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US4685531A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Motor vehicle power train torque strut

Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1986-03-31
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Granted: 1987-08-11
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Expires: 2006-03-31
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Abstract

Abstract A torque strut is pivotally connected about pivot axes at opposite ends thereof between a vehicle and its power train for controlling the pitching of the latter. The torque strut has an elastomeric bushing that is supported for angular movement about one of its pivot axes and has a configuration such as to effect a spring rate acting longitudinally of the strut that varies with angular movement of the bushing. The strut additionally has a drive for automatically angularly moving the bushing to vary the spring rate in response to varying power train operating conditions.

Inventors

  • 👤 Leonard F. Kopich

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-31 09:02
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K5/00; B60K5/12; B60K5/1241; B60K5/1283

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim 126 words
In a vehicle having a transversely mounted power train elastomeric mount means supporting said power train on said vehicle, and torque strut means pivotally connected about pivot axes at opposite ends thereof to said power train and vehicle for controlling pitching of said power train, the improvement comprising said torque strut means having elastomeric means at one of said end connections having a configuration such as to effect a spring rate acting longitudinally of said strut means that varies with prescribed angular positioning of said elastomeric means relative to said strut means, and drive means for automatically varying the angular positioning of said elastomeric means to vary the spring rate and thereby control power train pitching in response to a sensed varying power train operating condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 126 words
In a vehicle having a transversely mounted power train elastomeric mount means supporting said power train on said vehicle, and torque strut means pivotally connected about pivot axes at opposite ends thereof to said power train and vehicle for controlling pitching of said power train, the improvement comprising said torque strut means having elastomeric means at one of said end connections having a configuration such as to effect a spring rate acting longitudinally of said strut means that varies with prescribed angular positioning of said elastomeric means relative to said strut means, and drive means for automatically varying the angular positioning of said elastomeric means to vary the spring rate and thereby control power train pitching in response to a sensed varying power train operating condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 136 words
In a vehicle having a transversely mounted power train elastomeric mount means supporting said power train on said vehicle, and torque strut means pivotally connected about pivot axes at opposite ends thereof to said power train and vehicle for controlling pitching of said power train, the improvement comprising said torque strut means having an elastomeric bushing at one of said end connections supported for angular movement about one of said pivot axes, said bushing having a configuration such as to effect a spring rate acting longitudinally of said strut means that varies with angular positioning of said bushing about said one pivot axis, and drive means for automatically varying the angular positioning of said bushing to vary the spring rate and thereby control power train pitching in response to a sensed varying power train operating condition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 136 words
In a vehicle having a transversely mounted power train elastomeric mount means supporting said power train on said vehicle, and torque strut means pivotally connected about pivot axes at opposite ends thereof to said power train and vehicle for controlling pitching of said power train, the improvement comprising said torque strut means having an elastomeric bushing at one of said end connections supported for angular movement about one of said pivot axes, said bushing having a configuration such as to effect a spring rate acting longitudinally of said strut means that varies with angular positioning of said bushing about said one pivot axis, and drive means for automatically varying the angular positioning of said bushing to vary the spring rate and thereby control power train pitching in response to a sensed varying power train operating condition.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4240517A Cited
JPS57191129A Cited
US4610420A Cited
US4616846A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1990-08-10 1991-02-09 1991-08-11 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1994-08-10 1995-02-09 1995-08-11 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1998-08-10 1999-02-09 1999-08-11 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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