Thrust Member Or Piston Structure Patents (Class 188/322.22)
  • Patent number: 8157064
    Abstract: Disclosed is a shock absorber for a drawer. The shock absorber includes a body filled with fluid, a piston member inserted into the body while being coupled with a rod, and a buffering member installed in the body to prevent the body from being broken by receiving pressure change of fluid when the piston member moves forward and backward. According to the shock absorber, high impact force generated when the drawer is closed can be absorbed and efficiently distributed, so that the drawer can be silently operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Moonju Hardware Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jaehong Kim
  • Publication number: 20120077649
    Abstract: A descent apparatus (1) including a housing (3) with a liquid conduit (4) therethrough and a float (8) constrained within the liquid conduit (4) and capable of slideable movement along a first path between an upper and a lower position. A moveable element (6) is located outside the liquid conduit (4) and is slideably coupled to the housing (3). A mechanical connector (9) physically connects the movable element (6) to the float (8) such that in use, the liquid conduit (4) contains liquid and the position of the float (8) is variable by applying a force to the movable element (6) and wherein the slideable movement of the float (8) along a first path produces a corresponding movement of the moveable element (6) outside the housing (3) along a second path co-axial, or parallel with the first path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: Archimedes Applied Limited
    Inventor: Geoffrey Neil McConnell
  • Patent number: 8118285
    Abstract: An improved gas spring has a drive motor for driving a piston. A piston head has a thread at an outer periphery that is guided along a mating thread in an inner periphery of a cylinder. The piston is caused to rotate relative to the cylinder, and is guided for reciprocating movement. In this manner, a drive motor is incorporated into the gas spring such that the gas spring has both a driven and a manual mode. The inventive gas spring has particular application in attaching a vehicle closure to a vehicle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: AVM Industries
    Inventor: Walter Douglas Bauman
  • Patent number: 8109372
    Abstract: A damping valve includes a valve body, the valve body having at least one through hole and a valve seating surface. There is at least one valve disk configured to mate with the valve seating surface and at least partially seal the through hole and a first spring configured to bias the at least one valve disk towards the valve seating surface. A stop ring is configured to support the first spring on a first surface and an intermediate ring is configured to be supported by the stop ring on a second surface of the stop ring opposite the first surface. A second spring is configured to bias the intermediate ring against the stop ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Stefan Berger
  • Patent number: 8069964
    Abstract: A shock absorber includes a piston which has at least one compression fluid passage and at least one rebound fluid passage. A compression valve assembly closes the at least one compression passage and a rebound valve assembly closes the at least one rebound passage. An interconnecting passage connects the at least one compression fluid passage and the at least one rebound fluid passage to define an open flow path through the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventor: Stefan Deferme
  • Patent number: 8069963
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a strut assembly that comprises a piston that is in slideable communication with a housing. The piston comprises a piston head having a channel in operative communication with a fluid that is disposed in the housing. An elastic member and an active element are disposed in the channel. The active element is in operative communication with the elastic member and is operative to change the shape of the elastic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Nilesh D. Mankame, John C. Ulicny, Gary L. Jones, James C. O'Kane
  • Publication number: 20110290605
    Abstract: A vibration damper includes a cylinder in which a piston fastened to a piston rod executes a translational and a rotational movement relative to the cylinder. The piston is fixed to the piston rod by an axial fastener, and a device for preventing rotation by positive engagement is formed between the piston and the piston rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Anton KRAWCZYK, Guido Holtmann, Heinz Sydekum, Uwe Herrmann, Rudolf Schulte, Jörg Rösseler, Ingo Gelhausen, Volker-Oliver Hupperich
  • Patent number: 8028813
