Rubber Type And Fluid Pressure Patents (Class 267/35)
  • Patent number: 11780079
    Abstract: A flexible structure that exhibits axial, bending, and twisting compliance, allowing for limited freedom of deformation and impact load dampening characteristics tailored accordingly for the applications of the flexible structure. The flexible structure comprises two or more formers, a plurality of resilient members supporting and affixed to the perimeters of the formers, and either an elastomeric central member located between each former and in the center of the resilient members, or an elastomeric surrounding member located between each former and around the resilient members, or both. The presence of the central member or surrounding member acts to inhibit excessive deformations of the resilient members through contact forces. This construction provides a strong and flexible structure that can be incorporated with robots, orthopedic braces, and other devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Inventor: John Christian Colley
  • Patent number: 11685210
    Abstract: A jounce bumper assembly can be used in a suspension system for an automotive vehicle. The assembly can contain a jounce bumper having a longitudinal axis, a bottom portion, and a tip portion spaced apart from the bottom portion in the axial direction, where the jounce bumper is resiliently deformable between an uncompressed basic state and an axially compressed state. The assembly can also contain a support member for supporting the jounce bumper, the support member having a wall section which can be arranged around the bottom portion and resiliently deformable with the jounce bumper in the axial and radial direction. The assembly can further contain at least one stiffening element associated to the wall section and configured to locally limit the radial deformation of the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: BASF Polyurethanes GmbH
    Inventor: Sadiq Al-Dahhan
  • Patent number: 11313430
    Abstract: A vibration damper for a motor vehicle includes a valve block and at least one tube assembly. The tube assembly has at least one inner tube and one outer tube which are arranged coaxially. The valve block is arranged in a fluid-tight manner at one axial end of the tube assembly. At least the outer tube is connected in an integrally joined manner to the valve block, and a ring nut is provided at least on the outer tube. The ring nut transmits a prestressing force, in particular a pressing force, to the at least one inner tube such that the at least one inner tube is connected in a non-positive manner to the valve block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP BILSTEIN GMBH, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventor: Freddy Woenarta
  • Patent number: 11287005
    Abstract: An hourglass type air spring assembly includes an upper cover plate, an air bag, an upper end plate and a lower end plate. An outer periphery of the upper cover plate is connected with an outer periphery of the upper end plate through the air bag. A low-position hourglass elastomer and a high-position elastomer which are integrally formed are connected with each other between the upper end plate and the lower end plate. An annular notch is formed between the low-position hourglass elastomer and the high-position elastomer, and an annular rigid partition plate matched with the annular notch is arranged in the annular notch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: ZHUZHOU TIMES NEW MATERIAL TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wenhai Chen, Te Ye, Canhui Chen, Haitao Cheng, Xuan Peng, Zhuangbing Jin, Jun Zhou, Qiang Chen
  • Patent number: 11267009
    Abstract: A manually operated pump including: an inlet one-way valve; a pump chamber downstream of and in fluid communication with the inlet one-way valve; a piston interior to the pump chamber and slideably engaged with the pump chamber; an actuator engaged with the piston or the pump chamber; a compression spring engaged with the actuator; and an optional outlet one-way valve downstream of and in fluid communication with the pump chamber; wherein the compression spring includes a continuous thermoplastic elastomeric tube supported between opposing offset tube supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Robert Paul Cassoni, Kelsey Erin Gibboney, Kerry Lloyd Weaver, David Andrew Dalton
  • Patent number: 11131297
    Abstract: A machine tool system including a compact air compressor configuring a compact air compressor C includes: an auxiliary air tank 40; and an air compressor body 30 connected with the auxiliary air tank 40, wherein the air compressor body 30 and the auxiliary air tank 40 are individually installed in a machine tool 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: NEW MOTECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jeong Cheol Jang, Jong Hyuk Kim, Jin Sun Park, Han Seop Park
  • Patent number: 10920843
    Abstract: A spring element includes a longitudinal axis, a main body that extends along the longitudinal axis and which can be elastically deformed between an uncompressed base state and a state in which the main body is compressed in the direction of the longitudinal axis, a groove extending peripherally on the outside of the main body, and a supporting ring arranged in the groove. A plurality of cut-outs is formed between the supporting ring and the main body in the groove in the base state of the main body. A vehicle shock absorber and a vehicle can use the spring element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventor: Frank Thye-Moormann
  • Patent number: 10875423
