Abstract: Damping-valve body, in particular for a piston-cylinder unit filled with damping fluid, having separate passages for two directions of flow, at least some of the passages having an outlet opening that is at least partially covered by at least one valve disk. Each passage has a rib that extends radially, relative to a first direction of flow of the damping fluid, from a boundary wall of the passage and bears a valve support surface for the at least one valve disk.

Abstract: A hydraulic dashpot with a cylinder (1) full of shock-absorbing fluid, with a piston (3) mounted on the end of piston rod (2), traveling back and forth inside the cylinder, separating the cylinder into two compartments (4 & 5), and provided with ports and shock-absorption valves, and with a variable bypass system accommodated in an axial bore (13) in the piston rod provided with lateral radial openings (11 & 26) extending through the rod. The object is to allow fixed independent establishment of the cross-section of the bypass system available for the fluid to flow through as the piston rod travels in the direction associated with the suction phase and of the cross-section of the bypass system available for the fluid to flow through as the piston rod travels in the direction associated with the compression phase.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a shock rod having a longitudinal axis. A shock body is disposed around a portion of the shock rod, the shock body defining a fluid chamber therein and being slidable along the shock rod longitudinal axis. A piston is disposed on the shock rod in sealing engagement with the shock body, the piston having at least one channel therethrough in communication with the fluid chamber. The piston is moveable longitudinally in relation to the shock rod within a predetermined range.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a speed reducing device of a gas spring device. The piston is slidably moved in the cylinder in the state the piston is adhered to the inner wall surface of the cylinder, and a cutting recess is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder to easily move the gas in first and second chambers. A concentric gas passage is formed on the surface of the piston which makes contact with the upper washer, and includes another concentric gas passage. An inlet and outlet of the gas passage is opened towards the outer peripheral surface of the piston. A concentric gas passage is formed on the surface of the piston which makes contact with the under washer. The inlet and outlet of the gas passages is opened towards the bottom surface of an annular recess. The gas passage is connected by an axial recess which penetrates the piston.

Abstract: A shock absorber is provided that includes a shock absorber body defining a cavity that is at least partially filled with hydraulic fluid. A piston is slidably arranged within the body and separates the cavity into rebound and compression fluid chambers. A rod is secured to the piston and includes first and second portions that are respectively adjacent to the rebound and compression chambers. A fluid passageway extends between the first and second portions to fluidly connect the rebound and compression chambers. In this manner, fluid is permitted to flow through the rod to provide damping characteristics in addition to those damping characteristics typically provided by the piston. A valve assembly, which may include a one-way check valve, is arranged within the passageway for controlling the flow of fluid between the rebound and compression chambers through the passageway. Preferably, the rod includes a longitudinal bore having an adjustable plunger arranged therein.

Abstract: A valve for use in a vehicle damper provides a predictable, repeatable clamping force without requiring close tolerancing of parts. The valve includes a valve body having a compression orifice and a rebound orifice extending therethrough. The valve assembly further includes a rebound disk located adjacent the first surface and covering the rebound orifice, and a compression disk located adjacent the second surface and covering the compression orifice. The valve includes a fastener having a head and a shaft extending through the valve assembly, the fastener holding the valve body, the rebound disk and the compression disk in close engagement such that when the valve assembly is immersed in fluid, fluid can be forced through the compression orifice when the pressure of the fluid urges the compression disk away from the compression orifice and fluid can be forced through the rebound orifice when the pressure of the fluid urges the rebound disk away from the rebound orifice.

Abstract: A variable damper assembly 10 is provided for use with a vehicle power steering system and includes a variable orifice valve 20 which controls the flow of fluid between one chamber side 30 of the damper assembly to another chamber side 32 of the damper assembly. Variable orifice valve 20 is communicatively coupled to a source of pressurized fluid 110 by use of a conduit 112 and an electronically controlled valve assembly 114. The pressurized fluid received through conduit 112 controls the operation of valve 20. Based upon the pressure of the received fluid, valve 20 selectively increases and reduces the fluid flow rate between chamber sides 30 and 32, thereby causing the damper assembly 10 to have enhanced damping characteristics during certain vehicle operating conditions (e.g., during relatively high vehicle speed operating conditions).

