Abstract: A damper system for a vehicle is provided that includes including a pressure tube, a piston rod, and a piston assembly that is mounted to the piston rod and separates the pressure tube into first and second working chambers. A valve assembly, mounted to the piston assembly, controls fluid flow between the first and second working chambers. A frequency dependent damper assembly, coupled to the piston rod at a position below the piston assembly, includes a plunger sleeve that is longitudinally moveable to transmit an adaptive force to a valve assembly. A plunger travel limiter, positioned longitudinally between the frequency dependent damper assembly and the valve assembly, contacts the plunger sleeve and prevents the plunger sleeve from moving further towards the piston assembly to limit the magnitude of the adaptive force applied to the valve assembly.

Abstract: A damper system for a vehicle is provided that includes a pressure tube and a piston assembly separating the pressure tube into first and second working chambers. A frequency dependent damper assembly, coupled to a piston rod at a position below the piston assembly, includes a plunger sleeve that is longitudinally moveable to transmit an adaptive force to a first valve assembly mounted to the piston assembly. The frequency dependent damper assembly includes first and second accumulation chambers that are separated by a floating piston. A second valve assembly, carried on the floating piston, controls fluid flow between the second accumulation chamber and the second working chamber. A bleed channel in the floating piston allows fluid flow between the first and second accumulation chambers, which reduces the adaptive force the plunger sleeve applies to the first valve assembly during high frequency, low velocity rebound inputs.

Abstract: A damper system for a vehicle is provided that includes a pressure tube and a piston assembly separating the pressure tube into first and second working chambers. A frequency dependent damper assembly, coupled to a piston rod at a position below the piston assembly, includes a plunger sleeve that is longitudinally moveable to transmit an adaptive force to a first valve assembly mounted to the piston assembly. The frequency dependent damper assembly includes first and second accumulation chambers that are separated by a floating piston. A second valve assembly, carried on the floating piston, controls fluid flow between the second accumulation chamber and the second working chamber. A bleed channel in the floating piston allows fluid flow between the first and second accumulation chambers, which reduces the adaptive force the plunger sleeve applies to the first valve assembly during high frequency, low velocity rebound inputs.

Abstract: A damper system for a vehicle is provided that includes including a pressure tube, a piston rod, and a piston assembly that is mounted to the piston rod and separates the pressure tube into first and second working chambers. A valve assembly, mounted to the piston assembly, controls fluid flow between the first and second working chambers. A frequency dependent damper assembly, coupled to the piston rod at a position below the piston assembly, includes a plunger sleeve that is longitudinally moveable to transmit an adaptive force to a valve assembly. A plunger travel limiter, positioned longitudinally between the frequency dependent damper assembly and the valve assembly, contacts the plunger sleeve and prevents the plunger sleeve from moving further towards the piston assembly to limit the magnitude of the adaptive force applied to the valve assembly.

Abstract: A control system and method is disclosed for controlling an active suspension and a leveling system for a motor vehicle. The control system may use estimator, controller and management modules. The estimator module processes measured signals obtained from various components and sensors of the vehicle relating to modal displacements, velocities and accelerations, and calculates derived signals which are used as inputs to the controller module. The controller module calculates the desired damper force for each active damper based on motions of the vehicle body and wheels. The management module translates the desired active damper force into an appropriate set of control signals to control each active damper. These operations are performed for each active damper of the vehicle to control each damper in real time.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a shock absorber having a pressure tube which defines a fluid chamber, and a piston assembly. The piston assembly is disposed within the fluid chamber and divides the fluid chamber into upper and lower working chambers. A reserve tube surrounds the pressure tube to define a reservoir chamber between the reserve tube and the pressure tube. The pressure tube is disposed between a rod guide assembly and a lower mount. A structural integrity of the pressure tube is greater than a structural integrity of the reserve tube, and the pressure tube further operates as a principal load bearing component for the shock absorber.

Abstract: A hydraulic actuator includes a shock absorber and a control system that is separate from the shock absorber and which generates damping loads for the hydraulic actuator. The control system generates the damping load by using a pair of variable valves, a pair of check valves, an accumulator, a pump/motor and a flow controller. The forces are generated in all four quadrants of compression/rebound and active/passive. A device which recuperates the energy generated by the hydraulic actuator can be incorporated into the hydraulic actuator to generate energy in the form of electrical energy.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a shock absorber having a pressure tube which defines a fluid chamber, and a piston assembly. The piston assembly is disposed within the fluid chamber and divides the fluid chamber into upper and lower working chambers. A reserve tube surrounds the pressure tube to define a reservoir chamber between the reserve tube and the pressure tube. The pressure tube is disposed between a rod guide assembly and a lower mount. A structural integrity of the pressure tube is greater than a structural integrity of the reserve tube, and the pressure tube further operates as a principal load bearing component for the shock absorber.

Abstract: A hydraulic actuator includes a shock absorber and a control system that is separate from the shock absorber and which generates damping loads for the hydraulic actuator. The control system generates the damping load by using a pair of variable valves, a pair of check valves, an accumulator, a pump/motor and a flow controller. The forces are generated in all four quadrants of compression/rebound and active/passive. A device which recuperates the energy generated by the hydraulic actuator can be incorporated into the hydraulic actuator to generate energy in the form of electrical energy.

Abstract: A gas shock absorber has a pressure tube which defines a working chamber. A piston divides the working chamber into an upper working chamber and a lower working chamber. A flow path extends through the piston to provide fluid communication between the upper and lower working chambers. A valve body is attached to the pressure tube. The valve body defines a flow path between the working chamber and a fluid chamber. The fluid chamber is in communication with either the upper working chamber or the lower working chamber. The fluid chamber can be defined within the pressure tube, between the pressure tube and a chamber tube or it can be defined by an air spring assembly.

Abstract: A gas shock absorber has a pressure tube which defines a working chamber. A piston divides the working chamber into an upper working chamber and a lower working chamber. A flow path extends through the piston to provide fluid communication between the upper and lower working chambers. A valve body is attached to the pressure tube. The valve body defines a flow path between the working chamber and a fluid chamber. The fluid chamber is in communication with either the upper working chamber or the lower working chamber. The fluid chamber can be defined within the pressure tube, between the pressure tube and a chamber tube or it can be defined by an air spring assembly.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a hydraulic actuator is described which is operable to generate forces. The hydraulic actuator includes a pressure cylinder as well as a piston disposed within a pressure cylinder and being operable to divide the pressure cylinder into first and second portions. The hydraulic actuator also includes a piston rod mechanically communicating with the piston and being operable to impart movement to the piston. Finally, the hydraulic actuator includes variable restriction valves for controlling the pressure on both sides of the piston substantially independent of the velocity of the piston within the pressure cylinder.