Via Fixed Or Variable Orifice In Piston Patents (Class 188/317)
  • Patent number: 12103490
    Abstract: A self-regulating damper unit comprising a cylinder having a first working chamber and a second working chamber, a piston, a piston rod, and a through-hole between the first working chamber and the second working chamber. The damper unit also comprises a shiftable weight which modifies a passage cross-section of the through-hole. The shiftable weight is movably mounted such that retardation of the piston causes enlargement of the passage cross-section. A seat belt unit comprises a seat belt and the damper unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Lars Löhken, Raphael Piroth, Markus Müller, Ulrich Probst, Marcus Weber
  • Patent number: 12031606
    Abstract: Disclosed is a shock absorber including: a cylinder which is filled with a working fluid; a piston which is slidably provided in the cylinder and divides an inside of the cylinder into two chambers; a piston rod which is connected to the piston and extends outside the cylinder; a first passage and a second passage through which the working fluid flows due to movement of the piston; a first damping force generating mechanism which is provided in the first passage and generates a damping force; and a second damping force generating mechanism which is provided in the second passage and generates a damping force. The second damping force generating mechanism includes a sub valve provided on one side of the second passage, and a volume variable mechanism that changes a volume of a volume chamber provided in parallel with the second passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.
    Inventors: Mikio Yamashita, Takamasa Kotani
  • Patent number: 11787450
    Abstract: A level control system adjusts the level of a vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle, and includes at least one level control cylinder and a level control piston. The level control piston is at least partly received in the level control cylinder in a movable manner. The level control cylinder has a collar-shaped shoulder, and the level control system has a first fixing disc which is connected to the level control piston in order to transmit a lifting movement. At least one spacer element is arranged between the collar-shaped shoulder of the level control cylinder and the first fixing disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Inventors: Ulrich Wermund, Mark A. Sterrett, Jurgen Muhr, Eduard Nies
  • Patent number: 11644079
    Abstract: A multi-mode air shock is disclosed herein. The air shock includes an air spring having a primary air chamber, and a damper having an insertion end to telescope within the primary air chamber and a coupler to couple with a portion of a vehicle. An adjuster housing is fixedly coupled to an end of the air spring opposite of the damper, the adjuster housing having a secondary air chamber in communication with the primary air chamber and a mounting structure to couple with a different portion of the vehicle. There is a bulkhead with a valve to open or close the fluid communication between the primary air chamber and the secondary air chamber. The air shock also includes a tertiary air chamber in fluid communication with the secondary air chamber but not in fluid communication with the primary air chamber except via the secondary air chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Laird
  • Patent number: 11635122
    Abstract: A damper with inner and outer tubes and a piston disposed within the inner tube to define first and second working chambers. A fluid transport chamber is positioned between the inner and outer tubes. A collector chamber is positioned outside the outer tube. An intake valve assembly, abutting one end of the inner tube, is positioned inside the outer tube to define a first intermediate chamber that is arranged in fluid communication with the collector chamber. The intake valve assembly includes a central passage that is arranged in fluid communication with the second working chamber and one or more intake valves that control fluid flow through the intake valve assembly between the first intermediate chamber and the central passage and between the first intermediate chamber and the fluid transport chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventor: Stefan Deferme
  • Patent number: 11231001
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fuel injector for injecting fuel into a combustion engine. It may comprise a valve with a movable needle, two springs pushing the needle toward the closed position, and an actuator for opening the valve. The needle may be in a fuel reservoir of a valve body. The actuator may supply pressurized fuel to the fuel reservoir so that the fuel pressure forces the needle away from the closed position against the spring force of the first spring or the first and second springs, respectively. There may be play between the second spring and the needle when the needle is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Stefano Filippi, Mauro Grandi, Francesco Lenzi, Valerio Polidori
  • Patent number: 11215256
    Abstract: A shock absorber having a plurality of pistons in a telescopic or nested configuration. The shock absorber has a first shaft with a first piston disposed within a cylinder filled with a hydraulic fluid. A second shaft is in turn disposed within the first shaft, the second shaft having a second piston extending beyond the position of the first piston. The second shaft is further coupled to a vehicle's suspension system. When undergoing a displacement, the second piston moves through the cylinder and compresses an external spring. After the second shaft has been fully extended, the first piston is then actuated, thereby also moving through the hydraulic fluid. As the pistons traverse through the cylinder, a volume of the fluid is pushed into a reservoir communicated to the cylinder. Both the first and second shafts are configured to move independently with respect to each other and to the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Inventor: Russ Wernimont