Abstract: A spring having a main gas chamber, a secondary gas chamber and sealing surfaces which, during a portion of the stroke of the piston rod, define a gas tight seal between them to provide two separate gas chambers each providing a force acting on the piston rod in opposed directions to each other to reduce the net force on the piston rod. When the piston rod is near its fully extended position the sealing surfaces provide the gas tight seal and the net force on the piston rod is minimal and in the direction to move the piston rod to its fully extended position. Thus, until the cooperating surfaces are displaced to terminate the gas tight seal, only a slight force is required to initially move the piston rod from its fully extended position. This greatly reduces the impulse or impact force imparted to a press ram upon initial actuation of the fully extended piston rod. A second seal assembly may also be provided which controls the rate at which the piston rod assembly returns to its fully extended position.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes opposing first and second cylinders and first and second pistons disposed in and cooperating with the first and second cylinders to confine first, second and third chambers thereamong. The second and third chambers are filled with a damper-fluid. The second piston is formed with first and second down-flow channels and an up-flow channel for permitting up and down-flows of the damper-fluid between the second and third chambers. A hollow shaft extends in the first and second cylinders and is formed with an opening for permitting the down-flow of the damper-fluid via the second down-flow channel. A damping adjusting rod is mounted in the shaft and is movable in an axial direction to a first axial position, in which, the opening is blocked by the damping adjusting rod, and to a second axial position, in which, the damping adjusting rod moves away from the opening.

Abstract: A modular blow-off base valve is provided for a vehicle twin tube damper in which a valve body is inserted into the end of an inner damper tube. The valve body has a central opening into which is inserted a valve cage assembly. The valve cage assembly includes a valve cage tubular member having a blow-off valve opening which is pressed into the central opening. A valve stem forming a valve seat with the blow-off valve opening is biased into a closed position by a helical spring seated against the underside of the valve stem at one end and a spring retainer fastened to the bottom of the valve cage at its other end. An annular bleed disc, intake disc and washer disc fit over the tubular member and cover rebound openings in the valve body. When the valve cage assembly is placed into the valve body's central opening, the washer disc biases the intake disc into sealing engagement with the rebound openings in the valve body.

Abstract: A magneto-rheological damping device comprises a core element capable of acting as a magnetic circuit which carries a magnetic flux, and a case element surrounding a portion of the core element. A passage exists between the case element and core element, and an amount of magneto-rheological fluid is positioned between the core element and case element to flow within the passage. A magnetic flux generator is positioned adjacent a portion of the core element and is operable to generate a magnetic flux which acts upon the magneto-rheological fluid in the passage to affect the flow of fluid in the passage. The core element comprises a plurality of stacked laminations, which form a series of individual magnetic poles with gaps therebetween. The magnetic flux generator is operable to generate a magnetic flux in the poles and case element and across the gaps to affect the fluid flow in the passage.

Abstract: A pilot chamber is formed at the back of a disk valve for each of the fluid flow systems for the extension and compression strokes. Damping force in a low piston speed region is controlled with a pressure control valve. The valve opening pressure of the disk valve is controlled by varying a pilot pressure introduced into the pilot chamber from a cylinder's hydraulic fluid chamber through a cut portion in a piston bolt and an orifice groove formed in a fixed member supporting the disk valve, thereby controlling damping force in a high piston speed region. A sharp pressure change occurring when the stroke direction of a piston rod changes is attenuated by the restricting action of the orifice groove so as not to be readily transmittable to the pilot chamber.

