Hydraulic torque restraint system
AssigneeApplied Power Inc.
InventorsMohammad J. Najand, Michael R. Teeter, Kenneth E. Keith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A suspension system attaches an engine to a vehicle frame and includes resilient mounts that are relatively soft with respect to vibrational movement of the engine along horizontal and vertical axes. This soft connection reduces transmission of vibration from the engine to the vehicle frame. The suspension system also provides a pair of hydraulic restrainers mounted on opposite sides of the engine which react equally, but in opposite directions to loads. The hydraulic restrainers are relatively stiff with respect to torsion that results from engine rotation, yet is soft with respect to translational movement of the engine.
Claims17
A suspension system for attaching an engine to a frame of a vehicle wherein the engine exerts torque on the frame and has opposing first and second sides, the suspension system comprising:
- a first resilient mount having a first member connected to the first side of the engine, a second member connected to the frame and elastomeric material in contact with the first and second members;
- a second resilient mount having a third member connected to the second side of the engine, a fourth member connected to the frame and elastomeric material in contact with the third and fourth members;
- a first hydraulic restrainer having a first body fixedly connected to the frame with a first bore in the first body, a first piston slideably located within the first bore to define a first chamber therein which contains hydraulic fluid, the first piston coupled to the first side of the engine, wherein the torque exerted by the engine urges the first piston to reduce the first chamber in volume;
- a second hydraulic restrainer having a second body connected to the frame with a second bore in the second body, a second piston slideably located within the second bore to define a second chamber therein which contains hydraulic fluid, the second piston coupled to the second side of the engine, wherein the torque exerted by the engine urges the second piston to reduce the second chamber in volume;
- and
- a conduit connecting the first chamber and the second chamber for hydraulic fluid to flow therebetween in response to translational movement of the engine.
A suspension system for attaching an engine to a frame of a vehicle wherein the engine exerts torque on the frame and has opposing first and second sides, the suspension system comprising:
- a first resilient mount having a plate connected to the first side of the engine and having elastomeric material between the plate and the frame;
- a second resilient mount having another plate connected to the first side of the engine and having elastomeric material between the other plate and the frame;
- a first hydraulic restrainer having a first body fixedly connected to the frame with a first bore in the first body, a first piston slideably located within the first bore to define a first chamber therein which contains hydraulic fluid, the first piston coupled to the plate of the first resilient mount, wherein the torque exerted by the engine urges the first piston to reduce the first chamber in volume;
- a second hydraulic restrainer having a second body connected to the frame with a second bore in the second body, a second piston slideably located within the second bore to define a second chamber therein which contains hydraulic fluid, the second piston coupled to the plate of the second resilient mount, wherein the torque exerted by the engine urges the second piston to reduce the second chamber in volume;
- and
- a conduit connecting the first chamber and the second chamber for hydraulic fluid to flow therebetween in response to translational movement of the engine.
A suspension system for attaching an engine to a frame of a vehicle wherein the engine exerts torque on the frame and has opposing first and second sides, the suspension system comprising:
- a first resilient mount including a first plate fixedly attached to the first side of the engine and having an aperture therethrough, a first annular pad of elastomeric material abutting one side of the first plate, a second annular pad of elastomeric material abutting another side of the first plate that is opposite to the one side, first and second mounting plates abutting the first and second resilient pads which are sandwiched between the first and second mounting plates which have aperture therethrough, and a first fastener extending through the first plate, the first and second annular pads, and the first and second mounting plates for attaching to the frame of the vehicle;
- a second resilient mount including a second plate fixedly attached to the second side of the engine and having an aperture therethrough, a third annular pad of elastomeric material abutting one side of the second plate, a fourth annular pad of elastomeric material abutting another side of the second plate that is opposite to the one side, third and fourth mounting plates abutting the third and fourth resilient pads which are sandwiched between the third and fourth mounting plates which have aperture therethrough, and a second fastener extending through the first plate, the first and second third and fourth annular pads, and the first and second third and fourth mounting plates for attaching to the frame of the vehicle;
- a first hydraulic restrainer having a first body fixedly attached to the frame with a first bore in the first body, a first piston slideably located within the first bore to define a first chamber therein which contains hydraulic fluid, the first piston pivotally coupled to the first plate wherein the torque exerted by the engine urges the first piston to reduce the first chamber in volume;
- a second hydraulic restrainer having a second body fixedly attached to the frame with a second bore in the second body, a second piston slideably located within the second bore to define a second chamber therein which contains hydraulic fluid, the second piston pivotally coupled to the second plate wherein the torque exerted by the engine urges the second piston to reduce the second chamber in volume;
- a conduit connecting the first chamber and the second chamber for hydraulic fluid to flow therebetween;
- and
- an accumulator having a reservoir containing hydraulic fluid and connected to the conduit by a check valve which permits fluid to flow substantially only from the reservoir to the conduit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.