Abstract: A hydraulic pressure mechanism for angularly lifting and lowering an outboard engine includes a hydraulic cylinder unit comprising a piston assembly and a hollow cylinder, the piston assembly being slidably fitted in the hollow cylinder and dividing a hollow space therein into a first oil chamber and a second oil chamber, a tank for storing working oil, a pump for delivering working oil from the tank to the hydraulic cylinder unit, and a spool valve for supplying working oil from the tank through the pump selectively and exclusively to the first and second oil chambers, thereby to cause the piston assembly and the cylinder to move relatively to each other for enabling the hydraulic cylinder unit to tilt the outboard engine.

Abstract: An adjustable vibration damper is for a motor vehicle or the like. The vibration damper includes a cylinder containing a damping medium. A piston is disposed within the cylinder for movement of the damping medium. A valve device is connected to the cylinder for flow of the damping medium therethrough. The valve device has at least a first damping element and a second damping element. The first damping element includes a first compression valve assembly and a first decompression valve assembly. The second damping element includes a second compression valve assembly and a second decompression valve assembly. The first compression valve assembly, the first decompression valve assembly, the second compression valve assembly, and the second decompression valve assembly have respective damping characteristics. There is included switching apparatus for selectively switching to at least one of the first and the second damping elements to select the respective damping characteristics thereof.

Abstract: Stabilizer device for motor vehicles including a torsion bar, an actuator having a piston and two cylinder chambers on both sides of piston, a first and a second fluid passages for connecting said two cylinder chambers, respectively, a solenoid changeover valve provided in first fluid passage. A actuator has two openings for communicating with each end of first fluid passage within an area on which piston may not slidably contact. A plate member and a centering spring are provided within each of cylinder chambers in such a manner that each of plate members is to come in contact with a bottom surface of cylinder slightly by virtue of resilience of centering spring when piston is positioned in a neutral position. An opening is provided in each of bottom surface of cylinder chambers within an area on which plate member is to come in contact therewith. Each of openings is communicated with second fluid passage and a check valve may be mounted in each of openings.

Abstract: In a double-tube oscillation damper a pressure relief valve is provided adjacent a piston rod guiding and sealing device between a leakage gas collecting chamber and an annular space confined between the cylinder and a container surrounding the cylinder. This pressure relief valve comprises an elastic annular membrane which is supported in radial and axial direction by a support ring. This support ring has a sleeve portion providing a circumferential, substantially radially directed support face for the elastic annular membrane and an annular bottom disc for fastening the support ring with respect to the piston rod guiding and sealing device. A radially outwardly directed lip is provided in the transition area between the sleeve and the bottom disc. This lip is integral with the sleeve and the bottom disc.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an improved exercise apparatus, of the type having a fixed base and an associated movable portion. A hydraulic system is attached to both by a cylinder, on movement of the movable portion with respect to the base, a hydraulic fluid current is generated through a flow control valve. By adjusting the flow control valve resistance to the current can be varied causing greater or lesser resistance to the exertions of the user of the apparatus. Preferably paired flow control valves are utilized providing adjustable accommodating resistance to movement in either direction. The adjustment controls are conveniently mounted on the movable portion for user/operator access.

Abstract: A hydraulic controller for the motion of a prosthetic joint has a piston--cylinder unit whose working chambers on opposite sides of the piston are connected to each other by a connecting passage and to a compensating chamber which stores a volume of hydraulic fluid to compensate for the difference in the volumes of the cylinder chambers resulting from the fact that the piston rod passes through one of them. Regardless of the direction of movement of the piston in the cylinder, utilizing checkvalves and adjustable throttle elements, the flow is controlled between the chambers so that separate throttle elements can effectively control the opposite movements while check valves permit filling of chambers.

Abstract: Two rod portions (30, 31) are integral with a piston (3) which can slide in a cylinder (1) when a cone-point screw device (8) is partially open, the result of which is a translatory motion downward, of adjustable speed, of the load hooked to the cylinder by a shackle (21). The speed of translation can be controlled in such a way that the load is lowered onto its location very gently and without jolting.