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a shock absorber for damping vibration transmitted to a vehicle according to a road state. The shock absorber includes a cylinder and a piston valve disposed within the cylinder and connected to a piston rod to divide the cylinder into a first chamber and a second chamber. The shock absorber further includes a hollow chamber formed within the piston rod, a floating piston disposed within the hollow chamber to move up and down and to divide the hollow chamber into upper and lower chambers, first and second orifices formed in upper and lower ends of the hollow chamber and connected to the first and second chambers, respectively, and a resistance changing mechanism configured to cooperate with the floating piston and change a fluid resistance with respect to the floating piston where the resistance changing mechanism cooperates therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Mando Corporation
    Inventor: Nam Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 8025272
    Abstract: An air spring and damper unit for vehicles has, as operating spaces, at least two pressure spaces filled with compressed air and connected to one another via flow channels. The pressure spaces have movable walls in the form of rolling bellows or folding bellows, wherein a pilot-controlled main valve which can be loaded with a control pressure on the low-pressure side is configured at least in one flow direction in a first flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Continental Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Christian Schallmeier
  • Patent number: 8016088
    Abstract: A damping mechanism (1) that generates a damping force in response to a liquid flow between a first liquid chamber (R1) and a second liquid chamber (R2) comprises a partitioning member (2) separating the first liquid chamber (R1) and the second liquid chamber (R2) and a flow passage (P) formed in the partitioning member (2) to connect the first liquid chamber (R1) and the second liquid chamber (R2). The flow passage (P) comprises an odd number of through-holes (10-14) greater than three which penetrate the partitioning member (2) and are connected in series. A large amount of frictional energy loss due to a long path length occurs in the flow passage (P) and causes the damping mechanism (1) to generate a sufficient damping force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuji Morita
  • Patent number: 7997395
    Abstract: A strut suspension includes a shock absorber, and a bearing portion that connects the shock absorber to a vehicle body such that the shock absorber can rotate. The bearing portion includes an inner race and an outer race. The thickness of the inner race increases toward the outside of the vehicle body in a vehicle-width direction. The thickness of the outer race decreases toward the outside of the vehicle body in the vehicle-width direction. As a result, a rotational axis of the bearing portion tilts outward in the vehicle-width direction, with respect to an absorber-axis of the shock absorber. Also, the rotational axis tilts inward in the vehicle-width direction with respect to a kingpin axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Ohkita, Masato Fujiyama
  • Patent number: 7950508
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a piston valve assembly which is used in a continuous damping control damper using magneto-rheological fluid. The piston valve assembly is coupled with an end of the piston rod, and a stopper having a flat upper surface which is surface-contacted with an upper plate is disposed between a core assembly and the upper plate, thereby properly dispersing a force applied to the piston rod. According to the present invention, the reliability and stability in the coupling between the piston rod and the piston valve assembly can be increased, thereby stably controlling the damping force of the damper. Further, the slot is formed in the core of the piston valve assembly so as to reduce the damping force in the lower speed range, thereby considerably improving the driving comport of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: S & T Daewoo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-Ho Jin, Dong-Rak Lee, Tae-Ho Kang
  • Patent number: 7931132
    Abstract: The invention relates to a damper having a damper cylinder, in which a piston ram is guided via a piston rod, and for adjusting characteristic damper values, the flow of a damper fluid can be controlled. A piezoelectric valve is disposed inside the damper cylinder, and includes a piezoelectric element and an actuator, and an evaluation and control circuit for adjusting the flow of the damper fluid triggers the actuator via the piezoelectric element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Sigmund Braun
  • Patent number: 7921973
    Abstract: An adaptive energy absorption system for a vehicle seat is disclosed, utilizing an adaptive energy absorber or variable profile energy absorber (VPEA) for mitigating occupant injury due to extreme vehicle movement (e.g., during a vehicle shock event), and/or for mitigating vibration experienced by an occupant of the vehicle seat during normal vehicle operating conditions. The adaptive energy absorption system achieves the aforementioned objectives for a wide range of occupant weights and load levels. Various configurations of dual-goal energy absorption apparatuses that enable both shock mitigation and vibration isolation are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignees: Techno-Sciences, Inc., University of Maryland at College Park
    Inventors: Norman Mark Wereley, Gregory John Hiemenz, Wei Hu, Gang Wang, Peter Che-Hung Chen
  • Patent number: 7866452
