In one aspect, a system for monitoring the operational status of passive lift supports includes an actuatable component configured to be moved across a range of movement between a first position and a second position, and an actuator coupled to the component and being configured to actuate the component across the range of movement. The system also includes a passive lift support coupled to the component and being configured to provide a supplemental actuation force as the actuator is being used to actuate the component across the range of movement. In addition, the system includes a computing system configured to monitor a load-related parameter indicative of a load being carried by the actuator. The computing system is further configured to determine an operational status of the passive lift support based at least in part on the monitored load-related parameter.

A gas pressure spring is provided including a pressure tube and a fluid with a fluid pressure enclosed by the pressure tube in a fluid-tight manner in an operating state of the gas pressure spring. A wall of the pressure tube has a local taper, the taper forming a predetermined breaking point of the wall adapted to open to release a portion of the fluid from the pressure tube in a controlled manner when the fluid pressure exceeds a limit pressure. A wall thickness of the wall has a line-shaped minimum within the taper, the wall thickness increasing monotonically from the minimum to an edge of the taper in all circumferential directions around a longitudinal axis of the pressure tube. Also provided is a method of manufacturing the gas pressure spring.

Disclosed herein is an apparatus for variable fluid damping. The apparatus comprises a mount. The apparatus also comprises a damper coupled to the mount to apply a damping force in response to movement of the mount. The apparatus further comprises an electrical element positioned to correspond to the damper. The apparatus additionally comprises a rheological fluid disposed in the damper. The rheological fluid changes viscosity in response to a change in an output of the electrical element to change the damping force of the damper. The apparatus also comprises a controller to provide input to the electrical element in response to a normal operating condition or an emergency operating condition.

The present disclosure relates to a valve arrangement for a shock absorber. The valve arrangement comprises a valve member axially moveable relative a housing, and a triple spring arrangement including a first spring, a second spring and a coil spring arranged between the valve member and a coupling member coupled to the first spring and the second spring. The valve arrangement is adapted so that when the valve member moves no more than a first stroke length relative a predetermined reference position the first spring deflects to adjust a force equilibrium of the valve member, when the valve member moves more than the first stroke length the second spring deflects to adjust said force equilibrium, and when the valve member moves beyond a second stroke length greater than the first stroke length, the coil spring compresses to adjust said force equilibrium. A shock absorber comprising such a valve arrangement and a method for controlling a damping medium flow in a shock absorber is disclosed as well.

A piston cylinder device (1) comprising a cylinder (2) with a first and a second end and a guide (6), such that a pressure chamber (8) is formed in the cylinder. A piston (12) is moveable in the pressure chamber (8). The guide (6) is fixedly secured to the cylinder (2) by a lock ring (7). A sealing means (9) is arranged to seal between the guide (6) and an inner wall of a tubular wall (3) of the cylinder (2) to prevent fluid leakage from the pressure chamber (8) to the surroundings. The piston cylinder device (1) is provided with a material weakening zone (13) arranged in the inner wall of the tubular wall (3) of the cylinder (2) axially between the lock ring (7) and the second end (20) of the cylinder (2), the material weakening zone (13) being arranged to be deformed or sheared against the lock ring (7) at a predetermined level of impact of the piston (12) against the guide (6). A leakage gap (14) is arranged to interrupt the sealing means (9) upon deformation or shearing of the material weakening zone (13) such that gas from the pressure chamber (8) is allowed to leave the pressure chamber (8) through said leakage gap (14) to the surroundings.

A piston cylinder device (1) comprising a cylinder (2) with a first and a second end and a guide (6), such that a pressure chamber (8) is formed in the cylinder. A piston (12) is moveable in the pressure chamber (8). The guide (6) is fixedly secured to the cylinder (2) by a lock ring (7). A sealing means (9) is arranged to seal between the guide (6) and an inner wall of a tubular wall (3) of the cylinder (2) to prevent fluid leakage from the pressure chamber (8) to the surroundings. The piston cylinder device (1) is provided with a material weakening zone (13) arranged in the inner wall of the tubular wall (3) of the cylinder (2) axially between the lock ring (7) and the second end (20) of the cylinder (2), the material weakening zone (13) being arranged to be deformed or sheared against the lock ring (7) at a predetermined level of impact of the piston (12) against the guide (6). A leakage gap (14) is arranged to interrupt the sealing means (9) upon deformation or shearing of the material weakening zone (13) such that gas from the pressure chamber (8) is allowed to leave the pressure chamber (8) through said leakage gap (14) to the surroundings.

A hydraulic shock absorber includes: a cylinder that has an opening portion in a side wall surface on an axle side thereof; a reservoir that stores oil; a control unit that generates a damping force; and a movement prevention member at least a part of which is disposed outside the cylinder and on a vehicle body side of the opening portion, and that obstructs the oil from moving from the axle side to the vehicle body side.

A flywheel arrangement comprising a shaft with a flywheel fixedly connected thereto. The flywheel comprises at least one cavity and that cavity is at least partially filled with particulate matter.

A shock absorbing apparatus (suppressor) for a vibratory pile driver includes three suppressor sections, including a first section adapted and arranged to absorb a load up to a selected amount. A second suppressor section is adapted to absorb a load above the first shock-absorbing section, with a third suppressor system providing a transition between first and second suppressor action as load increases.

An improved shock isolating mounting comprising at least three substantially U-shaped leaf spring members, each leaf spring member comprising at least two leafs arranged to define a space therebetween. In one arrangement, the respective at least three substantially U-shaped leaf spring members are arranged in an array having a substantially equal angular spacing between adjacent spring members.