Patent US3817566A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3817566A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Energy absorber
Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Europe BVBA
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Filing: 1972-03-13
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Granted: 1974-06-18
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Expires: 1992-03-13
Abstract
Abstract An energy absorber for vehicle bumpers and the like comprising a pair of telescopic tubular housings, attachment means for securing one of the housings to the vehicle frame and the other of the housings to the vehicle bumper, a piston located in one of the housings movable longitudinal thereof in response to a preselected impact force being applied to the energy absorber, a pressurizable chamber located in one of the housing members and valve means interposed between the chamber and the piston for selectively controlling the flow of fluid from one side of said of the assembly to the other side thereof to effect pressurization and de-pressurization of the chamber in response to the application and relief of the impact force.
Inventors
- 👤 J Keijzer
- 👤 W Pierle
- 👤 De Voordf G Van
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 04:40
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16F; F16F9/00; F16F9/06; B; B60; B60R; B60R19/00; B60R19/02; B60R19/24; B60R19/26; B60R19/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
457 words
An energy absorber unit for a vehicle bumper adapted for limited longitudinal movement between an extended and retracted position relative to the vehicle frame, said unit comprising first and second relatively thin-walled hollow cylindrical members, the outer diameter of said hollow housing members being substantially equal but slightly smaller than the inner diameter of sAid first hollow housing members, whereby one axial end of said second housing member may be longitudinally received within one end of said first housing member and be telescopically movable relative thereto, said first and second hollow cylindrical housing members when telescopically oriented relative to one another defining an elongated chamber, one part of which is within said first housing member and the remaining portion of which is within said second housing member, a first attachment element fixedly mounted to the outer end of one of said members for securing the same to the vehicle frame, and a second attachment element fixedly mounted to the outer end of the other of said members for securing the same to the vehicle bumper, a quantity of hydraulic fluid in said second housing member, a spring assembly within said second housing member operable to cause telescopic extension of said housing members, said spring assembly including a quantity of gas and a floating piston member longitudinally slidably disposed within one of said housing members and adapted to separate said fluid from said gas, a valve assembly supported in said second housing members between said spring assembly and said quantity of hydraulic fluid, said valve assembly including a valve plate extending transversely across the associated of said housing members and formed with at least one longitudinally extending flow port through which fluid may pass from one side of said valve plate to the opposite side thereof, a valve element secured to one side of said valve plate and being movable between a first position substantially blocking fluid flow through said flow port, a second position providing for restricted bleed of fluid through said flow port and a third position providing for a substantially unrestricted fluid flow through said flow port, interengageable means secured to said first and second housing members and located remote from and being completely independent of said spring and valve assemblies for limiting telescopically opposed movement of said housing members, said housing members being telescopically collapsible in response to an impact force being applied to the unit, whereby hydraulic fluid within said second housing member will be displaced through said valve assembly to effect compression of said spring assembly, with said spring assembly being operable upon cessation of said impact force to cause said displaced fluid to flow back through said valve assembly to effect expansion of said housing members to a preselected extended orientation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
457 words
An energy absorber unit for a vehicle bumper adapted for limited longitudinal movement between an extended and retracted position relative to the vehicle frame, said unit comprising first and second relatively thin-walled hollow cylindrical members, the outer diameter of said hollow housing members being substantially equal but slightly smaller than the inner diameter of sAid first hollow housing members, whereby one axial end of said second housing member may be longitudinally received within one end of said first housing member and be telescopically movable relative thereto, said first and second hollow cylindrical housing members when telescopically oriented relative to one another defining an elongated chamber, one part of which is within said first housing member and the remaining portion of which is within said second housing member, a first attachment element fixedly mounted to the outer end of one of said members for securing the same to the vehicle frame, and a second attachment element fixedly mounted to the outer end of the other of said members for securing the same to the vehicle bumper, a quantity of hydraulic fluid in said second housing member, a spring assembly within said second housing member operable to cause telescopic extension of said housing members, said spring assembly including a quantity of gas and a floating piston member longitudinally slidably disposed within one of said housing members and adapted to separate said fluid from said gas, a valve assembly supported in said second housing members between said spring assembly and said quantity of hydraulic fluid, said valve assembly including a valve plate extending transversely across the associated of said housing members and formed with at least one longitudinally extending flow port through which fluid may pass from one side of said valve plate to the opposite side thereof, a valve element secured to one side of said valve plate and being movable between a first position substantially blocking fluid flow through said flow port, a second position providing for restricted bleed of fluid through said flow port and a third position providing for a substantially unrestricted fluid flow through said flow port, interengageable means secured to said first and second housing members and located remote from and being completely independent of said spring and valve assemblies for limiting telescopically opposed movement of said housing members, said housing members being telescopically collapsible in response to an impact force being applied to the unit, whereby hydraulic fluid within said second housing member will be displaced through said valve assembly to effect compression of said spring assembly, with said spring assembly being operable upon cessation of said impact force to cause said displaced fluid to flow back through said valve assembly to effect expansion of said housing members to a preselected extended orientation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said floating piston comprises a relatively rigid piston member extending substantially across said other housing member, and which includes sealing means extending around the outer periphery of said piston member and adapted for sealing engagement with the inner periphery of the associated of said housing members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said floating piston comprises a relatively rigid frame member embedded within a resilient deformable outer layer, the outer periphery of which is adapted for sealing engagement with the inner periphery of the associated of said housing members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 which includes a piston fixedly secured to one end of a piston rod which is in turn connected to said first housing member, and which includes a cup-shaped seal extending around the outer periphery of said piston and adapted for sealing engagement with the inner periphery of said second housing member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention as set forth in claim 4 wherein said piston comprises a U-shaped packing extending around the outer periphery thereof and adapted for sealing engagement with the inner periphery of said associated housing member to said second compartment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said valve plate comprises first flow passage means and second flow passage means, which includes A first valve element for opening and closing said first flow passage means and a second valve element for opening and closing said second flow passage means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