    Abstract: The present invention relates to, among other things, a rotational damper comprising a fluid-filled damper housing and within the damper housing a piston rotatably accommodated by a rotation axis of the rotational damper in a first direction and an opposite second direction with a piston rod extending in the direction of the rotation axis; whereby the piston has at least one opening with a flow cross-section which allows for the flow of fluid through the piston, whereby a total flow cross-section is calculated as the sum of the flow cross-sections of the at least one opening. A blocking device can be furthermore assigned to the piston which is capable of reducing the flow cross-section of at least one of the openings during a rotation of the piston in a first direction relative to a rotation of the piston in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Lars Löhken, Markus Müller, Raphael Piroth, Ulrich Probst
  • Patent number: 10576812
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a mounting member structure capable of preventing unstable vibration of an engine mount. A mounting member structure, which is mounted on a power plant including an engine and has a mounting member disposed between the power plant and an antivibration device, wherein the mounting member has an opening abutting the power plant and an inner space continuous from the opening, a weight mass is disposed in the inner space, and the weight mass is fixed to a recess in the inner space through a first bolt. The mounting member is fastened to the antivibration device by a second bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Toshiya Takahashi
  • Patent number: 10399547
    Abstract: A pressure variation damper for a slip-regulated, hydraulic vehicle brake system includes a damper housing and a tubular damper element. The damper element is disposed in the damper housing and configured for elastic deformation. The damper element is subjected on an inside and/or on an outside to a fluid. Possible pressure variations of the fluid are to be damped. The damper element comprises a corrugation on the outside and a corrugation on the inside configured to reduce a change in a wall thickness of the damper element owing to the corrugation on the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Oliver Gaertner, Alexander Geilfuss
  • Patent number: 10322731
    Abstract: A secondary spring for a rail vehicle springs a wagon body of the rail vehicle on the chassis of the rail vehicle. The secondary spring is divided along a predefined axis into a first and at least one further, second section. The first section is configured to be axially stiff and springy orthogonally to the predefined axis, and the second section is configured to be stiff orthogonally to the predefined axis and axially springy. The secondary spring contains at least one horizontal stop, which is arranged on the secondary spring such that a force which acts on the horizontal stop orthogonally to the predefined axis is introduced into the secondary spring between the first and the second section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Mobility GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Distler, Michael Sumnitsch
  • Patent number: 10161471
    Abstract: Suspension systems include a gas spring and gas damper assembly that is adapted for operation in first and second conditions. In the first condition, the assembly provides spring and damping functionality across a first range of travel. In the second condition, the assembly provides actuator functionality with a second range of travel that is substantially less than the first range of travel. A pressurized gas system is in fluid communication with the assembly. A control system is in communication with the assembly and the pressurized gas system. The control system is operative to actuate one or more control devices to transfer pressurized gas and thereby transition the assembly from between the first and second conditions. Methods of operating such as suspension system are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua R. Leonard, Pradipta N. Moulik, Graham R. Brookes
  • Patent number: 9752640
    Abstract: A cap for mounting on a damper tube of a vibration damper, having an outer shell region that is cylindrical at least in sections and at least one elastic spring tongue. At least one positively locking element is arranged on the spring tongue in order to produce a positively locking connection between the cap and a protective element of the vibration damper. The at least one spring tongue has a region which, in the non-mounted state of the cap, is set back inwardly in the radial direction with respect to the outer shell region. The set-back region has a spreading element, by way of which the spring tongue is spread outwardly in the radial direction during the mounting of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Thyssenkrupp Bilstein GmbH
    Inventors: Damian Mrugalla, Markus Schrichten
  • Patent number: 9709122
    Abstract: A roll-off piston made of plastic is for an air spring rolling-lobe flexible member (19) of the air spring. The roll-off piston (1) is configured as a plunge piston and has a preferably central support (2) for a stop buffer (3) acting in an axial direction of the air spring. The support (2) is preferably made of steel and can be received in a recess in the roll-off piston. The recess is of complementary configuration to the shape of the support and can be connected to the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: ContiTech Luftfedersysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Djuradj Zec, Boris Balachonzew
  • Patent number: 9604518