    Abstract: A vibration damper for vehicles comprises a work cylinder in which a piston is guided axially by a piston rod. The piston divides the work cylinder into two work spaces filled with damping fluid. A tension stop is provided between the piston and a piston rod guide, wherein a tension stop element including a flexible part and a reinforcing ring is arranged between a support fastened to the piston rod and the piston rod guide. The reinforcing ring limits the deformation of the flexible part of tension stop when subjected to force during operation so that permissible shearing stresses of the flexible part are not exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventors: Stefan Brehm, Manfred Heinisch, Michael Müller
  • Patent number: 7815023
    Abstract: A drive device for opening or closing a leaf of a door, a window or similar includes a housing and a closing spring, which is located in the housing and acts upon a piston, the latter co-operating with a closing shaft in the housing by means of gearing, The piston and housing are made of injection molded polyoxymethylene plastic (POM).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Dorma GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Salutzki
  • Patent number: 7789208
    Abstract: A shock absorber has a piston formed with a rebound channel and a valve mechanism for generating a damping force by controlling opening and closing and an opening degree of the rebound channel. The valve mechanism comprises a first valve disk having a hole and a slit communicating with the rebound channel respectively provided in inner and outer sides of the first valve disk, the first valve disk generating a first damping force by directing fluid through the slit; an auxiliary disk having a hole communicating with the hole of the first valve disk, the auxiliary disk being disposed to be in contact with a lower side of the first valve disk; and a second valve disk disposed to be in contact with a lower side of the auxiliary disk, the second valve disk being subjected to bending deformation by the fluid flowing through the holes of the first valve disk and the auxiliary disk to generate a second damping force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Mando Corporation
    Inventor: Seung Guk Yang
  • Publication number: 20100193309
    Abstract: The invention relates to a piston for a piston-cylinder arrangement, particularly a shock absorber piston, which includes a piston body, that has a circumferential surface. A sealing collar has an outer circumferential surface, an inner circumferential surface, a first peripheral surface, and a first sealing lip, and extends around the circumferential surface of the piston body and covers at least part of the circumferential surface in the axial direction. The first peripheral surface connects the two circumferential surfaces to each other at a first end of the sealing collar. The first sealing lip is delimited by the first peripheral surface and the outer circumferential surface, and the first sealing lip is configured evenly in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Rainer Gruber, Antonio Casellas, Stefan Schneid
  • Patent number: 7757826
    Abstract: A first piston and a second piston coupled to a piston rod are fitted in a cylinder, and an intermediate chamber is formed between the first and second pistons. A compression-side check valve and an extension-side check valve are provided at the first piston and the second piston. An extension-side main valve and a compression-side main valve are disposed in the intermediate chamber. A downstream side of a damping force adjusting valve is connected to the intermediate chamber. Inner pressures of an extension-side backpressure chamber and a compression-side backpressure chamber are adjusted by the damping force adjusting valve, whereby valve opening of the extension-side and compression-side main valves is controlled. Hydraulic fluid of the downstream side of the damping force adjusting valve is first sent into the intermediate chamber, and then is sent to a cylinder upper chamber or a cylinder lower chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Hayama, Yohei Katayama, Takashi Nezu
  • Patent number: 7721856
    Abstract: A vibration damper having a sensitive response behavior at very low amplitudes comprises a separating piston being disposed inside a bypass so as to move axially freely. The separating piston divides the bypass into two chambers mutually sealed from one another. Two valves are disposed in the bypass. The first valve acts in a compression stage as a pressure limiting valve and as a non return valve in an extension stage. The second valve acts as a pressure limiting valve in the extension stage and as a non return valve in the compression stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Bilstein Suspension GmbH
    Inventors: Ole Goetz, Kais Saadeddin, Claus Weimann, Thomas Brendecke
  • Patent number: 7641029
