Abstract: Systems and methods for mechanically rotating an aircraft about its center-of-gravity (CG) are disclosed. The system can enable the rear, or main, landing gear to squat, while the nose landing gear raises to generate a positive pitch angle for the aircraft for takeoff or landing. The system can also enable the nose gear and main gear to return to a relatively level fuselage attitude for ground operations. The system can include one or more hydraulically linked hydraulic cylinders to control the overall height of the nose gear and the main gear. Because the hydraulic cylinders are linked, a change on the length of the nose cylinder generates a proportional, and opposite, change in the length of the main cylinder, and vice-versa. A method and control system for monitoring and controlling the relative positions of the nose gear and main gear is also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for mechanically rotating an aircraft about its center-of-gravity (CG) are disclosed. The system can enable the rear, or main, landing gear to squat, while the nose landing gear raises to generate a positive angle of attack for the aircraft for takeoff or landing. The system can also enable the nose gear and main gear to return to a relatively level fuselage attitude for ground operations. The system can include one or more hydraulically linked hydraulic cylinders to control the overall height of the nose gear and the main gear. Because the hydraulic cylinders are linked, a change on the length of the nose cylinder generates a proportional, and opposite, change in the length of the main cylinder, and vice-versa. A method and control system for monitoring and controlling the relative positions of the nose gear and main gear is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process suitable for constructing a multiple stage air shock. The multiple stage air shock is unique among shocks in that the multiple stage design possesses qualities not available to other shock absorbers. The process includes a means for determining the compressed and extended lengths of the air shock based on the lengths of the parts for each stage. This means refers to one methodology and offers the air shock an extended length that is greater than twice its compressed length, an optimized extended length, and a construction capability based on adding stages. In particular, the extended length-compressed length relationship is a quality inherently unobtainable by current shock absorbers. The process also includes a means of determining the spring rate. This means refers to a second methodology and offers the capability to both set-up the air shock with a relatively linear spring rate and make the relatively linear spring rate more linear.

Abstract: A piston assembly that includes a pair of piston members that are formed of compacted powdered metal. The piston members have sets of locking features that include alternating projections and recesses that are spaced circumferentially about and intersect a rod aperture that extends through the piston member. Each projection is formed along a projection axis, which extends radially from a center axis along which the rod aperture is formed, and has a pair of opposite side walls and an end wall that connects the side walls to one another on a side of the projection that is opposite the rod aperture. The recesses on each piston member are configured to matingly and frictionally receive the projections on the other piston member.

Abstract: An aircraft landing gear is disclosed having a first oleo strut include a sleeve portion and a slider portion, the slider portion being slidable within a hydraulic fluid chamber of the sleeve portion, and a second, similar oleo strut. The landing gear also includes a hydraulic fluid balancer having a balance chamber separated into first and second end sections, wherein the hydraulic fluid chamber of the sleeve portion of the first oleo strut is fluidly connected to the first section of the balance chamber and the hydraulic fluid chamber of the sleeve portion of the second oleo strut is fluidly connected to the second section of the balance chamber of the hydraulic fluid balancer.

Abstract: A shock-absorber has an outer cylindrical tube, an inner cylindrical tube, a rod, a main piston and a hydraulic stop member received in a compression chamber and operating during an end section of the compression stroke of the shock-absorber to cause an increase in the hydraulic damping force. The hydraulic stop member has a cup-shaped body mounted in the compression chamber and a first auxiliary piston which is mounted on a cylindrical body rigidly connected to the main piston and is configured to sealingly slide in the cup-shaped body during an end section of the compression stroke, encompassing a working chamber with the cup-shaped body. A sliding member is slidably received inside the cylindrical body for opening or closing at least one first passage of the cylindrical body through which oil flows from the working chamber of the cup-shaped body to the compression chamber of the shock-absorber.

