Abstract: A vibration isolator is formed with a spring mechanism and a fluid transmion mechanism interposed between a vibrating member and a support member. The fluid transmission mechanism includes a primary fluid chamber and a secondary fluid chamber, with the secondary fluid chamber being deformed to a greater extent than the primary fluid chamber as a result of vibrations. An inertia mass operatively associated with the secondary fluid chamber is displaced as a result of vibrations and is thereby accelerated with a resulting inertia force causing fluid pressure change in the fluid transmission mechanism which compensates as a dynamic force the dynamic portion of the spring force transmitted from the spring mechanism to the support member.

Abstract: A pneumatic spring element includes a rubber-elastic peripheral wall and two rigid end walls defining a chamber therebetween, a bellows-like spring body disposed inside the chamber defining an outer sub-chamber between spring body and the peripheral wall, the spring body being subjected to compressed air in the interior thereof, and an electroviscous fluid filling outer sub-chamber and being controlled by an electrical field.

Abstract: A vibration damping and isolation apparatus wherein in damping is obtained by purely viscous fluid shear forces. The fluid is sealed in two chambers divided by a orifice to permit fluid flow. Chamber containment of the fluid and chamber volume change is provided by metal bellows which are arranged to provide a constant overall volume. Coulomb forces are avoided by the elimination of rubbing surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pneumatic press counterbalance which holds selected parts of a press in the same relative engagement during the return stroke of a ram as during the power stroke of that ram. The counterbalance includes a base plate adapted for connection to a first part of a press. An elongated cylindrical base tube having an open end is mounted on the base plate and has a center axis substantially perpendicular to the base plate. A resilient unconfined tubular bellows for holding air has a pair of opposed ends. The bellows has an elongated tubular resilient sleeve connecting the open ends and formed integral therewith. One of the open ends of the bellows is sealingly connected to the base tube. A first portion of the tubular sleeve surrounds a portion of the base tube. A second portion of the tubular sleeve is connected to the first portion by a fold in the sleeve and has a part surrounding the first portion. A movable plate is connected to the other end of the bellows.

Abstract: A tube coupling having a socket and a plug, each having a fluid flow passage extending therethrough, and a valve mounted in the flow passage of at least one of the socket and plug for axial movement between a first position for closing the flow passage and a second position for opening the flow passage said valve being normally biased towards the first position by a spring when the socket and plug are disconnected, and moved to the second position when the socket and plug are coupled together, characterized in that at least those portions of the socket and plug which will be exposed to fluid during the use are formed of fluorocarbon resin, the spring being disposed in said flow passage and comprising bellows made of fluorocarbon resin having continuous helically extending pleats.

Abstract: A pneumatic die cushion for use in a power press is the subject matter of this invention. The die cushion includes a pair of spaced substantially parallel plates with resilient bellows for resiliently spacing apart the plates. A plurality of limiter pins are releasably secured to one of said spaced plates. Each of said limiter pins has an end threadedly mounted in one of said plates. Each of said limiter pins is movable relative to the other of said plates. A stop mechanism is mounted on the other end of each limiter pin for limiting movement of the first mentioned plate away from the other plate. A limit sleeve is mounted on each of the limiter pins to control the minimum spacing between the plates. A quick change adaptor plate is fixed to one end of the bellows. The quick change adaptor plate has a pair of opposed ears. A mechanism is provided to releasably secure the ears of the quick change adaptor plate to said one of said plates to secure said one end of the bellows to said one of said plates.

Abstract: A flexible diaphragm-like element that serves as a partition between the two chambers of a damping mechanism of a resilient motor mount. These chambers are filled with damping fluid, and their volume can be varied as a function of the springing movements of the resilient mounting elements, with the damping action deriving from the throttled transfer of the fluid from one chamber into the other. To prevent noise from being produced, the diaphragm-like element is secured in such a way that it has freedom of movement. This freedom of movement is set in the diaphragm-like element itself by dividing the latter into three concentrically disposed and interconnected ringshaped zones, namely a radially inner zone, a central zone, and a radially outer zone, with the thickness of the central zone being considerably less than the thickness of the inner and outer zones.

Abstract: A rolling bellows for pneumatic cushioning or shock absorption of a vehicle. Such rolling bellows are stressed particularly severely during telescoping in the pressureless state during assembly and also under emergency condititions. In order to avoid the occurrence of tension cracks from such causes, the rolling bellows are provided in the region of the cylindrical curvature, and on the inner surface, with integrally formed-on raised surface portions.