  • Patent number: 11187486
    Abstract: Recoil buffers are described that can complete a displacement cycle in about 0.06 seconds or less. The buffer can include two springs and three one-way valves through the piston within the buffer housing or can include a single spring and a one-way shim valve through the piston within the buffer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Design West Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Maria E. Bauer, Sam de la Torre, Ryan Hur
  • Patent number: 10995532
    Abstract: A pneumatic door closer includes a rotary energy-storing mechanism including a housing and a driving mechanism. The driving mechanism includes a cylinder, a second piston assembly and a sealing element, the sealing element is in an air tight connection with the cylinder and the second piston assembly, to form a closed space filled with high pressure gas in the cylinder. The second piston assembly drives the closed space into a first air chamber and a second air chamber in communication with each other. The driving mechanism also includes a first piston assembly connected to the second piston assembly. The pneumatic door closer also includes a transmission mechanism having one end received in the housing and another end connected to the door frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: CMECH (GUANGZHOU) LTD.
    Inventor: Fan Shui Wang
  • Patent number: 10989266
    Abstract: Valve arrangement for a shock absorber is described, comprising a valve housing (2) having a first (7) and a second port (8), a pilot chamber (3) being in fluid communication with the first (7) and/or second port (8), wherein a pilot pressure (Pp) is defined by a hydraulic pressure in the pilot chamber (3). The arrangement further comprises a main valve member (4) being axially movably arranged in the valve housing (2) and being arranged to interact with a main valve seat member (9) in order to restrict a main fluid flow between the first (7) and second ports (8) in response to the pilot pressure (Pp) acting on the main valve member (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: ÖHLINS RACING AB
    Inventors: Håkan Malmborg, Fredrik Larsson
  • Patent number: 10961759
    Abstract: A pneumatic door closer includes a rotary energy-storing mechanism including a housing and a driving mechanism. The driving mechanism includes a cylinder, a second piston assembly and a sealing element, the sealing element is in an air tight connection with the cylinder and the second piston assembly, to form a closed space filled with high pressure gas in the cylinder. The second piston assembly drives the closed space into a first air chamber and a second air chamber in communication with each other. The driving mechanism also includes a first piston assembly connected to the second piston assembly. The pneumatic door closer also includes a transmission mechanism having one end received in the housing and another end connected to the door frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: CMECH (GUANGZHOU) LTD.
    Inventor: Fan Shui Wang
  • Patent number: 10578183
    Abstract: Disclosed is a motor vehicle twin-tube damper comprising: a tube filled with a working liquid, a piston assembly disposed slidably inside the tube divides the tube into a rebound chamber and a compression chamber. A compensation chamber is located outside of the tube. A base valve assembly including a rebound valve assembly and a compression valve assembly controls the flow of the working liquid between the compensation chamber and the compression chamber. The rebound valve assembly includes a number of rebound flow channels covered by a main deflective disc. To suppress vibrations generated by the deflective disc due to pressure fluctuations occurring during rapid changes of the damper stroke direction, the rebound valve assembly includes an additional deflective disc disposed over the main deflective disc and separated from it by an annular gap with a thickness (G) that is less than the thickness of the main deflective disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: BEIJINGWEST INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Marian Sikora, Witold Palka
  • Patent number: 10486947
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for transferring a tower crane with a mobile crane, in particular crawler crane, wherein the mounted tower crane is lifted by means of the lifting cable of the mobile crane, in order to transfer the same to the target site, and the tower crane is stabilized by means of one or more connecting points between mobile crane boom and crane tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Liebherr-Werk Biberach GmbH
    Inventor: Eric Konijn
  • Patent number: 10451153
    Abstract: Provided is a chain tensioner. The chain tensioner includes a guide member, a support member spaced apart from the guide member, and at least one first coil spring disposed between the guide member and the support member to elastically support the guide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Yushin Precision Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Youngkyun Park, Jungjin Lee
  • Patent number: 10364003
    Abstract: A marine structure including a floating deck attached to a damper configured to control the vertical movement of the deck. The damper allows vertical motion of the floating deck in response to gradual changes in water level such as tidal changes, but resists bouncing of the deck in response to shorter term fluctuations in water level such as boat wakes or wind chop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: CMI LIMITED CO.