Abstract: A hydro-pneumatic suspension system used in a vehicle, includes a cylindrical, hollow main housing having opposite open and closed ends, with an oil chamber in the interior thereof; a rod axially slidable in the main housing through the open end and having an outer end portion located outside of the main housing, an oil passage extending axially therethrough; a damping device mounted on the rod and including an orifice which connects the oil chamber with the oil passage; a cylindrical, hollow sub housing having opposite open and closed ends; a connecting passage directly connecting the oil passage with the open end of the sub housing, and being connected between the outer end portion of the rod and the open end of the sub housing; a metal bellows arranged coaxially within the sub housing so as to expand and contract axially therein, and having a closed free end and a open end sealed to the closed end of the sub housing; a second oil chamber defined by an outer wall of the metal bellows, and an inner well of t

Abstract: A hydro-pneumatic suspension system used in a vehicle, includes a cylindrical, hollow main housing having opposite open and closed ends, with an oil chamber in the interior thereof; a rod axially slidable in the main housing through the open end and having an outer end portion located outside of the main housing, an oil passage extending axially therethrough; a damping device mounted on the rod and including an orifice which connects the oil chamber with the oil passage; a cylindrical, hollow sub housing having opposite open and closed ends; a connecting passage connecting the oil passage with the open end of the sub housing, and being connected between the outer end portion of the rod and the open end of the sub housing; a metal bellows arranged coaxially within the sub housing so as to expand and contract axially therein, and having a closed free end and an open end sealed to the open end of the sub housing; a second oil chamber defined by an inner wall of the metal bellows, and communicating with the main

Abstract: A hydropneumatic shock-absorber and vibration damper comprising a cylinder (1) a damping piston (2) disposed for axial movement inside the cylinder (1) and dividing off two working chambers filled with a hydraulic damping medium and connected by a connection which includes at least one throttle, a piston rod (3) mechanically connected to the damping piston and guided outwardly from the cylinder (1) in sealing-tight manner, a compensating chamber (11) connected to one (9) of the working chambers (9, 10) for receiving a volume of damping medium displaced by the piston rod (3), and a pneumatic spring chamber (13) filled with a compressible medium and separated in sealing-tight manner from the compensating chamber (11) by a freely movable floating piston (12). The piston rod (3) is a hollow cylinder and the damping piston (2) is annular.

Abstract: A vehicle strut includes a cylinder and a piston connected to a piston rod axially movable within the cylinder. The strut further includes two elastomeric spring members at opposite ends of the strut defining respective fluid chambers. A connecting member connects the two elastomeric spring members. The spring rate of one elastomeric spring member is different from the other elastomeric spring member. An electroheological fluid is disposed within the fluid chambers. An elastomeric bladder separates one of the fluid chambers from a gas chamber. The fluid chambers are in fluid communication with a fluid storage chamber located in the central portion of the strut. Another elastomeric bladder separates the fluid storage chamber from another gas chamber.

Abstract: A suspension system according to the present invention comprises a cylinder assembly, which includes a cylinder and a rod fitted therein for axial reciprocation. An oil chamber containing oil and a gas chamber containing gas are defined inside the cylinder assembly. A damping-force generating mechanism is provided in the oil chamber, whereby a damping force is applied to the reciprocation of the rod. A bellows is contained in the cylinder assembly. The bellows includes an oil-resistant body made of an elastomer, and a gas-barrier film made of a material impermeable to gas and formed on the surface of the body. The oil and gas chambers are isolated completely from each other by the bellows.

Abstract: Adjustable vibration damper, in particular for motor vehicles, with a cylinder containing a damping fluid, an axially-movable piston rod inserted in the cylinder in a sealed manner, and a damping piston fastened to the piston rod, which piston divides the cylinder into two work chambers, whereby a damping valve with an axially-movable valve body and a valve seat controls the effective cross section of a damping passage. Control of such a vibration damper should guarantee a continuous adjustment capability, a high adjustment speed, a good temperature behavior and reliably reproducible damping force characteristics, as well as the use of a small amount of control energy.

Abstract: A double acting hydraulic actuator in an active vehicle suspension control is connected to the sprung mass through a bushing allowing limited movement therebetween. A piston in a bore within the upper housing of the actuator forms a control chamber with and outlet orifice. The piston has a finger engaging the sprung mass and thus being driven downward with a sharp upward road disturbance that causes compression of the bushing. The increase of pressure in the control chamber due to the flow limiting of the orifice activates a valve which opens the activating chambers of the actuator to each other while the pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure. Thus the hydraulic actuator is quickly unloaded to absorb sudden road disturbances and prevents them from being transmitted directly through the incompressible fluid of the actuator to the sprung mass before the main suspension control can react.

