A suspension coil spring, when assembled to a suspension device, in which a spring reaction axis (AR) is positioned coincident with or sufficiently close to a load input axis (AA), and the design and manufacture of coil springs are facilitated. Namely, a suspension coil spring (10) in a free state is formed so that a coil axis (AC) is bent in V-shape at bend point (PB) and the distance from the end turn center (CU) of the upper seating surface (38) to an imaginary coil axis (AI) is an upper inclination amount (V.sub.U), and the distance from the end turn center (CL) to the imaginary coil axis (AI) is a lower inclination amount (V.sub.L). When the suspension coil spring (10) is interposed between spring seats (22, 24) in the suspension device and compressed along a strut axis, the spring reaction AR axis of the suspension coil spring (10) is inclined and offset with respect to the imaginary coil axis (AL) according to the inclination amounts (V.sub.U, V.sub.L).

An example mount assembly includes an upper mount and a lower mount. The assembly also includes an inertia track having a central opening defining an axis. The inertia track defines a passage in fluid communication with the first chamber and the second chamber. The inertia track is moveable along the axis.

An example mount assembly includes a first chamber and a second chamber. The assembly also includes an inertia track having a central opening defining an axis. The inertia track defines a passage in fluid communication with the first chamber and the second chamber. The inertia track is moveable along the axis.

A damper rod bushing operatively connects an end member of a gas spring and a damper rod of a damper to at least partially form a gas spring and damper assembly. The damper rod bushing is constructed for exposure to gas pressure within a spring chamber of a gas spring and damper assembly such that pre-load forces due to gas pressure within said spring chamber act on said damper rod bushing. The damper rod bushing can include an outer support element, an inner support element and an elastomeric connector element operatively connected between the outer and inner support elements such that a substantially fluid-tight seal is formed therebetween. A gas spring and damper assembly including such a damper rod bushing, as well as a suspension system including one or more of such gas spring and damper assemblies and a method of assembly are also included.

An annulus spacer for a fuel channel assembly of a nuclear reactor, and method of manufacturing an annulus spacer. The fuel channel assembly includes a calandria tube and a pressure tube positioned at least partially within the calandria tube. The annulus spacer includes a garter spring configured to surround a portion of the pressure tube to maintain a gap between the calandria tube and the pressure tube. A girdle wire is positioned substantially within the garter spring and configured to form a loop around the pressure tube. The girdle wire includes a first segment and a second segment that overlaps the first segment to form an overlap, the overlap extending between approximately 45 degrees and approximately 135 degrees to reduce the possibility of girdle wire twisting.

A monotube shock absorber which is capable of high compression damping forces while operating at low pressure for reduced friction is disclosed. The monotube shock absorber includes a pressure tube, a piston assembly, a piston rod, a fixed valve assembly and a floating piston. A variety of methods for securing the fixed valve assembly to the pressure tube are disclosed including use of single piece pressure tubes and pressure tube assemblies. In addition, a method for assembling the monotube shock absorber including an oil filling technique is described.