Abstract:
A damper (10) includes a piston (22) that carries a relatively compact control valve (26) for controlling fluid flow through the piston. The control valve provides a variable amount of damping by regulating damper fluid flow between the extension chamber (18) and the compression chamber (20) of the damper during extension and compression strokes. Pressure regulation across the piston is controlled through a flow path (38) as determined by the control valve. The damping force of the damper varies depending upon the loading conditions of the vehicle. The control valve is air pressure actuated to adjust the damping force and control the flow of fluid in the flow path. The piston and rod assembly include unique features such as a seal plate (142a) design, and spring retainer (158) that aid in the efficient and reliable assembly in a commercial production setting.
Abstract:
A connector assembly (10) is provided including a first connector (12) and a second connector (14) configured to mateably engage the first connector (12). The first connector (12) includes a housing (16), a conductor assembly (18) positioned within the housing and projecting from housing, and a resilient seal member (30) enclosing an interface between the housing (16) and the portion of the conductor assembly projecting from the housing. The second connector (14) includes an outer contact (60), an inner contact (62) nested within a portion of the outer contact (60), and a housing (64) containing the inner and outer contacts. Conductors of the conductor assembly (18) of the first connector (12) engage the outer (60) and inner (62) contacts of the second connector (14). Another resilient seal member (45) includes a flexible skirt (50) formed at an end portion thereof. The flexible skirt (50) forms a shroud covering a mating interface between a first conductor (20) of the first connector (12) and the inner contact (62) of the second connector (14) when the first and second connectors are mated. Design features incorporated into the second connector housing (64), inner contact (62), and outer contact (60) act to retard undesirable unmating of the connectors. The connector assembly (10) of the present invention may be used in applications requiring a dual wire or coaxial connector resistant to adverse environmental conditions, such as exposure to high-pressure gases or liquids, elevated temperatures, vibration, salt spray, etc.
Abstract:
The problem of flow induced instability in a control valve for a vehicle damper is solved by a generally tubular shaped valve spool having an open, bridged, flow-through end (34), rather than side flow openings. The flow-through end of the spool has a narrow flat edge oriented perpendicularly to the axis of the spool, with an inside surface (56) of the spool forming a 55 to 90 degree angle with the flat edge, and meeting the flat edge in a sharp corner.
Abstract:
A magnetorheological damper (10) includes an inner tube (12), a magnetorheological piston (14), and an outer tube (16). The magnetorheological piston (14) is located within and slideably engages the inner tube (12). The outer tube (16) surrounds the inner tube (12). The outer tube (16) is in fluid communication with the inner tube (12).
Abstract:
The invention provides a vehicle damper assembly 20, 30 including a housing 21, 40 including a fluid 22, 41 carried therein, a piston 23, 50 slidably carried in the housing 21, 40, and a rod 24, 60 operably attached to the piston 23, 50. The piston 23, 50 includes a curved portion 26, 51 positioned adjacent a housing inner surface 27, 42. The invention further provides a vehicle damper assembly 20, 30 including housing 21, 40 means for carrying a fluid 22, 41, piston 23, 50 means from reducing binding contact with the housing 21, 40 means, and rod 24, 60 means for moving the piston 23, 50 means. The invention further provides a method of reducing binding contact in a vehicle damper assembly 20, 30. A longitudinal radius 28 is determined for a piston 23, 50 based on a housing inner surface 27, 42. The piston 23, 50 is formed with a curved portion 26, 51 based on the longitudinal radius 28. The curved portion 26, 51 is positioned adjacent the housing inner surface 27, 42.
Abstract:
An adjustable vehicle suspension damper (10) configured to be arranged between a wheel assembly and a body of a vehicle, the adjustable damper including a tube (12). A piston (14) is slidably carried in the tube. A coil (52) is carried on the piston adjacent a first flow passageway (79) in the piston to produce a magnetic field thereacross and a control valve (65) is carried on the piston controlling fluid flow through a second flow passageway (80) in the piston.
Abstract:
An automotive vehicle sway bar assembly (18) includes two opposed sway bar members (24,28) interconnected by a hydraulically actuated latch (36) operable to effectively decouple the sway bar members (24,28). Alternatively, the sway bar assembly (18) may include an integral center section interconnecting the opposed sway bar members (24,28) and the latch (36) is operable to modify the effective stiffness of the assembly (18). The latch (36) includes a housing (38) with two opposed latch members (58,80) axially moveable relative to each other between fully engaged positions for transmitting torque from one sway bar member to the other or partially disengaged to effectively decouple the sway bar members (24,28) from each other. An anti-backlash lock member (92,94) is engageable with one sway bar latch member to reduce backlash created by a splined connection when the latch members are fully engaged with each other.