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Suspension strut assembly

  • US 5,941,351 A
  • Filed: 03/21/1997
  • Issued: 08/24/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/21/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A vehicle suspension strut comprisinga generally cylindrical housing including a first end and a second end, the housing defining a generally longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends, and a housing interior for containing a fluid,a first closure for closing the first end of the housing, the first closure including a piston receiving aperture,a second closure for closing the second end of the housing,a piston extendable through the piston receiving aperture, the piston being movable in an axial direction between a fully collapsed position and an extended position, the piston including:

  • a first end disposed adjacent to the first end of the housing and exteriorly of the housing exterior,a second end disposed adjacent to the second end of the housing and within the housing interior, andan insertable portion having a length L, the insertable portion being that portion of the piston which is disposed within the housing interior when the piston is in the fully collapsed position,a piston head fixedly coupled to the piston adjacent the second end thereof, the piston head including a plurality of apertures through which the fluid can pass at a controlled rate, anda bearing assembly disposed within the housing abutting against the first closure for facilitating axial movement of the piston between its extended and collapsed positions, the bearing assembly including at least two axially extending arrays of bearing members that engage the piston over a distance sufficient to absorb radially directed side load forces thereby substantially eliminating the need for a side load force absorbing member at the second end of the piston.

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