Annular Reservoir Patents (Class 188/315)
  • Patent number: 8991572
    Abstract: A leak-proof damper with a self-diagnostic feature. An auxiliary oil reservoir body is disposed externally with respect to the damper cylinder and generally adjacent the rod seal, wherein the auxiliary oil reservoir body is concealed by an end cap. The maximum volume of oil retainable by the auxiliary oil reservoir body is predetermined to coincide with a volume of oil which may be lost from the interior of the damper cylinder and yet the damper will still function properly. The auxiliary oil reservoir body may be a seal body having an internal cavity providing an oil retention volume or an absorbent body having an absorbency capacity that provides an oil retention volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Wenshui Wang
  • Patent number: 8973726
    Abstract: A hydraulic shock absorber includes: a cylinder which demarcates a piston oil chamber and a rod oil chamber; an outer cylinder body which demarcates between the cylinder and the outer cylinder body a reflux path that connects the piston oil chamber and the rod oil chamber with each other and which demarcates between a damper case and the outer cylinder body a reservoir chamber; and a valve structure mounted to the cylinder and the outer cylinder body. The valve structure has a valve for controlling an oil flow between the piston oil chamber and the reflux path and between the piston oil chamber and the reservoir chamber. The valve structure comprises a first valve structure mounted to an open end of the cylinder and a second valve structure mounted to an open end of the outer cylinder body. A cylinder assembly and an outer cylinder assembly are independently arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Showa Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Tsukahara, Noriaki Maneyama
  • Publication number: 20150041265
    Abstract: A damping force generating mechanism is housed in a casing disposed at a side of an outer tube of a tube type shock absorber and secured by tightening a nut. The damping force generating mechanism is connected through a passage member to a branch pipe of a separator tube forming an annular passage communicating with a cylinder. The passage member has support portions formed on an abutting surface abutting against a main body. The support portions are disposed at the inner peripheral side of a seal groove on the abutting surface so as to abut directly against the main body. As the nut is tightened, an axial force is transmitted to the support portions from the center and its vicinities of the main body, causing a flange portion of the passage member to be pressed against a flange portion of the casing, thereby securing the passage member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Mikio YAMASHITA
  • Publication number: 20150041266
    Abstract: A flow of hydraulic oil induced by sliding movement of a piston in a cylinder is controlled by a pilot-type main valve and a pilot valve, which is a pressure control valve, to generate a damping force. The pilot valve is adjusted in its valve-opening pressure with the thrust of a solenoid and adjusts the pressure in a back pressure chamber to control the valve-opening pressure of the main valve. A baffle plate is provided in a reservoir to isolate the surface of hydraulic oil in the reservoir from an inlet port through which the hydraulic oil flows into the reservoir from a damping force generating mechanism, thereby suppressing the occurrence of aeration and cavitation. The baffle plate is secured by inserting a connecting port through a positioning opening and holding a separator tube with a pair of arm portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Jin YAMASAKI, Shinichi KAGAWA, Tetsuo YOSHIDA
  • Patent number: 8931605
    Abstract: A fluid pressure damper is provided with a damper main body composed of an outer tube and an inner tube, a bottom member for sealing a bottom side opening of the damper main body, a suspension spring and a damper. The damper includes a cylinder storing a working fluid inside. The cylinder is inserted into the inner tube and fixed to the bottom member by being sandwiched between a head member fixed to a joint member coupled to the inner tube and the bottom member. The joint member includes a stopper member with the inner periphery of which the head member is threadably engaged, and a pin member which couples the stopper member to the inner periphery of the inner tube. The suspension spring is supported by the stopper member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Sugawara, Takahiko Jinnouchi, Takeshi Tomiuga
  • Patent number: 8899391
