the piston in a direction to pivot the door panel toward closed position. A channel in the housing establishes communication between the chamber and the compartment during an initial stage of movement of the door panel from closed position at which time the piston moves in a direction to reduce the volume of the chamber.

Abstract: An automatic derailleur shifter is disclosed which includes a hollow cylinder body and a piston rod movable within the cylinder. The piston rod carries a dual element piston within the cylinder body in a manner to permit substantially unrestricted fluid flow through the piston when the piston rod is moved in a first, upward direction and a greatly restricted fluid flow when the piston rod is moved in the second downward direction. A first, fixed piston element is fabricated of diameter less than the inner diameter of the cylinder to allow unrestricted fluid flow thereabout. A second, movable piston element is provided and below the fixed piston element includes a flared skirt for sliding, sealing engagement between the movable piston element and the cylinder. A small, restricted longitudinal channel is provided through the fixed piston element which terminates at its lower end at a circular channel.

Abstract: A hydraulic recoil brake for damping both recoil and counterrecoil of a gun barrel when used with a pneumatic recuperator on the breech ring for the gun barrel. The brake has an axially extending brake cylinder fixed to the breech ring in which are disposed a fixed fluid stream control rod, and a brake piston reciprocally axially movable relative to the control rod for resisting a flow of hydraulic fluid in said brake cylinder therepast during recoil. A piston ring which is axially reciprocally displaceable on the break piston between a first and second positions is engaged by a compression spring which elastically urges the piston ring to the second position after recoil. Brake pressure from the hydraulic fluid urges the piston ring into the first position against the force of the spring during a recoil. The piston ring has an axial bore which damps the counterrecoil by resisting a flow of hydraulic fluid therepast when the piston ring is in the second position.

Abstract: The fluid circuitry connecting variable volume chambers of the semiactive damper includes valve assemblies which collectively effect mechanical implementation of a preselected damper control policy that is based in part upon changes in the sign of the absolute velocity of a supported member of the system of which the damper forms a part. One of the valve assemblies has an inertial body which is connected to a movable system member but which remains substantially stationary during system operation. The inertial body and a valve member of the assembly are interconnected by a linkage which in one embodiment includes a frictional type connector, and which in another embodiment includes a dashpot.

Abstract: An adjustable shock absorber system includes a plurality of shock absorbers, the damping characteristics of which are controlled by a hydraulic control circuit. Each of the shock absorbers includes an adjustable flow restrictor that is controlled by a hydraulic actuator responsive to pressure in the control circuit. By adjusting pressure in the control circuit the damping characteristics of each of the shock absorbers can be adjusted in parallel.

Abstract: An elongation type oil damper includes a cylinder containing oil in the inside, a hollow plunger slidably fitted in the cylinder, containing oil in the inner space thereof and projecting from a rod end of the cylinder for undergoing elongation and contraction strokes, and a floating piston inserted in the inner space of the plunger for axial movement in a state biased toward the end of the plunger projecting into the cylinder. The plunger is provided at the projecting end thereof with communication holes through which the oil in the plunger and the oil in the cylinder join each other and also with a valve capable of being moved axially to close some of the communication holes in the elongation or contraction stroke of the plunger.

Abstract: An energy absorber device including a plastic cylinder having a smaller and larger diameter portion with a shoulder at the junction therebetween, a screw-in plastic seal at one end of the casing surrounding a piston member, a metal housing having smaller and larger diameter portions for sliding engagement with the smaller and larger diameter portions of the casing and having a shoulder for abutting engagement with the shoulder on the casing, and an abutment member carried by the housing for engaging the outer end of the piston member.

Abstract: A constant-pressure hydraulic shock-absorbing device suitable for use as a recoil brake in a weapon system. By use of a piston that decreases in diameter as the applied force increases, a constant resistive force independent of the applied force is obtained. The varying diameter of the piston creates a varying aperture for the displacement of fluid by the piston, thus varying the resistive force. This results in minimum travel and/or minimum/maximum force transmitted through the shock absorber for a given applied energy.

