Oshkosh Defense, LLC

Oshkosh Corporation

Oskhosh Defense, LLC

Aaron J Rositch

Erik S Ellifson

Patrick S Dillman

Robert K Sollenskog

Kai P Schubart

Roy Venton-Walters

Jason J Zuleger

Jesse L Knoble

Mark L Steckling

Christopher J Rukas

Andrew L Drach

Deepak Shukla

Ron Zhang

David Hansen

Devon C Palmer

Joseph Krebs

Martin J Schimke

Chris Yakes

Rob Messina

Joseph Holda

Dave Marek

Ryan David Carignan

Kevin L Pennau

Colin Wheeler

Austin Dowdy

Paul Dumitru

Dean Seefeldt

Ben Andrews

Steve Tittl

Greg Malcolm

Andy McClaine

A gas spring includes a cylinder, a rod movable relative to the cylinder, and an accumulator. The rod and the cylinder at least partially define a chamber having a variable volume and contain a first pressurized gas. The accumulator is in communication with the chamber and contains a second pressurized gas. The gas spring provides a variable spring rate based on a pressure of the first pressurized gas relative to a threshold pressure.

Gas spring assembly for a vehicle suspension system

A pump system includes a housing defining a first internal volume and a second internal volume, a first piston positioned to separate the first internal volume into a first chamber and a second chamber, a second piston positioned to separate the second internal volume into a third chamber and a fourth chamber, a first inlet check valve configured to permit fluid flow into the first chamber, a second inlet check valve configured to permit fluid flow into the third chamber, a directional control valve (DCV) repositionable between (a) a first position where the DCV is configured to fluidly couple the second chamber to a high pressure fluid source and (b) a second position where the DCV is configured to fluidly couple the fourth chamber to the high pressure fluid source, and a relief valve configured to supply a fluid to the DCV through an orifice to move the DCV.

Reciprocating piston pump

A suspension element includes a housing, a first joint, and a second joint. The housing is configured to couple a tractive element assembly to a vehicle. The housing has a first end configured to engage a portion of the vehicle and a second end configured to interface with the tractive element assembly. The first joint includes a first actuator and a first resilient member. The first actuator is configured to facilitate linear extension and retraction of the suspension element. The second joint includes a second actuator and a second resilient member. The second actuator is configured to facilitate rotational movement of the suspension element. The first resilient member and the second resilient member are configured to support a static load of the vehicle.

Systems and methods for vehicle suspensions

A damper assembly includes a housing including a wall defining a first aperture fluidly coupled to a second aperture, a first tubular member coupled to the housing, a second tubular member extending between the wall and the first tubular member, a first plunger coupled to the second tubular member and in sliding engagement with an inner surface of the wall and an outer surface of the first tubular member, a third member extending within the first tubular member, and a second plunger coupled to the third member and in sliding engagement with an inner surface of the first tubular member.

Position dependent damper

A damper assembly includes a tubular member including a sidewall and a shoulder. The damper assembly includes a rod and a piston coupled to the rod. A secondary piston has a second contact surface, an opposing second surface, an inner cylindrical face defining a central aperture that receives the rod, and an outer cylindrical face. The opposing second surface includes one or more surface grooves, extending between the inner cylindrical face and the outer cylindrical face along the opposing second surface, and one or more bypass orifices disposed about the body member. The bypass orifices extend along the inner cylindrical face between the second contact surface and the opposing second surface. The secondary piston defines a channel extending between the inner cylindrical face and an outer periphery of the body member. The channel and bypass orifices form a fluid flow path when the piston contacts the secondary piston.

Suspension element systems and methods

A vehicle suspension system includes a gas spring. The gas spring includes a cylinder and a rod movable relative to the cylinder. The rod and the cylinder at least partially define a chamber having a variable volume and containing a first pressurized gas therein. The gas spring further includes an accumulator in communication with the chamber and containing a second pressurized gas therein. The gas spring provides a first spring rate when the first pressurized gas is pressurized below a threshold pressure and a second spring rate when the first pressurized gas is pressurized above the threshold pressure.

The damper assembly includes a tubular member, a rod, a primary piston, a secondary piston, and a resilient member. The tubular member includes a sidewall and a cap positioned at an end of the sidewall. The sidewall and the cap define an inner volume. The sidewall includes a shoulder separating the tubular member into a first portion and a second portion. The resilient member is disposed between the secondary piston and the cap and thereby is positioned to bias the secondary piston into engagement with the shoulder.