    Abstract: A suspension strut for a vehicle has an air spring unit and a damper unit. The damper unit has a damper tube, which extends into a rolling tube of the air spring unit. The damper tube has supporting geometries distributed over its circumference, against which supporting geometries a radially expanded end of the rolling tube is supported. In order to support the rolling tube on the supporting geometries of the damper tube, a torsion element is provided. The torsion element is arranged between the radially expanded end of the rolling tube and the supporting geometries of the damper tube. The torsion element forms a form fit with the supporting geometries for the purpose of torque transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Thyssenkrupp Bilstein GmbH
    Inventors: Olaf Reichmann, Steffen Werner, Georg Meinert, Mirco Adam
  • Patent number: 9512895
    Abstract: An air spring assembly for a motor vehicle, including an air spring, a rolling piston, a tubular rolling air spring bellows arranged concentrically about a central longitudinal axis of the air spring, and an air spring cover. A first partial air spring bellows has a first embedded textile reinforcement and a second partial air spring bellows has a second embedded textile reinforcement The first textile reinforcement has first reinforcing threads, the preferred axis of which extends parallel or nearly parallel to the axis of the central longitudinal axis of the air spring The second textile reinforcement has second reinforcing threads, the first preferred axis of which extends obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the air spring and the second preferred axis of which extends obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the air spring, wherein the first and the second preferred axis are at an angle to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Christof Behmenburg, Jens Uwe Gleu, Andreas Kind, Dirk Kröger, Andreas Nessel, Reiner Waschk
  • Patent number: 9500257
    Abstract: A fluid-filled vibration damping device including: a primary fluid chamber which gives rise to internal pressure fluctuations based on deformation of a main rubber elastic body at times of vibration input; an auxiliary fluid chamber which gives rise to pressure differentials relative to the primary fluid chamber at times of vibration input; an orifice passage which permits a non-compressible sealed fluid filling the primary fluid chamber and the auxiliary fluid chamber to flow between the two fluid chambers; and an insoluble powder mixed in the sealed fluid filling the primary fluid chamber which provides a bubble nucleus and accelerates dispersed generation of bubbles when pressure within the primary fluid chamber is decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RIKO COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kanaya, Eisuke Asano
  • Patent number: 9494210
    Abstract: An vehicle/engine mount can include a first connection device for connecting to an engine power system, a second connection device that is configured to connect to either the vehicle frame or the vehicle body, a stopper system, and a damper system. The damper system can be configured to prevent transmission of vibration or movement between the first connection device and the second connection device. The stopper system can include a liquid-filled bladder device located adjacent one of the first connection device and second connection device and configured such that it provides an ultimate limit for one of axial and radial movement/vibration of the first connection device relative to the second connection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: John Louis Kern
  • Patent number: 9273839
    Abstract: A street-lighting pole incorporates a vibration-reducing means on the upper end part of a pole provided standing vertically, wherein: the upper end part of the pole is formed so as to have a silicone receiving part of which the upper part is open in such a way that silicone oil can be stored to a predetermined level on the inside thereof; a removable cap is constituted so as to couple in removable fashion to an upper intake part of the silicone receiving part; a resilient supporting body of a predetermined length is constituted in the center of the removable cap; and a mass of a predetermined weight is constituted at the lower end part of the resilient supporting body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignees: Light World Co., Ltd., Britec Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sae Kyou Choi, Moon Sik Yoo
  • Patent number: 9259985
    Abstract: A gas spring and damper assembly can include a first gas spring having a first spring rate and a second gas spring connected in series with the first gas spring. The second gas spring can have a second spring rate that is at least two times the first spring rate of the first gas spring. A damper can be operatively connected with at least one of the first and second gas springs. A suspension system including one or more of such gas spring and damper assemblies and a method of assembly are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC
    Inventor: Joshua R. Leonard
  • Patent number: 9211941
    Abstract: A device for connection to at least one swim noodle having an alcove defined by side walls. The device includes a body member having an elongated base portion and a generally conical shaped engagement portion connected to and extending generally perpendicularly outwardly from the base portion. A barb extends generally helically about the engagement portion for substantially the length of the engagement portion, and the base defining at least one coupling profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Inventors: Douglas H. Bartow, Davis K. Bartow
  • Patent number: 9194450
    Abstract: Elastomer components, which are to have an elastomer volume with a sufficiently large prestress, as is required, for example, for use in wind energy plants. The elastomer components are substantially based on the incorporation and integration of separating elements into the elastomer body of the component, the elements are disposed either individually or in structures. The body may be compressed by pressure supplied into the region, between the separating elements and the surrounding elastomer material, or directly into the separating elements, such that the elastomer components are prestressed in a dynamically adjustable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: FM ENERGIE GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Franz Mitsch