    Abstract: A flow of hydraulic oil induced by sliding movement of a piston in a cylinder is controlled by a pilot-type main valve and a pilot valve, which is a pressure control valve, to generate a damping force. The pilot valve is adjusted in its valve-opening pressure with the thrust of a solenoid and adjusts the pressure in a back pressure chamber to control the valve-opening pressure of the main valve. A baffle plate is provided in a reservoir to isolate the surface of hydraulic oil in the reservoir from an inlet port through which the hydraulic oil flows into the reservoir from a damping force generating mechanism, thereby suppressing the occurrence of aeration and cavitation. The baffle plate is secured by inserting a connecting port through a positioning opening and holding a separator tube with a pair of arm portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin Yamasaki, Shinichi Kagawa, Tetsuo Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20140339034
    Abstract: A damping valve includes an annular valve seat, a valve body, an actuator for driving the valve body and a valve case including a valve hole into which the valve body is slidably inserted. The valve body includes a valve main body and a shaft for transmitting a thrust force of the actuator to the valve main body. The valve main body includes a flange partitioning the interior of the valve hole into a valve seat side chamber and an opposite valve seat side chamber, a shaft portion extending from the flange and a valve head to be seated on and lifted from the valve seat. The valve seat side chamber and the opposite valve seat side chamber communicate via a communication passage and the valve seat side chamber and the flow path communicate via a throttle passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: KAYABA INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takahisa Mochizuki
  • Publication number: 20140291090
    Abstract: A hydraulic shock absorber provides, a ring-shaped flow passage formed continuously along a circumferential direction between an outer circumference of a partition wall member and an inner circumference of an inner tube, in a range from an abutting surface to a screw coupling starting portion of a thread section of the inner tube; an outer side flow passage which is formed to a ring-shaped oil chamber side from a dividing member positioned on an open end surface side of the inner tube and which connects a ring-shaped oil chamber and the ring-shaped flow passage, an inner side flow passage which is formed in the partition wall member and which connects the ring-shaped flow passage and an oil reservoir chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: SHOWA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masao SHIMASAKI
  • Patent number: 8840094
    Abstract: A self-pumping suspension strut with internal level regulation, for example for motor vehicles having a fluid-filled working cylinder pressurized with the pressure of the fluid acting as a spring. A hollow piston rod is guided, in a sealed manner, within the working space, into which projects a pump piston attached to the working cylinder. During relative movements between the working cylinder and the piston rod, fluid is delivered from the working space into a pressure chamber in which a pressure is higher than the pressure of the working space. Flow connections between the pressure chamber and the working space selective set a specifiable dynamic level, determined by the extension length of the piston rod, such that the piston rod can be rotated, by a rotating device, for selective cooperation of the axially and the circumferentially spaced flow connections to control flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Markus Renninger
  • Publication number: 20140262654
    Abstract: A shock absorber has a housing with a piston rod assembly disposed therein. A first rod guide member is secured within a first portion of the housing so as to be concentrically disposed about at least a portion of the piston rod assembly. A second rod guide member is secured within the housing adjacent the first rod guide member so as to be concentrically disposed about at least another portion of the piston rod assembly. A digital valve assembly is disposed within the second rod guide member and fluidly couples chambers within the shock absorber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew L. Roessle, Thomas P. Mallin, John McGahey, Jeffrey T. Gardner
  • Patent number: 8820494
    Abstract: A hydraulic shock absorbing apparatus of a vehicle is described in which hydraulic shock absorbers are provided at both left and right sides of a wheel. One hydraulic shock absorber is provided with a compression side damping valve in one oil passage of a piston, is provided with a check valve in another oil passage, and is provided with a volume compensating oil passage of a piston rod communicated with an oil reservoir chamber in a piston rod side oil chamber. The other hydraulic shock absorber is provided with an expansion side damping valve in one oil passage of the piston, is provided with a check valve dosing at the time of expansion and opening at the time of compression in another oil passage, and is provided with a volume compensating oil passage of the piston rod communicated with the oil reservoir chamber in a piston side oil chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Showa Corporation
    Inventor: Osamu Nagai
  • Patent number: 8813923
