Methods and apparatus for regulating the function of a suspension system are disclosed herein. Suspension characteristics often contribute to the efficiency of a suspended system. Depending on the desired operating parameters of the suspended system, it may be desirable to alter the functional characteristics of the suspension from time to time in order to maintain or increase efficiency. The suspension hereof may be selectively locked into a substantially rigid configuration, and the damping fluid may be phase separated and/or cooled to increase damping rate during use (or offset rate degradation). The suspension hereof may generate power usable to achieve any or all of the foregoing or to be stored for use elsewhere in the suspended system or beyond.

A covering for an architectural covering is provided. The covering may include a multiple stage spring assembly. The spring assembly may include a non-rotatable first member, a first spring including a first end portion and a second end portion, and a second spring including a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion of the first spring may be coupled to the first member. The first end portion of the second spring may be coupled to the second end portion of the first spring to rotate with the second end portion of the first spring.

A covering for an architectural covering is provided. The covering may include a multiple stage spring assembly. The spring assembly may include a non-rotatable first member, a first spring including a first end portion and a second end portion, and a second spring including a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion of the first spring may be coupled to the first member. The first end portion of the second spring may be coupled to the second end portion of the first spring to rotate with the second end portion of the first spring.

Methods and apparatus for regulating the function of a suspension system are disclosed herein. Suspension characteristics often contribute to the efficiency of a suspended system. Depending on the desired operating parameters of the suspended system, it may be desirable to alter the functional characteristics of the suspension from time to time in order to maintain or increase efficiency. The suspension hereof may be selectively locked into a substantially rigid configuration, and the damping fluid may be phase separated and/or cooled to increase damping rate during use (or offset rate degradation). The suspension hereof may generate power usable to achieve any or all of the foregoing or to be stored for use elsewhere in the suspended system or beyond.

Methods and apparatus for regulating the function of a suspension system are disclosed herein. Suspension characteristics often contribute to the efficiency of a suspended system. Depending on the desired operating parameters of the suspended system, it may be desirable to alter the functional characteristics of the suspension from time to time in order to maintain or increase efficiency. The suspension hereof may be selectively locked into a substantially rigid configuration, and the damping fluid may be phase separated and/or cooled to increase damping rate during use (or offset rate degradation). The suspension hereof may generate power usable to achieve any or all of the foregoing or to be stored for use elsewhere in the suspended system or beyond.

An energy-recovery device comprises an engine, an immersion chamber, a drive, and a power module. The engine comprises a core comprising a core element that comprises working material, the core element comprising a fixed first end and a second end that is connected to the drive. The immersion chamber houses the engine and is configured to be sequentially filled with fluid to expand and contract the core element. The power module applies a controlled stress to the core element during at least one of a heating phase and a cooling phase of a power cycle carried out by the engine.

An energy-recovery device comprises an engine, an immersion chamber, a drive, and a power module. The engine comprises a core comprising a core element that comprises working material, the core element comprising a fixed first end and a second end that is connected to the drive. The immersion chamber houses the engine and is configured to be sequentially filled with fluid to expand and contract the core element. The power module applies a controlled stress to the core element during at least one of a heating phase and a cooling phase of a power cycle carried out by the engine.

A torsion bar spring is disclosed. The torsion bar spring can include a first elongated spring bar made of a resiliently flexible material. The first elongated spring bar can have a first coupling interface portion at a distal end and an interior opening oriented along a longitudinal axis. The torsion bar spring can also include a second elongated spring bar made of a resiliently flexible material. The second elongated spring bar can have a second coupling interface portion at the distal end. The second elongated spring bar can be disposed at least partially in the interior opening of the first elongated spring bar. The first and second elongated spring bars can be directly coupled to one another at the first and second coupling interface portions such that uncoupled portions of the first and second elongated spring bars are rotatable relative to one another about the longitudinal axis.

A torsion bar spring is disclosed. The torsion bar spring can include a first elongated spring bar made of a resiliently flexible material. The first elongated spring bar can have a first coupling interface portion at a distal end and an interior opening oriented along a longitudinal axis. The torsion bar spring can also include a second elongated spring bar made of a resiliently flexible material. The second elongated spring bar can have a second coupling interface portion at the distal end. The second elongated spring bar can be disposed at least partially in the interior opening of the first elongated spring bar. The first and second elongated spring bars can be directly coupled to one another at the first and second coupling interface portions such that uncoupled portions of the first and second elongated spring bars are rotatable relative to one another about the longitudinal axis.

Disclosed is a device for pressurizing a viscous fluid contained in a drum, the device includes a follower plate vertically movable along a perpendicular axis passing through the center of the drum, the follower plate: is movable between a first position outside the drum and a second position inside the drum, to exert pressure on the viscous fluid; has a transfer port intended to be connected to a means of pumping capable of transferring the pressurized fluid. The device further includes an energy storage unit and restoration connected to the support system, the storage unit being capable of storing energy under the effect of the pressure exerted by the support system and of restoring it to the follower plate in order to maintain the viscous fluid under pressure.