Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Noise Cancellation Technologies, Inc.

Stanley E Smith

John F Hoying

Richard Edward Longhouse

Robert R Klein

Wendell Collins, Jr

Jack E Smith

Eric Lee Jensen

Richard Allen Merrifield

William E Gossman

James P Hamberg

Todd H Baldini

Chinh Trong Nguyen

Scott K Miller

Thomas R Kushmaul

Herbert D Clark

John F Eilerman

Rodger E Geller

Wayne A Wilson

Richard W Lyday

Allen F Knecht

Thomas R Kushmall

An upper mount assembly includes a pair of plates seating at least one Belleville spring. The plates are concentrically mounted about a hydraulic damper so that the Belleville spring is in series with a coil suspension spring. During use, deflection of the Belleville spring provides an additional degree of motion to reduce transmission of vibration to the vehicular body.

Upper mount assembly for a suspension damper

A hydraulic mount assembly includes a pair of mounting members connected together to form a hollow elastomeric body closed by a resilient diaphragm so as to form a cavity for a damping liquid. A partition divides the cavity into a primary chamber formed between the partition and the hollow body and a secondary chamber formed between the partition and the diaphragm. The partition also includes a primary orifice track, a secondary orifice track and a decoupler passage providing fluid communication between the chambers. A first decoupler is mounted for limited reciprocating movement in the decoupler passage. A spring biases the first decoupler to a seated position sealing the passage. A second decoupler is mounted for limited reciprocating movement in the secondary orifice track. The primary orifice track establishes a first resonance frequency for the damping liquid. Similarly, the secondary orifice track establishes second, higher resonance frequency. Further, the force provided by the coil spring against the first decoupler is overcome by fluid pressure at a third resonance frequency higher than that of the second resonance frequency. Together these structures function to provide a rate dip and improved relatively high frequency tuning in a fully passive mount assembly.

Hydraulic mount with spring-loaded decoupler for tuned rate dip

A mount assembly is provided for mounting a component, such as an engine, to a vehicle for active control of vibration. The assembly includes first and second mounting members and, an intermediate insert with first and second elastomeric systems connecting said first and second mounting members with the intermediate insert in between. An actuator in parallel with said first elastomeric system provides vertical force to said first elastomeric system to provide a relatively soft vertical rate. A controller operates the actuator in response to sensed vibration so that the vertical force tends to avoid or cancel it. A relatively high fore/aft and lateral dynamic rate of the first system protects the actuator. The second elastomeric system connects the second mounting member with the intermediate insert and exhibits a relatively high vertical rate and a relatively soft fore/aft and lateral rate. One or more sensors feeds data to a controller that analyzes the vibrations to determine the harmonics thereof. The controller then constructs one or more output waveforms and feeds them to the actuator so that a force is applied across the first elastomeric system between the first mounting member and the intermediate insert, thereby tending to produce the relatively soft vertical rate for component isolation and noise suppression.

Component mount assembly providing active control of vehicle vibration

A top mount assembly includes a resilient isolator designed to be seated on an upper end of an actuator. A guiding sleeve is seated on the isolator and includes an upstanding annular wall forming a cavity in an upper surface of the guiding sleeve. At least one Belleville spring is mounted in the cavity to permit deflection of the assembly during the operational range of the actuator. A thrust plate is mounted on the Belleville spring and attached to the body.

Top mount assembly for a suspension actuator

A hydraulic mount assembly is disclosed having a partition forming two hydraulic chambers and including a damping decoupler. A primary chamber is formed by an elastomeric member and a secondary chamber by a resilient diaphragm. During dynamic loading of the mount, fluid passes through an orifice between the two chambers of the mount causing expansion and contraction of the diaphragm. An expandable, pneumatic bladder is mounted within the primary chamber. A tube provides fluid communication between the bladder and the atmosphere. When a valve in this tube is open, air freely enters and escapes the bladder in symphony with the vibrating mount. Alternatively, the valve may be closed and a positive pressure provided to the bladder from a variable pressure fluid supply. By actively controlling bladder expansion and contraction in this manner, the dynamic rate of the mount assembly may be selectively reduced at relatively high vibration frequencies; that is, those over 20 Hz. Damping may also be reduced to provide a relatively soft mount for engine isolation. Further, by evacuating the bladder, a relatively hard mount may be provided exhibiting relatively high damping and high rate for better engine control. A control circuit with on-board transducers is also provided to monitor vehicle operating and road conditions and modulate the pressure in the bladder for maximum operating efficiency.