  • Patent number: 9156519
    Abstract: A damping strut for a bicycle has a hydraulic shock absorber having a damper volume filled with incompressible damping fluid, a pressure application device that detects the current displacement state of the damping strut, and at least one disk valve. When the damping strut is displaced, the damper volume changes so that the damping fluid flows, creating a damping force which counteracts the displacement, through the disk valve. A control piston is coupled to the disk valve in order to vary the degree of opening of the disk valve. Control piston pressure can be applied by the pressure application device with a compressible control fluid, dependent on the displacement state detected by the pressure application device, such that on detection of a pre-determined displacement state of the damping strut, the disk valve is pre-tensioned in the closing direction thereof, so that the damping force is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas Ripa
  • Patent number: 9039020
    Abstract: An end member for a gas spring assembly is dimensioned to receivingly engage an end of a flexible wall. The end member can be formed from polymeric material and can include a side wall receiving the end of the flexible wall. The end member can also include a base wall extending transverse to the side wall and dimensioned to abuttingly engage a jounce bumper of the gas spring assembly. The end member can include a mounting ridge or a mounting channel for engaging an associated structural component. A gas spring assembly including such an end member is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC
    Inventors: Michael E. Ratz, Stephen C. Street, Paul P. Koeske
  • Publication number: 20150122145
    Abstract: End members (202, 204) dimensioned for securement to an associated flexible wall (206) of a rail spring assembly (200) can include an end member body formed from a polymeric material and can have a longitudinal axis (AX). The end member body can include an end wall (232) that extends transverse to the longitudinal axis. An outer side wall (234) can extend longitudinally from along the end wall. An outer peripheral wall (264) can extend from along the outer side wall and can be dimensioned to abuttingly engage the associated flexible wall. A plurality of support walls (272) can extend between and operatively interconnect the outer side wall and the outer peripheral wall and thereby buttress at least the outer peripheral wall against loads applied by the associated flexible wall. Gas spring assemblies including one or more of such end members and suspension systems for rail vehicles including one or more of such gas spring assemblies are also included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: David D. Jackson, JR.
  • Patent number: 8998188
    Abstract: Elastomer components (104), which are to have an elastomer volume with a sufficiently large prestress, as is required, for example, for use in wind energy plants. The elastomer components (104) are substantially based on the incorporation and integration of separating elements (105) into the elastomer body of the component, the elements are disposed either individually or in structures. The body may be compressed by pressure supplied into the region, between the separating elements and the surrounding elastomer material, or directly into the separating elements, such that elastomer components are prestressed in a dynamically adjustable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: FM Energie GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Franz Mitsch
  • Publication number: 20140374972
    Abstract: A vehicle air spring with an elastomer material air-tight tensioned air spring bellows arranged between an air spring cover and rolling piston. The air spring bellows delimiting, with the air spring cover and the air spring rolling piston, a working chamber filled with compressed air. The air spring bellows rolling away under formation of a rolling fold on the air spring rolling piston and fastening to the air spring cover under formation of a second fold, and having an elastomer element provided as an anti-roughness bearing. The elastomer element is arranged between a first and second piston part of the air spring rolling piston, the second part arranged coaxially to the first. The rolling surface for the air spring bellows is provided on the first piston part and on which the air spring bellows is fastened by a clamping element. The second piston part is mountable on a vehicle chassis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventor: Dirk Kröger
  • Publication number: 20140217664
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatic spring device for a motor vehicle, including a rolling piston (4), a pneumatic spring cover (5) axially movable thereto, and an interposed elastomer covering as rolling bellows (6) with a trapped compressible air volume. According to the invention, at least one additional spring element (3) is connected in series to the pneumatic spring (2), with a radial bearing (14) of the rolling piston (4) and/or the pneumatic spring cover (5) being integrated as torsion compensation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventor: Marco Willems
  • Publication number: 20140117597