Abstract: A rolling-type bellows for vehicular pneumatic cushioning systems. In the installed state, support surfaces of the bellows that are adjacent to the end beads thereof are supported against vehicle parts that are movable relative to one another; the axial width of the support surfaces can vary. In the region of the annular support surfaces, the bellows are provided with raised interval axial ribs, which enhance the buckle-free continuous movement of the rolling folds, and reduces wear of the walls of the bellows.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydropneumatic spring suspension or shock absorber device, in particular for heavy motor vehicles, which a spring element comprising a housing for a spring bellows filled with a hydraulic medium which is in flow connection with a chamber filled with hydraulic fluid and in which a pneumatic spring is disposed which is deformable under hydraulic pressure, one end of the bellows being supported in the housing and medium being admitted at the other end via an abutment connected with one of the parts. In accordance with the invention, a compact low wear-and-tear spring suspension device is obtained in that the bellows is bent into a substantially circular arc shape and the abutment is movable along the circular arc.

Abstract: An oleoelastic energy accumulator includes a rigid casing, at least one membrane of a polymeric material having a high deformability, and a liquid. The membrane has a curvilinear form, e.g., convex, toward the inside of the casing to the borders of which the membrane is tightly sealed for delimiting or defining a closed space occupied by the liquid. In correspondence with the pressure variations in the liquid, the membrane acts like a piston and passes from an at-rest, curvilinear configuration, to a final substantially flat configuration as a result of gradual and successive compression of the membrane which, in this manner, accumulates energy.

Abstract: 1A two chamber engine mount with hydraulic damping includes a housing having rubber-elastic walls, an intermediate plate disposed in the housing between the walls dividing the housing into fluid-filled chambers, the intermediate plate having a substantially spiral-shaped canal formed therein interconnecting the chambers, the canal having a length being a multiple of the diameter thereof, and the intermediate plate having at least one orifice vertically formed therethrough being hydraulically parallel with the canal.

Abstract: A reusable energy absorbing apparatus comprising a plurality of air chambers and valve members. The air chambers and valves are constructed so that the valve members close upon the application of an axial force, thereby sealing air within the air chambers. After the energy absorbing apparatus has reached the end of its compressive stroke, the valve members release sequentially, thereby venting the pressurized air in the air chambers to minimize rebound.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a beadless flexible member for an airspring having a fully molded non-tubular shape. An axially segmented mold with tapered circular end bores is used with conically tapered end plugs which sealingly compress an uncured preform of the flexible member between the conical plugs and the tapered circular end bores. Compressed fluid is injected into the interior of the preform to radially expand it to the desired molded shape. At a rate determined by the radial expansion of the preform, the annular segments of the mold are axially moved together to accommodate the axial foreshortening of the preform during its radial expansion. After full axial closure of the mold, heat and pressure are applied to vulcanize the preform. The beadless, fully molded flexible member may be used for airsprings requiring zero pressure roll capability.

Abstract: A pneumatic suspension system between relatively-vibratable structures has a single expansible pneumatic working chamber for pneumatically isolating the vibrations between the structures and inlet and outlet valves responsive to a control for opening only one at a time in response to vibrations which exceed respective vibration thresholds. The valves then admit or vent gas from the working chamber to damp vibrations in the threshold-determined range which includes resonance.

Abstract: A pneumatic shock absorber, especially for road vehicles. The rolling bellows of the shock absorber is made of a simple hose body which has no end beads, and is mounted with the aid of metal clamping rings on vehicle parts which are cushioned relative to one another. To simplify mounting, the mounting regions of these parts are provided with reduced-diameter engagement surfaces. To improve this mounting system, the support piston which is associated with the lower end portion of the rolling bellows is provided with circumferential ribs which are disposed in at least one axial portion of the reduced-diameter mounting region thereof. These circumferential ribs preferably have a triangular cross-sectional shape. The frictional mounting is thus supplemented and reinforced in a simple manner by a positive connection, so that the rolling bellows is reliably secured relative to every disadvantageous axial movement.

Abstract: A pneumatic spring-loaded damping or shock absorbing apparatus provided with a venting port and a seal activated by a piston for automatically sealing the port when the apparatus approaches its fully expanded position for maintaining residual pressure within the apparatus.