Abstract: An air spring assembly which includes a main air chamber and an interconnected auxiliary air chamber in which there is disposed a piston movable endwise thereof upon actuation of a reversible electric motor to increase or to decrease the volume of the auxiliary air chamber that is open to the main air chamber, thereby adjusting the effective volume of the main air chamber and thus its spring constant.

Abstract: The damper assembly has improved valve means that includes at least one annular movable valve member of the voice-coil type. Such valve member is formed at least in part of composite material that increases the strength and stiffness of the member, while reducing its coefficient of thermal expansion and its weight. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the assembly includes two movable annular valve members which are driven in unison with each other such that when one occupies a flow-permitting position the other occupies a flow-inhibiting position. Check valves utilized in the assembly preferably are of a resilient split-ring type.

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: A shock absorber for vehicles with pneumatic suspension, particularly for use with heavy vehicles, of the type comprising a cylinder, a rod movable axially in the cylinder, a piston carried by the rod and dividing the cylinder into a cylindrical chamber and an annular chamber, a pressurized fluid filling the cylindrical and annular chambers, a first circuit for allowing the fluid to flow from the annular chamber to the cylindrical chamber when the shock absorber is working under extension, a second circuit for allowing the fluid to flow from the cylindrical chamber to the annular chamber when the shock absorber is working under compression, a pressurized fluid reservoir connectable to the cylindrical and annular chambers and flow regulators mounted in the first and second circuits, the flow regulators being controlled by the fluid pressure against the action of the pressure of the compressed air of the pneumatic suspension of the vehicle.

Abstract: In a car suspension system according to the present invention, a cylinder assembly comprises a cylinder housing and a rod fitted therein for axial reciprocation. An oil chamber and a gas chamber are defined inside the cylinder assembly, and the capacity of the gas chamber changes as the cylinder housing and rod reciprocate relative to each other. A damping force-generating mechanism is provided in the oil chamber. A metal bellows is contained in the cylinder assembly so as to be coaxial with the cylinder housing. The bellows can extend and contract in the axial direction of the cylinder housing. Having a sealed internal space, the bellows divides the oil and gas chambers completely. Thus, when the rod reciprocates in the axial direction, relative to the cylinder housing, the bellows extends and contracts axially.

Abstract: A weld gun assembly including a support structure; a pair of arm members pivotally mounted intermediate their ends on the support structure on a common pivot axis; a weld tip at one end of each arm member; an air cylinder interconnected between the other ends of the arm members and operative when actuated to move the weld tips together in a closing direction; and a pair of hydraulic cushioning devices extending respectively between the support structure and one arm member and between the support structure and the other arm member. The cushioning devices are selectively adjustable to vary the resistance provided to the movement of each arm member toward its closed position so that the resistance to the closing movement of each arm member may be selectively adjusted in compensation for the unbalanced forces that are acting on the individual arm members and thereby ensure that the weld tips arrive at their welding position adjacent the panels to be welded at the same time.

Abstract: A motion-damping apparatus is proposed which has a shock absorber disposed between a vehicle axle and a vehicle body. A piston that is supported on the vehicle body via a piston rod is movably supported in an inner jacket tube of the shock absorber. The piston divides work chambers filled with an electrorheological fluid as a damping fluid. The work chambers communicate with one another via an overflow cross section, the size of which is defined by a control slide the position of which is determined by an axially movable sheath. The sheath forms a first electrode, while the walls of an annular conduit receiving the sheath form a second electrode. The intensity of an electrostatic field that can be developed between the electrodes has an influence on the magnitude of the shear stress of the damping fluid flowing in the annular conduit and hence on the deflection of the sheath. In this way, the damping of the shock absorber can be adjusted via the electrostatic field present at the electrodes.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for damping shifting movements in a mechanical, synchronized multispeed transmission. Where such shifting movements are performed with the aid of a servo-mechanism, for exmaple a pneumatic piston cylinder unit, there is the risk that the gear teeth will be damaged when brought into engagement with each other. In the arrangement according to the invention, a pressure medium-filled damper is used without any communication with a separate pressure medium reservoir, thus eliminating the risk of malfunction due to foam formation in the pressure medium as well as achieving a desirable damping of the shifting movement. The invention is characterized for this purpose in that the piston in the damper is arranged on a piston rod which extends through the cylinder portion of the damper, so that upon relative movement between the piston and the cylinder portion, the volume of the damper filled with pressure medium remains constant.

