Bryan J Kudela

US Patent:

7140601, Nov 28, 2006

Filed:

Aug 6, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/913722

Inventors:

Thomas R. Nesbitt - Ann Arbor MI, US
Bryan J. Kudela - Catheys Valley CA, US

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI
Niwot Corporation - Longmont CO

International Classification:

F16F 5/00

US Classification:

267 6413, 267 6425, 267 6426, 267 6428, 267120, 267124, 188269, 1882821

Abstract:

A compact air-bump stop (jounceshock) provides improved motor vehicle suspension system accommodation of jounce and rebound than is provided than by a conventional shock absorber, bump cushion and/or air-bump stop. In an independent jounceshock, a primary shell and a secondary shell are reversibly collapsible into each other, and a valved piston demarcates a primary chamber within the primary shell and a secondary chamber within the secondary shell, both of which being filled with a mixture of pressurized gas, preferably nitrogen, and oil. The valving of the valved piston allows for selectively unidirectional, metered movement of the oil therethrough in concert with the direction of movement of the secondary shell with respect to the primary shell. In an integrated jounceshock, a compact air-bump stop is integrated with a shock absorber.

US Patent:

6059487, May 9, 2000

Filed:

Feb 20, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/026861

Inventors:

Charles T. Haga - Woodland Hills CA
Bryan J. Kudela - Catheys Valley CA

Assignee:

Malibu Entertainment Worldwide, Inc. - Dallas TX

International Classification:

E01F 1300
E04H 1700

US Classification:

404 6

Abstract:

A barrier vehicle system for an amusement race track is formed from a chain of pivotally coupled barrier modules. Each barrier module has a top and a bottom link separated by a spacer structurally joined with the top and bottom links to create a rigid structure when assembled. A pin extends through the top and bottom links, to one side of the spacer. An resilient, deformable barrel is journalled on the pin. To assist in attenuating high energy impacts, an extendable, energy-absorbing mechanism is attached to one end of the barrier, and the other end of the barrier is anchored to the ground.