Abstract: A magneto-rheological (MR) damper provides a higher than minimum level of damping when a power source to the MR damper is not supplying a control current. The present invention damper includes magnets positioned to direct a magnetic flux across a MR fluid path. The fluid path is created when a rod and piston assembly stroke the fluid though a control valve assembly attached to a damper chamber causing a resistance to MR fluid flow. An electric coil cancels an effect of the permanent magnets when the control current is available to allow a control circuit more operating range. The permanent magnets allow for damping when no control current is available.

Abstract: An automatic damper for an automobile automatic damper system which provides a compression valve operable to vary compressive damping characteristics of a damper, as well as a rebound valve operable to vary rebound damping characteristics of the damper. Use of the invention in cooperation with presently available electronic control modules and sensing algorithms provides a damper with either discrete valves or continuously variable valves for independently setting the rebound and compression damping characteristics of the damper.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shock absorber having improved damping. On the base of the shock absorber there is fastened the bottom of a barrel on which rests the counter-acting spring which urges in expansion the piston of the shock absorber. The barrel contains damping fluid and has a piston which is axially movable with lateral seal. The shock absorber also has an external secondary flow dampening device which is connected to the base of the shock absorber via a tube. In the strut base, and the connecting appendage there is a plug adjustment which moves laterally and limits an alternative path of flow for the liquid through the base flow damper and the piston flow damper respectively. By acting on the plug adjustments it is possible to adjust the braking level in expansion of the strut. Each flow damper also is affixed with a shim. The shim on the piston flow damper will flex at an appropriate pressure in the expansion phase, thereby damping the reaction of the strut to expansion.

Abstract: A hydraulic shock absorber includes an inner cylinder filled with a working oil, an outer cylinder, and a reservoir defined between the inner and outer cylinders. A piston is slidably disposed within the inner cylinder so as to divide the interior of the inner cylinder into an upper cylinder chamber and a lower cylinder chamber. A piston rod is connected to the piston. A tubular member is disposed between the inner and outer cylinders and has a radial port. A damper mechanism is attached to the outer cylinder so as to control the flow of the working oil to produce a damping resistance. The outer cylinder includes a mounting projection with a substantially flat top surface on which the damper mechanism is secured. A sleeve has one end inserted into the port of the tubular member and the other, flanged end terminating at the top surface of the mounting projection. A first sealing element is secured between the sleeve and the port to provide a seal between the sleeve and the tubular member.

Abstract: The flow of a hydraulic fluid caused by sliding movement of a piston in a cylinder is controlled by a disk valve and extension- and contraction-side main valves, thereby generating damping force. By controlling the valve opening pressures of the disk valve as a pressure control valve with respect to extension- and compression-side valve seats with a proportional solenoid actuator, damping force can be directly controlled independently of the piston speed. Moreover, the pressures in pilot chambers are changed to control the valve opening pressures of the extension- and compression-side main valves. Because the disk valve is placed between the extension- and compression-side valve seats, it is possible to simultaneously select different damping force characteristics for the extension and compression sides.

Abstract: A fluid regulating device includes a regulator housing that confines a valve receiving chamber and a fluid chamber filled with hydraulic fluid. The regulator housing is formed with a fluid opening that is in fluid communication with the valve receiving chamber and that is connected fluidly to a fluid port of a hydraulic cylinder device. A pneumatic cylinder device includes a cylinder housing with a piston member slidingly and sealingly disposed therein to divide the same into a volume-variable pressurized gas compartment and a volume-variable fluid compartment which is in fluid communication with the fluid chamber via a fluid aperture. A regulating valve unit is disposed in the valve receiving chamber to control flow rate of the hydraulic fluid between the fluid opening and the fluid chamber.