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hydraulic damper including a valve housing (78) having a valve housing bore (88) disposed in abutting relationship with a bypass insert (68) of a base valve assembly (56) for isolating a bypass passage (70) from a reservoir (36). The valve housing (78) defines a valve housing orifice (128) extending therethrough to define an orifice plane (P). A valve (106) is rotatably disposed within the valve housing bore (88) and defines at least one valve orifice (130) extending therethrough along the plane (P). The valve (106) is rotatable between a closed position and an open position to align the valve orifice (130) and the valve housing orifice (128). A working fluid flows serially through the bypass passage (70), the valve orifice (130), and the open valve housing orifice (128).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: BeijingWest Industries, Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Saiman Lun
  • Patent number: 8794407
    Abstract: A shock absorber has a valve assembly having a valve that is biased away from a valve body. A controlled restriction is defined between the valve and the valve body. During stroking of the piston of the shock absorber, the valve moves toward the valve body to close the restriction. The valve assembly can be used in the piston assembly, the base valve assembly or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Ronny Vanbrabant, Bert Diels, Jean-Marie Tuts, Vincent Bailly, Kristoff Six
  • Patent number: 8794406
    Abstract: Damper which is, in particular, stiff during the inward stroke thereof and can be used, for example, as a railway damper. The piston which divides the cylinder into two chambers is provided with non-return valves which operate in both directions and are configured as characteristic. A sleeve extends from the bottom of the cylinder which is displaceable in the interior of the piston/piston rod and one end of which is connected to a reservoir and the other end of which may be connected to one of the chambers. In addition, a bottom valve is present in the cylinder. The combination of sleeve/bottom valve is fitted in such a manner that when the piston moves inwards in the cylinder, the liquid volume which has to be displaced is moved by additional rod volume which enters the cylinder via the sleeve in the reservoir. During the outward movement, the liquid is replenished from the reservoir via the bottom valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Koni B.V.
    Inventors: Paul de Kock, Antonius Arnoldus Franciscus van Dongen, Samuel Jager
  • Patent number: 8776961
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes: at least one cylinder apparatus including a cylinder sealingly containing operating fluid, a piston slidably fittedly inserted in the cylinder to divide an interior of the cylinder into two chambers, and a piston rod coupled to the piston and extending to an outside of the cylinder; and at least one damping force generation mechanism connected to the cylinder apparatus, and capable of generating a damping force to be applied to a flow of the operating fluid caused by a movement of the piston and adjusting the damping force from the outside. The damping force generation mechanism includes a damping valve for generating the damping force, a pilot chamber for applying a pilot pressure by the operating fluid to the damping valve, and a pump for at least supplying or discharging the operating fluid to or from the pilot chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunsuke Mori, Kenichi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8776965
    Abstract: A shock absorber that absorbs a vibration using a working fluid charged into a first chamber and a second chamber comprises a tube body, an inserted body, a tip end of which is inserted into the tube body from an end portion of the tube body, and a partition wall portion that is provided on the tip end of the inserted body to be capable of sliding within the tube body and partitions an interior of the tube body into the first chamber and the second chamber. The shock absorber comprises a connecting portion that is provided within a partition wall portion sliding region of the tube body and connects the first chamber and the second chamber when the partition wall portion passes thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuhiro Noguchi
  • Patent number: 8739948
    Abstract: A valve assembly for a shock absorber includes a valve body defining a fluid passage. A valve disc engages the valve body to close the fluid passage. A fulcrum disc engages the valve disc at a first position and a second position radially outward from the first position. The fulcrum disc is designed such that the second position is closer to the valve body. In one embodiment, the fulcrum disc is concave with respect to the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventor: John Patrick McGahey
  • Patent number: 8714320
