Abstract: An actuation arrangement for movable components on vehicles, particularly for trunk lids or hoods, doors, vehicle tops and top covers, including at least one hydraulic cylinder (1) pivotably coupled to a cylindrical pivot pin (11) on the vehicle and/or on the movable vehicle component, and having at least one line (1) for the pressure medium in at least one working chamber (6, 9) of the hydraulic cylinder. To allow pivoting of the hydraulic cylinder principally at any angle with low space requirements and a low risk of damage to the hydraulic lines, one section (16) of each pressure medium line passes through the pivot pin (11) essentially in an axial direction and at least one passage leads from the pivot pin (11) to at least one working chamber (6, 9) of the hydraulic cylinder (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to a vibration damper, in particular for a helicopter rotor, the damper comprising both a driving element and a rigid element and including a damper assembly functionally interconnecting the driving element and the rigid element, the damper assembly comprising firstly a hydraulic damper device disposed in at least one viscous fluid cavity and a laminated flexible device. The hydraulic damper device comprises first and second sets of interleaved plane vanes. In the invention, the hydraulic damper device also has at least one damper element which is disposed in one of said viscous fluid cavities and which is secured to the driving element, said damper element presenting an outer outline which tapers going away from a base situated beside one axial end of the damper towards an apex situated beside the sets of plane vanes.

Abstract: An air spring system for a two axle motor vehicle has a compressed air source and control valves. The control valves are assigned to the individual motor vehicle wheels and by means of which the respective vehicle wheel air springs can be connected by choice to a compressed air supply line which is connected to the compressed air source. The air springs of the vehicle front axle and the air springs of the vehicle rear axle have their own compressed air line branches, whose cross sections differ at least by segments; and the line branch of one of the two axles is designed in such a manner that its flow cross section during compressed air infeed into the assigned air springs differs at least by segments from the flow cross section during compressed air bleeding from the assigned air springs.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system including a first and second hydraulic damper is provided. Each hydraulic damper is provided with a cylinder and a piston connected to one end of a hollow piston rod, such that the pistons freely slide in the cylinder. The system also includes a pressure regulator, which has a first and second oil chamber connected to the first and second hydraulic dampers, respectively. The system additionally comprises a sub-piston and another piston connected to the sub-piston, which slidably engage in the hollow piston rod, forming an oil chamber.

Abstract: A ram (10) with a hydraulic cylinder (22) and piston (52) has an electronics enclosure compartment (54) integrated within it at one end. The compartment (54) is formed by two clam shells (70, 72) which are bolted to the end of the cylinder (22) so as to create a chamber for housing the electronics (66). The outer clam shell (72) has an axially aligned ram mounting attachment (74) integrally formed on it, and the inner clam shell (70) has an axial opening to which is sealed a hollow tube (56) which extends axially within the ram (10) so as to enclose a sensor (60) which is associated with the electronics (66) in the compartment (54).

Abstract: A case is provided on an outside of a damper main body that is connected to a damper rod and which can freely move in vertical directions. A pressure chamber is formed between the damper main body and the case in which a pressure medium is sealed up, which pressure medium changes its phase between vapor and liquid phases. The pressure medium is heated and vaporized by heat generated by virtue of a damping effect of the damper, while the pressure medium is condensed by virtue of heat radiating from the case by running wind. During the running on a rough road when the heating value of the damper becomes large, the internal pressure of the pressure chamber is increased to thereby raise the vehicle height, and during the running at high speeds when the heat radiating value becomes large, the internal pressure of the pressure chamber is decreased to thereby lower the vehicle height.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an air spring arrangement having a device for making ultrasonic distance measurements. An ultrasonic sensor, which is built into an air spring (2) for making measurements, can be disturbed when high frequency sonic oscillations occur when filling and venting the air spring. An air supply line (8) is disposed between the air spring (2) and a source of compressed air (30). To prevent the above disturbing frequencies, the air supply line (8) includes an air connecting pipe stub (10) which is lined with a net-shaped layer (16) on its inner wall surface. The layer (16) is preferably a plastic mesh. The filaments (18) of the mesh-shaped layer (16) are slightly inclined to the longitudinal center axis (28) of the pipe stub (10).

Abstract: A bicycle seat gas spring adjustment system removably inserted into a bicycle seat tube, between the bottom bracket and the seat post. The gas spring action providing a counteracting force to a portion of the rider's body weight by which the rider can adjust the height of the seating surface by changing the proportion of body weight placed onto the seating surface of the bicycle, thereby moving the seating surface to a desired position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for supporting a dynamic load relative to a foundation, such as a vehicle relative to the road, by a hydraulic system that monitors the movement of the load and adds or removes hydraulic fluid from the system to compensate for the load change. The hydraulic system is preferably one or more hydraulic cylinders that have a first chamber operably connected to the load and a second chamber operably connected to the foundation. The first and second chamber are connected by a valve. The valve is connected to the second chamber and a source of pressurized fluid with a reservoir. The first chamber senses the load change and the valve adds fluid from the pressurized fluid source to the second chamber or removes fluid from the second chamber to the reservoir to compensate for the change in the load and maintain the load in substantially the same position relative to the foundation.

Abstract: A drive system for trunk doors, engine hoods, hatchbacks (12), doors or the like of vehicles in particular motor vehicles comprising at least one hinge (1, 2, 3, 4) and a power spring, for instance a pneumatic spring (5) assisting the opening motion. The invention provides a mechanism shifting the direction of action of the pneumatic spring (5) to attain rapid, automatic opening of the hatchback (12) following its unlocking.

Abstract: The air damper includes a housing with cylindrical walls and a piston assembly reciprocating therein. The piston assembly includes an interior surface against which a seal abuts. The interior surface is textured in a grained pattern so that interstices are formed between the seal and the interior surface thereby forming an effective air passageway for damping. A cylindrical spacer spaces the interior surface from a retainer and the seal is engaged around the cylindrical spacer and between the retainer and the interior surface. An alternative embodiment inserts textile material through a damping orifice in order to vary the rate of damping.

Abstract: A piston/cylinder assembly includes a cylinder and a piston received in the cylinder for axial movement and dividing the cylinder into two working chambers. A first connecting member is affixed to the cylinder and is adapted to connect the cylinder to one of two elements that are movable relative to each other. At least one second connecting member is operatively coupled to the piston, extends through an opening in the cylinder, and is adapted to connect the piston to the other of the two elements. The opening has a length axially of the cylinder that is not less than the length of the stroke of the piston.

Abstract: A hydraulic damper assembly has a barrel-piston assembly and a spring assembly. The barrel-piston assembly has a barrel with a top portion having an open end, and a piston extending through the open end. The piston has a bottom portion that is located inside the barrel. The piston and the barrel also define an annular space in which is a barrel shoulder and a piston shoulder. The barrel shoulder radially extends into the annular space from the barrel top portion. The piston shoulder radially extends into the annular space from the piston bottom portion. The spring assembly is disposed in the annular space between the barrel shoulder and the piston shoulder. When the piston is extended from the barrel, the shoulders compress the spring assembly and, thereby, reduce the amount of force required to compress the piston which enables the damper to be charged to a higher nitrogen pressure.