Abstract: A pneumatic spring for motor vehicles comprises a bellows. Adjacent portions of the bellows overlap each other. These adjacent portions are normally maintained at a distance from each other. Under certain conditions the faces touch each other. In such a case, considerable friction and wear occur between adjacent faces. In order to reduce such wear, a lubricant is provided. In order to prohibit undesirable effects of the presence of the lubricant, particularly with respect to the fixation of the bellows to adjacent parts of the pneumatic spring, the lubricant is enclosed and fixed by at least one membrane. This membrane is destroyed only when the faces are pressed against each other.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling rotary motion wherein a bellows is fixed at one end to a support having a restricted vent opening and carries a crank at its opposite end linked to a stallable type motor, the motor moving the crank in a circular path controlled by the bellows between alternate fast and slow motion according to the change in length of the bellows.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and device for regulating at any instant the speed of a mobile member, such as a pulley, moving in a stroke of determined uniform direction, by employing a fluid passing under pressure through an orifice of restricted section. According to the invention, said pressurized fluid is made to pass several times alternately in one direction and in the other through said orifice, during said stroke of determined uniform direction. The invention is more particularly applicable to the deployment of appendices mounted on board space vessels.

Abstract: An air lift axle assembly (2) for stabilizing a vehicle (1) which is subjected to crosswinds. The assembly also increases the vehicle's ultimate load carrying capacity. The assembly includes a set of tires (3) which may be remotely lowered to engage the road surface (4) by means of an inflatable bladder (28) which presses against a spar (22), the spar being pivotably mounted to the vehicle by means of hollow bar (10). Springs (25) retract the assembly when not in use such that the deflated bladder (28) is housed within a canister (27), the canister (27) providing sufficient support to the inflated bladder (28) such that additional longitudinal stiffening of the bladder (28) is unnecessary.

Abstract: The invention relates to a two-chamber engine bearing, in particular for motor vehicles, which has hydraulic damping, the liquid-filled chambers of which have rubber elastic peripheral walls and are connected to each other by a line which is provided in the rigid, elastically-mounted intermediate plate. To improve the damping, the intermediate plate has, according to the invention, an extended cavity which has an approximately rectangular longitudinal cross-section in the area of the middle plane thereof, the length and width of the cavity being many times its height and the cavity being connected to the upper chamber at one end by a vertical passage and connected to the lower chamber at the other end by a corresponding passage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a universally movable suspension member for a direction indicating display system, especially for a gyro system (2), in which a bellows unit (1) is provided between a revolving disk (3) and the gyro system (2). The suspension member is designed as a double-bellows unit including two oppositely folded bellows (5, 6) so that, while a reliable and accurate indication is obtained, the volume of construction is decreased and the manufacturing costs are reduced.

Abstract: A rate controller for use in outer space is provided where motion damping occurs by forcing damping fluid from one side of an actuator piston to the other side of the piston through an external line. The damping fluid is totally contained in a sealed system of metallic bellows with no seals required between moving parts and the external environment.

Abstract: A flexible wall spring damper including opposed first and second rigid mounting members interconnected by a flexible side wall is provided. A spring damper chamber is included within the flexible wall and is interposed between the opposed rigid mounting members. A plurality of elastomeric particles are included in the damper chamber. A selectively pressurizable gas chamber is interposed between the rigid mounting members and the flexible side walls. In one embodiment of the invention, a flexible diaphragm connected to one of the rigid mounting members defines the selectively pressurizable gas chamber. In another embodiment of the invention, a spiral tube defines the flexible side wall and includes an inner chamber including the plurality of elastomeric particles. Relative movement between the opposed rigid mounting members operates to stress the flexible side wall and the plurality of elastomeric particles, and vary the volume of the selectively pressurizable gas chamber.

Abstract: A dry viscous spring damper is provided particularly adapted for absorbing shocks, dissipating energy and load carrying and leveling of a vehicle. The spring damper is comprised of a first housing member at least partially received in a second housing member and joined at the second housing member with an elastomeric shear spring. The spring damper has a first chamber separated from a second chamber by an elastomeric diaphragm. A valve is provided for selectively pressurizing the second chamber with pressurized gas or air. A plurality of elastomeric particles are included in the first chamber whereby relative movement between the housing members operates to stress the shear spring and the elastomeric particles, and vary the volumes of the first and second chambers.