Abstract: A suspension device has an upper shell having a stepped section around an inner circumferential surface; a lower shell; a ball screw shaft rotatably supported by the upper shell; a bearing unit arranged between a part of the ball screw shaft and the upper shell, and having an outer side part in a radial direction including a side surface that comes in contact with a side surface on the other side in the axial direction of the stepped section; a ball nut screwed on the ball screw shaft; an inner tube joined to the lower shell and the ball nut; an electric motor; and a coil spring, and a circumscribed circle diameter of the ball nut and the inner tube is less than an inner diameter dimension of the stepped section.

Abstract: A gas cylinder actuator with safety device for uncontrolled return of the piston-stem, comprising: a tubular containment jacket, two opposing heads for closing the tubular jacket, a first head which is provided with a through hole for passage and for translation guidance with respect to an axis of symmetry for a piston-stem, and a second, opposing head, a piston-stem, which comprises a stem portion and a piston portion, sealing elements which are arranged so as to act against the stem portion at the passage and guidance hole, a chamber for pressurized gas being defined between the tubular jacket, the heads and the piston-stem; such gas cylinder actuator comprises, between the first head and the piston portion, a bushing, which is coupled to the tubular jacket with elements of preventing translation with respect to the axis, and is designed to encounter the piston portion, the bushing being configured to at least be deformed in the event of impact with the piston portion owing to the uncontrolled return of

Abstract: An aircraft landing gear assembly (112) including a shock absorber strut (114), a bogie (120), a link assembly (124), and a movement detector (132). The shock absorber strut includes an upper and a lower telescoping parts (118, 116), the upper part being connectable to the airframe of an aircraft and the lower part being connected to the bogie such that the bogie may adopt different pitch angles. The link assembly extends between the upper and lower telescoping parts, such that relative movement between the upper and lower telescoping parts causes relative movement between parts of the link assembly. The movement detector is arranged to detect movement of the link assembly relative to the bogie. The movement detector detects movement by sensing a change in linear displacement of, or angle between, one or more members.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for measuring the position of a piston-cylinder arrangement, said method comprising: providing the piston-cylinder arrangement, providing an electrical circuit unit, applying a DC voltage (Vcc) to the piston-cylinder arrangement, sensing a capacitance (C) of the piston-cylinder arrangement as an input variable for the electrical circuit unit, generating a pulsed DC voltage (Vcc) by means of the electrical circuit unit on the basis of the sensed capacitance (C) of the piston-cylinder arrangement, providing a measuring unit for measuring a frequency (F0, F1) of the pulsed DC voltage (Vcc) generated, determining a frequency difference (DF) between the frequency (F0) of the pulsed DC voltage (Vcc) before displacement of the piston within the cylinder and the frequency (F1) of the pulsed DC voltage (Vcc) after displacement of the piston within the cylinder, determining a displacement distance of the piston within the cylinder on the basis of the frequency difference (DF).

Abstract: A vehicle system includes a crush-can assembly that is disposed between a bumper member and a vehicle frame. The crush-can assembly is configured to yield when the bumper member is moved closer to the vehicle frame. The system further includes a displacement resistance device that has a chamber that holds a liquid-nano material. The liquid-nano material is compressed within the chamber to resist a movement of the bumper member toward the vehicle frame.

Abstract: A damper includes a pressure tube and a piston. The piston defines a rebound chamber and a compression chamber. The damper further includes a piston rod that reciprocates with the piston. The damper includes a sealing ring slidably disposed around the piston rod. The sealing ring includes a locking mechanism adapted to lock the sealing ring around the piston rod. The sealing ring also includes an inner surface having a plurality of concave surfaces and a plurality of convex surfaces. Each of the plurality of concave surfaces is located adjacent to a corresponding convex surface of the plurality of convex surfaces. The sealing ring further includes an upper surface extending between the outer and inner surfaces. The upper surface defines a plurality of channels. The sealing ring further includes grooves and bleeds for tuning energy dissipated by the damper during rebound stroke to help reduction of noise.