Abstract: Adjustable shock absorber, particularly for motor vehicles, which includes a cylinder containing damping fluid, an axially-movable piston rod which projects in a sealed manner into the cylinder, and a piston fastened to the rod and dividing the cylinder chamber into two working chambers interconnected by at least one passage which produces a damping force, the effective cross section of which can be adjusted by means of a throttle valve. The bypass includes a flexible membrane enclosed in a chamber such that on the one side of the membrane, there is at least one inflow passageway and at least one outflow passageway of the passage which can be sealed off from one another by the membrane, a control edge (or valve seat) which interacts with the membrane, and on the other side of the membrane, a control chamber carrying a control bypass flow and sealed off from the passage.

Abstract: A control mechanism for a door of a motor vehicle is described that is actuated via an inside and outside handle and comprises a piston-cylinder unit arranged between a door post and the vehicle door. It has a piston provided with passage openings for a pressure medium, the piston interacting with an interior valve that separates two working chambers of the cylinder from one another. The control mechanism is equipped with a blocking valve controlling the medium flow, this blocking valve being arranged in a control circuit connecting the two working chambers of the cylinder, acting against the flow direction. This blocking valve, via a control element at a door handle, can be controlled in such a way that the door is blocked in at least one intermediate position. The cylinder has at least one overflow duct between the two working chambers, the flow-through of which is controlled by the piston of the unit. The duct extends over an area into which the piston dips, up to a door opening angle of about 30.degree.

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 discharge ring supporting structure of an adjustable-blade axial-flow turbine comprises upper and lower halves separated along a horizontal plane passing through the central axis of the discharge ring. The lower half of the discharge ring is supported by a plurality of supporting columns, each having upper and lower supporting members. The upper supporting members are detachably connected between the lower half of the discharge ring and the lower supporting member. When it is desired to remove the runner, the discharge ring is separated into the upper and lower halves, and the upper supporting members of the supporting columns are removed so that the discharge ring can be lowered. Lowering of the discharge ring allows the runner to be lowered and then removed axially without the runner blades contacting the discharge ring. The upper supporting members of the discharge ring supporting columns are provided with a vibration damper for damping vibration in the discharge ring.

Abstract: A hydraulic shock damper comprises a hydraulic cylinder and a piston having apertures and dividing the cylinder in upper and lower chambers. Through a flow channel the upper chamber of the cylinder is connected to a dashpot accomodating a partition element. The space being enclosed between the partition element and the closed end of the dashpot is filled with a pressurized fluid. Spaced around the said cylinder a second cylinder is provided, an open connection between the lower chamber of the first mentioned cylinder and the space between both cylinders being provided. Two branch lines are connected to the flow channel and emerge into a single line which in turn emerges into said space. In each branch line an externally controllable closure means and a non-return valve are arranged. Both non-return valves open in opposing fluid flow directions.

Abstract: A control mechanism for a door of a motor vehicle is suggested that is coupled at a door post on the side of the body so that it can be swung, is actuated via an inside and outside handle and comprises a piston-cylinder unit arranged between the door post and the vehicle door. The unit has a piston provided with passage openings for a pressure medium, the piston interacting with an interior valve that separates two working chamber of the cylinders from one another. The mechanism has an exterior blocking valve controlling the medium flow, this blocking valve being arranged in a control circuit connecting the two working chambers of the cylinder, acting against the flow direction. The blocking valve is controlled by a door handle in such a way that the door can be blocked in at least one intermediate position.

Abstract: A hydraulic twin-pipe shock absorber for horizontal use and which is particularly suitable for use with rail vehicles. The shock absorber includes a cylindrical housing with a fluid-filled working cylinder provided inside the housing. A piston is displaceable in the working cylinder and is connected to a clearance between the housing and the working cylinder. The construction of the shock absorber removes air and foam from the working cylinder so that pressure builds up evenly and uniformly.

Abstract: A control system for controlling the damping force of a plurality of hydraulic dampers, each of which includes a damping force producing mechanism; a damping force adjustment member for adjusting the effective passage area of an oil passage in the damping force producing mechanism; an actuator connected to the damping force adjustment member; and an electrical power supply circuit for supplying electrical power to the actuator. The system includes: a first circuit for monitoring the operating time of the actuator and, when the operating time exceeds a first predetermined value, for forcibly moving the damping force adjustment member to a predetermined position by the actuator so as to thereby perform a forced damping force adjustment control and a second circuit for monitoring the operating time of the forced first circuit and, when the operating time of the first circuit exceeds a second predetermined value, for stopping the forced damping force adjustment control.