    Abstract: An air spring for railroad cars includes an air spring part formed by an upper support on a vehicle body side, an intermediate support arranged therebelow, and a diaphragm made of rubber and extending between the upper support and the intermediate support; and an elastic mechanism b formed by a rubber mass 5 interposed between the intermediate support and a lower support 4 on a bogie side arranged therebelow. The rubber mass 5 has an end in contact with the lower support 4 formed as an enlarged end 5A increasing in diameter as approaching the lower support 4 in a vertical direction. An outer circumferential portion of this enlarged end is fitted in and bonded to an annular groove 12 formed in the lower support 4, and the annular groove 12 has an annular bottom 12A inclined to decrease in height radially outwards to have an annular tapered bottom 12a.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: TOYO TIRE & RUBBER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenji Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 8701846
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a hydraulic compression stop. The hydraulic stop includes a pressure tube surrounding the pressure tube of the shock absorber and a piston in hydraulic communication with the interior of the pressure tube. The piston can be disposed within the pressure tube and can be attached to the pressure tube or to the shock absorber. The hydraulic stop can also include a hydraulic fluid chamber and the piston can be disposed within the hydraulic fluid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc
    Inventors: Koen Reybrouck, M'Hand Nait Oukhedou, Simon Anne de Molina
  • Publication number: 20140091548
    Abstract: An end member for a gas spring assembly is dimensioned to receivingly engage an end of a flexible wall. The end member can be formed from polymeric material and can include a side wall receiving the end of the flexible wall. The end member can also include a base wall extending transverse to the side wall and dimensioned to abuttingly engage a jounce bumper of the gas spring assembly. The end member can include a mounting ridge or a mounting channel for engaging an associated structural component. A gas spring assembly including such an end member is also included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLP
    Inventors: Michael E. Ratz, Stephen C. Street, Paul P. Koeske
  • Publication number: 20140091504
    Abstract: A gas spring assembly includes an unreinforced flexible wall formed from a polymeric material and an external reinforcing structure extending lengthwise along and around the periphery of the unreinforced flexible wall. The external reinforcing structure is capable of extending and collapsing together with corresponding extension and compression of the flexible wall. The gas spring assembly also includes opposing end members. The external reinforcing structure can be formed from a plurality of interconnecting wall segments that at least partially define a plurality of openings extending through the external reinforcing structure. A suspension system is also included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC
    Inventor: James Richard Myers
  • Publication number: 20140061987
    Abstract: A jounce bumper can be dimensioned for securement along an end member of a gas spring assembly adjacent a sensing device. The jounce bumper can include a bumper body with a sensing passage extending their through such that the sensing device can communicate through the sensing passage. A gas spring assembly including a sensing device and such a jounce bumper as well as a suspension system including one or more of such gas spring assemblies are also included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: FIRESTONE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Brian S. DeBruler, Todd A. Chapman
  • Patent number: 8622375
    Abstract: A dual frequency damper includes a liquid inertia vibration eliminator (LIVE) portion and a fluid damper portion. LIVE portion and fluid damper portion operate in series and function so that dual frequency damper is optimized in both stiffness and damping at multiple frequencies. LIVE portion acts as a frequency dependent switch to selectively cause low frequency oscillatory forces to be treated primarily by the high spring rate and high damping rate characteristics of the fluid damper portion, and also to select high frequency oscillatory forces to be primarily treated by the low spring rate and low damping rate characteristics of the LIVE unit portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Bosworth, Mithat Yuce, Frank B. Stamps, Michael R. Smith
  • Patent number: 8540220
    Abstract: The invention offers an air spring for obtaining a vehicle that renders good comfortableness even at the time of the curved-track running. The air spring for a vehicle has an upper board, a lower board, a diaphragm, and a stopper rubber placed between the lower board and a lower plate. The air spring is provided with a mechanism for restraining the displacement of the stopper rubber, the mechanism having a first restraining member placed on either one of the lower plate and the lower board and a second restraining member placed on the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Sawa, Hideki Kitada, Toshihisa Adachi, Hirokazu Haraguchi
  • Patent number: 8511653
    Abstract: In an air spring for a railway vehicle or the like, an upper end 3a of the flexible member 3 is attached to the upper face plate 1 at a position that is further on an outer side in a radial direction than the concave section 7. A lower end 3b of the flexible member 3 is attached to the lower face plate 2 at a position that is further on an outer side in a radial direction than the deflation stopper section 5. The deflation stopper section 5 is formed so as to have a height such that the upper end 3a and the lower end 3b of the flexible member do not contact as a result of a relative displacement in the horizontal direction between the upper face plate 1 and the lower face plate 2 at a time of deflation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Fujimoto