Abstract: A shock strut servicing assistance system may comprise a controller including a display, and a tangible, non-transitory memory configured to communicate with the controller. The tangible, non-transitory memory may have instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by the controller, cause the controller to perform operations comprising calculating, by the controller, a first fluid level, generating, by the controller, a first datum corresponding to the first fluid level, receiving, by the shock strut, a fluid in response to the first datum, calculating, by the controller, a second fluid level, generating, by the controller, a second datum, and storing, by the controller, a final fluid level.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compressed air preparation device for rail vehicles or utility vehicles, comprising a compressed air inlet, to which an air compressor can be connected, a compressed air outlet, which is connected to the compressed air inlet via a compressed air duct, and an air drying device arranged in the compressed air duct. In the event that the air compressor is switched off, the compressed air duct is vented upstream of the air drying device so that, at restart, the air compressor can start against a reduced counterpressure.

Abstract: A gas cylinder actuator with safety device, which comprises: a tubular containment jacket, two opposing heads for closing the tubular jacket, with corresponding sealing elements between the heads and the jacket, a first head provided with a through hole for the passage of a stem-piston, and a second head provided with a gas filling duct, a stem-piston, between the tubular jacket, the heads and the stem-piston there being a chamber for pressurized gas; the second head has a seat for the accommodation of a flow control element of the gas filling duct and corresponding sealing means, the flow control element comprising a tab for controlling a retracting stroke of the stem-piston, the control tab protruding from a body that has a lightened portion for triggering a controlled fracture or deformation in the event the control tab is crushed by the stem-piston.

Abstract: A system of actively introducing opposite phase vibrations to reduce or cancel vibrations caused by operating a snow plow. The invention also relates to a method of actively introducing such opposite phase vibrations.

Abstract: A wheel suspension for a motor vehicle including a control arm having a control arm portion and a cantilever spring portion fixed to the control arm portion. A retainer spaced from the control arm connects the cantilever spring portion to a vehicle subframe. The control arm portion may be made at least partly of fiber-reinforced plastic and having a wheel connecting point for a wheel carrier and at least one superstructure connecting point for a vehicle superstructure, for mounting pivotally about a pivot axis S. The spring portion may also be made at least partly from fiber-reinforced plastic.

Abstract: Suspension for a wheeled vehicle provided with at least one wheel and a frame, having at least one elastic element functionally combinable between the wheel and frame is disclosed. The suspension has at least one hydro-pneumatic spring functionally combined in series with the elastic element so that the equivalent spring modulus (Keq) of the elastic element and hydro-pneumatic spring is variable as a function of the distance between the frame and wheel. The hydro-pneumatic spring is shaped and sized to behave also as an energy dissipator in series to the elastic element.

Abstract: A shock absorber for a vehicle having a damper and a first and second springs mounted coaxially around the damper and a preload adjuster for partially compressing at least one of the springs independently of the compression stroke. In one embodiment the preload adjuster is remotely controllable. In another embodiment the shock absorber includes an additional mechanism for preloading at least one of the springs.

Abstract: An air spring assembly for a vehicle having a reservoir which is adaptable to meet different packaging requirements. The air spring assembly includes a damper body, at least one piston connected to the damper body, and a bellow connected to the piston, the bellow having a cavity. A top cap is connected to the bellow, and a fitting is connected to the top cap. A reservoir is connected to the fitting such that the reservoir is in fluid communication with the cavity. Air flows between the bellow and the reservoir as a result of movement of the piston and damper body during travel of the vehicle. The reservoir may be tube-shaped, having a consistent diameter, or a varying diameter. The reservoir may also be spherical-shaped, rectangular-shaped, square-shaped, or may be shaped to fit specific packaging requirements such that the reservoir may be positioned in any area of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system of actively introducing opposite phase vibrations to reduce or cancel vibrations caused by operating a snow plow. The invention also relates to a method of actively introducing such opposite phase vibrations.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to an air spring height sensor comprising a transmitter unit (102) for transmitting a height measuring signal, a receiver unit (101) for sensing a height signal, a carrier frequency switching unit (103), and an evaluation unit (200). The receiver unit and the transmitter unit are adapted for being mounted to opposing mounting elements (10, 20) of an air spring (1). The transmitter unit is switchable between different carrier frequencies (121, 122) of a height measuring signal. The evaluation unit comprises a frequency filter (213) being switchable between different carrier frequencies, wherein the carrier frequency switching unit is adapted for switching the carrier frequency of the frequency filter at a predetermined first point of time and the corresponding carrier frequency of the transmitter unit at a predetermined second point of time, wherein the first point of time is prior to the second point of time.