    Inventors: Steve Hargrave, Charles Brown, Allen Jason Nail
  • Patent number: 10358210
    Abstract: The invention relates to an actuator. More specifically, but not exclusively, an aircraft pitch damper which comprises an actuator. The actuator comprises a first chamber charged with gas and a second chamber charged with gas. An intermediate chamber containing liquid is located between the first chamber and second chamber. A piston rod extends towards the first chamber through the second chamber and intermediate chamber. A first piston head is associated with and partially defines the first chamber, and a second piston head is associated with and partially defines the second chamber. The piston rod is arranged to abut and move with the first piston head in a first direction, the piston rod further arranged to abut and move with the second piston head in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
    Inventor: Dilip Thomas
  • Patent number: 10352079
    Abstract: A pneumatic door closer includes a rotary energy-storing mechanism including a housing and a driving mechanism. The driving mechanism includes a cylinder, a second piston assembly and a sealing element, the sealing element is in an air tight connection with the cylinder and the second piston assembly, to form a closed space filled with high pressure gas in the cylinder. The second piston assembly drives the closed space into a first air chamber and a second air chamber in communication with each other. The driving mechanism also includes a first piston assembly connected to the second piston assembly. The pneumatic door closer also includes a transmission mechanism having one end received in the housing and another end connected to the door frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Cmech (Guangzhou) Ltd.
    Inventor: Fan Shui Wang
  • Patent number: 10251717
    Abstract: A surgical system includes methods and systems for damping vibrations. The damping of these vibrations can increase the precision of surgery performed using the surgical system. The surgical system can include one or several moveable set-up linkages. A damper can be connected with one or several of the set-up linkages. The damper can be a passive damper and can mitigate a vibration arising in one or more of the set-up linkages. The damper can additionally prevent a vibration arising in one of the linkages from affecting another of the set-up linkages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Roman L. Devengenzo, Bruce M. Schena, David W. Robinson
  • Patent number: 10167918
    Abstract: A valve includes a valve disc and annular-plate shaped leaf valves. The leaf valves are laminated on each of the one chamber side and the other chamber side of the valve disc. The valve disc includes annular bosses and seats. The boss is formed at each of the one chamber side and the other chamber side to support the leaf valves. The seats are formed on outer peripheral sides of the respective bosses on the one chamber side and the other chamber side. The leaf valves are left from/seated on the seats. At least one of the seats on the one chamber side and the other chamber side are disposed to project with respect to the bosses. An outer peripheral end on the seat on the other chamber side is disposed on an outer peripheral side with respect to an outer peripheral end of the leaf valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: KYB Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Miwa, Yuta Hoshino
  • Patent number: 10154915
    Abstract: An actuator control system includes a motorized joint having first and second members rotatable relative to one another. An actuator is coupled with the motorized joint and is configured to rotate the first member relative to the second member in response to an input including a voltage, a current, or any combination thereof. A controller is coupled with the actuator and is configured to control the input using a control algorithm. The control algorithm controls the input based upon a mathematical model of biological muscle actuation that models titin as a filament which winds around actin during muscle actuation. In implementations the mathematical model includes mathematical representations of a contractile element, a viscous damping element in parallel with the contractile element, and a spring in series with the contractile element through a pulley and simultaneously in parallel with the contractile element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents acting for and on behalf of Northern Arizona University
    Inventors: Kiisa Nishikawa, John Tester, Jeremy Petak
  • Patent number: 10145436
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a rear shock absorber for a vehicle. The shock absorber may include a first end and a second end that slide telescopically relative to one another. A piston may be placed in fixed position relative to one of the ends. The first side of the piston may partially define a first chamber filled with a compressible fluid. The second side of the piston may partially define a second chamber filled with a substantially incompressible fluid. The substantially incompressible fluid may be under pressure and may lubricate a seal substantially surrounding a periphery of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Eko Sport, Inc.