    Abstract: A piston assembly for a monotube shock absorber includes a piston body with a non-symmetrical outer band that provides a bearing surface against a shock tube wall. The outer band defines a first diameter that is a maximum outer diameter of the piston assembly. The piston body also includes an outer surface portion that is defined by a second diameter less than the first diameter, and which comprises a non-contact surface. The outer band extends in a serpentine manner about an outer circumference of the piston body such that recesses are formed between the shock tube wall and the non-contact surface. Side ports are located within these recesses to allow a blow-off area to be increased by incorporating annular lands into the piston assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Ride Control, LLC
    Inventors: Robert P. Carlstedt, James J. Siesel
  • Patent number: 7637128
    Abstract: Oil damper for a drum type washing machine including a hollow cylinder having an oil chamber for filling oil therein, a tub holder fixedly secured to one end of the cylinder for securing the damper to a tub side, a shaft passed through, and exposed from the other end of the cylinder, a base holder fixedly secured to the shaft at an end thereof exposed to an outside of the cylinder for securing the damper to a base side of the cabinet, and a piston having a plurality of oil holes, for sliding inside of the cylinder, wherein at least one of above components is formed by plastic injection molding, thereby providing a new oil damper which reduces a production cost significantly, and has a good productivity, and high operation reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jong Seog Kim
  • Patent number: 7637520
    Abstract: A lower fork tube cover is comprised of a first cover member and a second cover member that is connectable to the first cover member. A mounting bracket attaches to an inner surface of the first cover member to mount the first cover member to a front brake caliper mount connected to the lower fork tube. An upper portion of the first cover member is configured to cover a first portion of the lower fork tube and the front brake caliper mount. A lower portion of the first cover member substantially surrounds a rear half of a second portion of the lower fork tube. A base wall extends from the lower portion. The second cover member is configured to substantially surround a front half of the lower fork tube. The second cover member includes a base wall at a lower end that overlaps with and is connectable to the base wall of the first cover member to cover a lower end of the lower fork tube. A front edge of the second cover member overlaps and is connectable to a front edge portion of the first cover member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Kuryakyn Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Madden
  • Publication number: 20090229935
    Abstract: A housing having a first housing end and a second housing end, a substantially cylindrical work chamber formed in the housing, a piston which is arranged in the work chamber so as to be displaceable and which divides the work chamber into a first work space near the first housing end and a second work space near the second housing end, a piston rod which is arranged at one side of the piston and which projects through the first work space and is guided out of the work chamber in a sealed manner at the first housing end through a guiding and sealing device, and a valve chamber which is formed in the housing parallel to the work chamber and in which a first valve assembly and a second valve assembly are arranged. The work chamber is always completely filled with a liquid medium and the valve chamber is at least partially filled with a liquid medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Edgar Filk, Heiko Zetzsche, Otmar Giesler, Andreas Berendes, Bernd Tiepelmann
  • Publication number: 20090194379
    Abstract: A fluid-pressure shock absorber comprising: an external cylinder with an open portion provided at one end thereof, a piston rod, a tip of which projects from the open portion of the external cylinder; a rod guide, wherein the open portion of the external cylinder is closed with caulking works so as to make a caulking portion, and further comprising: an annular bump cap coaxially arranged relative to the external cylinder; a cap holder arranged on a side of the tip of the piston rod relative to the rod guide so as to retain the bump cap, wherein an end portion on the rod guide side of the bump cap is abutted to the caulking portion, and a clearance in an axial direction is formed between an end portion of the cap holder on a side towards the tip of the piston rod and the bump cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Maeda
  • Patent number: 7559542
    Abstract: A gas spring for providing a smooth and generally gradual load distribution between interrelated parts of a press has a casing defining at least in part a gas chamber. A housing is received at least in part in the casing. The housing has a through bore sized for receipt of the piston rod therein for reciprocation between extended and retracted positions. A piston retainer is attached for conjoint movement with the piston rod. An end of the housing flexes between a compressed position when the piston retainer abuts the housing as the piston rod moves toward its extended position and an uncompressed position when the piston retainer moves toward its retracted position and out of engagement with the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Diebolt International, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan P. Cotter