Limiting system for a vehicle suspension component

A vehicle includes a suspension system having a first damper, a second damper, and a controller. The dampers include housings and pistons sealingly interfaced with an inner diameter of the housing, dividing the damper into a first and second chamber. The suspension system includes proportional variable relief valves which control pressure of fluid entering or exiting one of the first and second chamber of one of the first and second damper. The controller controls the valves to control extension or compression of the first damper and extension or compression of the second damper based on a degree of roll of the vehicle during a turn of the vehicle or a degree of pitch of the vehicle during acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle. The first and second damper control a roll and pitch of the vehicle. The valves control a damping rate of one of the first and second damper.

Pitch and roll control system for a vehicle

A vehicle includes a wheel assembly, a chassis, and a damper assembly coupling the wheel assembly to the chassis. The damper assembly includes a housing including a wall defining a first aperture and a second aperture, a first tubular member coupled to the housing, a second tubular member slidably coupled to the housing and extending between the wall and the first tubular member, a piston coupled to the second tubular member, the piston engaging an inner surface of the wall and an outer surface of the first tubular member, and a conduit fluidly coupling the first aperture and the second aperture.

Vehicle with a position dependent damper

A vehicle includes a suspension system having a first damper, a second damper, valves and a controller. Each of the first damper and the second damper include a housing and a piston sealingly interfaced with an inner diameter of the housing, dividing the damper into a first and second chamber. Each valve controls flow rate of fluid entering or exiting at least one of the first and second chamber of at least one of the first damper and the second damper. The controller controls the valves to control extension or compression of at least one of the first damper and the second damper based on at least one of a degree of roll of the vehicle during a turn of the vehicle and a degree of pitch of the vehicle during acceleration of the vehicle or a degree of pitch of the vehicle during deceleration of the vehicle.

A suspension element includes a main body having an end cap defining an internal volume and a tubular element slidably engaged with the main body. The suspension element further includes a first piston and a flow control element. The flow control element is configured to prevent movement of the tubular element relative the main body in a direction. The suspension element may further include a locking member and a piston. The locking member may be configured to engage a barrier of the main body when the first piston traverses at least a predetermined distance towards the end cap. The locking member may be affixed to the tubular element and may fully surround the tubular element. Together the flow control element and the locking member are configured to prevent movement of the suspension element.

Suspension element lockout

A pump system includes a housing defining a first internal volume and a second internal volume, a first piston positioned to separate the first internal volume into a first chamber and a second chamber, a second piston positioned to separate the second internal volume into a third chamber and a fourth chamber, a directional control valve (DCV) fluidly coupled to the second chamber and the fourth chamber, a first relief valve fluidly coupled to the DCV via a first control line and the second chamber via a first sensing line, a first orifice positioned along the first sensing line, a second relief valve fluidly coupled to the DCV via a second control line and the fourth chamber via a second sensing line, and a second orifice positioned along the second sensing line.

Reciprocating piston pump comprising a housing defining a first chamber and a second chamber cooperating with a first piston and a second piston to define a third chamber and a fourth chamber

A vehicle includes a support arm and a suspension element. The suspension element is rotatably connected to a support arm of a vehicle via a mounting pin that extends through an opening on the suspension element, a thrust washer, and a seal. The combination of elements prevent debris from migrating into the connection. The suspension element is configured to connect to a structural element of the vehicle via an upper mount. The suspension element may include a recoil damper having a piston with a plurality of grooves arranged to balance the forces on the piston during and after a recoil event or jounce.

A suspension element includes a main body having an internal volume, a tubular element extending at least partially within the main body, the main body and the tubular element each including a sidewall having an inner surface and an outer surface, a first piston assembly separating the internal volume of the main body into a first chamber and a second chamber, the second chamber defined by the outer surface of the tubular element, the inner surface of the main body, and a surface of the first piston assembly, and a second piston assembly including a side that is directly exposed to the first chamber. The sidewall of the main body defines an aperture therethrough that forms a portion of a flow path between the first chamber and the second chamber. The first piston assembly is configured to prevent direct fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber.

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Omro, WI, United States of America

Aaron J Rositch