The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 14, 2006
Filed:
Oct. 17, 2003
Gary Spicer, Mississauga, CA;
Gerald J. Hamers, Woodbridge, CA;
Terry Cleland, Brampton, CA;
John W. Miller, Innisfil, CA;
Zbyslaw Staniewicz, Scarborough, CA;
Gary Spicer, Mississauga, CA;
Gerald J. Hamers, Woodbridge, CA;
Terry Cleland, Brampton, CA;
John W. Miller, Innisfil, CA;
Zbyslaw Staniewicz, Scarborough, CA;
Litens Automotive, Woodbridge, CA;
Abstract
A locking strut including a housing with a piston rod extending therethrough. A baffle mounts on the piston rod to divide the housing into two chambers. An orifice through the baffle allows fluid to pass between the chambers to damp reciprocating movement. An electromagnetic driver within the housing is selectively energized to move a ferromagnetic plate between an open position, wherein fluid flows freely between the chambers, and a closed position, wherein the ferromagnetic plate blocks the orifice to prevent fluid flow between the chambers and lock the locking strut in position. A plurality of orifices may be spaced about the baffle, with the number and size of the orifices determining the damping capability of the locking strut. A plurality of drivers may be disposed within the housing to overcome fluid forces during movement of the locking strut between an extended and a retracted position.