MacPherson strut assembly or the like

A hydroelastic anti-torque link for recovery of engine torque, said anti-torque link for linking an engine to a chassis and at least partially damping transmission of vibrations from the engine to the chassis, said anti-torque link comprising:

• at least a first and a second elastomeric member, said at least a first and a second elastomeric member forming a fluid chamber therebetween;
• damping means movably disposed within said fluid chamber, said damping means for dividing said fluid chamber into a first chamber portion and a second chamber portion;
• retaining means disposed at least partially within said fluid chamber and substantially between said at least a first and a second elastomeric member;
• said retaining means for movably retaining said damping means therein in a fixed relationship with respect to said at least a first and a second elastomeric member;
• said retaining means with said damping means therein define a plane, said damping means being movable within said retaining means in a multiplicity of directions substantially within the plane;
• said retaining means having an essentially U-shaped cross section comprising as base portion with two essentially parallel arm portions projecting substantially perpendicularly from the base portion;
• said arm portions of said retaining means retaining said damping means within said retaining means;
• said damping means has an outer dimension;
• said retaining means has an inner dimension defined by the base portion, and an inner dimension defined by the arm portions;
• the outer dimension of said damping means being less than the inner dimension of the base portion of the retaining means and greater than the inner dimension of the arm portions of the retaining means, thereby forming a clearance between said damping means and said retaining means, said clearance allowing for said moving of said damping means within said retaining means;
• and
• said damping means providing fluid communication means for passage of damping fluid between said first chamber portion and said second chamber portion to thereby dampen vibrations between said engine and the chassis of the motor vehicle.

A hydroelastic attachment for being disposed between two masses to at least partially dampen transmission of vibrations between the two masses, said hydroelastic attachment comprising:

• at least a first and a second elastomeric member, said at a first and a second elastomeric member forming a fluid chamber therein;
• each of said at least a first and a second elastomeric member is intimately bonded to a conical shaped inner frame;
• said conical shaped inner frame having a common axis;
• said conical shaped inner frame comprising load bearing means;
• said load bearing means coming alternately into contact with one of two rigid support means fixed on the two masses;
• damping means movably disposed within said fluid chamber, said damping means for dividing said fluid chamber into a first chamber portion and a second chamber portion;
• retaining means disposed at least partially within said fluid chamber and substantially between said at least a first and a second elastomeric member;
• said retaining means for receiving said damping means therein to movably retain said damping means in a fixed relationship with respect to said at least a first and a second elastomeric member;
• said retaining means defining a plane, said damping means being rockable within said retaining means in a multiplicity of directions substantially within the plane;
• and
• said damping means providing fluid communication means for passage of damping fluid between said first chamber portion and said second chamber portion, and damping vibrations between the two masses.

A hydroelastic cartridge for attachment between two masses to at least partially dampen transmission of vibrations from one of the two masses to the other, said hydroelastic cartridge comprising:

• at least a first and a second elastomeric member, said at least a first and a second elastomeric member forming a fluid chamber therebetween;
• damping means movably disposed within said fluid chamber, said damping means for dividing said fluid chamber into a first chamber portion and a second chamber portion;
• said damping means comprising flap means;
• retaining means disposed at least partially within said fluid chamber and substantially between said at least a first and a second elastomeric member;
• said retaining means for movably retaining said damping means therein in a fixed relationship with respect to said at least a first and a second a elastomeric member;
• said retaining means with said damping means therein define a plane, said damping means being movable within said retaining means in a multiplicity of direction substantially within the plane;
• and
• said damping means providing fluid communication means for passage of damping fluid between said first chamber portion and said second chamber portion to thereby dampen vibrations between the two masses;
• said flap means comprising:
• a first surface;
• a second surface substantially parallel to said first surface;
• and
• a peripheral edge;
• said first surface and said second surface each having about their peripheral edge a sealing means for sealing between the flap means and the retaining means;
• said fluid communication comprising:
• at least one first passage connected between said first surface and said peripheral edge of said flap means;
• groove means disposed about said peripheral edge;
• and
• at least one second passage connected between said second surface and said peripheral edge of said flap means. one of said at least one first passage and one of said at least one second passage being diametrically opposite within said flap means;
• said flap means has an orifice passing therethrough from said first surface to said second surface;
• said hydroelastic cartridge further includes tubular member means passing through the orifice;
• said tubular member means having a first end embedded in one of said at least a first and a second elastomeric member, and a second end embedded in the other of said at least a first and a second elastomeric member;
• said flap means is slidable on said tubular member means passing through the orifice;
• said flap means further comprises sealing means disposed within the orifice for providing a seal between the flap means and the tubular member means to prevent leakage of fluid from the first chamber portion to the second chamber portion;
• said tubular member means is rockable within the orifice of said flap means;
• and
• the fluid is an anti-freeze water-glycol solution.