  • Publication number: 20130207329
    Abstract: A gas spring and gas damper assembly can include a gas spring and a gas damper. The gas spring can include a first end member, a second end member and a flexible wall that at least partially form a spring chamber. The gas damper can include first, second and third damper elements that are telescopically interconnected with one another. At least one of the first and third damper elements can be operatively connected to the first and second end members by way of a low-profile misalignment mount capable of undergoing resilient angular deflection. The second damper element can be operatively supported between the first and third damper elements. A method of assembling a gas spring and gas damper assembly is also included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventor: Joshua R. Leonard
  • Patent number: 8474799
    Abstract: A fluid filled type vibration damping device including: a partition member having a communication passage connecting a pressure receiving and equilibrium chambers; an obstructing rubber elastic plate juxtaposed against the communication passage from a pressure receiving chamber side, adapted to obstruct the communication passage, and arranged to be exposed to pressure of the pressure receiving and the equilibrium chamber at both faces; and a constraining member provided for retaining an outer peripheral section of the obstructing rubber elastic plate in contact against the partition member at multiple locations. The constraining member provides an opening/closing control member operated to induce the obstructing rubber elastic plate to push against the partition member and close off the communication passage, and to induce elastic deformation of the obstructing rubber elastic plate to be separated from the partition member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wakako Michiyama, Kei Okumura
  • Patent number: 8403287
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an equipment engine mounting system and method for mounting an equipment engine to an equipment frame using dampers, elastomeric and nonelastomeric components to inhibit the a transmission of vibrations of the equipment engine to the equipment frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Lord Corporation
    Inventor: Keith R. Ptak
  • Patent number: 8317172
    Abstract: A multistage jounce bumper, including a jounce bumper cushion integrated with a hydraulic jounce bumper, wherein provided are the damping characteristic of the hydraulic jounce bumper and the damping/spring characteristics of a jounce bumper cushion. The hydraulic jounce bumper hydraulic response is tunable via adjustment of hydraulic flow with respect to a communicating hydraulic fluid reservoir. When maximum jounce is approached, jounce force and energy are exchanged, at a first stage, with the jounce bumper cushion, then at a predetermined compression, jounce force and energy are exchanged, at a second stage, with the hydraulic jounce bumper. Thereafter, a mechanical abutment is provided as a third stage of jounce management.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Shawn G. Quinn, Gregory J. Fadler, William C. Gregory
  • Patent number: 8282085
    Abstract: An absorbent covering (1) has high damping power, secured on a structure (2) and includes a dissipater mesh made up of a plurality of dissipating elements (3) and of nodes (4) each having its bottom end (4?) secured on the structure (2). In remarkable manner, the bottom ends (4?) of the nodes (4) project from the dissipating elements (3) so as to leave an empty space (5) between the dissipating elements (3) and the structure (2), the absorbent covering (1) including main absorbent elements (6) arranged in the empty space (5), each of the main absorbent elements (6) being secured firstly to a bottom face (3?) of a dissipating element (3) and secondly to the structure (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventor: Thomas Manfredotti
  • Patent number: 8235351
    Abstract: A shock load isolation mounting system that incorporates a dashpot into each shock load isolation mount to provide damping. Each shock load isolation mount includes a shock mount portion having a first end fixed to the object to be isolated from shock loads, a second end, and an intermediate section between the first end and the second end. Each isolation mount also includes a dashpot mounted in series with the shock mount portion. The dashpot includes a moveable piston and a cylinder that receives the piston therein. The piston is fixed to the second end of the shock mount portion, and the cylinder is fixed to a support that is fixed relative to the object so that the dashpot provides damping in directions parallel to compression and tension directions of the shock mount portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Brian T. Van Lear
  • Patent number: 8210507
    Abstract: The invention relates to spring elements and bearings which contain these spring elements, the spring stiffness of the bearings and spring elements being individually adjustable by deformable elastomer bodies or elastomer layers by prestressing. The deformation of the elastomer layers and hence of the spring elements is achieved by an appropriately designed hydraulic device. The leak-tightness of the spring elements and bearing elements according to the invention is achieved through special hydraulically prestressed sealing elements, use of a pressure membrane and special structural features of the elastomer elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: FM Energie GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Franz Mitsch
  • Patent number: 8177201