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 fluid energy absorber device, such as a fluid spring or shock absorber, or a combination of both, having a composite casing of an outer cylinder of molded plastic around an inner high strength plastic cylinder having high strength fibers therein, the high strength fibers extending both longitudinally and circumferentially, with the circumferential fibers preferably being a high strength plastic which will permit the casing to expand radially. The inner cylinder may be a separate plastic cylinder containing the high strength fibers and to which the outer cylinder is bonded, or the inner cylinder may be formed by a matrix of plastic which is a continuation of the outer cylinder. The high strength cylinder may be located between inner and outer plastic cylinders which are fused to each other to encapsulate the high strength cylinder.

Abstract: A recoil damper (10) for a reciprocating member (12) mounted in a housing (24) includes a annular ring (38,138) mounted adjacent a shoulder (28) formed on the reciprocation member, the annular ring (38,138) mounted in a viscous fluid interior of the housing. The annular ring (38,138) cooperates with the shoulder (28) of the reciprocating member (12) to allow a relatively free flow of the viscous fluid around the shoulder (28) upon motion of the reciprocating member (12) in one direction and to restrict flow of the viscous fluid around the shoulder (28) upon motion of the reciprocating member (12) in the other opposite direction.

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 pulsation limiter for a manually actuated hydraulic valve includes a spring biased, motion retarding plunger in an auxiliary bore within the valve housing and having a helical groove disposed on its periphery abuts against the input sleeve during the initial portion of its travel to actuate the brakes, a check valve in the plunger allowing filling of the expanding cavity in the auxiliary bore behind the motion retarding plunger. When the brake pedal is released partially or completely, the input sleeve moves until it abuts against the plunger. Thereafter, the pressure buildup in the auxiliary bore cavity closes the check valve in the plunger and the input sleeve can only move relatively slowly back to its initial position as the fluid trapped in the auxiliary bore cavity exits through the helical groove.

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 dampening unit operatively associated with the support unit and the belt engaging unit to dampen the movement of the belt engaging unit relative to the support unit in at least one direction of movement thereof, the dampening unit comprising a piston unit and a cylinder unit having the piston unit therein and defining two chambers for fluid in the cylinder unit on opposite sides of the piston unit.

Abstract: A hydraulic recoil brake system for braking the recoil of a gun barrel during and after the firing traverse period. The system includes a hydraulic cylinder in which a hollow piston and piston rod are reciprocally mounted in the cylinder. The piston rod is connected to the gun barrel. A regulating throttling mandrel is fixedly mounted in the cylinder and axially extends into the hollow piston and hollow cylinder. The piston and cylinder are constructed and shaped in such a way that at least two flow passages F.sub.1 and F.sub.2 are defined. While the first flow passage F.sub.1 is present during the entire recoil movement the second flow passage F.sub.2 is present only during the firing traverse period. The second flow passage F.sub.2 extends from a first inner partial chamber disposed in front of the recoiling piston to a second partial inner chamber disposed behind the recoiling piston.

Abstract: An improved double-acting fluid cylinder with primary and secondary chambers of tandem construction, wherein the primary chamber is utilized to provide ram motion in a first direction and wherein the tandemly arranged secondary chamber is provided with a resiliently biased secondary piston to buffer and control the rate of motion induced in the ram, and also to drive the ram in a direction opposite the first direction so as to control the ultimate amplitude or extent of motion induced in the ram in response to forces applied within the primary chamber.

Abstract: An improved compression valve mechanism for a shock absorber comprising an upwardly facing annular valve seat on the shock absorber piston, an annular valve seat engaging member having an exterior periphery spaced closely from the interior periphery of the cylindrical shock absorber chamber providing a relatively small annular gap therebetween and a downwardly facing surface adapted to engage the upwardly facing annular valve seat, an annular seal mounted above the annular member in motion transmitting relation therewith, the seal being made of relatively rigid material and being split radially so as to be expandable radially outwardly and having an upwardly and inwardly facing generally frustoconical spring force transmitting surface and a peripheral sealing surface, and a coil spring above the seal having its upper end fixed with respect to the piston and having its lower end disposed in force transmitting relation with the force transmitting frustoconical surface of the seal so that the seal is biased ther

