A variable stiffness structure includes a first negative stiffness element configured to buckle in a first direction, a second negative stiffness element configured to buckle in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and an actuator operatively coupled to ends of the first and second negative stiffness elements to control a stiffness of the variable stiffness structure. The first negative stiffness element and the second negative stiffness element are mode-3 buckling beams.

A shock absorber includes a pressure tube forming a working chamber. A reserve tube is concentric with and radially outward from the pressure tube. A baffle tube is positioned radially outward from the pressure tube. A reservoir chamber is formed between the reserve tube and the baffle tube. A piston is attached to a piston rod and slidably disposed within the pressure tube. A rod guide is attached to the pressure tube and supports the piston rod. An electromechanical valve is positioned within the rod guide. The baffle tube and the pressure tube form a fluid passage between the electromechanical valve and the reservoir chamber.

A damper assembly includes a cylinder defining a chamber. The damper assembly includes a body supported by the cylinder and having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The body defines a passage extending from the first surface to the second surface. One of the first surface or the second surface define a slope at the passage. The damper assembly includes a check disc at the slope, the check disc selectively restricting fluid flow through the passage.

A landing gear arrangement may comprise a shock strut, a retraction actuator, and a shrink actuator. The retraction actuator may move the shock strut between a stowed position and a deployed position. The shrink actuator may move between a shrink position and an unshrink position in response to the shock strut moving between the stowed position and the deployed position.

A vibration damper for a motor vehicle with a hydraulic unit and at least one valve for controlling the volume flow to the hydraulic unit, wherein the at least one valve and the hydraulic unit are arranged outside of the tube elements of the vibration damper and a motor vehicle including such vibration damper.

A spring and damping device for a wheel suspension in motor vehicles includes an upper region, a lower region, and a damping element arranged between the upper region and the lower region. The device further includes a coil spring element and a rubber spring element. The coil spring element and the rubber spring element are arranged one behind the other along a center axis of the damping element such that the coil spring element is positioned to exert a force on the rubber spring element. The device allows a spring rate to be adjusted based either on sensed conditions, or by driver input. The spring rate may be adjustable between discrete settings or continuously variable.

A shock assembly with internal bypass having position dependent reservoir flow is provided. The shock assembly includes a twin tube shock body having an inner tube and an outer tube. The shock assembly also includes a ring divider coupled between the inner body and the outer body to separate and form a fluid gap between the inner body and the outer body. The shock assembly includes bypass ports and bleeder ports formed in the inner body. Additionally, there are reservoir flow ports formed in the inner body and located above body divider ring, wherein the reservoir flow ports are configured to direct shaft displacement flow of fluid to a reservoir of the shock assembly when a piston of the shock assembly passes by the reservoir flow ports and into the bump zone during a compression stroke. This eliminates the risk of cavitation in the bump zone.

A spindle device includes a shaft housing, a spindle, a bearing liner, a damping adjustment piston and an actuating assembly. The spindle is disposed through the shaft housing. A bearing component surrounds a shaft. The bearing liner is sleeved on the bearing component and has a liner conical surface facing away from the bearing component. The liner conical surface is non-parallel to an axial direction. A damping chamber is formed between the shaft housing and the bearing liner to be filled with a damping fluid. The damping adjustment piston is slidably located within the damping chamber and has a piston conical surface facing the liner conical surface. The piston conical surface is non-parallel to the axial direction. The actuating assembly is to drive the damping adjustment piston to move relative to the bearing liner to adjust a gap formed between the piston conical surface and the liner conical surface.

A damper assembly includes a rod elongated along an axis. The damper assembly includes a body supported by the rod, the body having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The body and the rod define a passage between the body and the rod, the passage extending from the first surface of the body to the second surface of the body.

A solar tracker system includes a support tube, a solar panel assembly connected to the support tube, and an active lock connected to the support tube. The active lock includes a housing defining a chamber and a seal. The seal prevents a flow of fluid through the chamber when the active lock is in a sealed state and allows the flow of fluid through the chamber when the active lock is in an unsealed state. The active lock further includes a locking system motor connected to the seal to transition the active lock between the sealed state and the unsealed state, a battery providing power to the locking system motor, and an antenna for receiving instructions controlling the locking system motor.