    Abstract: A shock absorber has a compression valve assembly which functions during a compression stroke, a rebound valve assembly which functions during a rebound stroke and a velocity sensitive valve which is in series with one or both of the compression valve assembly and the rebound valve assembly. The compression valve assembly, the rebound valve assembly and the velocity sensitive valve can be incorporated into a piston assembly, a base valve assembly or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Bombrys, Darrell Breese, Gary Groves, Karl Kazmirski, Daniel Keil, Matthew Roessle, Ben Schaller, Matthew Schelosky, Jim Szymusiak
  • Publication number: 20140102842
    Abstract: A shock absorber has a compression valve assembly that provides a high damping load during a compression stroke and an extension valve assembly that provides a high damping load during an extension stroke. One or more digital valve assemblies is positioned to work in parallel with the compression valve assembly and the extension valve assembly to provide a lower damping load. The lowering of the damping load is based upon the cross sectional area of flow passages provided by the one or more digital valve assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew L. Roessle, Karl C. Kazmirski, Jeroen K. Paenhuysen, Darrell G. Breese, Daniel T. Keil, Thomas P. Mallin, Jeffrey T. Gardner
  • Patent number: 8695765
    Abstract: A shock absorber comprises a damping cylinder pressurized by a system pressure and divided by a piston into a compression chamber and a return chamber. A resilient device is disposed in the return chamber. The resilient device comprises a pressurizing member or pressurizing medium disposed in an inner volume that is delimited from the return chamber. The resilient device acts upon the damping medium volume in the return chamber such that the pressure initially during a compression stroke does not fall below a predetermined minimum pressure. As long as the pressure in the return chamber is less than the pressure created by the resilient device, the device is able to absorb energy. When the pressure in the return chamber is greater than the pressure created by the resilient device, the device becomes inflexible. The resilient device compensates for pressure reduction in the return chamber that occurs under rapid damping movements and that can cause cavitation during a compression stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Ohins Racing AB
    Inventors: Magnus Danek, Henrik Schiölde
  • Publication number: 20140090941
    Abstract: An inner tube as a cylinder includes an axially extending tubular portion, a large-diameter portion, and a tapered portion. The large-diameter portion is located at one end side of the tubular portion and is formed so as to have a diameter increased radially outwardly. The tapered portion is located between the large-diameter portion and the tubular portion, and is formed in such a manner that the diameter thereof increases in a flaring manner from the one end of the tubular portion to the large-diameter portion. A tubular protrusion of a rod guide is fittedly attached to the inner circumferential side of the large-diameter portion. A valve mounting portion is formed at the inner circumferential side of the tubular portion. A valve mechanism is mounted on the valve mounting portion. A seat surface is formed at the back side of the valve mounting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuaki SHIBAHARA
  • Patent number: 8672106
    Abstract: A self-regulating suspension includes a first suspension member movable relative to a second suspension member, a fluid reservoir having a volume, the volume variable in response to a relative movement between the first and second suspension members, and a fluid flow circuit having a first end in fluidic communication with the fluid reservoir and a second end in fluidic communication with an isolated suspension location, the fluid flow circuit comprising a first valve, a second valve and a third valve, wherein said first and third valves are in parallel with each other and the second valve is in series with each of the first and third valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Laird, William Becker
  • Publication number: 20140069753
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a piston disposed within a pressure tube. A valve assembly is attached to the piston. The valve assembly defines a first fluid flow through an always open fluid passage; a second fluid flow due to elastic deformation of a valve disc of the piston assembly; and a third fluid flow due to movement of the entire valve disc away from the piston. In one embodiment, the valve assembly is designed to be pre-assembled at an off-line and/or off-site location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC
    Inventors: M'Hand Nait Oukhedou, Gert Mangelschots, Ward Opdekamp, Werner Bosmans
  • Patent number: 8668061
    Abstract: A shock absorber has a compression valve assembly which functions during a compression stroke, a rebound valve assembly which functions during a rebound stroke and a velocity sensitive valve which is in series with one or both of the compression valve assembly and the rebound valve assembly. The compression valve assembly, the rebound valve assembly and the velocity sensitive valve can be incorporated into a piston assembly, a base valve assembly or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Bombrys, Darrell Breese, Gary Groves, Karl Kazmirski, Daniel Keil, Matthew Roessle, Ben Schaller, Matthew Schelosky, Jim Szymusiak