  • Patent number: 7549519
    Abstract: A spool-shaped damper piston which is slideably mounted on a damper rod and has an external foam friction element engaging the inner surface of the cylindrical damper body. A pair of axially movable limiting disks are spaced from the spool-shaped damper a predetermined distance to allow movement of the damper rod a predetermined amount before the spool-shaped damper is engaged. In one embodiment, the disks include axially extending tabs which extend through slots in the ends of the spool and selectively engage the foam friction element when the motion of the damping rod exceeds a predetermined threshold. In another embodiment of the invention, the limiting disks include spring fingers extending between the disks and the spool ends to cushion the initial engagement between the disks and the spool as the free space threshold is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Suspa Incorporated
    Inventors: D. Stuart Atwater, Sean E. Couch
  • Patent number: 7493995
    Abstract: A shock absorber include a cylinder, a piston rod coupled to the cylinder, and a piston coupled to the piston rod. The piston rod is magnetically encoded so that it includes a plurality of magnetic phase shifts. The phase shifts allow the position of the piston rod relative to the cylinder to be determined so that it can function as a displacement sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Geert Sas, Mario Maes, Xavier Lauwerys, Pol Mermans, David Chiaradia
  • Patent number: 7487957
    Abstract: A pneumatic spring-vibration damper unit is provided for absorbing shocks on wheels and chassis parts of motor vehicles. A variable air chamber is delimited by a rolling bellows which is disposed between a first subassembly that is fixed to the vehicle body and is provided with a vibration damper system and a second subassembly that is fixed to the vehicle chassis and is movable therewith. A piston rod connects the first subassembly located at the vehicle body end and the second subassembly located at the chassis end and whose free end located at the vehicle body end is accommodated inside a cylinder tube of the vibration damper system so as to be longitudinally movable by means of a piston. The piston rod (8) is guided within the cylinder tube (6) of the vibration damper system (2) so as to be longitudinally movable with the aid of a drag bearing arrangement (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Hans-Gerd Brunneke, Christian Loesche
  • Publication number: 20090026030
    Abstract: A shock absorber piston assembly includes a shock absorber piston having a first face and an opposed second face. A plurality of fluid passages extend between the first face and the second face. A plurality of valves attach to the piston, including: at least two rebound valves, each connectable to one of the fluid passages, and at least two compression valves, each connectable to one of the fluid passages. Each of the valves actuates at one of a plurality of valve opening pressures individually adjustable for each valve. The shock absorber piston assembly can be used in either a monotube or a dual tube shock absorber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Simon Anne de Molina, Jean-Marie Tuts
  • Patent number: 7451860
    Abstract: For a device for the amplitude-dependent absorption of shocks, especially of the wheel of a vehicle, with at least one working piston (3), which is disposed within an absorbing housing (1) and connected with a piston rod (2) and divides the absorbing housing (1) into two absorbing spaces (4, 5) and interacts with a hydraulic element, which is disposed in parallel for affecting small amplitudes and has a space (15) with a dividing element, the space (15) being tied in with hydraulic tie-ins with the absorbing spaces (4, 5), the greatest possible absence of wear and a soft response of the working piston are to be achieved. For this purpose, it is proposed that the dividing element consists of a foamed, elastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Bilstein GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Nevoigt, Steffen Lang
  • Publication number: 20080210119
    Abstract: A device for the secondary suspension of a body of a rail vehicle, the device comprising a spring element which is between the body and a bogie and to ensure at least one raised transport level for the body during the journey of the rail vehicle. The spring element can be compressed by a traction cylinder when the rail vehicle is stationary, in order to adjust a sunken platform level for the body, which is arranged below the raised driving level. The traction cylinder is provided with means for mechanically decoupling the advancing movement of the body from a pressure reduction in the pressure chamber of the traction cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: KNORR-BREMSE SYSTEME FUR SCHENENFAHRZEUGE GMBH
    Inventors: Martin Lehmair, Eduard Nies, Winfried Hommen, Martin Waldstein, Ralf Oberthur
  • Patent number: 7367435