    Inventor: Darek C. Barefoot
  • Patent number: 10082070
    Abstract: Use of the hydraulically driven device in a series configuration with a minimally restrictive turbocharger is defined which will allow a very responsive and powerful boosting system to reach boost levels of 4-5 pressure ratio (PR) to support and enable OEM engine downsizing trends. An electric supercharger is also considered. A hydraulic drive assists to increase the acceleration rate of a turbocharger impeller/turbine shaft assembly and provide a secondary means of driving the compressor impeller at lower engine speeds where exhaust gases alone does not generate adequate shaft speeds to create significant induction boost. The hydraulic circuit includes a dual displacement motor, which provides high torque for acceleration yet converts to a single motor for high-speed operation. When the exhaust driven turbine function allows compressor speeds, beyond which the hydraulic system can contribute, a slip clutch allows disengagement of the hydraulic drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Buschur, Richard S. Leemhuis, Donald G. Shiloff
  • Patent number: 10036446
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vibration mitigation device which includes a vertically extending housing and a reciprocating assembly coupled with and fully enclosed inside of the vertically extending housing. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the vibration mitigation device may utilize a tension spring as the biasing member while operating in a pneumatic process, an eddy current dampening process or a hybrid combination of the two dampening processes. For low amplitude, the eddy current dampening process may provide improved vibration mitigation results and for higher amplitudes, the pneumatic process may provide improved vibration mitigation results. Other exemplary embodiments include a vibration damping element that utilizes a compression spring as a biasing member for mitigating vibrations. Further exemplary embodiments provide a vibration damping element that utilizes a compression spring and a tension spring as biasing members for mitigating vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Valmont Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl J. Macchietto, Richard E. Christenson, Darren E. Ingram
  • Patent number: 10030736
    Abstract: A damping valve includes an annular valve disc, the valve disc having an annular outer peripheral sheet that projects toward an axial direction of the valve disc, an inner peripheral sheet that is provided on an inside of the outer peripheral sheet and projects toward the axial direction, an annular window formed between the outer peripheral sheet and the inner peripheral sheet, and a port that communicates with the annular window. The damping valve comprises an annular leaf valve that is laminated on the valve disc and is seated/unseated on the outer peripheral sheet, an annular spacer that is interposed between the leaf valve and the inner peripheral sheet and sets an initial deflection amount of the leaf valve, and a positioning part that restricts positional deviation of the spacer in a radial direction relative to the valve disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: KYB Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Fukui, Masahiro Miwa
  • Patent number: 9981712
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a first end and a second end that reciprocate relative to one another. The shock absorber includes a gas spring chamber, a damping chamber, and a floating piston. The first side of the floating piston is in fluid communication with the gas spring chamber. The second side of the floating piston is in fluid communication with the damping chamber. The gas in the gas spring chamber applies pressure against the floating piston, which applies pressure to the substantially incompressible fluid in the damping chamber. This pressure transfer may be adequate to minimize or prevent cavitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Eko Sport, Inc.
    Inventor: Darek C. Barefoot
  • Patent number: 9969233
    Abstract: The invention relates to an actuator comprising a cylinder (1) in which a rod (2) is mounted to slide, the actuator having a screw (8) extending inside the rod to co-operate with a nut (7) secured to the rod, the screw being driven in rotation by a motor (10), the actuator being characterized in that a hydraulic chamber (CH) filled with hydraulic fluid is arranged inside the actuator by means of a floating piston (20) sliding in sealed manner against the rod inside of the actuator, the hydraulic chamber being in fluid flow communication with an accumulator (21) via a solenoid valve (22) that is controllable between a closed state in which the chamber is isolated from the accumulator, and a fluid-passing state in which the hydraulic chamber and the accumulator are in communication, calibrated resistance being exerted against the passage of fluid from the chamber towards the accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: MESSIER-BUGATTI-DOWTY
    Inventor: Ludovic Leglize
  • Patent number: 9868521
    Abstract: Self-aligning retractable strut stabilization assemblies that are ground engageable in use are provided to stabilize a vehicle, e.g., a cargo aircraft during loading/unloading operations. The strut stabilization assembly may be on-board equipment associated with an aircraft that may be actuated (e.g., via on-board hydraulic and/or electric actuation systems) by the aircraft operator so as to stabilize the aircraft during certain ground operations, e.g., cargo and/or personnel loading/unloading operations. A laterally separated pair of centering mechanisms are attached to the main strut and define a zero-spring bias load state corresponding to an aligned condition of the main strut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: EMBRAER S.A.