  • Patent number: 8616351
    Abstract: A shock absorber has a compression valve assembly that provides a high damping load during a compression stroke and an extension valve assembly that provides a high damping load during an extension stroke. One or more digital valve assemblies is positioned to work in parallel with the compression valve assembly and the extension valve assembly to provide a lower damping load. The lowering of the damping load is based upon the cross sectional area of flow passages provided by the one or more digital valve assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew L. Roessle, Karl C. Kazmirski, Jeroen K. Paenhuysen, Darrell G. Breese, Daniel T. Keil, Thomas P. Mallin, Jeffrey T. Gardner
  • Publication number: 20130341140
    Abstract: A damper includes: an inner cylinder defining an inner chamber, having a slidable contact piston; an outer cylinder outside the inner cylinder and defining a reservoir chamber between the inner outer cylinders; and a damping-force control device controlling damping force by controlling a flow rate of an operating oil between the inner reservoir chambers. The control device includes a valve seat externally, projecting from the outer cylinder, having an opening for a first communicating channel connected to the inner chamber and an opening for a second communicating channel connected to the reservoir chamber, a valve element opening and closing on the valve seat by electromagnetic force, and a cap defining a variable pressure chamber between the cap and the valve element, and integrally holds the valve element and the valve seat. The variable pressure chamber can be connected to the first and the second communicating channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kiyoshi NAKAJIMA
  • Patent number: 8607943
    Abstract: A shock absorber having an elongated pressure tube and a piston slidably mounted in the pressure tube which divides the pressure tube into a first and second working chamber. An elongated piston rod is attached to the piston and moves in unison with the piston in both an extended and a compression direction. Movement of the rod in a compression direction decreases the volume of the first working chamber and increases the volume of the second working chamber, and vice versa. A control orifice and adaptive valve are fluidly connected in series between the first working chamber and a reservoir. A check valve is fluidly connected between the control orifice and the adaptive valve which opens only upon movement of the rod in a compression direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas Inc.
    Inventor: Joel Donahue
  • Patent number: 8590678
    Abstract: A shock absorber has a compression valve assembly which functions during a compression stroke, a rebound valve assembly which functions during a rebound stroke and a velocity sensitive valve which is in series with one or both of the compression valve assembly and the rebound valve assembly. The compression valve assembly, the rebound valve assembly and the velocity sensitive valve can be incorporated into a piston assembly, a base valve assembly or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Bombrys, Darrell Breese, Gary Groves, Karl Kazmirski, Daniel Keil, Matthew Roessle, Ben Schaller, Matthew Schelosky, Jim Szymusiak
  • Patent number: 8590679
    Abstract: A twin-tube shock absorber comprising an outer tube which houses an inner tube. The inner tube forms an annulus area between the outer tube and the inner tube, and includes a check valve for allowing a fluid to flow unidirectionally from the annulus area to the interior volume of the inner tube. The shock absorber includes a piston which is slidably disposed within the inner tube and divides the interior volume into a rod side chamber and a cap side chamber. The piston includes a check valve allowing the fluid to flow unidirectionally from the cap side chamber to the rod side chamber. A flow regulator is disposed about the inner tube for allowing the unidirectional flow of fluid from the rod side chamber to the annulus area, wherein the flow regulator provides a resistance against the flow of the fluid from the rod side chamber to the annulus area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Oneiric Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Everett A. Hall
  • Patent number: 8567575
    Abstract: A shock absorber, in which external gas is sucked by movement of a piston rod to obtain compressed gas, which is used for inhibiting the “lag” phenomenon. A piston valve is connected to one end of a piston rod received in an inner shell and moved between rebound and compression strokes, an inner space of the inner shell being divided into a rebound chamber and a compression chamber by the piston valve. A reservoir chamber is provided in an outer shell outside of the inner shell to supply oil to the compression chamber in the rebound stroke and to recover oil in the compression stroke. The shock absorber has a high pressure tank with a high pressure chamber installed outside of the outer shell, and a self pumping unit for sucking gas and pumping it into the high pressure chamber using energy generated by movement of the piston rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Mando Corporation