Abstract: In an arrangement according to this disclosure, a spring element (3, 7) is arranged between a mounting core member (2) and a support (6) and is connected to a damper mass (9, 12). The damper mass has a container (10) which is filled with pressure liquid and/or gas and closed by a diaphragm (13). The spring rate of the diaphragm can be varied as desired, particularly in dependence on the speed of rotation of the machine or engine. For varying the spring rate of the diaphragm, a pressure plate (15) is associated with the diaphragm, and is displaceable relative to the diaphragm by way of an adjusting arrangement (16, 17) dependent on the speed of rotation of the machine or engine, and the relative configurations of the pressure plate and the facing diaphragm are such that this displacement reduces or increases the free area of the diaphragm, and thus varies its spring rate.

Abstract: A gas spring comprises a piston assembly slidable in a cylinder closed at one end and open at the other with a rod connected to the piston assembly and projecting through the open end of the cylinder. This open end is sealed by a sealing assembly and the interior of the cylinder contains a body of oil and a gas under pressure. The sealing assembly includes a shell of resilient material with one annular portion in sealing engagement with the rod, a second annular portion in sealing engagement with the inner wall of the cylinder, and a cavity containing a reservoir of oil. When the pressure in the cavity is less than the pressure in the cylinder, the inner portion of the shell collapses and, when the pressure differential is reversed, the inner end of the shell opens to permit oil to flow from the cavity to the cylinder. In either case, however, the action of the shell is such as to maintain the sealing action of each annular portion of the shell.

Abstract: A hydropneumatic assembly particularly for use as a pressure reservoir in a shock absorber includes a housing with a diaphragm operatively mounted within the housing to define therein a liquid chamber on one side of the diaphragm and a gas chamber on the opposite side thereof. The liquid chamber is defined between an inner wall of the housing and the diaphragm and the diaphragm is arranged to be pressed against the inner wall under the influence of gas pressure within the gas chamber. Damping liquid for a shock absorber flows into and out of the liquid chamber to an opening provided in the inner wall of the housing and, by a special feature of the assembly, ducts are defined between the inner wall of the housing and the diaphragm, with the ducts being directed to extend toward the opening through which liquid flows into and out of the liquid chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mechanism for swivelling and spring-mounting a machine sub-assembly, mounted to swivel about an axis of rotation, for example the cutting bench of a harvester thresher, which bench is supported on the movable frame of the machine by way of a lifting unit, consisting of a lifting cylinder and piston, and a spring element, a spring element of limited stroke being provided between the lifting unit and its support, and means, such as a hydraulic force transducer or the like, also being provided for the purpose of varying the spring force of the spring element.

Abstract: A hydraulic shock absorber for use on vehicles which includes a rubber attachment on the upper end thereof which is supported on the vehicle. A cap sealingly covers the rubber attachment to provide a sealed chamber communicating with oil in the cylinder of the shock absorber. A partition provided with a communicating hole is disposed in the chamber. A flexible membrane is disposed above the partition in the chamber and divides the chamber into sealed compartments. One of the sealed compartments is filled with pressurized gas, and the other sealed compartment is held in communication with the interior of the shock absorber. The arrangement of the invention provides a shock absorber with an improved secondary performance in dampening forces between the shock absorber and the body of the vehicle.

Abstract: In an air or gas spring having a metal cylinder with a rigid gas-tight closure at one end and a flexible convoluted diaphragm seal and piston at the other end, the piston has an inner floating member restrained vertically by hardened roller balls that ride in a hardened ball race and horizontally by elastomer spring material.

Abstract: A self-aligning post is presented to direct and/or balance a load being transmitted. The post has a semispherical end section split from the remaining main cylindrical portion of the post whereby misalignment of the main cylindrical portion is compensated by the split end section.

Abstract: An air damped seating particularly for devices and vehicles comprising a control chamber, an air chamber, both of variable volume, and a damping duct. The control chamber is provided with an air inlet flange and a valve, and is connected to the air chamber by a connection pipe. The damping duct is connected with one end portion to an air outlet opening of the air chamber and is tightly sealed on its other end portion. The length of the duct is defined by its radius, the excitation frequency of the oscillation to be damped, and by the mass to be damped, which is in connection with the chambers.

Abstract: A resilient bumper assembly comprising an outer cover, an inner energy absorbing member and a rigid backing member. The front cover is made of an elastic material of low durometer and high elongation capability. The inner energy absorbing member is made of an elastomeric material of a higher durometer. The energy absorbing member has a preformed bellows shape constructed to concentrate bending at predetermined locations.