Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC

Bfs Diversified Products, LLC

Driveright Holdings, Ltd.

Sanluis Rassini International, Inc.

Rassini, S.a. De C.v.

Graham R Brookes

Pradipta N Moulik

Joshua R Leonard

Daniel L Nordmeyer

Joseph A Bounds

Gregory A Holbrook

Brian S Hoaglan

Greg A Holbrook

Stephen C Street

Michael C Howard

Jason B Smith

Brian S DeBruler

Jason Donald Nieten

James Andrew Juriga

William S Niaura

Corey S Hart

Daniel P Steele

Jeffrey T Capek

Larry Lewis Lockridge

Anthony E Gambrall

Dean R Tener

Paul J Fessel

Samuel N Mbugua

David J Mickler

Christopher R Monroe

Slawomir M Zieleniec

Larry L Lockridge

Brian S Debruler

A communication and power transmission module includes a communication connection portion adapted for communicative coupling with an associated controller. A wireless power and communication portion is adapted for communicative coupling with an associated sensing device operatively associated with an associated suspension component and/or an associated wheel. The wireless power and communication portion is operable to communicate wireless data and/or signals to and/or from the associated sensing device and operable to wirelessly transmit power to the associated sensing device. Gas spring assemblies and vehicles including one or more of such communication and power transmission modules are also included.

Communication modules as well as gas spring assemblies and vehicle systems including same

A damper assembly has a longitudinal axis and includes a damper housing with a side wall portion and an end wall portion defining a damping chamber containing a quantity of damping fluid. A photon source and a photon receptor are operatively disposed in optical communication with the non-gaseous damping fluid in the damping chamber. The photon source is operable to direct a photon through the non-gaseous damping fluid toward an associated target surface. The photon receptor is operable to receive the photon reflected off the associated target surface through the non-gaseous damping fluid. A sensor suitable for such use as well as spring and damper assemblies and suspension systems are also included.

Internal damper sensors as well as damper assemblies and suspension systems including same

A vehicle system includes a vehicle, a vehicle control unit (VCU), a plurality of data modules and a data conversion interface. The vehicle includes a chassis that supports the other components of the vehicle, including the VCU. The data modules each provide an output signal with a data type specific to each data module. The data conversion interface couples with the VCU and each data module. The data conversion interface receives the output signal from each data module, converts each output signal into a common data format, and transmits the converted output signals to the VCU.

Interface combining multiple systems into one

A gas spring system (), comprising: an end plate (); a piston () laterally spaced from said end plate (); a first flexible sleeve () having a first end () and a second end (), said first end () of the first flexible sleeve () sealingly connected to the end plate (); a second flexible sleeve () having a first end () and a second end (), said first end () of the second flexible sleeve () sealingly connected to the piston (); and a swage assembly () sealingly engaging the respective second ends () of said first and second flexible sleeves ().

Air spring sleeves swage assembly

End member assemblies include an end member wall dimensioned for securement to a flexible spring member to at least partially define a spring chamber. A reservoir wall is supported on the end member wall and at least partially defines a reservoir chamber having a substantially-fixed volume. The reservoir wall includes at least one passage such that the reservoir chamber is disposed in fluid communication with the spring chamber. A passive control device is operatively associated with the passage such that under a first predetermined condition the passive control device is in a first operable condition in which the gas spring assembly has a first spring rate and such that under a second predetermined condition of use the passive control device is in a second operable condition in which the gas spring assembly has a second spring rate. Gas spring assemblies and suspension systems are also included.

End member assemblies as well as gas spring assemblies, suspension systems and methods

A gas spring and gas damper assembly (AS) includes a first end member () and a second end member () that is spaced from the first end member (). A flexible spring member () is secured between the first () and second () end members and at least partially defines a spring chamber () therebetween. A first damper reservoir () has a substantially-fixed volume. An elongated gas damping passage () is connected in fluid communication between the spring chamber () and the first damper reservoir (). A suspension system including such a gas spring and gas damper assembly as well as a method of assembly are also included.

Gas spring and gas damper assemblies, suspension systems and methods

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.

Suspension systems and methods of operating same

An end member assembly (EMI) includes an end member body () and a support column (). The end member body () includes an outer side wall and an inner side wall that together at least partially define an end member reservoir. The inner side wall at least partially defines a passage through the end member body. The support column () extends into the passage and is accessible from along opposing ends of the passage. A sealing element can be disposed in fluid communication between the end member body and the support column. An elongated gas damping passage can extend through the end member assembly in fluid communication with the end member reservoir. A gas spring assembly can include a flexible spring member () that at least partially defines a spring chamber with an end member () and the end member assembly (EMI) on opposing ends thereof. A restraining assembly () can be secured within the spring chamber.

End member assemblies and travel-restraint assemblies as well as gas spring assemblies including same

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.

Flexible spring member as well as gas spring assembly and method of manufacture

A replacement indicator can be operatively associated with an elastomeric article such that the replacement indicator is visually observable. In some cases, the replacement indicator can be secured on or along the elastomeric article. Gas spring assemblies and pneumatic tires including a replacement indicator, as well as methods of manufacture are also included.

Replacement indicator, elastomeric articles and methods

A pressurizable gas reservoir can include a first end member and a second end member that is disposed in longitudinally-spaced relation to the first end member. A flexible reservoir member can extend between opposing first and second ends. The first end secured to the first end member and the second end secured to the second end member. The flexible reservoir member at least partially defines a reservoir chamber between the first and second end members that is capable of storing a quantity of pressurized gas for an extended duration of time. The first and second end members can be maintained in substantially-fixed axial position relative to one another. A suspension system including such a pressurized gas reservoir and a method of assembly are also included.

Pressurized gas reservoirs including an elastomeric wall

A gas spring and gas damper assembly () can include a gas spring assembly () and a gas damper assembly (). The gas spring assembly can include opposing end members () and a flexible spring member () secured there between that at least partially forms a spring chamber (). One of the end members () can include an end member chamber () that is separated into a plurality of damping chambers (). Damper pistons () are disposed within the damping chambers () and are connected to the other end member () by way of a damping rod ().

Gas spring and gas damper assembly

A gas spring and gas damper assembly includes a first end member, a second end member and a flexible wall that at least partially defines a first spring chamber therebetween. A damping chamber wall at least partially defines a damping chamber. A damper piston is received within the damping chamber and is operatively connected between the first and second end members and within the first spring chamber. A suspension system that includes a gas spring and gas damper assembly as well as a method of assembly are also included.

Gas spring and gas damper assembly and method

An end member for a gas spring assembly can include a first end, a second end opposite the first end and a plurality of reflector surfaces formed along the first end. A first reflector surface can extend from the first end toward the second end. A second reflector surface can extend from adjacent the first reflector surface toward the second end. One or more of the plurality of reflector surfaces can include a plurality of facets or reflector zones. A gas spring assembly including at least one of such end members and a suspension system including one or more of such gas spring assemblies are also disclosed.

Growing community of inventors

Carmel, IN, United States of America

Graham R Brookes