Spring devices – Vehicle – Comprising compressible fluid
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-02
2001-06-26
Oberleitner, Robert J. (Department: 3613)
Spring devices
Vehicle
Comprising compressible fluid
C188S284000, C092S00500L
Reexamination Certificate
active
06250612
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a ram cylinder and piston construction which includes an electronics enclosure compartment.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
Hydro-pneumatic vehicle suspension systems are well known. Typically, one or more single or double acting hydraulic rams are provided at each wheel to support the vehicle, with hydraulic circuits interconnecting the rams. A gas-charged accumulator is typically used to pressurize the hydraulic circuits and therefore, provide resilient displacement of the rams and consequently springing of the vehicle.
One hydro-pneumatic vehicle suspension system has come to be known as the “X” type. In such a system, the rams of diagonally opposite wheels of a vehicle are connected with discrete hydraulic circuits, each circuit connecting the bore side of one of the rams with the rod side of the diagonally opposite ram. Such an X-system is known, for example, from patents such as French Patent No. 1,535,641 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,270,771; 5,447,332; 5,562,305; 5,601,306; and 5,601,307.
Central to the design are the rams which support the vehicle body on the wheels and react to the hydraulic system. Another important aspect of the design are hydraulic accumulators which essentially act as springs to pressurize the rams so as to desirably support the body over the wheels.
Each ram may mount an accumulator assembly, which poses special problems not normally associated with shock absorbers, struts or common hydraulic cylinders. The wheel suspension rams must not only mount the accumulator assembly, but must also do so in a small and certain space or “envelope”, being closely adjacent to the body, the wheel, and other suspension components, while permitting electrical and hydraulic connections to be made to the cylinder/accumulator assembly. Each ram must fit within the permitted envelope and be lightweight and strong, since it is pressurized to an extent to bear the weight of the vehicle and dynamic loading.
In addition, each ram may also include electronics, for example for an internal linear displacement transducer, to provide an input of the displacement of the cylinder to an onboard computer so that the controller has that information to determine adjustments that should be made to the system to deliver the desired ride characteristics. The present invention relates to such a ram, which has an electronics enclosure integrated into it.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a fluid power ram in which the electronic components of the ram are contained within a chamber of a compartment which is positioned at an end of the ram. The compartment is intersected by the longitudinal axis of the ram and includes a ram mounting attachment outside of the chamber for mounting the end of the ram. Thereby, electronics of the ram are protected within a structurally sound, clean and dry compartment within the ram, without increasing the radial envelope required by the ram, and in a manner which facilitates service access to the ram.
In a preferred form, the compartment includes first and second clam shells with a parting line between them which is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder. In this form, the first and second clam shells are preferably bolted together with bolts that have their axes parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ram. The bolts may also usefully fix the first and second clam shells to the end of the cylinder. The ram mounting attachment can be formed as part of an outer one of the clam shells. In this manner, service access to the ram is provided by unbolting the clam shells.
In another useful aspect of the invention, an opening is formed in the inner one of the clam shells, the opening being axially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the ram. A pressure tube is sealed to the opening and the pressure tube extends axially within the ram along the longitudinal axis. A sensor extends within the pressure tube from the compartment. Thereby, the invention can be practiced to house long, axially extending electronic components inside the ram.
These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description and drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3559776 (1971-02-01), Schultze
patent: 4054295 (1977-10-01), Elliott
patent: 4552055 (1985-11-01), Foxwell
patent: 4936143 (1990-06-01), Schutten et al.
patent: 5014829 (1991-05-01), Hare, Sr.
patent: 5320325 (1994-06-01), Young et al.
patent: 5467852 (1995-11-01), de Kock
Actuant Corporation
Oberleitner Robert J.
Quarles & Brady LLP
Siconolfi Robert A.
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