Abstract: In the illustrative embodiment of the invention disclosed, a pressurized gas spring is arranged to provide three different damping-rate states as the piston rod is progressively urged axially outward of the cylinder. A first damping-rate stage is provided by an axially movable ring carried by the piston structure, a second stage is provided by an axially movable sleeve member slidably mounted on the piston rod for engagement at its inner end with the piston structure, and a third stage is provided by entry of the outer end of the sleeve member into a damping cylinder mounted adjacent the end wall of the cylinder through which the piston rod extends. The three damping-rate stages act cumulatively increasingly to slow outward movement of the piston rod.

Abstract: An improved piston compression valve mechanism for a double acting shock absorber which includes an upwardly facing annular valve seat on the piston. A washer member is fixed to the piston above the valve seat. The exterior periphery of the piston between the valve seat and washer includes six annularly spaced radially outwardly facing arcuate surfaces. Six coil springs are mounted with their upper ends engaging the washer member and their inner exterior peripheries adjacent the arcuate surfaces. A lower spring support including an outer cylindrical peripheral wall is disposed in surrounding relation to the outer exterior peripheries of the coil springs. An inwardly projecting flange and six radially inwardly projecting portions extend toward and adjacent to the arcuate surfaces which are in supported relation to the lower ends of the coil springs.

Abstract: An implement has subsoil tines interconnected to a beam of the frame. At least one of the tines has an upper fastening portion pivoted to a beam of the frame. An overload device also interconnects the fastening portion to the beam so that upon overload on the tine, the device can trip and release the tine for pivotal movement, out of operative position to avoid damage. The device is a hydraulic circuit in which a piston in a cylinder holds the tine in place. A relief valve in the circuit allows escape of fluid from one side of the piston to a reservoir so that the piston and cylinder can move relative to each other upon overload. A spring, either within the cylinder or otherwise associated with the piston, biases the tine to return in operative position. A part of the circuit has a further valve that permits fluid return. The relief valve is held by a spring and screw knob to vary overload pressure of the fluid.

Abstract: A rotary speed limiter device particularly useful as a fire escape device. The device has a rotary speed limiter member mounted on a shaft to slide axially on the shaft and to rotate with it. Means, the speed of which is to be controlled, rotates the shaft. As the shaft is rotated, means applies a braking force on the speed limiter member, causing it to compress air in a surrounding support body and to move axially on the shaft, to limit the speed of the shaft rotating means.

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 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: 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: This invention is a piston-cylinder hydraulic snubbing device to arrest or resist motion. The invention may be utilized as a snubbing device alone, or it may be incorporated into a hydraulically actuated piston-cylinder assembly. The principal feature is that an orifice, through which hydraulic fluid is forced, is in the form of a gap between the ends of a piston ring, which gap is varied by engagement of the ring with a tapered bore in the cylinder.

Abstract: A motor driven by a pressurized fluid medium for operating an impact tool in a linear direction adapted for metal stamping and high velocity milling comprising a housing and a piston unit. The latter comprises a drive piston, a piston rod and a tool. In addition, the motor includes a kinetic energy absorbing device comprising a hydraulic fluid chamber and a retard piston which is rigidly connected to said piston unit and arranged to reciprocate in said fluid chamber. The retard piston retards the piston unit at the end of the strokes only and is freely passed by hydraulic fluid during the working stroke. Cup-shaped means are provided to restrict said by-pass flow of hydraulic fluid at the end of the strokes and thereby protect the motor from excessive stresses during no-load conditions.

Abstract: The present dashpot utilizes a spaced pair of post guides secured to opposed piston sidewall segments to connect the piston to the inner sidewall surface of the cylinder. The guide pair essentially precludes motion of the piston within the cylinder along the first axis connecting the guides while limiting motion of the piston within the cylinder along a second axis transverse to the first axis and the cylinder axis in response to limited misalignment of the axis of the cylinder and the axis of the piston rod.