    Inventors: Carlos Rogulski Filho, Claudio De Martino, Mario Tadeu Crema, Andreas Michael Eckert
  • Patent number: 9810024
    Abstract: A drill system, a machine, and a method of operating the same, are disclosed. In one aspect, a machine includes a machine frame coupled to at least one ground engaging element, a power source configured to generate a power output for driving the at least one ground engaging element, and a cabin structure coupled to the machine frame and having an overhead portion configured to provide overhead protection to an operator. The machine further including a boom coupled to the overhead portion of the cabin structure and a drill assembly moveably coupled to the boom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining America LLC
    Inventor: Naveen Koka
  • Patent number: 9763810
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed relating to a mechanical vacuum socket pump used to establish a vacuum in a socket of an artificial limb. In one case, the pump includes a housing within which two pistons coaxially reciprocate. A surface of each of the pistons is linked hydraulically, such that driving one piston causes movement of the other piston through a hydraulic chamber. One piston is also linked to a pneumatic chamber such that movement of that piston draws air from a limb socket or expels air to the atmosphere upon movement of the piston's pneumatic surface. The surface area of the hydraulic surface of this piston is significantly less than the surface area of the pneumatic surface, so a small volumetric displacement of hydraulic fluid may cause a large displacement of air. Thus, the pump efficiently pumps air with minimal compression and extension of the pump as a whole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: OTTO BOCK HEALTHCARE LP
    Inventor: Peter H. Hines
  • Patent number: 9717606
    Abstract: A lower limb prosthesis system and a method of controlling the prosthesis system to replace a missing lower extremity of an individual and perform a gait cycle are disclosed. The prosthesis system has a controller, one or more sensors, a prosthetic foot, and a movable ankle joint member coupled to the prosthetic foot. The movable ankle joint member comprises a hydraulic damping system that provides the ankle joint member damping resistance. The controller varies the damping resistance by providing volumetric flow control to the hydraulic damping system based on sensor data. In one embodiment, the hydraulic damping system comprises a hydraulic piston cylinder assembly, hydraulic fluid, and a valve to regulate the fluid. In one embodiment, the controller alters the damping resistance by modulating the valve to vary the hydraulic fluid flow within the hydraulic piston cylinder assembly of the movable ankle joint member based on sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Össur hf
    Inventor: Lisa Gramnaes
  • Patent number: 9656531
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a shock absorber for a vehicle having a gas spring with first and second gas chambers, wherein the first chamber is utilized during a first travel portion of the shock absorber and the first and second chambers are both utilized during a second portion of travel. In one embodiment, a travel adjustment assembly is configured to selectively communicate a first gas chamber with a negative gas chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Laird, Sante M. Pelot, William M. Becker, Dennis K. Wootten
  • Patent number: 9482304
    Abstract: A subassembly and a method of producing a subassembly. The subassembly has a dividing body or separating body and at least one flow channel formed on the dividing body and extending along it with at least one flow path to influence a flow of a magneto-rheological fluid along the flow channel of the dividing body. The dividing body includes a magnetic field generation device for generating a magnetic field and a field closing device. At least the magnetic field generation device and the field closing device are filled with at least one solidifying medium using a placeholder which can be removed to form the three-dimensionally predefined flow channels on the dividing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Inventus Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Battlogg, Michael Kieber
  • Patent number: 9400028
    Abstract: A hydraulic pressure spring includes a hollow cylindrical cylinder having a threaded portion at one end thereof; a closure means which is threadedly engaged with the threaded portion at the one end of the cylinder and closes the one end of the cylinder; a closure means which is provided at the other end of the cylinder and closes the other end of the cylinder; a compressible liquid which is sealed in an interior of the cylinder and is pressurized to a predetermined pressure; a rod which is passed through the closure means movably in an axial direction A and causes the liquid in the interior of the cylinder to undergo a pressure rise as the rod enters the interior of the cylinder; and a piston disposed in the interior of the cylinder and attached to one end of the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: OILES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Teruo Aramizu, Go Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9303710