Air bladder controlled hydraulic engine mount

A hydraulic mount assembly is disclosed having a partition forming two hydraulic chambers and including a damping decoupler. A primary chamber is formed by an elastomeric member and a secondary chamber by a resilient diaphragm. During dynamic loading of the mount, fluid passes through an orifice between the two chambers of the mount causing expansion and contraction of the diaphragm. An expandable, pneumatic bellows is mounted within the primary chamber. A vent tube provides controlled fluid communication between the bellows and the atmosphere to provide a relatively soft mount for engine isolation. Air entry into the bellows is induced by the built-in spring memory of the bellows causing expansion. Air may be removed or partially removed from the bellows by an external vacuum source, causing a negative pressure and contraction. By controlling bellows expansion and contraction in this manner, the dynamic rate of the mount assembly may be selectively reduced at higher vibration frequencies; that is, those over 20 Hz. An assist spring may be provided in the bellows. Further, by evacuating the bellows, a relatively hard mount with standard operating parameters may be provided; i.e. a mount having relatively high damping and high rate for better control under extreme driving conditions. A control circuit with on-board transducers is provided to monitor vehicle operating and road conditions and modulate the pressure by controlling venting of the bellows and the vacuum in the bellows for maximum operating efficiency.

Hydraulic engine mount with air bellows tuning

An adaptive vehicle suspension assembly includes a transverse leaf spring mounted in series with pneumatic springs at the front and rear wheels of a motor vehicle. A control circuit includes inlet and exhaust solenoid valves to control the flow of pressurized air into or out of the pneumatic springs, providing variable spring rate and vehicle height. Vehicle sensor switch provides control of the operation of the solenoid valves in response to sensed vehicle height increasing or decreasing the spring rate and providing optimum vehicle ride, load and cornering control.

Adaptive vehicle suspension system

A hydraulic mount assembly includes a pair of mounting members connected to each other through a hollow elastomeric body. The body is closed by a resilient diaphragm so as to form a cavity for hydraulic damping fluid. A partition or plate is provided to divide the fluid filled cavity into two distinct chambers and the partition may include a decoupler. A primary chamber is formed between the partition and the interior wall of the hollow body. An expandable pneumatic bladder is mounted within the primary chamber. A secondary chamber is formed between the partition and the interior wall of the diaphragm. A pumping chamber is formed by the diaphragm and a sealed base plate. Hydraulic fluid passes through the orifice track between the two chambers providing the damping action. As the fluid enters the secondary chamber, the diaphragm expands. Expansion/contraction of the diaphragm within the sealed pumping chamber creates a supply of positive/negative pressure air. A control circuit governs flow of air between the pump and the pneumatic bladder, thereby selectively modulating the overall damping and dynamic rate characteristics in response to sensed vehicle operating conditions.

Hydraulic engine mount with self-pumping air bladder

A hydraulic mount assembly includes a pair of mounting members connected to each other through a hollow elastomeric body. The body is closed by a resilient diaphragm so as to form a cavity for damping liquid. A partition or plate is provided to divide the fluid filled cavity into two distinct chambers. A primary chamber is formed between the partition and the interior wall of the body. A secondary chamber is formed between the partition and the interior wall of the diaphragm. The partition includes at least two flow passages connecting the two chambers. A sliding gate extends across the opening to one of the passages. This gate is displaceable to direct an infinitely variable flow of liquid between the primary and secondary chambers to provide an infinitely variable damping effect. The gate is actuated by a linear solenoid providing this desired proportional operation. The other passage opening remains fully open at all times. In another embodiment, a rotary valve extends across the passage entry. In still another embodiment the solenoid is driven by a pulse width modulator. A control circuit with on board transducers is provided to monitor vehicle operating and road conditions. A microprocessor acts in response to the sensed conditions and sends a control signal to operate the linear solenoid to provide the desired damping.