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 double-cylinder shock absorber, which is particularly suitable for use in a MacPherson strut, includes an inner cylinder having a closed lower end and which is filled with oil. A piston rod extends into the inner cylinder through the upper end thereof. A piston is secured to the lower end of the piston rod and divides the cylinder into upper and lower oil chambers. The piston is provided with a fluid metering device providing a damping force mechanism. A rod guide head closes the upper end of the inner cylinder and is provided with an opening which is slightly spaced from the piston rod to form an annular clearance therebetween. An outer cylinder is coaxially disposed around the inner cylinder and forms therewith an annular reservoir chamber having closed upper and lower ends. The lower portion of the reservoir chamber is filled with oil and the upper portion is filled with gas.

Abstract: In a double-tube vibration damper the cylinder engages by a terminal edge thereof an engagement face of a piston rod guiding and sealing unit. When the piston rod moves in the outward direction with respect to the cylinder, a high pressure occurs in the working chamber adjacent the piston rod guiding and sealing unit. Due to this high pressure damping liquid jets may escape between the terminal edge of the cylinder and the engagement face of the piston rod guiding and sealing unit. These liquid jets may cause foaming within the annular space defined between the cylinder and a container surrounding the cylinder. In view of avoiding such foaming, an annular cover member is provided between the cylinder and the container, which annular cover member prevents the direct entrance of liquid jets into the annular space between the cylinder and the container.

Abstract: Landing gear mechanism includes a restrictor assembly containing a primary orifice for controlling the rate of instroke of the gear during landing and a taxi instroke bypass valve which provides for increased flow of hydraulic fluid within the gear whenever the gear engages a bump during taxiing to reduce the damping loads that would otherwise occur if all of the hydraulic fluid were required to flow through the primary orifice. The taxi instroke bypass valve assembly includes a bypass passage around the primary orifice, and a slide member which is axially movable relative to the orifice restrictor assembly for opening and closing the bypass passage.

Abstract: A pressure regulator mechanism for use in a hydraulic device having a cylinder and a piston slidably movable therein, includes a casing housing the cylinder therein, a first restriction on the cylinder for forming a portion of a passage of working oil between the cylinder and the casing, a valve member angularly movable around an axis of movement of the piston for closing the first restriction, and a second restriction on the valve member for forming a remaining portion of the passage when brought into confronting relation to the first restriction in response to angular movement of the valve member. One of the first and second restrictions has different cross-sectional areas selectable for communication therethrough between the first and second restrictions, so that the rate of flow of the working oil through the passage can be varied.

Abstract: A shock absorber and air spring assembly particularly adapted for use in a tilt cab suspension system. It provides the capability of remotely adjusting the amount of damping on the down stroke of the damper piston.

Abstract: A tilt locking and shock absorbing arrangement for a marine outboard drive embodying a single cylinder and piston assembly for controlling the tilt and trim positions of the drive and for further absorbing shocks applied to it. An accumulator arrangement is provided having gas over oil and is valved into the system in such a way as to prevent passage of the gas into the shock absorbing device per se. In addition, an arrangement is provided whereby the drive may be manually positioned without necessitating the operator's use of one hand to operate the mechanism when the desired position is reached.

Abstract: An anti-dive device for the telescopic front fork assembly of a motorcycle includes a contraction regulator mounted on the forward face of the bottom case. The bottom case carries the axle for the front wheel. Braking torque causes the movement of a member which movement is reflected through a bell crank assembly to close the valve in a passage connecting the two oil chambers in the front fork assembly. A bypass passage has an orifice member which may be moved to vary the size of a restriction in the bypass passage.

Abstract: A tilt locking and shock absorbing arrangement for a marine outboard drive embodying a single cylinder and piston assembly for controlling the tilt and trim positions of the drive and for further absorbing shocks applied to it. An arrangement is provided whereby the trim position may be manually controlled without necessitating the operator's use of one hand to operate the mechanism when the desired position is reached. Popping up action is permitted in either normal or shallow water conditions but inadvertent popping up under shallow water, reverse drive is precluded.

Abstract: Two embodiments of hydraulic control systems for outboard drives that permit the motor to pop up when an underwater obstacle is struck and return to its normal condition once the obstacle is cleared under a controlled force. Each embodiment includes a simplified arrangement wherein the motor may be raised from a normal running condition to a shallow water trim position and will be held hydraulically in the shallow water position. Each embodiment also permits popping up of the motor from the shallow water position when an underwater obstacle is struck. In one embodiment, the motor is permitted to return to the shallow water position once the obstacle is cleared whereas in the other embodiment, the motor returns to its normal condition once the underwater obstacle is cleared.