    Abstract: A shock absorber preferably used for an automobile aims at inhibition of noise caused by self-induced vibration. The shock absorber includes a piston, a working cylinder for housing the piston; and a rod, one end of which being attached to the piston and the other end of which projecting from the working cylinder, wherein a friction coefficient ? between the piston and the working cylinder is represented by the formula ??3h2/rl, where, r is the radius of the piston; 2h is the height of the piston; and l is the length of a portion of the rod, which portion is stored in the working cylinder when the piston is neutral.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yamauchi, Nakaaki Himeki, Toshihiko Sugahara, Akiyoshi Yanagita, Yuzo Niina
  • Patent number: 7347437
    Abstract: A damper assembly for a suspension system of a vehicle includes a housing adapted to be mounted to one end of a strut in the suspension system. The housing has a chamber with fluid therein. The damper assembly also includes at least one diaphragm extending across the chamber to react with the fluid, to be compliant at relatively small displacements, and to be rigid at relatively large displacements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Oblizajek, Shawn G. Quinn, William C. Gregory, Carl T. Wright, Gregory J. Fadler
  • Publication number: 20080023281
    Abstract: In a hydraulic shock absorber in which an inner tube in an axle side is slidably inserted into an outer tube in a vehicle body side, a partition wall member is provided in an inner periphery of the inner tube, a working fluid chamber is comparted on a lower side of the partition wall member, an oil reservoir chamber is comparted on an upper side of the partition wall member, and a piston rod is attached to the outer tube side is inserted into the working fluid chamber through the partition wall member. A piston sliding within the working fluid chamber is provided in a leading end portion of the piston rod, and a suspension spring is interposed between an upper spring bearing in the piston rod side and a lower spring bearing in a bottom portion side of the inner tube, within the working fluid chamber of the inner tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventor: Yosuke Murakami
  • Patent number: 7316409
    Abstract: A front fork of a bicycle, which has damping function, has a lower fork having a closed bottom. An upper fork tube is inserted into the lower fork for reciprocation relative to the lower fork, which has a nozzle at a top thereof. Oil is received in a space between the lower fork and the upper fork tube. An air chamber is formed in a space between a surface of the oil and the nozzle, which a gas is issued therein and a pressure of the gas is greater than an atmospheric pressure, and a damping device, which is mounted at a bottom of the upper fork tube and under the surface of the oil, has multiple, variable oil flow paths through which oil passes as the upper and lower fork member reciprocate to provide various damping characteristics dependent on the relative speed or impact the fork members experience with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Spinner Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Leo Chen
  • Patent number: 7310876
    Abstract: A method for producing a one-part piston body for a piston-cylinder arrangement, in particular a shock absorber piston, is disclosed. The method may include in a first step, pressing a green compact comprising a revolving web and longitudinal support webs from a sinterable metallurgical powder. In a second step, the green compact may be sintered to form a blank. In a third step, radially disposed stamping tools may be used to form, under material displacement, transverse grooves into at least a part of the support webs through cold deformation. In a fourth step, the blank provided with transverse grooves may be calibrated to its final form through pressing with calibrating tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: GKN Sinter Metals GmbH
    Inventors: Ewald May, Rainer Schmitt
  • Patent number: 7299908
    Abstract: A device for absorbing shocks, in particular for two-wheeled vehicles, having at least a chamber filled with a fluid medium; at least a piston means (20) movable in the longitudinal direction of the chamber which divides the chamber at least into a first subchamber (21) and at least a second subchamber (22); at least a valve positioned between the first subchamber (21) and the second subchamber (22) which can be brought into at least two different positions, wherein at least in a, first valve position with the piston means applying a force relative to the chamber substantially no medium flow occurs at least in a first direction from the second subchamber (22) into the first subchamber (21); wherein at least in a second position of the valve (28), with the piston, means applying a force relative to the chamber, medium flow occurs at least in the first direction from the second subchamber (22) into the first subchamber (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: DT Swiss Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Achenbach
  • Patent number: 7293634