Abstract: A damper assembly includes a piston assembly which has a piston body which is designed to be manufactured from a powdered metal process. In one embodiment, the compression and extension passages are generally S-shaped with their inlets being disposed radially outward from their outlets. In this manner, compression and extension check valves can be designed to only extend radially to cover the outlets and not affect the inlets. In another embodiment, the compression and extension passages are straight and the compression and extension sealing lands wind around between the inlets and the outlets so only the outlets are sealed and the inlets are not affected.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a valve assembly with a low speed valving system and a high speed valving system. Both systems control fluid flow through the respective valve assembly for fluid flow in the same direction. The low speed valving system is independently tunable in order to provide low speed damping to improve both the vehicle control and handling. The independent tuning of the low speed valving system allows the optimization of the low speed valving system in relation to the high speed valving system as well as the independent tuning of the high speed valving system in relation to the low speed valving system. The independent tuning of the two systems allow the achievement of a smooth transition between the two systems. The dual valving systems can be incorporated into the piston for a compression stroke, be incorporated into the piston for an extension stroke, or two dual valving systems can be incorporated into the piston for compression and extension strokes.

Abstract: A shock absorber for a motor vehicle includes a compression valve having one or more deflectable discs mounted on the piston on the rebound chamber side. It also includes a rebound stroke valve having one or more deflectable discs mounted on the piston on the compression chamber side. The deflectable discs of the compression stroke valve have fluid flow apertures aligned with the rebound flow passage. The compression stroke valve also has an annular stop member and an annular orientation disc positioned between the stop member and the deflectable discs on the side of the deflectable discs remote from the piston. The stop member and the orientation disc have fluid flow apertures aligned with fluid flow apertures in the deflectable discs. An orientation disc has a pin folded therefrom and extending in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, the pin extending through corresponding apertures formed in the deflectable discs into a corresponding slot formed in the piston.

Abstract: A damping apparatus for damping vibrations in a vibrating system including a piston which is reciprocally movable in a fluid filled chamber, piston movement in either direction of movement being resisted by fluid pressure in the chamber behind the piston, which resistance provides damping forces which act to oppose piston movement, the piston being connected to one component of the vibrating system and the chamber being connected to a second component of the vibrating system, characterised in that structure is provided to relieve the fluid pressure behind the piston to allow substantially unopposed piston movement in the chamber without damping forces being provided, during piston movements which occur in response to vibrations in the vibrating system at frequencies other than a fundamental frequency which the damping apparatus primarily is intended to damp.

Abstract: A damper includes a piston that carries a relatively compact control valve for controlling fluid flow through the piston. The control valve provides a variable amount of damping by regulating damper fluid flow between the extension chamber and the compression chamber of the damper during extension and compression strokes. Pressure regulation across the piston is controlled through a flow path as determined by the control valve. The damping force of the damper varies depending upon the loading conditions of the vehicle. The control valve is air pressure actuated to adjust the damping force and control the flow of fluid in the flow path.

Abstract: An air damper consists of a tubular cylinder with opposite ends, a piston movable in the cylinder, a first coil spring for resiliently biasing the piston in the direction of one end of the cylinder, a string for transferring dampening effect produced by a motion of the piston to an openable object, a shaft with a flange slidably fitted into the piston and a second coil spring interposed between the flange of the shaft and the piston inside the first coil spring. The second coil spring exerts a resilient biasing force at later stages of the motion of the piston in the direction of the other end of the tubular cylinder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a piston-cylinder arrangement, especially a shock absorber piston, comprising a piston body fitted with a peripheral web protruding from the peripheral surface in a section adjacent to the end of the piston to which support webs are attached, said web extending parallel and spaced in relation to each other in longitudinal direction towards the other end of the piston. Two adjacent support webs limit a grooveshaped recess, said webs being open on the ends opposite the peripheral web in longitudinal direction. The piston also comprises a collar-shaped sealing element made of thermoformable plastic material that is formed on the piston body in such a way that only part of the height of both the peripheral web and the support webs is formed in the material of the collar-shaped sealing element.

Abstract: A damper includes a piston that carries a relatively compact control valve for controlling fluid flow through the piston. The control valve provides a variable amount of damping by regulating damper fluid flow between the extension chamber and the compression chamber of the damper during extension and compression strokes. Pressure regulation across the piston is controlled through a flow path as determined by the control valve. The damping force of the damper varies depending upon the loading conditions of the vehicle. The control valve is air pressure actuated to adjust the damping force and control the flow of fluid in the flow path.