    Abstract: A shock strut for an aircraft landing gear is disclosed. The shock strut may include a piston with a piston inner surface and a piston outer surface. A telescoping component may be coaxially aligned and slidably engagable with the piston. At least one of the piston and the telescoping component may be a titanium material. A groove defined by an upper lip and a lower lip may be coupled to at least one of the piston or the telescoping component. A piston ring may be in direct contact with the titanium material. The piston ring may be non-metallic and provide sliding engagement with the titanium material to seal a radial space between the piston and the telescoping component. The piston ring may be at least partially held within the groove, and the groove may limit axial movement of the piston ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventor: William Luce
  • Patent number: 9285009
    Abstract: A hydraulic damper includes at least one valve assembly (9, 19) provided with rebound (11, 21) and compression (12, 22) valves and at least one resilient deflective disk covering flow channels (13, 23) of the valve assembly and preloaded by a spring (16, 26). The hydraulic damper includes means for clamping together the components of the at least one valve assembly and for preloading the spring. In order to increase the repeatability coefficient among dampers of the same production batch and render it independent on the geometrical tolerances of the valve assembly components, the means have a form of an adjustable nut assembly (17a, 27a) comprising a clamp nut (171, 271) and a shoulder sleeve (172, 272) fixed on the perimeter of the clamp nut. The clamp nut clamps together the components of the valve assembly and the shoulder sleeve preloads the spring with a predetermined force. method of assembling such a damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Beijing West Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Radoslaw Pawel Grzesik, Waldemar Widla, Marcin Steliga
  • Patent number: 9278412
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to the treatment of rods made of metal, particularly to the method of reclamation of used standard length rods, such as pump rods already used in the mechanical deep-pumping extraction of oil, as well as to the product made with the help of the mentioned method. The method of remanufacturing of standard length rods includes the reheating of the rod body to a temperature favorable for the plastic treatment of the rod such as plastic deformation of the rod body under pressure. Such methods allow for the reclamation of rods of the desired geometric form and enhancement of the mechanical properties of the remanufactured rod. The technical outcome of the claimed invention consists in the reclamation of rods of the desired geometric form and enhancement of the mechanical properties of the remanufactured rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Inventors: Michael Eric Johnson, Donald Mike Johnson, Aleksei Averyanov, Viktor Smerdin
  • Patent number: 9180026
    Abstract: An adjustment-free cushioning air cylinder includes an air cylinder body, a piston, a first check valve, an upper air way, a second check valve and a lower air way. An air chamber is formed inside the air cylinder body. The piston slides in the air chamber. One end of the piston extends to the external of the air cylinder body. The piston does a reciprocating movement in the air chamber and divides the air chamber into an upper air chamber and a lower air chamber. The first check valve is disposed in the piston, one end of the first check valve is connected to the upper air chamber, and the other end is connected to the lower air chamber. The upper air way connects the upper air chamber with the outside. The adjustment-free cushioning air cylinder of the invention does not need to adjust the entering flow rate of the air, but the entering flow rate can be automatically adjusted to produce cushioning resistance as the user is walking according to the walking speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignees: PRO LIMB INTERNATIONAL CORP., MEDI GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Hsin-Fa Shen
  • Patent number: 9067470
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to ensure that, during adjustment of a spring load by an adjuster, total fully-stretched lengths of an outer tube and an inner tube remain unchanged and the adjuster is prevented from protruding from an upper surface of a cap. In a hydraulic shock absorber 10, a spring load adjusting device 30 is configured such that an adjuster 31 is provided at an upper end portion of a vehicle body side tube 11, a push rod 33 that is moved up and down by the adjuster 31 is penetrated into a hollow portion of a hollow rod 23, a suspension spring 35 is pressurized by the push rod 33 that protrudes from the hollow portion of the hollow rod 23 to the inside of a wheel side tube 12, and the spring load of the suspension spring 35 can be adjusted by the up-and-down motion of the push rod 33 caused by the adjuster 31.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: SHOWA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masao Shimasaki, Kimitoshi Sato, Yuji Ohuchi, Masakazu Kuwahara, Tatsuya Takahashi, Takatoshi Ohmi, Tadashi Hachisuka, Yosuke Murakami