    Abstract: A hydraulic shock absorber comprises a cylindrical chamber (3), which is closed at one end and in which is axially slidably guided a piston member 85), supported by a piston rod (8) and at its peripheral surface carrying a surrounding non-slotted elastic ring element (6), the peripheral piston member surface being conically converging in a direction away from the closed chamber end and the inner surface of the ring element also conically converging in the same direction, the ring element (6) furthermore being axially reciprocably mounted on the piston member (5) between a first rigid abutment 84) at the end of said member (5) closest to the closed and (10) of the chamber (3), and a second rigid abutment (7) on the piston member (5) at a spacing from the first abutment (4) exceeding the axial length of the ring element (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: ASA-Suspension AB
    Inventor: Jan-Erik Rova
  • Publication number: 20070227848
    Abstract: A piston arrangement which can be fitted into a cylinder having an inside wall, the arrangement including a piston and a radial damping element which damps movement of the piston arrangement, the radial damping element having at least two sector-shaped sections which are loaded radially outward against the inside wall of the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Applicant: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventor: Jorg Schoppet
  • Patent number: 7255211
    Abstract: A dashpot featuring amplitude-dependent shock absorption, especially intended for the wheel of a vehicle and including a hydraulically parallel cylindrical pressure-compensation chamber (8). The pressure-compensation chamber is partitioned by an axially displaceable floating piston (10). At least one face (25) of the floating piston is provided with a resilient bumper (18). The object is a dashpot with a floating piston that arrives more gently at its limit inside the pressure-compensation chamber (8). The bumper is accordingly accommodated in an axial hollow (17) that extends through the body (15) of the floating piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Thyssenkrupp Bilstein Suspension GmbH
    Inventors: Ole Götz, Andreas Nevoigt, Walter Burböck, Dirk Feist, Claus Weimann, Ralf Wilhelm, Ulrich Hartig, Elmar Lauer, Markus Schmidt, Andreas Kaup, Tina Eisenring, Joachim Körner, Alfons Schreiner, Thomas Jost
  • Patent number: 7204104
    Abstract: A damper includes: a cylinder: a piston rod inserted to be movable linearly in the cylinder; a guide member provided with a coupling hole to which an insertion portion of the rod member is coupled at a center thereof, and provided with first and second grooves at an outer circumferential surface thereof; a fixed damping member fitted into the first groove and adhered to an inner surface of the cylinder; and a movable damping member up and down movably fitted into the second groove and selectively adhered to the inner surface of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Young-Ho Kim, Joon-Woo Kim, Dong-Won Kim, Seung-Chul Park, Si -Moon Jeon, Gwan-Ryong Park
  • Patent number: 7172058
    Abstract: Vibration damper with amplitude-dependent damping force includes a cylinder, in which a piston rod, carrying a piston, is guided with freedom of axial movement, where the piston divides the cylinder into a working space on the piston rod side and a working space on the side away from the piston rod. The piston rod carries at least part of a housing, which is mounted in the direction of the piston rod-side working space, and where a separating body is supported inside the housing with freedom to slide. The separating body divides the housing into first and second working chambers, where the first working chamber is connected by at least one radial connecting opening to the piston rod-side working space and the second working chamber is connected by a connecting channel to the working space on the side away from the piston rod. At least a part of the housing is connected to the piston rod by a weld.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Gunnar Burkert, Andreas Förster, Heinz-Joachim Gilsdorf, Hans Gonschorrek, Frank MacKert, Thomas Kiefer, Klaus Sauer
  • Patent number: 7147207
    Abstract: An actuator apparatus controls a valve mechanism of a suspension system. The apparatus includes a valve actuating assembly and an adjuster assembly. The valve actuating assembly is operatively connected to the valve mechanism and is operable between at least two rider-selectable positions to adjust the valve mechanism between various suspension settings. The adjuster assembly is operatively connected to the valve actuating assembly for adjusting the damping characteristics corresponding to at least one of the positions of the valve actuating assembly independently of the damping characteristics corresponding to another position of the valve actuating assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: SRAM Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Jordan, Kevin Wesling, Christopher Shipman, Eric Swaidner, John Cheever
  • Patent number: 7134534
    Abstract: A front fork for a vehicle includes an upper front fork tube, a lower front fork tube movably coupled to the upper front fork tube, a fluid contained in the upper and lower front fork tubes, and a damper fixedly sealedly mounted inside the upper front fork tube. The damper has a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a through hole in communication with the fluid inlet, and a blocking member movably mounted in the fluid inlet for regulating upward flowing rate of the fluid from the lower front fork tube into the upper front fork tube through the fluid inlet and the through hole upon movement of the upper front fork tube relative to the lower front fork tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Spinner Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hui-Hsiung Chen