    Abstract: A hydraulic mount has an upper support member and a lower support member. An upper elastomeric spring and a lower elastomeric spring are disposed between the upper support member and the lower support member to define an upper fluid chamber and a lower fluid chamber. A channel extends between the upper and lower chambers. During compression and extension of the hydraulic mount, fluid transfers between the upper and lower chamber to provide a damping force for the hydraulic mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: The Pullman Company
    Inventor: Robert J. Goudie
  • Patent number: 8146897
    Abstract: Self-pumping hydropneumatic spring strut includes a working cylinder divided into first and second working spaces by a working piston carried on a hollow piston rod; a high pressure chamber and a low pressure chamber partially filled with hydraulic damping medium, the high pressure chamber having a gas cushion and being connected to the second working space; and a piston pump including a pump rod extending into the hollow piston rod, the pump rod having a bore connected to the low pressure chamber, an end provided with a suction valve inside the hollow piston rod, and a deregulating opening, which is closable as a function of position of the working piston in the working cylinder. An adjustable damping valve located outside the external tube has a first flow connection connected to the first working space, and a second flow connection connected to the second working space and the high pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Hubert Beck
  • Patent number: 7959138
    Abstract: A connector fitting and air spring assembly includes a connector fitting supported on an end member of an air spring. The connector fitting is secured on the air spring by a retaining member engaging the end member of the air spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: BFS Diversified Products, LLC
    Inventor: Joshua R. Leonard
  • Patent number: 7934709
    Abstract: Provided is a viscous fluid-sealed damper which helps to achieve an increase in degree of freedom in terms of the selection of the material of a sealing container, which can be produced with high production efficiency, and which helps to avoid leakage of the viscous fluid. A lid member is fixed to a container main body while compressing and holding a flange portion between a sealing member and the lid member, so an opening end of the container main body can be sealed with the lid member without having to effect fixation through fusion-bonding as in the prior art, and the degree of freedom in terms of material selection can be increased. Further, if the container main body is formed of a butyl rubber, the container main body can be fixed to the lid member without using any adhesive, so it is possible to achieve a reduction in production time and in cost. Further, it is possible to avoid leakage of the viscous fluid due to defective adhesion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Polymatech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Rie Miyakosawa, Junji Ohki
  • Patent number: 7591353
    Abstract: A decoupled mono tube damper assembly includes an outer tube attached to a vehicle's unsprung mass. The outer tube has a base and a sleeve end. An outer tube sleeve engaging end of an inner tube is slidingly engaged with the sleeve end. The inner tube has an end distal to the sleeve engaging end, and is attached to the vehicle's sprung mass at the distal end. A damper rod has one opposed end extending axially into a base aperture, and an opposed end connecting to the inner tube. The rod moves axially relative to the outer tube. A low amplitude energy-managing member is operatively disposed within the outer tube, and has a throughbore receiving the rod. A travel-limiting member attaches to the rod and is engageable with the energy-managing member to constrain axial movement of the rod through the outer tube base to a predetermined limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn G. Quinn, Gregory J. Fadler, William C. Gregory, Carl T. Wright, Kenneth L. Oblizajek
  • Patent number: 7552916
    Abstract: A hydraulically damped mounting device has a first anchor part in the form of a tube and a second anchor part in the form of a ring around the tube, which ring is connected to the tube by a resilient wall. The device has a working chamber for hydraulic fluid partially bonded by the resilient wall and connected to a compensation chamber by a passageway. The chamber is partially bounded by a flexible bellows which may have a ribbed surface. The first anchor part may also include a helmet extending over the flexible bellows, which helmet is in abutting non-bonded contact with the tube. The second anchor part may have components forming a support arc to which the resilient wall is attached and a radially inner positioning arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Cadillac Rubber & Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian James Williams, Michael Paul Rooke, Peter Michael Trewhella Fursdon
  • Patent number: 7530554
    Abstract: A fluid spring assembly includes a first end member and a second end member spaced from the first end member. A spring sleeve extends between the first and second end members. A third end member is disposed along the second end member and is axially displaceably secured thereto. The third end member engages the spring sleeve and is displaceable between a fully-assembled use condition and a fully-assembled adjustment condition in which the third end member and spring sleeve are disassociated with the second end member permitting approximately free rotation thereof. A method includes adjusting the rotational alignment of the fluid spring assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: BFS Diversified Products, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel I. Levy