  • Patent number: 9033123
    Abstract: A valve structure includes a valve disc partitioning an interior of a damper into a one-side chamber and an other-side chamber, a plurality of one-side ports and a plurality of other-side ports communicating between the one-side chamber and the other-side chamber, a one-side leaf valve opening and closing only the one-side ports, and an other-side leaf valve opening and closing only the other-side ports, the one-side ports and the other-side ports are alternately arranged in the valve disc along the circumferential direction, and a plurality of through holes formed in the valve disk is opened from the inner circumferential side of openings of all the other-side ports and communicates with the one-side ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: KAYABA INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yukimasa Kobayashi, Hideaki Takeuchi, Yoshihiro Shibata
  • Patent number: 9016447
    Abstract: A piston (10) comprises a first pair of passive flow-control valves (18, 20) [namely, a first compensation valve (18) and a first rebound valve (20)], a second pair of passive flow-control valves (22, 24) [namely, a second compensation valve (22) and a second rebound valve (24)], and a flow-dividing solenoid valve (14) shiftable between a first operating position [in which it allows flow of a damping fluid between an upper chamber and a lower chamber of a shock absorber through the first pair of passive flow-control valves (18, 20) and second pair of passive flow-control valves (22, 24)] and a second operating position [in which it allows the flow of the damping fluid between the upper chamber and lower chamber through only the second pair of passive flow-control valves (22, 24)]. The solenoid valve (14) is normally open (i.e., it is normally kept in the first operating position).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Sistemi Sospensioni S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gianfranco De Lillo, Massimo Trinchera, Walter Bruno
  • Patent number: 8978845
    Abstract: A frequency/pressure sensitive shock absorber for generating a damping force varying according to a frequency and a pressure-includes: a cylinder filled with a working fluid; a piston rod having one end located inside the cylinder and the other end extending outward from the cylinder; a main piston valve assembly installed at one end of the piston rod and configured to operate in a state that the inside of the cylinder is divided into an upper chamber and a lower chamber, and generate a damping force varying according to a moving speed; and a sensitive unit installed at one end of the piston rod under the main piston valve assembly and configured to generate a damping force varying according to a frequency and a pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Mando Corporation
    Inventor: Tae Ju Kim
  • Publication number: 20150014107
    Abstract: A damper assembly comprises a piston and cylinder type damper with a piston (14) mounted for reciprocal movement in a cylinder (10) containing damping fluid. The piston (14) is acted on by a piston rod (11) which comprises a reaction surface for engaging the piston. The cross-sectional area of the reaction surface is designed to be significantly greater than the cross-sectional area of the piston rod (11) in order to spread the load exerted on the piston (14). Also, the piston (14) is designed to engage the piston rod (11) at its inner end in a manner that provides lateral guidance for the inner end of the piston rod in its movement in the cylinder (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Valter Svara, Danijel Kozlovic, Pecar David
  • Patent number: 8931603
    Abstract: A damper for damping a movement along a middle-longitudinal-axis, in particular for damping a seat in a vehicle, includes an outer housing extending along the middle-longitudinal-axis, a guiding and sealing unit closing a first housing end, a piston rod sealed by the guiding and sealing unit guided, an inner housing, which surrounds a working chamber, a damping fluid, a second housing end opposite the first housing end and a piston guided in the inner housing along the middle-longitudinal-axis and secured to the piston rod. The piston divides the working chamber into a first part-working chamber and a second part-working chamber. The piston includes at least one throughflow channel for connecting the chambers, an equalizing chamber arranged between the inner housing and the outer housing and a throttling channel integrated into the guiding and sealing unit. The throttling channel has a cross-sectional area comprising a length and an internal width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: SUSPA GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Böhrer, Roland Löscher, Andreas Krog
  • Patent number: 8910807