    Inventors: Woo Jin Jung, Myung Hwa Hyun
  • Patent number: 8561767
    Abstract: A shock absorber, in which external gas is sucked by movement of a piston rod to obtain compressed gas, which is used for inhibiting the “lag” phenomenon. A piston valve is connected to one end of a piston rod received in an inner shell and moved between rebound and compression strokes, an inner space of the inner shell being divided into a rebound chamber and a compression chamber by the piston valve. A reservoir chamber is provided in an outer shell outside of the inner shell to supply oil to the compression chamber in the rebound stroke and to recover oil in the compression stroke. The shock absorber has a high pressure tank with a high pressure chamber installed outside of the outer shell, and a self pumping unit for sucking gas and pumping it into the high pressure chamber using energy generated by movement of the piston rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Mando Corporation
    Inventors: Woo Jin Jung, Myung Hwa Hyun
  • Patent number: 8556048
    Abstract: A piston connected with a piston rod is fitted in a cylinder having a hydraulic fluid sealed therein. A damping force is generated through extension and compression disk valves and an orifice. Vehicle height adjustment is performed with a self-leveling mechanism by transferring the hydraulic fluid between the cylinder and a hydraulic fluid tank. A bladder of the hydraulic fluid tank is clamped between an outer flange portion of a partition member and a casing. Because the hydraulic fluid tank is formed without welding, it is possible to avoid contamination of the hydraulic fluid by welding sputter and thermal deformation. Provision of an O-ring on the outer flange portion can reduce the pressure acting from a reservoir on the clamped portion of the bladder and hence prevent dislodging of the bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Maeda, Reiji Nakagawa
  • Publication number: 20130256070
    Abstract: A hydraulic shock absorber having a plurality of tubes (outer and inner tubes), which constitute a multiple-walled cylinder to be inserted inside a damper tube, held and secured between a rod guide and a support piece under a compressive load applied to all of the tubes. In the hydraulic shock absorber (10), a contact surface (P), where an end surface of the inner tube (13B), of the tubes (13A, 13B) of the cylinder (13), is in contact with a seating surface (201) of a rod guide (21) in the axial direction, is formed intermittently at a plurality of circumferential positions on the end surface of the inner tube 13B in the state where the tubes (13A, 13B) of the cylinder (13) are held and secured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: SHOWA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yosuke MURAKAMI
  • Patent number: 8534687
    Abstract: A hydraulic strut system that damps vehicle vibration and includes a compressible fluid, a strut, and a valve plate. The strut includes three concentric tubes defining an inner cavity, an intermediary cavity, and an outer reservoir cavity, the inner cavity and intermediary cavity being fluidly coupled, wherein the inner cavity receives a piston that divides the inner cavity into a first volume and a second volume, the piston having an aperture that allows one way flow from the first volume to the second volume. The valve plate is removably coupled to the strut, and includes a first fluid path that allows one-way fluid flow from the intermediary cavity to the reservoir cavity, the first fluid path including a damping valve that damps fluid flowing therethorugh; and a second fluid path that allows one-way fluid flow from the reservoir cavity to the inner cavity, the second fluid path further including a replenishment valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Fluid Ride Ltd.
    Inventors: Joshua Coombs, Jeremy Edmondson
  • Publication number: 20130220961
    Abstract: A railcar cushioning device has a hydraulic cylinder holding pressurized fluid. The cylinder has a cylinder body with an inner chamber and a reservoir chamber. A piston is movably positioned in the inner chamber. The cylinder body has a bleed opening allowing bleed flow from the inner chamber to the reservoir chamber. A bleed orifice valve in the bleed opening has a valve housing and a poppet received in the valve housing that moves to allow and restrict fluid flow through a bleed flow path based on the pressure of the fluid. The poppet has an orifice channel allowing a restricted fluid flow through the valve housing when the pressure in the inner chamber is greater than the pressure in the reservoir chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: AMSTED RAIL COMPANY, INC.