Abstract: A vehicle damper includes a valve having of an imperforate, deflectable variable orifice disk with an outer periphery that is only partially clamped against a valve seat, during low velocity operation of the damper, by a variable orifice support disk having an outer periphery that is not coextensive with the outer periphery of the variable orifice disk. The portion of the outer periphery of the variable orifice disk that is not clamped against the valve seat deflects away from the valve seat during low velocity operation of the damper, in response to force on the variable orifice plate generated by pressure of fluid in flow apertures closed off by the variable orifice plate, to provide a variable orifice for fluid flow through the valve and digressive performance of the damper. The valve may take the form of a compression or rebound valve on the piston of the vehicle damper, or a base valve in a dual tube damper.

Abstract: A damper piston assembly includes a rod, a piston, a rivet disk, and a spring. The piston surrounds the rod between a riveted end and a longitudinal stop of the rod. The piston includes a valve assembly having a valve body with an orifice extending therethrough. The rivet disk surrounds the rod and has an opening for fluid communication with the orifice. The rivet disk is longitudinally secured between the piston and the riveted end of the rod. The spring is positioned in compression longitudinally between the rivet disk and the longitudinal stop of the rod.

Abstract: Parallel paths for damping fluid are provided through the piston of a suspension damper, each of which are provided with separate damping valving sets to control damping. Communication through one of the paths is controlled by a movable control valve member, which is controlled by a magnetostrictive element which deforms in response to application of a magnetic field. The control valve member is moved between active and inactive positions in response to changes in a magnetic field applied by a coil mounted within the damper piston. In one position, all communication of damping fluid is through one of the damping valve sets, while in the other positon damping fluid communicates through both valve sets. Accordingly, damping levels may be varied by controlling the magnetic field.

Abstract: A piston rod is guided in an axially movable manner within a cylinder filled with a damping medium, and a piston is arranged on the piston rod, which piston divides the cylinder into a working space on the piston-rod side and a working space remote from the piston rod. The two working spaces are connected to each other by at least one flow passage which is activated as a function of the axial position of a valve body, which is prestressed in the opening direction by a spring, the valve body being movable onto a valve seat surface into the closed position as a function of dynamic pressure and at least reducing the passage cross section of the at least one flow passage. The piston has a valve seat surface on which the valve body comes to bear with a conical closing surface in the maximally closed position.

Abstract: A dashpot piston in halves, the face of each resting against that of the other. The piston can be fastened to the end of a piston rod either directly or by way of a connector. Each half (1 & 2) is provided with a depression (7) along the circumference remote from the face of the other, creating a continuous groove (8) with a shorter diameter and accommodating a piston-assembly ring (9). Manufacture is facilitated by the inclusion of at least one resilient supporting ring (11) between the piston-assembly ring and the base of the groove.

Abstract: An improved magnetorheological fluid damper is provided which more closely approximates ideal performance requirements including increased turn-up ratio and stiction free performance near zero velocity for realistic automotive applications. The MR damper includes a magnetic flux leakage reduction device positioned at each end of the magnetic damper piston assembly to create a magnetic flux isolation barrier causing magnetic flux to extend through an annular flow gap thereby minimizing flux leakage into other areas such as a piston rod and associated hollow tube. The magnetic flux leakage reduction devices are formed of a non-magnetic material and completely cover a respective adjacent axial face of a piston core. A laminar flow enhancing feature is also provided for enhancing laminar flow and minimizing turbulence in the annular flow gap thereby advantageously reducing the off-state force and increasing the turn-up ratio.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magneto-rheological controlled damping assembly that eliminates contact between the piston and the damping cylinder and that maintains a constant volume for the magneto-rheological fluid within the damping cylinder, therefore substantially reducing abrasion and wear to the damping apparatus components and increasing the performance and the life of the damping apparatus.