Abstract: A suspension apparatus includes a first tube and a second tube that are telescopic and that are disposed on a vehicle body side and on a wheel side, respectively; a cylinder that is provided in the first tube; a rod that is provided in the second tube; a piston that is provided on the rod, slidingly contacts with an inner circumferential surface of the cylinder, and forms a first gas chamber on a side of the first tube; a coil spring configured to urge the first tube and the second tube in an extension direction; and a spring receiving member that is disposed at a position on a second tube side from a movable region of the piston, the coil spring being disposed between the spring receiving member and the second tube.

Abstract: An active landing gear damping system and method for decelerating a vehicle during a terrain impact event, such as an aircraft landing or crash. The system monitors aircraft state data and terrain information to predict an impact of the vehicle with the terrain. The system can then determine a target damper force for each landing gear of the vehicle and a predicted damper velocity at the time of impact. Each landing gear can include an adjustable damper valve, wherein adjustment of the damper valves varies the damping coefficient of the respective dampers. The system can adjust valves of the respective dampers to provide the target force based on the predicted damper velocity. After an impact begins, the system can continuously monitor and adjust the valve to maintain the target force.

Abstract: An electrical assembly comprises a dielectric substrate and a metallic conductive trace overlying the substrate. The metallic conductive trace has a hollow cross-section that forms a duct. An annular member protrudes from the metallic conductive trace. The annular member has an opening in communication with the duct, the opening for receiving pressurized air or gas.

Abstract: A device for automatically adjusting the working width of the first plough body of a plough in accordance with the variable working width of subsequent plough bodies. A first hydraulic cylinder displaces a rear frame section laterally. A second hydraulic cylinder pivots the rear frame section to adjust a transverse spacing of the plough bodies. The first hydraulic cylinder includes a multi-stage cylinder. A first cylinder stage forms a main lateral control, and a second cylinder stage forms an automatic working-width control for the first plough body. The second cylinder stage is in hydraulic-fluid communication with the second hydraulic cylinder in a master-slave configuration. The second cylinder stage is master or the slave depending on a moving direction of the cylinder stage and the second hydraulic cylinder being slave or the master. Piston diameters are matched to provide a correction of a lateral displacement of the front frame section.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a piston-cylinder unit with a cylinder jacket and a piston rod longitudinally shiftably guided in the cylinder jacket as well as an evaluation unit which determines the position of the piston rod with respect to the cylinder jacket by the intrinsic electrical properties of an interconnection of cylinder jacket, piston rod and piston, wherein the piston rod is short-circuited against the cylinder or the cylinder head in a manner suitable for high frequencies via one or more contact elements in the region of the exit opening of the piston rod out of the cylinder head.

Abstract: A compressed air supply device for operating a pneumatic installation comprises an air supply unit configured to supply air, an air compression unit configured to compress air, a bleeding line comprising a controllable solenoid valve arrangement, the solenoid valve arrangement having a magnetic part and a pneumatic part, and a bleeding port configured to bleed air. The device also comprises a compressed air supply line having an air drier and a compressed air port, the compressed air supply line being configured to supply the pneumatic installation with compressed air, wherein the pneumatic part is open when the magnetic part is not activated.

Abstract: The landing gear systems, methods and apparatuses disclosed herein may comprise a shrink pump and an unshrink valve that are capable of shrinking a landing gear shock strut up to about 40% of its available stroke. The shrink pump may be configured to pump fluid (e.g., a hydraulic fluid) between an oil chamber, where hydraulic fluid is likely present and a shrink chamber to shrink the landing gear. Moreover, the shrink pump and unshrink valve may be part of a strut shrink system.

