A clamping bushing which, due to the particular eccentric geometry and composite materials used to manufacture the same, comprising elastomers (14, 15) and metal sheets (10, 11), is suitable for the reduction of principally vertically acting vibrations and structure-borne sound which can arise in machines/gearboxes and, in particular, in wind turbines.

Composite springs, composite spring assemblies, medical devices including the same, and methods of making and using the same are disclosed. The composite springs may comprise alternating layers of carbon fiber and fiberglass materials. A strengthening adhesive, such as an epoxy, may be used to bind the carbon fiber and fiberglass materials. A dampening member may be attached to the composite spring, thereby at least partially defining a composite spring assembly. The dampening member may dampen elastic/spring forces of the composite spring. The composite spring assembly may be attached to an orthotic device to provide a non-linear spring response during movement of the device.

Composite springs, composite spring assemblies, medical devices including the same, and methods of making and using the same are disclosed. The composite springs may comprise alternating layers of carbon fiber and fiberglass materials. A strengthening adhesive, such as an epoxy, may be used to bind the carbon fiber and fiberglass materials. A dampening member may be attached to the composite spring, thereby at least partially defining a composite spring assembly. The dampening member may dampen elastic/spring forces of the composite spring. The composite spring assembly may be attached to an orthotic device to provide a non-linear spring response during movement of the device.

A wear pad having a sacrificial surface is disposed between a leaf spring in a leaf spring suspension system of a vehicle and a portion of a mounting bracket coupled to the leaf spring. The sacrificial surface is configured to contact the leaf spring and wear down in response to movement of the leaf spring. The sacrificial surface is configured to protect at least one of the portion of the mounting bracket and the leaf spring from frictional wear-and-tear.

A wear pad having a sacrificial surface is disposed between a leaf spring in a leaf spring suspension system of a vehicle and a portion of a mounting bracket coupled to the leaf spring. The sacrificial surface is configured to contact the leaf spring and wear down in response to movement of the leaf spring. The sacrificial surface is configured to protect at least one of the portion of the mounting bracket and the leaf spring from frictional wear-and-tear.

A leaf spring for a vehicle. The vehicle has a drivetrain that generates a high frequency vibration that is transmitted into an interior compartment of the vehicle and has a volume that can be heard by a driver and/or passenger. The leaf spring has a primary leaf and a secondary leaf that extends along and underneath the primary leaf. The leaf spring also has a high frequency dampener that is located between the primary and secondary leafs and is spaced apart from a tip liner insert. The high frequency dampener reduces the volume of a high frequency vibration that is present in the interior of the vehicle to a value less than an objectionable level to an occupant during operation of the vehicle. Therefore, the high frequency vibration is not heard by the driver and/or occupant.

A leaf spring for a vehicle suspension system, the leaf spring comprising a middle leaf plate located between an upper leaf plate and a lower leaf plate and a center bolt extending through an aperture of each of the leaf plates at a central region of the leaf spring, wherein the middle leaf plate has a wavy structure in the longitudinal direction where troughs and crests of waves of the wavy structure form longitudinally distributed contact points for transfer of load between the middle leaf plate and the upper and lower leaf plates, wherein the center bolt aperture of the middle leaf plate has an elongation in the longitudinal direction that is greater than that of the center bolt aperture of the upper and lower leaf plates so as to allow the middle leaf plate to move in the longitudinal direction relative to the upper and lower leaf plates.

A leaf spring for a vehicle suspension system, the leaf spring comprising a middle leaf plate located between an upper leaf plate and a lower leaf plate and a center bolt extending through an aperture of each of the leaf plates at a central region of the leaf spring, wherein the middle leaf plate has a wavy structure in the longitudinal direction where troughs and crests of waves of the wavy structure form longitudinally distributed contact points for transfer of load between the middle leaf plate and the upper and lower leaf plates, wherein the center bolt aperture of the middle leaf plate has an elongation in the longitudinal direction that is greater than that of the center bolt aperture of the upper and lower leaf plates so as to allow the middle leaf plate to move in the longitudinal direction relative to the upper and lower leaf plates.