    Abstract: A compressible stop member for use on a crane includes: a housing having a first sealed end, a second end, a first cylindrical surface and a second cylindrical surface; a free piston slidably contained within the housing in a sealing engagement with the first cylindrical surface; a compressed gas chamber in the housing between the free piston and the first sealed end; and a rod comprising a cylindrical portion with a diameter less than the diameter of the second cylindrical surface and a rod support portion that separates a first liquid chamber comprising the volume inside the housing between the free piston and the rod support portion from a second liquid chamber comprising the volume between the rod support portion and the second end of the housing. Also, the rod support portion includes at least one flow channel allowing liquid to flow between the first and second liquid chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Manitowoc Crane Companies, LLC
    Inventors: Charles R. Wernecke, Timothy J. Albinger
  • Patent number: 8882091
    Abstract: A vibration isolator includes a housing having an upper fluid chamber, a lower fluid chamber, a piston, a tuning passage, and a linear inductance motor assembly for changing the isolation frequency of the vibration isolator. The piston is resiliently disposed within the housing. A vibration tuning fluid is located in the upper fluid chamber, the lower fluid chamber, and the tuning passage. The linear inductance motor assembly includes a magnet member and an inductance coil at least partially surrounding the magnet member. A control system is configured to selectively actuate the magnet member; wherein selective actuation of the magnet member selectively imparts a pumping force on the tuning fluid, thereby changing the isolation frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Taeoh Lee, Michael R. Smith, Frank B. Stamps, David E. Heverly, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8863918
    Abstract: In a hydraulic shock absorber, upper and lower pistons forming upper and lower two stages are fixed to a leading end portion of a piston rod. An intermediate oil chamber is provided between the upper and lower pistons. An intermediate air chamber is provided in such a manner as to compensate an oil amount change in an oil chamber by coming into contact with the intermediate oil chamber and expanding and compressing on the basis of the oil amount change of the oil chamber caused by an extension and compression stroke of the piston rod, and an air compression rate of an upper portion air chamber of the oil reservoir chamber is set to be equal to or more than an air compression rate of the intermediate air chamber, with respect to the extension and compression stroke of the piston rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Showa Corporation
    Inventor: Yosuke Murakami
  • Publication number: 20140238798
    Abstract: A fluid-filled, frequency-dependent damper includes a cylinder connected to a cylinder attachment portion; a piston connected to a piston attachment portion, the piston being displaceable in the cylinder; first and second main chambers; and a throttling member for allowing and influencing a fluid flow between the first and second main chambers within the damper when the cylinder attachment portion and the piston attachment portion move relative to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: KONI B.V.
    Inventor: Paul De Kock
  • Publication number: 20140231201
    Abstract: A shock absorber has an inclined surface that is inclined to a moving direction of the free piston in at least one of a free piston contact surface of a free piston with which an elastic body is in contact and a housing contact surface of a housing with which the elastic body is in contact. A shortest distance between the free piston contact surface and the housing contact surface is changed by movement of the free piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: ATSUSHI MAEDA, MASARU KOUYAMA, MIKIO YAMASHITA, FUMIYUKI YAMAOKA
  • Patent number: 8794407
    Abstract: A shock absorber has a valve assembly having a valve that is biased away from a valve body. A controlled restriction is defined between the valve and the valve body. During stroking of the piston of the shock absorber, the valve moves toward the valve body to close the restriction. The valve assembly can be used in the piston assembly, the base valve assembly or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Ronny Vanbrabant, Bert Diels, Jean-Marie Tuts, Vincent Bailly, Kristoff Six
  • Patent number: 8794405
    Abstract: Oil grooves of a shutter and oil holes of a stepped rod constitute first orifices as variable orifices whose opening areas are variable according to the rotational position of the shutter. The oil grooves of the shutter and oil holes of the stepped rod constitute third orifices as variable orifices. Cut portions of inner disk valves constitute second orifices. The opening areas of the variable orifices are changed by rotating the shutter, thereby controlling damping force characteristics in a low piston speed region and the relief pressures of pressure control valves independently of each other, and thus increasing the degree of freedom for adjusting the damping force characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikio Yamashita, Fumiyuki Yamaoka