Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.

Rudi Schurmans

David Holiviers

Karl C Kazmirski

Zoren E Gaspar

Scott S Dunaway

David R Blankenship

Patrick Vanmechelen

Mario Maes

A vehicle suspension assembly including a first end, a second end, and a hydraulic actuator. The hydraulic actuator is movable between a retracted position providing the vehicle suspension assembly with a first overall length, and an extended position providing the vehicle suspension assembly with a second overall length greater than the first overall length. The vehicle suspension assembly is configured to raise a vehicle when moved from the first overall length to the second overall length by the hydraulic actuator. The vehicle suspension assembly is configured to lower the vehicle when moved from the second overall length to the first overall length by the hydraulic actuator.

Suspension leveling system

The present invention provides the art with a shock absorber which is capable of compensating for the differing thermal expansion between two materials. The shock absorber in its various embodiments includes a free floating pressure tube that is able to expand or contract axially without breaking a seal, a hybrid piston rod with a shaft of one material that compensates for differing thermal expansions and a cap of another material that absorbs axial forces, a unique rod guide assembly with a biasing member that compensates for differing thermal expansions, and a unique cylinder end assembly with a biasing member made from springs, a rubber block, or pressurized gas.

Thermal expansion compensation shock absorber

A rod guide assembly for a shock absorber includes a seal assembly which is biased towards a sealing surface on the rod guide by a biasing member which is located between the seal assembly and the bearing which is assembled to the rod guide housing. The biasing of the seal assembly prohibits movement of the seal assembly during operation of the shock absorber. In addition, a wire circlip which radially biases the seal assembly can be included.

Temperature compensated dual acting slip

A hydraulic fluid flow passage has a controlled restriction disposed within the passage. The restriction includes a first filter, a second filter and a plurality of particles disposed between the two filters. The particles are either dielectric particles or they are magnetizable particles. The dielectric particles create an electro-rheological fluid between the filters and the magnetizable particles create a magneto-rheological fluid between the filters. The arrangement for the dielectric particles is controlled by an electric field and the arrangement for the magnetizable particles is controlled by a magnetic field.

Growing community of inventors

Nieuwerkerken, Belgium

Rudi Schurmans