Abstract: A suspension damper or shock absorber for a vehicle suspension system includes a piston assembly across which damping fluid is metered to control relative movement between the vehicle body and chassis. The piston assembly includes a piston plate in which a first set of openings are provided for fluid communication during the rebound stroke of the piston assembly and a second set of openings for communication of damping fluid during the opposite compression stroke. A wall circumscribes the first set of openings to define a recess receiving damping fluid from the first set of openings. A valve disc engages the wall and opens at a predetermined pressure differential. At pressure differentials less than the predetermined pressure differential, highly restricted flow is permitted through a bypass passage formed by a coined depression in the rim of the wall having a continuously curved, preferably semicircular cross section, to provide damping for low level inputs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a piston-cylinder arrangement, especially a shock absorber piston, comprising a piston body fitted with at least two peripheral webs on its peripheral surface, said webs limiting a groove and also including a collar-shaped sealing element made of thermoformable plastic material that overlaps the webs. Said piston also comprises axial passage channels in the piston body that are closed by throttle valves opening on one side and at least one radial hole connecting at least one passage channel to the groove formed between two webs.

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 series of extension passages extend through the piston and are opened and closed by an extension valve assembly. A series of compression passages extend through the piston and are opened and closed by a compression valve assembly. An open flow path defined by the extension valve assembly extends through the piston between the upper and lower working chambers. A rod guide assembly is located between the pressure tube and a piston rod. The rod guide assembly includes an oil chamber for sealing and lubricating the piston rod.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a valve assembly with a low speed oil flow circuit and a mid/high speed oil flow circuit. Both circuits control fluid flow through the valve assembly in the same direction. The low speed oil flow circuit is tunable in order to provide low speed damping to improve both the vehicle control and handling. The tuning of the low speed oil flow circuit is accomplished by sizing a restricted passage which is part of a circuit and controlling the pressure at which the low speed oil flow circuit opens. The valve assembly of the present invention can be located within either a base valve assembly or a piston valve assembly.

Abstract: A suspension damper assembly capable of adjusting the height of an automobile includes a cylinder tube defining a pumping chamber aligned concentrically within a reservoir tube. A fluid reservoir is defined between the reservoir tube and the cylinder tube. A piston is slideably disposed within the cylinder tube. A gas cup is slideably disposed within the assembly and separates a fluid chamber within the cylinder tube from a gas chamber. The gas cup includes a cup conduit connecting the pumping chamber to the reservoir chamber whereby stroking the gas cup pumps fluid into the pumping chamber increasing the outward force of the piston for raising the height of the vehicle. A piston shaft guide includes a shaft valve allowing fluid to pass from the pumping chamber to the reservoir chamber for reducing the outward force of the piston and lowering the height of the vehicle.

Abstract: A damping force control type hydraulic shock absorber capable of generating stable damping force even if the flow rate of hydraulic fluid changes sharply. Hydraulic fluid chambers at the respective ends of valve members are cut off from the downstream ports of extension and compression pressure control valves by flange portions of the valve members. When the flow rate of hydraulic fluid increases sharply, even if the pressure in the downstream ports changes sharply owing to the flow resistance in check valves on the downstream side of the downstream ports, the pressure is not transmitted to the hydraulic fluid chambers. Therefore, there is no possibility of the slider moving under the influence of such a pressure change.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a rebound valve assembly which performs the flexing disc function normally required for allowing the passage of fluid from one side of a piston assembly to the opposite side during the stroke of the shock absorber. The rebound valve assembly also incorporates a blow off function which increases the fluid flow through the piston when the fluid pressure being exerted upon the rebound valve assembly exceeds a specified level. The blow off feature protects both the shock absorber as well as the suspension system into which the shock absorber is assembled.

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 series of extension passages extend through the piston and are opened and closed by an extension valve assembly. A first and a second series of compression passages extend through the piston and are opened and closed by a first and a second compression valve assembly, respectively. A rod guide assembly is located between the pressure tube and a piston rod. The rod guide assembly includes an oil chamber for sealing and lubricating the piston rod.