    Inventor: ALLEN SMITH
  • Patent number: 8511447
    Abstract: A triple tube shock absorber includes a pressure tube, a reserve tube and an intermediate tube. The intermediate tube is disposed between the pressure tube and the intermediate tube. A tube ring is disposed between the pressure tube and the intermediate tube to isolate an intermediate chamber from a reserve chamber. The intermediate tube ends at a position spaced from a base valve assembly to allow for the reduction of diameter of the reserve tube without adversely affecting fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Nowaczyk, Johan Paesmans
  • Patent number: 8511446
    Abstract: A shock absorber has a compression valve assembly which functions during a compression stroke, a rebound valve assembly which functions during a rebound stroke and a velocity sensitive valve which is in series with one or both of the compression valve assembly and the rebound valve assembly. The compression valve assembly, the rebound valve assembly and the velocity sensitive valve can be incorporated into a piston assembly, a base valve assembly or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Bombrys, Darrell Breese, Gary Groves, Karl Kazmirski, Daniel Keil, Matthew Roessle, Ben Schaller, Matthew Schelosky, Jim Szymusiak
  • Patent number: 8499905
    Abstract: A front fork for easily optimizing an oil quantity in a damper cylinder with a relatively simple structure without affecting operability of a free piston even in an assembled state. An escape portion is formed on an outer periphery of a piston rod at a position where a seal member mounted on a sealing cap faces in an opposed manner when a front fork extends to the maximum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikio Uchiyama, Kazuhiko Gogo
  • Patent number: 8479899
    Abstract: Disclosed is a damper that is easy to mount and capable of attenuating to a sufficient degree a vibration generated by an electronic component; also disclosed are an electronic component and an electronic apparatus that are provided with such a damper. A mounting insertion portion is provided with a hard portion maintaining the configuration of the mounting insertion portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Polymatech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masataka Ohtake, Masayuki Itakura
  • Patent number: 8474582
    Abstract: A cushion device includes a shock absorber and an accumulator. As a piston moves in a certain direction in a cylinder so that the shock absorber is compressed, oil in an oil chamber is discharged to the accumulator through an oil hose. The compression operation of the piston allows a slide member to slide and the capacity of an oil chamber is reduced. The oil in the oil chamber is discharged to a regulation unit through an oil hose. The regulation unit controls a valve by the pressure of the oil coming in from the oil chamber and applies resistance to the oil discharged from an oil chamber to an oil chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takamasa Kamioka
  • Patent number: 8469162
    Abstract: A piston with a piston rod coupled thereto is inserted in a cylinder, which sealingly contains oil. An oil flow generated by movement of the piston is controlled by a damping force generation mechanism, thereby generating a damping force. A separator tube is disposed around the cylinder, and the oil is transmitted to the damping force generation mechanism through a branch tube integrally formed on a cylindrical sidewall of the separator tube. The branch tube is tapered at the outer circumferential portion thereof with the outer diameter thereof reducing toward the distal end of the branch tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Nishimura, Jin Yamasaki, Shinichi Kagawa, Tetsuo Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8459419
    Abstract: A fluid pressure shock absorber comprises a cylinder 3 disposed in a tube 2 and having a base supported by the tube 2 and a head member 31 fitted onto a tip of the cylinder 3. A hole 2b is formed in the tube 2 facing the head member 31. A ring-shaped stopper member 101 is screwed onto an outer circumference of the head member 31. A pin member 102 held by the head member 31 and biased in a radial direction by a snap ring 103 penetrates the hole 2b, thereby making connection of the tube 2 and the cylinder 3 easy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahiko Jinnouchi
  • Patent number: 8453809
    Abstract: A twin-tube shock absorber comprising an outer tube which houses an inner tube. The inner tube forms an annulus area between the outer tube and the inner tube, and includes a check valve for allowing a fluid to flow unidirectionally from the annulus area to the interior volume of the inner tube. The shock absorber includes a piston which is slidably disposed within the inner tube and divides the interior volume into a rod side chamber and a cap side chamber. The piston includes a check valve allowing the fluid to flow unidirectionally from the cap side chamber to the rod side chamber. A flow regulator is disposed about the inner tube for allowing the unidirectional flow of fluid from the rod side chamber to the annulus area, wherein the flow regulator provides a resistance against the flow of the fluid from the rod side chamber to the annulus area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Oneiric Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Everett A. Hall