88 words
The invention as set forth in claim 6 which includes a first plurality of circumferentially spaced flow passages extending axially through said valve plate, a first valve element at one end of said valve plate for selectively controlling fluid flow through said first plurality of flow passages, a second plurality of circumferentially spaced flow passages extending through said valve plate, and a second valve element at the opposite end of said valve plate from said first element for controlling fluid flow through said second plurality of flow passages.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention as set forth in claim 7 wherein at least one of said valve elements is preloaded to move from a closed position to an open position in response to a predetermined pressure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
436 words
An energy absorber unit for a vehicle bumper adapted to permit limited longitudinal movement of the bumper from an extended position to a retracted position relative to a vehicle frame in response to the application of an impact force, said unit comprising first and second relatively thin-walled hollow cylindrical members, the outer diameter of said hollow housing members being substantially equal but slightly smaller than the inner diameter of said first hollow housing members, whereby one axial end of said second housing member may be longitudinally received within one end of said first housing member and be telescopically movable relative thereto, said first and second hollow cylindrical housing members when telescopically oriented relative to one another defining an elongated chamber, one part of which is within said first housing member and the remaining portion of which is within said second housing member, first attachment means mounted on the axially outer end of one of said members for securing the same to the vehicle frame and second attachment means mounted on the axially outer end of the other of said members for securing the same to the vehicle bumper, a quantity of hydraulic fluid in said second housing member, a piston in said second housing member and connected to said first housing member and having an end thereof exposed to said fluid and movable longitudinally within said second housing member concomitantly with telescopic movement of said first housing in response to said impact force being applied to the unit, a spring assembly within one of said housing members operable to cause telescopic extension of said housing members, said spring assembly including a quantity of gas and a floating piston member longitudinally slidably disposed within one of said housing members and adapted to separate said fluid from said gas, a valve assembly interposed between said spring assembly and said piston, interengageable means secured to said first and second housing members and located remote from and being completely independent of said spring and valve assemblies for limiting telescopically opposed movement of said housing members, said valve assembly including means extending transversely across the associated of said housing members and formed with at least one longitudinally extending flow port through which fluid may pass from one side of said means to the opposite side thereof, and a valve element secured to one side of said last-mentioned means and being movable between a first position substantially blocking fluid flow through said flow port, a second position providing for restricted bleed of fluid through said flow port and a third position providing for a substantially unrestricted fluid flow through said flow port.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
436 words
An energy absorber unit for a vehicle bumper adapted to permit limited longitudinal movement of the bumper from an extended position to a retracted position relative to a vehicle frame in response to the application of an impact force, said unit comprising first and second relatively thin-walled hollow cylindrical members, the outer diameter of said hollow housing members being substantially equal but slightly smaller than the inner diameter of said first hollow housing members, whereby one axial end of said second housing member may be longitudinally received within one end of said first housing member and be telescopically movable relative thereto, said first and second hollow cylindrical housing members when telescopically oriented relative to one another defining an elongated chamber, one part of which is within said first housing member and the remaining portion of which is within said second housing member, first attachment means mounted on the axially outer end of one of said members for securing the same to the vehicle frame and second attachment means mounted on the axially outer end of the other of said members for securing the same to the vehicle bumper, a quantity of hydraulic fluid in said second housing member, a piston in said second housing member and connected to said first housing member and having an end thereof exposed to said fluid and movable longitudinally within said second housing member concomitantly with telescopic movement of said first housing in response to said impact force being applied to the unit, a spring assembly within one of said housing members operable to cause telescopic extension of said housing members, said spring assembly including a quantity of gas and a floating piston member longitudinally slidably disposed within one of said housing members and adapted to separate said fluid from said gas, a valve assembly interposed between said spring assembly and said piston, interengageable means secured to said first and second housing members and located remote from and being completely independent of said spring and valve assemblies for limiting telescopically opposed movement of said housing members, said valve assembly including means extending transversely across the associated of said housing members and formed with at least one longitudinally extending flow port through which fluid may pass from one side of said means to the opposite side thereof, and a valve element secured to one side of said last-mentioned means and being movable between a first position substantially blocking fluid flow through said flow port, a second position providing for restricted bleed of fluid through said flow port and a third position providing for a substantially unrestricted fluid flow through said flow port.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
51 words
The invention as set forth in claim 9 wherein said valve plate comprises first flow passage means and second flow passage means, which includes a first valve element for opening and closing said first flow passage means and a second valve element for opening and closing said second Flow passage means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
83 words
The invention as set forth in claim 10 which includes a first plurality of flow passages extending through said valve plate, a first valve element at one end of said valve plate for selectively controlling fluid flow through said first plurality of flow passages, a second plurality of flow passages extending through said valve plate, and a second valve element at the opposite end of said valve plate from said first element for controlling fluid flow through said second plurality of flow passages.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-17 | 1977-12-17 | 1978-06-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-17 | 1981-12-17 | 1982-06-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-17 | 1985-12-17 | 1986-06-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |