Abstract: A vibration damper includes an end-stop control valve that progressively adds end-of-stroke damping force to complement the damping force provided by a main piston. The end-stop control valve may include a valve piston assembly that has a valve piston insert, a piston that is disposed radially outside the valve piston insert, and a valve disc stack-up that is supported on a hub of the valve piston insert and a valve seat of the piston. The valve piston insert and the piston may be arranged so as to be longitudinally movable relative to one another. Consequently, the preload of the valve disc stack-up increases as the valve piston assembly contacts a catch piston and begins end-of-stroke damping. Transitioning from an initial preload to a maximum preload during the end-of-stroke damping event progressively increases damping resistance and thereby improves NVH characteristics.

Abstract: An end-stop control valve can progressively add end-of-stroke damping resistance to complement the damping force provided by a main piston in a damper tube. The end-stop control valve may include a piston that is secured on a piston rod and selectively engages a catch piston, both of which are longitudinally movable within the damper tube. As the piston approaches the catch piston, an annular pocket of hydraulic fluid is created longitudinally and radially between the piston and the catch piston. As the piston continues to approach the catch piston, a cross-sectional area through which hydraulic fluid exits the pocket decreases, thereby gradually increasing the resistance of the end-stop control valve. In addition, a spring disc secured on the piston rod may contact a valve seat on the catch piston and provide resistance by elastically deforming in a longitudinal direction before the contact surfaces of the piston and catch piston engage.

Abstract: An end-stop control valve can progressively add end-of-stroke damping resistance to complement the damping force provided by a main piston in a damper tube. The end-stop control valve may include a piston that selectively engages with a catch piston, both of which are longitudinally movable within the damper tube. To reduce bypass around the piston, a piston band wrapped at least partially around the piston may engage with a sidewall of the catch piston just prior to engagement of the catch piston and the piston, although at least some hydraulic fluid can flow through a pathway of the piston band. A spring disc that moves with the piston may also engage with the catch piston just prior to engagement between the catch piston and the piston. The spring disc may elastically deform to contribute end-of-stroke resistance leading up to engagement of the piston and the catch piston.

Abstract: A shock absorber may include an elongated housing that contains damping medium, a piston rod with a first piston that divides the elongated housing into a rebound volume and a first compression volume, a second piston configured to move through a second compression volume, a third piston configured to move through a third compression volume, and a mount cap for the elongated housing. The mount cap may include a bleed circuit that leads from the third compression volume to the first compression volume. The second and third pistons may be configured so as only to be engaged when necessary to prevent the shock absorber from bottoming out in a compression stroke. A user-accessible adjuster mechanism on an outside of the shock absorber can be manipulated to close, open, or partially open the bleed circuit and thereby adjust the damping characteristics of the second and third pistons.

Abstract: A damper with a main damper assembly includes a damper tube with a damping fluid. A main working piston divides a main fluid chamber into a piston rod side and a non-piston rod side. The main fluid chamber has an upper zone, a lower zone and a mid-zone. A secondary damper assembly with a secondary working piston is in fluid communication with the main damper assembly. When the main working piston travels in the mid-zone, fluid is caused to pass through the main working piston and the secondary working piston to generate a first damping force and when the main working piston travels in either of the upper and lower zone, fluid is caused to pass only through the main working piston to generate a second damping force, wherein the first damping force is less than the second damping force.

Abstract: A closure package for a vibration damper may include a base body that is connectable to a damper tube and comprises a first end and a second end. The first end forms an end side of the damper tube and the second end is disposed in the damper tube. A seal for sealing a piston rod may be disposed in the base body. A seal holder may be disposed between the seal and the base body at the first end. The seal holder for axially fixing the seal may be connected to the base body in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner. The seal holder may be fusible in an emergency. For releasing the connection to the base body, the seal holder may be thermoplastically deformable upon overheating of the vibration damper.

Abstract: A damper with a main damper assembly includes a damper tube with a damping fluid. A main working piston divides a main fluid chamber into a piston rod side and a non-piston rod side. The main fluid chamber has an upper zone, a lower zone and a mid-zone. A secondary damper assembly with a secondary working piston is in fluid communication with the main damper assembly. When the main working piston travels in the mid-zone, fluid is caused to pass through the main working piston and the secondary working piston to generate a first damping force and when the main working piston travels in either of the upper and lower zone, fluid is caused to pass only through the main working piston to generate a second damping force, wherein the first damping force is less than the second damping force.

Abstract: A closure package for a vibration damper may include a base body that is connectable to a damper tube and comprises a first end and a second end. The first end forms an end side of the damper tube and the second end is disposed in the damper tube. A seal for sealing a piston rod may be disposed in the base body. A seal holder may be disposed between the seal and the base body at the first end. The seal holder for axially fixing the seal may be connected to the base body in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner. The seal holder may be fusible in an emergency. For releasing the connection to the base body, the seal holder may be thermoplastically deformable upon overheating of the vibration damper.

Abstract: A jounce control damping system with an elongated housing containing a damping medium, a primary piston assembly, a moveable outer piston assembly, and a movable inner piston assembly disposed at least partially within the outer piston assembly. The primary piston assembly provides a first compression damping force. The inner piston engages the primary piston assembly and provides a second compression damping force when moved in a compression direction. After the inner piston assembly moves a given distance, the outer piston assembly is moved in the compressive direction and provides a third compression damping force.

Abstract: A jounce control damping system with an elongated housing containing a damping medium, a primary piston assembly, a moveable outer piston assembly, and a movable inner piston assembly disposed at least partially within the outer piston assembly. The primary piston assembly provides a first compression damping force. The inner piston engages the primary piston assembly and provides a second compression damping force when moved in a compression direction. After the inner piston assembly moves a given distance, the outer piston assembly is moved in the compressive direction and provides a third compression damping force.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for a damper having a jounce shock. The damper includes a top mounting portion adapted to couple the damper to a vehicular frame and a bottom mounting portion adapted to couple the damper to a vehicular suspension system. The damper further includes a damper tube assembly disposed between the top mounting portion and the bottom mounting portion. The damper tube assembly includes a jounce shock system and a rod having a first piston and a second piston. The rod is movable within the damper tube assembly from a first position to a second position, and the second piston engages the jounce shock system as the rod approaches the second position.

Abstract: Shock absorber components, such as a radial bypass damper, an anti-cavitation valve (ACV) and an incremental flow metering valve IFMV. The damper is of a continuous, unitary construction with a main hole and auxiliary holes interconnected by passageways. The ACV has openings that angle obliquely relative to entry surfaces of valving shims and extend at an incline continuously through the valving shims. The metering valve linearly regulates flow, substantially independent of piston displacement.

Abstract: Shock absorber components, such as a radial bypass damper, an anti-cavitation valve (ACV) and an incremental flow metering valve IFMV. The damper is of a continuous, unitary construction with a main hole and auxiliary holes interconnected by passageways. The ACV has openings that angle obliquely relative to entry surfaces of valving shims and extend at an incline continuously through the valving shims. The metering valve linearly regulates flow, substantially independent of piston displacement.

Abstract: Shock absorber components, such as a radial bypass damper, an anti-cavitation valve (ACV) and an incremental flow metering valve IFMV. The damper is of a continuous, unitary construction with a main hole and auxiliary holes interconnected by passageways. The ACV has openings that angle obliquely relative to entry surfaces of valving shims and extend at an incline continuously through the valving shims. The metering valve linearly regulates flow, substantially independent of piston displacement.