  • Patent number: 7111711
    Abstract: Vibration damper, containing a damping medium-filled cylinder, in which a piston rod with a piston is installed with freedom of axial movement, where, as a function of the stroke of the piston, a bypass connects a working space on the piston rod side to a working space on the side away from the piston rod, the two spaces being separated from each other by the piston, where the piston has at least one through-channel for at least one flow direction, the outlet side this channel being at least partially covered by at least one valve disk, so that a surface is present on the valve disk upon which pressure can act in the opening direction of the disk, where, in addition to the said pressure-actuated surface, the valve disk also has a second pressure-actuated surface, which is separated from the first when the valve disk is closed and which can be put into action by the bypass, so that the effects of the two pressure-actuated surfaces are added to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventor: Manfred Grundei
  • Patent number: 7104369
    Abstract: A piston rod with a piston is installed with freedom of axial movement in a damping medium-filled cylinder, where, as a function of the stroke position of the piston, a bypass connects the two working spaces separated from each other by the piston. The piston has at least one through-channel for at least one flow direction, which channel is at least partially covered on the outlet side by at least one valve disk, so that a first pressure-actuated surface to which pressure can be applied in the opening direction is present on the valve disk. In addition to the first pressure-actuated surface, the valve disk has a second pressure-actuated surface, which is separated from the first when the valve disk is closed and which can be actuated via the bypass, in which case the effects of the two pressure-actuated surfaces are additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Steffen Heyn, Frank Gundermann, Christian Böhm, Bernd Zeissner, Manfred Grundei
  • Patent number: 7070029
    Abstract: A shock absorber piston assembly includes a piston having a first face, a second face and a plurality of fluid passages. Preloaded flow control devices each seal at least one of the fluid passages, including: a first bleed plate contacting the first face and a second bleed plate contacting the second face; and a pair of blow-off discs, with a first blow-off disc contacting the first face and a second blow-off disc contacting the second face. Each of the flow control devices opens at an individually adjustable device opening pressure. Each of the multiple passages in contact with the blow-off discs can also differ in flow area to permit the blow-off discs to angularly lift to limit disc chatter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventor: Stefan Deferme
  • Patent number: 7066310
    Abstract: A piston is guided in an axially displaceable manner sealed off from a closed cylinder via an annular seal radially surrounding it, and divides the cylinder interior into a working space near the piston rod and a working space away from the piston rod. The two working spaces are filled with a hydraulic fluid. The piston has a one-sided piston rod which extends through the working space near the piston rod and is guided in a sealed manner to the outside through an end closing wall of the cylinder. A first valve can be opened under high pressure to connect the working space away from the piston rod to the working space near the piston rod. A second valve can be opened under high pressure to connect the working space near the piston rod to the working space away from the piston rod. A volume-equalizing chamber for receiving the amount displaced from the working space away from the piston rod, which is greater than the amount displaced from the working space near the piston rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Rolf Mintgen, Wilhelm Schwab, Paul Muders, Frank Born, Andre Stein
  • Patent number: 7048100
    Abstract: A piston/cylinder unit has a closed cylinder with a piston axially displaceably guided therein. The piston divides the cylinder interior into first and a second working spaces which are both filled with a fluid. A first nonreturn valve is arranged in the piston having a closing element of which is force-loaded in the closing direction. At least a portion of the first nonreturn valve is exposed to pressure in the first working space. A second nonreturn valve is also arranged in the piston and also has a closing element of which is force-loaded in the closing direction. The surface of the closing element of the first and/or second nonreturn valve acted upon by the pressure of the respective working spaces can be enlarged during the opening stroke of said nonreturn valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Born, Rolf Mintgen, Paul Muders, Wilhelm Schwab, Andre Stein