Abstract: A vibration damper includes a cylinder in which a piston rod is guided so as to be axially movable. A first piston is mounted stationary on the piston rod and a second piston is mounted so as to be displaceable axially on the rod against a spring force. The cylinder has a work space at the piston rod side, a work space remote of the piston rod, and a work space between the two pistons. Through-openings which are outfitted with valves control a connection between the work spaces. The second piston has at least one return spring on both sides, and the piston is mounted so as to be displaceable axially in two directions against the return springs.

Abstract: A two-stage shock absorber has a pressure tube within which a valve assembly is slidably disposed. A piston rod is attached to the valve assembly and extends out of the pressure tube. A ring is slidably disposed within the pressure tube and engages the valve assembly. After a specified amount of movement of the valve assembly with respect to the pressure tube in an extension movement of the shock absorber, the sleeve engages a metered slot and reduces the fluid flow through the valve assembly to progressively switch the shock absorber from soft damping to firm damping.

Abstract: A shock absorber mounted electromagnetically operated real time damper valve which is mounted upon a piston rod and provides a flow path for fluid which bypasses the piston which separates a cylinder of the shock absorber into a pair of fluid containing chambers. The damper valve includes a spool reciprocally mounted within the hollow interior of a housing. A treatably secured cap is used to retain all of the component parts of the valve assembled without the need for other securing devices such as adhesives or brazing of parts together.

Abstract: A single absorber includes a valve assembly with a low speed valving system and a high speed valving system. Both systems control fluid flow through the respective valve assembly for fluid flow in the same direction. The low speed valving system is independently tunable in order to provide low speed damping to improve both vehicle control and handling. The independent tuning of the low speed valving system allows the optimization of the low speed valving system in relation to the high speed valving system as well as independent tuning of the high speed valving system in relation to the low speed valving system. The independent tuning of the two systems allow the achievement of a smooth transition between the two systems. The two valving systems can be incorporated into a piston assembly for an extension stroke, a base valve assembly for a compression stroke or both.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vibration damper with a damping valve having a reversing valve. The reversing valve has valve body having at least one passage opening with a cross section therein; a valve plate at least partially covering the passage opening and a reversing plate having at least one meandering shaped recess in the vicinity of the cover surface, and a circumferential section, wherein the recess has a starting point and an end point which bound the circumferential section the reversing plate is adapted to control the cross section of the passage opening as a function of flow direction. The valve includes a spring section extending in a circumferential direction and having at least one cover surface and a clamping surface which prestresses the reversing plate outside of the spring section and clamping surface against the reversing valve. The cover surface is aligned with the passage opening, and the circumferential section bounds the spring section.

Abstract: A piston valve assembly for regulating the flow of fluid through a mono-tube fluid vehicle damper is provided. The assembly includes a piston rod and a piston end having opposing first and second surfaces secured to the piston rod by a connector. A first outer annular seat is spaced radially from the piston rod and extends from the first surface. At least one first fluid passageway connects a first opening between the piston rod and the first outer annular seat and the second surface for providing fluid communication therebetween. A first blow-off valve has a hollow cylindrical portion with a first flange extending transversely from an end thereof with the first flange adjacent to the first outer annular seat when the first blow-off valve is in a closed position. The piston rod and connector secure the blow-off valve to the piston end. The first blow-off valve is movable to an open position away from the first surface.

Abstract: A suspension unit for mounting an axle to the body of an automobile or a handle-bar to the fork of a bicycle or motorcycle. A pair of pistons (15, 29) operate in tandem in separate chambers (17, 31) having a compressible gas in spaces (21, 35) on one side of the piston and an uncompressible hydraulic fluid in spaces (19, 31) on the other side of the piston. One of the pistons (15) responds to external disturbances (caused by e.g. road bumps) to drive the other piston (29) against the compressible gas which responds resiliently to return the pistons to normal intermediate placements, thereby maintaining or recovering proper height of the automobile or′cycle parts. The hydraulic fluid spaces are communicated via constrictor passage to provide suitable dynamic dampening.

Abstract: Damping-valve body, in particular for a piston-cylinder unit filled with damping fluid, having separate passages for two directions of flow, at least some of the passages having an outlet opening that is at least partially covered by at least one valve disk. Each passage has a rib that extends radially, relative to a first direction of flow of the damping fluid, from a boundary wall of the passage and bears a valve support surface for the at least one valve disk.