Electronic hydraulic mount with continuously variable control

A hydraulic mount assembly is disclosed having a partition including a damping decoupler between two hydraulic chambers. One chamber is formed by an elastomeric member and the other by a resilient diaphragm. During dynamic loading of the mount, fluid passes between the two chambers of the mount by moving around an orifice track and/or by bypass around the decoupler causing expansion and contraction of the diaphragm. A magnetic coil is provided adjacent the diaphragm in alignment with the decoupler to supply a controlling magnetic field. The decoupler is made of a magnetic material and is positionally responsive to the variations in the intensity and direction of the controlling magnetic field. By actively controlling the decoupler position in this manner, the dynamic characteristics of the mount are varied. A control circuit with on-board transducers is provided to monitor vehicle operating and road response conditions and modulate the voltage to the magnetic coil for maximum damping effect. The on-board transducers sense selected parameters to indicate unusual conditions for which modulation is required, such as rough engine operation, engine lugging, rough road conditions, sudden turning and/or rapid acceleration/deceleration.

Electronic motor mount with magnetic decoupler

A hydraulic mount assembly includes a pair of mounting members connected to each other through a hollow elastomeric body of natural or synthetic rubber. The body is closed by a resiliant diaphragm so as to form a cavity for damping liquid. A partition or plate is provided to divide the fluid filled cavity into two distinct chambers. A primary chamber is formed between the partition and the interior wall of the hollow body. A secondary chamber is formed between the partition and the interior wall of the diaphragm. A decoupler is mounted for reciprocal movement in the partition in response to low level alternating pressures in the chambers. At certain small vibratory amplitudes and high frequencies the decoupler eliminates undesirable hydraulic damping. The partition also includes at least two passages connecting the two chambers. A rotary valve is displaceable to direct the flow of fluid between the primary and secondary chambers through a selected passage or passages in the partition providing low, intermediate and maximum level damping. A solenoid actuator mounted on the partition includes multiple electric coils that allow the positive positioning of the rotary valve. A control circuit with onboard transducers is provided to monitor vehicle operating and road conditions. A microprocessor acts in response to the sensed conditions causing the necessary energization of the coils to provide the desired damping.

Electronic motor mount with rotary flow control valve

An apparatus and method for sealing between a movable vehicular closure and body, especially adapted for an automobile, is disclosed. A deflatable sealing member forms a weatherstrip to seal the opening in the vehicle body and includes an operable tubular portion and an integral mounting portion. The sealing member is designed for resilient interference engagement between the closure and the body when expanded by the built-in resilient memory. The closure is mounted so as to provide relative transverse movement between the sealing member and one of said closure and said body during closing. In order to deflate the sealing member, a vacuum source, which may be a bellows pump, separate electric pump, engine vacuum, or the like, is connected to the single port of the sealing member and is activated at least during the closing of the closure. After closing, the control valves switch from the vacuum source to a vent to ambient pressure thereby inflating the sealing member. With the sealing member deflated, the closing effort of the closure is substantially reduced and compression shock inside the vehicle is eliminated. Two alternative embodiments featuring the alternative vacuum sources and valving arrangements are included. Also, a relatively non-deflatable bumper portion of the sealing member is disclosed to absorb shock during closing.

Deflatable weatherstrips

A method of forming a friction pad utilizing two distinct compounds. One of the compounds has a high fiber content and the other has a high flow characteristic. The compounds are placed in respective layers in a mold and are compressed to form a composite piece which is placed in a second mold cavity along with a perforated metal plate. Heat and pressure are then applied to the composite piece in the second mold cavity to cause the high flow characteristic compound to flow and enclose the metal plate such that the two compounds and the metal plate are firmly bonded into an integral friction pad.

Method of manufacture of a molded friction pad

An automatic sewing apparatus for air cushions that includes a carriage having four circular tables that are sequentially movable to a plurality of circumferentially spaced work stations for receiving a pair of circular sheets of fabric and for sewing the peripheral portion thereof. Each table is combined with a circular cover that pivots into engagement with the sheets of fabric located on the associated table so as to maintain the sheets in position while the peripheral portion is being sewn.

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Dayton, OH, United States of America

Stanley E Smith