Abstract: A damper includes: an inner cylinder defining an inner chamber, having a slidable contact piston; an outer cylinder outside the inner cylinder and defining a reservoir chamber between the inner outer cylinders; and a damping-force control device controlling damping force by controlling a flow rate of an operating oil between the inner reservoir chambers. The control device includes a valve seat externally, projecting from the outer cylinder, having an opening for a first communicating channel connected to the inner chamber and an opening for a second communicating channel connected to the reservoir chamber, a valve element opening and closing on the valve seat by electromagnetic force, and a cap defining a variable pressure chamber between the cap and the valve element, and integrally holds the valve element and the valve seat. The variable pressure chamber can be connected to the first and the second communicating channels.

Abstract: A delay mechanism of a main rod of a gas spring is described, having an inner rod and a series of gas chambers which are defined in the interior of the body of the spring in such a manner that, by controlling the passage of gas between said chambers, the speed and delay of the main rod of the spring is controlled.

Abstract: Flexible spring members can be dimensioned for securement to an associated gas spring end member. The flexible spring member can be at least partially formed from elastomeric material. The flexible spring member can also include a marking disposed along a surface thereof that includes one or more indicia. The marking can be at least partially formed by an indicia layer and an outer layer. The indicia layer can include one or more quantities of material that at least partially form the one or more indicia. The outer layer can be formed from a quantity of material that is disposed overtop of the indicia layer such that the one or more indicia of the indicia layer are substantially encapsulated. Gas spring assemblies, suspension systems, methods of manufacture and manufacturing systems are also included.

Abstract: A gas cylinder actuator with a safety device for controlled ejection of the piston stem, which has, on the side of the region for fixing the head portion to the jacket, a region in low relief on the inner face of the jacket, designed to interrupt the seal provided selectively either by the gasket elements associated with the piston or by the gasket elements associated with the head portion, and normally operating against the inner face of the jacket, in case of separation of the head portion with an outward movement of the piston.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a shock absorber for a vehicle having a gas spring with first and second gas chambers, wherein the first chamber is utilized during a first travel portion of the shock absorber and the first and second chambers are both utilized during a second portion of travel. In one embodiment, a travel adjustment assembly is configured to selectively communicate a first gas chamber with a negative gas chamber.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a piston disposed within a pressure tube. A valve assembly is attached to the piston. The valve assembly defines a first fluid flow through an always open fluid passage; a second fluid flow due to elastic deformation of a valve disc of the piston assembly; and a third fluid flow due to movement of the entire valve disc away from the piston. In one embodiment, the valve assembly is designed to be pre-assembled at an off-line and/or off-site location.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a gas spring cylinder containing a piston moveable between an extended position and a compressed position within the gas spring cylinder. A mechanical actuator is arranged whereby a bleed port is automatically closed when the gas spring is compressed to a predetermined position corresponding to a desired sag setting. In one embodiment, the position corresponds to a predetermined sag setting whereby the gas spring is partially compressed. In another embodiment, a proper sag setting is determined through the use of a processor and sensor that in one instance measure a position of shock absorber components to dictate a proper sag setting and in another instance calculate a pressure corresponding to a preferred sag setting.

Abstract: The invention relates to a diameter-variable cylindrical air pressure spring. The current air pressure spring has the shortcomings of complex structure, insufficient deformation stroke and poor ventilation effect.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a first portion and a second portion that reciprocate relative to one another. The shock absorber includes a gas spring chamber defined between an interior wall and a plunger. A seal including a lip portion minimizes gas pressure loss and friction between the two portions.

Abstract: A jounce bumper can include a mounting wall and at least one helical thread. An end member can be at least partially formed from a quantity of polymeric material and can include a base wall and at least one helical thread integrally formed from the quantity of polymeric material. The end member and the jounce bumper can form a gas spring assembly. A method of assembly is also included.

Abstract: Shock absorbers for integration into protective structures generally take the form of hollow, compressible cells. The cell enclosure may be configured to provide for two or more compression stages. For example, in various embodiments, the cell enclosure includes one or more corrugations descending from the top wall, which, upon contact with the bottom wall, contribute to impact absorption.