Abstract: A tilt locking and shock absorbing arrangement for a marine outboard drive that normally holds the drive in a normal position against driving thrust both in forward and rearward directions and yet which permits the drive to pop up when an underwater obstacle is struck. The arrangement also permits the drive to return to its normal position once the obstacle has been passed. An arrangement is provided for permitting the motor to be tilted up without restriction and also to be adjusted in trim condition and retained there while still maintaining the aforenoted shock absorbing capabilities.

Abstract: A front wheel suspension system for a motorcycle including a telescopic hydraulic shock absorber mechanism which provides an anti-dive function upon braking of a front wheel of the motorcycle. In addition to a main oil passage which is intercepted upon braking of the front wheel, a bypass oil passage is provided between inner and outer tubular members comprising a fork pipe and a bottom case, respectively, disposed in a telescopically fitted relationship with each other. An adjustable orifice mechanism is provided in an intermediate position in the bypass oil passage. The suspension system provides an appropriate adjustment of the damping effect of the shock absorber mechanism in a direction of contraction of a front fork upon an anti-dive operation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tilt cab suspension system comprising integral shock absorber and air spring assemblies located between the truck frame and the cab. The shock absorber assembly comprises a hydraulic circuit which provides for circulation of hydraulic fluid during an upstroke and/or downstroke of a piston within a cylinder. A selectively adjustable control valve is located in the hydraulic circuit and may be regulated by the vehicle operator to control the stiffness of the shock absorber sub-assembly and, consequently, the hardness of the ride.

Abstract: An air pressure shock absorber for smoothly stopping a moving object reciprocated by a rod in an air pressure cylinder. The shock absorber absorbs and reduces the internal pressure of a chamber in the cylinder to smoothly stop the moving object by the communication of air compressed in the chamber to the atmosphere through a bypass passage formed in a cylinder wall. The air pressure is released to the atmosphere after the piston has moved through a predetermined stroke.

Abstract: A tilt-lock mechanism for a vertically tiltable outboard stern drive on a marine vessel preferably includes a hydraulic cylinder device dampingly connecting the drive unit and the vessel. The mechanism preferably includes apparatus allowing the operator to selectively prevent or allow the drive unit to freely tilt under various operating conditions.

Abstract: A shock absorber for providing a linear decelerating force to a machine part by means of a piston which forces fluid through a series of orifices formed by co-action of holes in the piston cylinder and holes formed in a sleeve forming a metering tube which fits over the cylinder. An infinite number of adjustments in the shock absorber characteristics is achieved by moving the holes in the metering tubes in orbital pattern relative to the holes in the cylinders.

Abstract: A hydraulic stabilizing device utilized to dampen the sway of railway cars comprising a double acting hydraulic cylinder having a center position wherein the fluid is locked in the opposing chambers of the cylinder except for high pressure relief once the piston is forced out of the center position as the railway car traverses a curve. Longitudinal groove means in the cylinder barrel opens up a restricted bypass across the cylinder piston so as to allow a conventional dampening function at all other positions of the cylinder except the center position. The stabilizer cylinder also includes a concentrically spaced sleeve surrounding the cylinder forming a precharged accumulator chamber for resupplying either of the cylinder chambers through check valves in the cylinder heads.

Abstract: A hydraulic damper including a piston working in a cylinder and partitioning the interior thereof into two liquid chambers, a damping force generating valve device mounted on the piston to act both in extension and contraction strokes, a piston rod secured to the piston and having a coaxial bore and a radial hole to constitute a by-pass passage connecting the two liquid chambers by-passing the damping force generating valve device, a valve member provided in the by-pass passage and steppingly controlling the effective area thereof, and an actuating rod extending in the coaxial bore with the inner end being secured to the valve member.

Abstract: A shock absorber and air spring assembly particularly adapted for use in a tilt cab suspension system. It provides the capability of remotely adjusting the amount of damping of the damper piston on the upstroke and, to a lesser extent, on the down stroke as well.

Abstract: A shock absorber comprising a cylinder, cylinder head having a relief check valve therein including an annular valve spool, relief valve ball, spring support, valve spring and valve cap, piston, piston head, outer case, foot valve body, dust cover, piston bellows and pivot bushing assemblies.