  • Patent number: 8448760
    Abstract: A buffering, energy absorbing, system has tapered grooves within either the inner surface of a cylindrical main body or along the sides of a piston head to allow fluid flow, where the tapered grooves increasingly or decreasingly restrict the flow of fluid between the inside of the main body and an accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Gary J. Houtsma
  • Patent number: 8434772
    Abstract: A strut assembly includes an upper mount assembly, a shock absorber and a knuckle. The upper mount assembly is attached to a piston rod which is a part of the shock absorber. The knuckle is attached to an outer tube of the shock absorber which can be a reserve tube of a dual-tube shock absorber or a pressure tube of a single tube shock absorber. A reinforcement member increases the strength of the outer tube in the area that interfaces with the knuckle and the area that is directly above the knuckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel T. Keil, Ben Schaller, Christopher Conrad, Laxman Subramaniam, Michal Nowak
  • Publication number: 20130081913
    Abstract: A triple tube shock absorber includes a pressure tube, a reserve tube and an intermediate tube. The intermediate tube is disposed between the pressure tube and the reserve tube. A control valve is in communication with the intermediate chamber. The control valve engages a transfer ring which has a saddle shaped surface that mates with the outside surface of the intermediate tube. A triangular shaped weld bead also has a saddle shape to engage the outer surface of the intermediate tube. The weld bead has a triangular shape to facilitate capacitance discharge welding of the transfer ring to the intermediate tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE OPERATING COMPANY INC.
    Inventors: Mark Nowaczyk, Stefan Peerenbooms
  • Patent number: 8397663
    Abstract: A liquid body discharge device includes: a plurality of nozzles for discharging a liquid body to a liquid body discharged region of a substrate; and a plurality of heads including the plurality of nozzles. In the device, the liquid body is discharged to the liquid body discharged region of the substrate by moving one of the substrate and the plurality of heads. Further, an alignment direction of the plurality of nozzles provided to at least one of the plurality of heads is different from an alignment direction of the plurality of nozzles provided to a rest of the plurality of heads. Furthermore, the at least one of the heads moves in a moving path A and the rest of the plurality of heads moves in a moving path B that is a different moving path from the moving path A.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kenji Kojima
  • Publication number: 20130048452
    Abstract: In a front fork, a throttle flow path is provided between a hole which is provided in an inner tube and is communicated with an annular gap chamber, and a lower oil chamber in an outer periphery of a hollow pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: SHOWA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Osamu NAGAI, Kazuhiko MIWA
  • Publication number: 20130037362
    Abstract: A device for use in the control of mechanical forces. The device comprises first and second terminals for connection, in use, to components in a system for controlling mechanical forces and independently moveable (2, 3). Hydraulic means are connected between the terminals and contain a liquid, the hydraulic means configured, in 4 use, to produce upon relative movement of the terminals, a liquid (4) flow along at least two flow paths (5, 15, 90). The liquid flow along a first flow path generates a damping force proportional to the velocity of the liquid flow along the first flow path, and the liquid flow along a second flow path generates an inertial force due to the mass of the liquid, the force being substantially proportional to the acceleration of the liquid flow along the second flow path, such that the damping force is equal to the inertial force and controls the mechanical forces at the terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Bill J. Gartner, Malcolm C. Smith
  • Patent number: RE44609
    Abstract: A shock absorber assembly includes a motion damping means that is filled with a fluid in operation and has a pair of relatively moveable parts (12, 14) and valve means (26) permitting flow of the fluid between the parts. The parts comprise a first part (12) and a second part (14) in which the first part is receivable whereby the parts are arranged for relative retracting and extending movement during which fluid is forced through the valve means (26) at respective predetermined controlled flow rates so as to dampen the movement. The relatively moveable parts contain respective primary chambers (24, 29) for the fluid. The first part is substantially smaller in cross-section than the second part to define an intermediate chamber (52) about the first part within the second part. Lateral port means (56) communicates the intermediate chamber (52) and the primary chamber (24) of first part (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Inventor: Graeme Kershaw Robertson