Abstract: A shock absorbing adjusting structure includes a cylinder with a tube movably received in the cylinder. One end of the cylinder is connected to a part of a bicycle frame and one end of the tube is connected to another part of the bicycle frame. A sleeve is fixedly connected to the cylinder and connected to a piston assembly movably inserted in the sleeve. A tapered hole and a plurality of through holes are defined through the piston assembly. A seal member is urged by a spring in the piston assembly and seals the through holes. A pusher in the piston assembly is urged by a rod which extends from an inside of the cylinder and is movably received in the sleeve. The rod is moved by an actuating bar which is operated by a rider from outside of the cylinder so as to movably adjust a tapered tip of the rod relative to the tapered hole in the piston assembly.

Abstract: A magnetorheological fluid damper is provided which permits effective control of damping while minimizing assembly size and costs by including a thin-walled insert in a flow gap formed between a flux ring and a piston body. The insert may include a thin-walled tubular insert having a generally smooth cylindrical shape for increasing the shear surface area. Alternatively, a corrugated insert may be provided having corrugations formed by edges extending axially along the insert. The corrugations may be formed in a variety of locations, sizes, shapes and spacings along the axial extent of the insert and the circumference of the insert. The corrugations advantageously effectively align the insert within the flow gap and also function to securely connect the flux ring to the piston body without the use of other devices such as plates thereby reducing the size and cost of the assembly.

Abstract: A piston for a piston/cylinder assembly is fastened to a piston rod and axially movably arranged in a working cylinder filled with damping medium. The piston having damping valves for the tension and compression movements of the piston in the cylinder and having a first and second group of passage ducts respectively for the tension and compression directions. The outlet sides of each of the first and second passage ducts open into a control edge covered by valve disks. The first and second passage ducts run axially parallel over at least part of their length, wherein the inlet and outlet regions of each of the first and second passage ducts being arranged axially one behind the other and one of the first and second groups of passage ducts emerges on the end face and the other of the first and second groups of passage ducts emerges radially outward on each side of the working piston.

Abstract: A hydraulic shock absorber having an improved shim arrangement for controlling the damping curve of the shock absorber. This shim element is configured so that it does not extend beyond the peripheral edges of the apertures which it controls and which diameter can be selected.

Abstract: A shock absorber mounted electromagnetically operated damper valve which is mounted upon a piston rod and provides a flow path for fluid which bypasses the piston which separates a cylinder of the shock absorber into a pair of fluid containing chambers. The damper valve includes a spool reciprocally mounted within the hollow interior of a housing. A retainer is also received within the hollow interior and includes a tube which defines a space between its outer surface and the inner surface of the hollow interior of the housing to receive a skirt extending from the spool.

Abstract: A hydraulic damper comprises a first chamber and second chamber separated by a wall. The wall contains at least one passage that extends generally between the first chamber and the second chamber. The passage is opened and closed by a valve member. The valve member is formed by a first sheet and a second sheet that generally form a fluid chamber. The fluid chamber is in direct communication with the first chamber through an aperture in the first sheet and in selective communication with the second chamber when the second sheet moves away from the first sheet. The first sheet also can move from the wall to allow fluid communication between the passage.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to front suspension fork assemblies for bicycles, and provides an improved suspension fork comprising an adjustable compression system for quick and easy adaptation to various types of terrain. The front suspension fork of the present invention comprises a pair of rigidly connected parallel fork legs, with each fork leg having at its bottom end a dropout for connection to the axle of a wheel. Each fork leg further comprises a shock absorber positioned therein and comprising a helical coil spring to urge expansion of the sliding tubes, flow dampers, and damping fluid within the cavities of the sliding tubes to dampen the movement of the sliding tubes in compression and expansion. Each flow damper comprises a flexible shim which opens in compression or expansion to increase the flow of damping fluid. Varying the flexibility of the shims also varies the damping effect of the shock absorber.