Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

James M Pees

Wayne V Fannin

Joel R Wells

George T Claude

Claude H Cheatham

Michael J McClain

David Adolph Bobinger

Jerry L Neubauer

Edward Charles Ekert

Edward L Harrod

Richard A Hellyer

James R Wagner

Detlef Lohmann

A suspension damper includes a piston that is reciprocally carried in a circular cylindrical cylinder tube. The piston is attached to a piston rod that extends out from the cylinder tube and is adapted for connection to one of the sprung or unsprung masses of an associated vehicle. The circular cylindrical cylinder tube is carried in a reservoir tube that is adapted for connection to the other of the sprung and unsprung masses. The reservoir tube includes a section with a polygonal cross section and includes an open end with a circular cross section. The open end is closed by a rod guide assembly that engages the reservoir tube and the cylinder tube. The reservoir tube includes a closed end opposite the open end that is optionally polygonal or circular in configuration.

Suspension damper with polygonal reservoir tube

A monotube damper valve is provided which is capable of operating with a higher degree of preloading and a greater extent of disc deflection due to the provision of compression and extension stop surfaces which uniformly support the disc in its naturally deflected state at both limits of deflection travel.

Monotube damper valve

A suspension damper of the monotube gas charged shock type includes mating piston and rod guide assemblies and mating piston and gas cup assemblies wherein the extension and compression travel of the damper is maximized. The piston includes an annular skirt with a lower rebound cutoff element. The rod guide assembly includes twin spaced apart bushing assemblies providing lateral support to the piston rod, a lower annular leg and an upper rebound cutoff element. When the damper is in a fully extended position, the lower annular leg is received within the upper rebound cutoff element and the upper rebound cutoff element is received within the annular skirt of the piston assembly.

Monotube damper

A gas charged monotube strut carries the accumulator outside the damper's cylinder tube and within the strut mount. A substantially direct flow path is provided between the damper and the accumulator through the damper's piston rod. Air to oil separation is maintained by a gas cup and a low profile of packaging is provided.

Suspension strut assembly

A suspension damper includes an integral one-piece reservoir tube arrangement which provides a self-centering feature for the internal components of the damper, supports the loading on those internal components for proper functioning of the twin-tube type damper and applies for a preload force through the internal components.

Suspension damper

A hydraulic suspension damper includes a fluid-filled cylinder divided into first and second fluid chambers by a reciprocating piston. A bypass valve assembly includes a first pressure responsive valve assembly in fluid connection with one of the fluid chambers and a second pressure responsive valve assembly in fluid connection with the other fluid chamber. The pressure responsive valve assemblies direct fluid to an unidirectional electromechanical valve assembly. Operation of the bypass valve assembly permits independent control of fluid during compression and rebound strokes of the damper.

Bypass valve assembly for a hydraulic damper

An air spring module is constructed and arranged to be removably mounted between a damper and a vehicular body. The module includes a bored contact piston which is slip fitted over a reciprocable piston rod of the damper. A retaining ring releasably locks the contact piston to the damper, and O-ring seals provide a seal between the contact piston and the damper. An air sleeve is secured at its lower end to the contact piston and is secured at its upper end to a canister. A bearing assembly and mount rotationally and removably secures the canister to the body.

Air spring module for a damper

A two-part, spliced air sleeve assembly for use with an air spring damper includes a first corded, resilient sleeve member bonded to a second corded, resilient sleeve member. The bond angles and fabrics of the first sleeve members are selected so that the first sleeve inflates to a smaller diameter than the second sleeve. A first fastener secures the first sleeve member to the second portion of a damper. A second fastener secures the upper sleeve to a piston rod of the damper to form a closed chamber for receiving pressurized fluid. When inflated for operation, the first sleeve has a smaller diameter than the second sleeve. A pair of rolling lobe members are provided in the first and second sleeve members which travel as the air spring damper is actuated.

Spliced air sleeve assembly having a plurality of rolling lobes

A two-part, spliced air sleeve assembly for use with an air spring damper includes a first corded, resilient sleeve member bonded to a second corded, resilient sleeve member. The bond angles and fabrics of the first sleeve members are selected so that the first sleeve inflates to a smaller diameter than the second sleeve. A first fastener secures the first sleeve member to the second portion of a damper. A second fastener secures the upper sleeve to a piston rod of the damper to form a closed chamber for receiving pressurized fluid. When inflated for operation, the first sleeve has a smaller diameter than the second sleeve.

Spliced air sleeve assembly for air spring damper

A top end retainer for an air spring sleeve in an automotive strut suspension system includes an elliptic clamping flange having a perimeter equal to the circumference of the top end of the air spring sleeve so that the sleeve fits over the clamping flange without stretching. A bushing aperture in a center web attached to the clamping sleeve is offset to an end of the flange. A piston rod of the strut is received in the bushing aperture through an elastomeric bushing and the center web is connected to the sprung mass for rotation so that the strut and air spring are rotatable about a steering axis. The geometric center of the elliptic flange is further offset from the longitudinal axis of the strut than would be the case with a circular flange having a diameter equal to the diameter of the top end of the air spring sleeve so that the top end retainer according to this invention contributes to optimization of the inclination of the line along which the air spring resultant force is directed.

End retainer for air spring in strut suspension

An air spring damper used in a vehicle suspension system with upper, intermediate and lower chambers and incorporating a reservoir tube which has an anti-friction rod guide and bearing assembly therein which lubricates the hollow rod of a piston as it strokes in their reservoir tube in jounce and rebound. An elastomeric air sleeve is featured which is connected to a top mount fastened to the vehicle body. An elastomeric isolator of this mount pivotally connects the piston rod to the body while sealing the upper end of the air sleeve. The air sleeve is supported full time by an outer elastomeric sleeve for improved air sleeve operation. A jounce bumper mounted internal of the reservoir tube is compressible to resist and cushion jounce strokes of the piston. This damper provides optimized vehicle body isolation and damping of both body and wheel axle at their natural frequencies.

Air spring damper for vehicle suspension

An air sleeve assembly includes a tubular sleeve constructed from a radially elastomeric material. A liner constructed from a resilient material is positioned adjacent an inner surface of the tubular sleeve. A first fastener secures respective first ends of the sleeve and liner to a rigid tubular member of a damper. A second fastener secures respective second ends of the sleeve and the liner to a piston rod of the damper so that the sleeve and liner form a closed chamber for receiving pressurized fluid.

Lined air sleeve assembly for air spring damper

Rolling lobe air suspension strut having a specialized compliant cover plate assembly that forms the upper end of the air spring and which provides for absorption of jounce energy. This cover plate assembly provides optimization of isolation characteristics through split paths carried into the body through the isolation cushion in the mount assembly and the isolator portion of the compliant cover plate provided by the elastomer jounce bumper.

Vehicle air suspension strut with compliant cover plate assembly

A modular piston having a high tensile strength piston and rod connection produced without lubrication, weld splatter or other contaminants. The method produces an optimized joint from strength, concentricity and cleanliness standpoints. The parts are centered and connected in the same operation. With this connection an elastomeric bumper and bumper containment plate are retained in position for a complete assembly.

Modular piston with high strength tensile joint and method of manufacture

A suspension unit operatively connected between sprung and unsprung portions of a vehicle includes a replacement air sleeve and special air sleeve fitting facilitating installation. The air sleeve fitting is installed over the reservoir tube of the suspension unit and cooperates with a dust tube to locate the air sleeve on the suspension unit.

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Centerville, OH, United States of America

James M Pees