Abstract: In a guided vehicle of air spring suspension for running along exclusive guideways, decreasing of center distance of the left and right air spring to mount air springs of increased dimension and increased load carrying capacity, which decreasing of the center distance induces decrease in rolling stiffness of the vehicle resulting in deteriorated ride quality and also induces difficulty in adjusting vehicle height resulting in spending long time in height adjusting operation, will not be required even when load carrying capacity of air springs is required to be increased in order to comply with increased vehicle load. A plurality of air spring elements are mounted tandem along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle with the air spring elements connected with each other so that air pressure thereof is always equal.

Abstract: An air dampening assembly for an electronic device comprises a base member. A first piston housing is disposed on the base member. A second piston housing is disposed on the based member opposite the first piston housing. A sliding member is disposed between the first and second piston housing. A first piston is disposed on a first elongated member of the sliding member. The first piston housing is configured to receive the first piston. A second piston is disposed on a second elongated member of the sliding member. The second piston housing is configured to receive the second piston.

Abstract: An air spring attachment system for motor vehicles. The air spring attachment system includes at least one air spring and at least one link for the suspension of a wheel on a chassis. The air spring attachment system also includes a plug-in connection connecting the air spring to the link.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a gas spring having a travel control includes positive and negative chambers and a valve mechanism that controls the fluid communication between the chambers. The valve mechanism includes a valve bore that while only moving a small amount, allows for large changes in gas spring travel length.

Abstract: An end member for a gas spring assembly includes an end member wall with a first wall portion at least partially defining a substantially-flat surface area in a first plane, a second wall portion at least partially defining an outer peripheral extent of the end member wall and a third wall portion at least partially defining a substantially-flat surface area in a second plane. A valley can extend lengthwise along the third wall portion. A gas spring assembly and method of assembly are also included.

Abstract: A gas spring for a vehicle suspension system includes a cylinder, a rod disposed within the cylinder, a relative movement between the rod and the cylinder changing the volume of a chamber formed between the rod and the cylinder, and an accumulator in communication with the chamber. Compression of gas in the chamber at least partially provides a first spring rate for deflections of the gas spring below a threshold, compression of gas in the chamber at least partially provides a second spring rate for deflections of the gas spring above the threshold, and the first spring rate is greater than the second spring rate.

Abstract: A shock absorber for a vehicle, having a bellows piston, bellows, and a fluid as the damping medium. The shock absorber has a first partition wall, which is situated on the bellows piston, and is implemented to separate a volume area of the bellows piston from a volume area of the bellows. The first partition wall has a first opening, which is implemented to limit a fluid flow between the volume area of the bellows piston and the volume area of the bellows. The shock absorber further has a sprung mass, which is situated inside the shock absorber to influence the fluid flow inside the shock absorber.

Abstract: A gas strut assembly includes a housing defining an interior space. A rod is coupled to the housing, and is slideably moveable between an extended position and a retracted position. A flexible member is secured in position relative to the housing. A rigid member is coupled to and moveable with the rod. The flexible member includes at least one displaceable member that moves radially away from the central axis in response to a second radial force component of a closing force when engaged by the rigid member moving from the extended position into the retracted position. The flexible member includes a multi-layered structure that changes shape in response to a change in temperature to affect the magnitude of the second radial force component required to move the displaceable member.

Abstract: A pylon mounting system with vibration isolation is provided. The system generally includes a housing that defines a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber, a fluid disposed within the fluid chambers; a piston assembly at least partially disposed within the housing, and a tuning passage defined by the piston assembly for providing fluid communication between the fluid chambers. The piston assembly has a first arm and a second arm, and each arm has a tubeform bearing for providing pitch and roll stiffness.

Abstract: A spring for a suspension is described. The spring includes: a spring chamber divided into at least a primary portion and a secondary portion, and a fluid flow path coupled with and between the primary portion and the secondary portion. The fluid flow path includes a bypass mechanism, wherein the bypass mechanism is configured for automatically providing resistance within the fluid flow path in response to a compressed condition of the suspension.