An impact absorber is provided and is configured to be positioned between a protected object and an impacted object during use to prevent substantial damage to the impacted object from the impact of an external force. The impact absorber includes an outer absorption element and an inner absorption element positioned within the outer absorption element. The outer absorption element includes an outer wall enclosing a primary chamber, with the primary chamber configured to hermetically contain a first fluid under a first pressure, with the outer wall including an impacted side and a protected side, where the protected side is configured to be directed toward the protected object during use, and the impacted side is configured to be directed toward the impacted object during use. The first inner absorption element includes a first wall enclosing a first chamber, with the first inner absorption element being positioned within the primary chamber with the first chamber and being surrounded by the first fluid, where the first chamber is configured to hermetically contain a second fluid under a second pressure, with the second pressure being equal to or differing from the first pressure.

The present invention relates to a hydraulic damper comprising a tube and a piston assembly provided with rebound valve assemblies and compression valve assemblies, wherein each valve assembly comprises a deflectable-disc valve and a blow-off valve. The piston assembly comprises two sleeve-shaped members each provided with a plurality of blow-off valve flow passages, a plurality of deflectable-disc valve flow passages, and a central opening, wherein the piston rod passes through said central openings to secure the piston assembly, a plurality of deflectable disc(s) of the deflectable-disc valve cover(s) said deflectable-disc valve flow passages , wherein a plurality of disc(s) of the blow-off valve adjoin(s) said blow-off valve flow passages, wherein the piston assembly further comprises two spring seats abutting said disc(s) of the blow-off valve, and at least one spring disposed within said internal chamber that biases said spring seats towards said number of discBP-S20010US(s).

The present invention relates to a hydraulic damper comprising a tube and a piston assembly provided with rebound valve assemblies and compression valve assemblies, wherein each valve assembly comprises a deflectable-disc valve and a blow-off valve. The piston assembly comprises two sleeve-shaped members each provided with a plurality of blow-off valve flow passages, a plurality of deflectable-disc valve flow passages, and a central opening, wherein the piston rod passes through said central openings to secure the piston assembly, a plurality of deflectable disc(s) of the deflectable-disc valve cover(s) said deflectable-disc valve flow passages , wherein a plurality of disc(s) of the blow-off valve adjoin(s) said blow-off valve flow passages, wherein the piston assembly further comprises two spring seats abutting said disc(s) of the blow-off valve, and at least one spring disposed within said internal chamber that biases said spring seats towards said number of discBP-S20010US(s).

A universal tube adaptor for a shock absorber includes a connector body, and first and second connectors. The connector body has intersecting first and second connecting holes respectively and rotatably receiving the first and second connectors rotatably therein. The first connector has a first guiding hole and an overflow hole perpendicular to, in fluid communication with, and cooperating with the first guiding hole to define an oil-filled space in fluid communication with the second connecting hole. The second connector has a second guiding hole in fluid communication with the second connecting hole and the overflow hole, so that the second guiding hole, the oil-filled space and the first guiding hole cooperate with one another to define an oil passage permitting damping oil to flow therein.

A power storage device includes power storage cells stacked in one direction, a case for accommodating the power storage cells, and a restriction unit placed in the case and restricting a relative displacement of each power storage cell to the case in the one direction. The restriction unit shows a first modulus of elasticity when each power storage cell is displaced relative to the case at a first velocity and shows a second modulus of elasticity when each power storage cell is displaced relative to the case at a second velocity in the one direction. The first velocity is a relative velocity of each power storage cell to the case when each power storage cell expands, the second velocity is higher than the first velocity, and the second modulus of elasticity is higher than the first modulus of elasticity.

A solar tracker system includes a torque tube, a solar panel assembly attached to the torque tube, a housing defining a chamber and a fluid passageway extending from the chamber, and an active lock connected to a seal configured to prevent a flow path of fluid while in a sealed state and allow the flow path of fluid in an unsealed state. The system further includes a controller in communication with the torque tube and the active lock. The controller is programmed to receive a command to place the solar panel assembly in a stowed position, instruct the torque tube to rotate the panel assembly to a stowed angle corresponding to the stowed position, monitor a current angle of the panel assembly, compare the current angle to the stowed angle, and instruct the seal to transition to the sealed state when the current angle is equal to the stowed angle.

A bicycle rear derailleur has a base member mountable to a bicycle frame, a movable member movably coupled to the base member, a chain guide assembly rotatably connected to the movable member for rotation about a rotational axis, a biasing element configured and arranged to bias the chain guide assembly for rotation in a first rotational direction with respect to the movable member, and a fluid damper having a fluid cavity containing a volume of fluid. The fluid damper is operatively disposed between the chain guide assembly and the movable member to apply a damping force to the chain guide assembly when the chain guide assembly rotates in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction. The fluid damper has a guide wheel configured to route a chain and rotatable about the rotational axis.

A bicycle rear derailleur has a base member mountable to a bicycle frame, a movable member movably coupled to the base member, a chain guide assembly rotatably connected to the movable member for rotation about a rotational axis, a biasing element configured and arranged to bias the chain guide assembly for rotation in a first rotational direction with respect to the movable member, and a fluid damper having a fluid cavity containing a volume of fluid. The fluid damper is operatively disposed between the chain guide assembly and the movable member to apply a damping force to the chain guide assembly when the chain guide assembly rotates in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction. The fluid damper has a guide wheel configured to route a chain and rotatable about the rotational axis.

Disclosed are impact sensor arrangements for active hood systems, methods for making and for using such impact sensor arrangements, and motor vehicles with active hood systems using such impact sensor arrangements. Disclosed, for example, is an impact sensor arrangement for an active hood system of a motor vehicle. An active hood system actuator is selectively actuable to displace the vehicle's engine hood. The impact sensor arrangement includes a sensor connected to a sensing tube to detect a characteristic change of the sensing tube and responsively output an actuator trigger signal. First and second blocks, each formed from a high-density material, attach to the vehicle body adjacent the bumper and collectively define an internal channel within which is nested the sensing tube. The first block is movably attached to the second block such that displacement of one block with respect to the other initiates the characteristic change of the sensing tube.

Disclosed are impact sensor arrangements for active hood systems, methods for making and for using such impact sensor arrangements, and motor vehicles with active hood systems using such impact sensor arrangements. Disclosed, for example, is an impact sensor arrangement for an active hood system of a motor vehicle. An active hood system actuator is selectively actuable to displace the vehicle's engine hood. The impact sensor arrangement includes a sensor connected to a sensing tube to detect a characteristic change of the sensing tube and responsively output an actuator trigger signal. First and second blocks, each formed from a high-density material, attach to the vehicle body adjacent the bumper and collectively define an internal channel within which is nested the sensing tube. The first block is movably attached to the second block such that displacement of one block with respect to the other initiates the characteristic change of the sensing tube.