Abstract: A damper assembly includes a main tube disposed on a center axis and defines a fluid chamber for containing a working fluid. A main piston is disposed in the fluid chamber dividing the fluid chamber into a rebound and a compression chamber. A piston rod is attached to the main piston for moving the main piston between a compression stroke and a rebound stroke. An additional piston is attached to the piston rod adjacent to the main piston. The additional piston includes a body having an upper and a lower member defining a groove. A sealing ring is disposed in the groove and being radially expandable in response to a working fluid pressure. The sealing ring includes at least one annular collar extending outwardly from the sealing ring for forming a locking engagement with the upper and lower members to limit the radial expansion of the sealing ring.

Abstract: An air management system and method are provided. The system includes a pressurized air source. A manifold block is coupled to the pressurized air source and includes a plurality of suspension valves in fluid communication with the pressurized air source and each defines a suspension orifice of a first diameter for controlling air flow to and from a plurality of air springs. A manifold pressurization valve is in fluid communication with the plurality of suspension valves and the pressurized air source and defines a manifold pressurization orifice of a second diameter that is less than the first diameter of the suspension orifice for opening under high pressure to allow pressurized air into the manifold block. An electronic control unit controls the manifold pressurization valve and the plurality of suspension valves to equalize a high pressure differential across the plurality of suspension valves from the plurality of air springs.

Abstract: A vertical decoupler assembly for a hydraulic mount including a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber includes a travel plate defining an interior space for receiving a removable vertical decoupler assembly. The vertical decoupler assembly includes an elastically deformable and tubular shaped diaphragm for dampening small vibrations across the mount. The vertical decoupler assembly may include an inner cage and an outer cage, each including a rigid, perforated, tubular wall disposed on either side of the diaphragm for limiting its radial deflection in each direction. The vertical decoupler assembly may include a rigid lower insert having an inverted cup shape with a second rim sealingly engaging the diaphragm and secured to the inner and outer cages. The decoupler diaphragm also includes a flange and a ring-shaped upper insert for nesting within and sealing against a throat at the upper end of the travel plate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a motor vehicle twin-tube damper comprising: a tube filled with a working liquid, a piston assembly disposed slidably inside the tube divides the tube into a rebound chamber and a compression chamber. A compensation chamber is located outside of the tube. A base valve assembly including a rebound valve assembly and a compression valve assembly controls the flow of the working liquid between the compensation chamber and the compression chamber. The rebound valve assembly includes a number of rebound flow channels covered by a main deflective disc. To suppress vibrations generated by the deflective disc due to pressure fluctuations occurring during rapid changes of the damper stroke direction, the rebound valve assembly includes an additional deflective disc disposed over the main deflective disc and separated from it by an annular gap with a thickness (G) that is less than the thickness of the main deflective disc.

Abstract: A hydraulic damper including a high frequency valve assembly for reducing the level of damping force provided by the hydraulic damper during a rebound stroke during high frequency and/or low amplitude events.

Abstract: A closing assembly for a magneto-rheological damper includes a housing defining a through bore with a first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth counter-bores having varied diameters. A wiper seal is disposed in the first counter-bore and an upper seal is disposed in the second counter-bore. A guide is disposed in the fourth counter-bore. The guide and the upper seal and the third counter-bore define a first chamber. A plate defining a passage is disposed axially below the guide in the fifth counter-bore with a flange extending into the sixth counter-bore. A lower seal is disposed in the passage. The guide and the plate and the fifth counter-bore define a second chamber. The first and second chambers separate and contain a lubricating oil adjacent to the upper seal and lower seal.

Abstract: An air suspension assembly includes a top and a piston. A bellows connects the top and the piston defining a first chamber. The piston includes an upper portion defining a bore in communication with the first chamber. A body extends outwardly from the upper portion to a proximal end defining a second chamber. A decoupler is disposed in the bore in communication with the first chamber and the second chamber. The decoupler includes a partition member extending across the decoupler isolating the first chamber from the second chamber for changing pressure in response to a pressure applied to the air suspension assembly. The decoupler includes a cap portion disposed in the bore, defining a hole, and an extension portion extending outwardly from the cap portion to a distal end defining a third chamber in communication with the hole, the first chamber, and the second chamber to receive the partition member.

Abstract: A hydraulic damper includes a hydraulic compression stop arrangement having an insert including a bottom and a fixing member including a body. The bottom is attached to the body through a locking connection preventing axial movement of the insert and transferring pressure exerted on the insert to the fixing member and allowing the cavity of the insert to receive the additional piston during the compression stroke to provide an additional damping force. The body includes a locking plate and the bottom includes a locking yoke with the locking yoke being secured to the locking plate to define the locking connection. The fixing member includes a head and the locking plate extends radially outwardly from the head defining a recess extending about the center axis. The locking yoke, having an arcuate shape and an L-shaped cross section, extends axially outwardly from the bottom to engage the recess forming the locking connection.

Abstract: Disclosed is a magneto-rheological strut comprising a housing tube, a damper body tube, and a bearing assembly disposed between the housing tube and the damper body tube. The bearing assembly comprises a bearing sleeve, with two integral annular bearings within the bearing sleeve and bearing against the damper body tube, and two internal annular seals abutting the radially external surface of the damper body tube and defining a fluid-tight internal lubricant chamber between the internal annular seals. The bearing assembly further comprises two external annular seals abutting the internal surface of the housing tube and defining an external lubricant chamber between the external annular seals and the housing tube. The bearing sleeve further comprises a number of radial channels passing through its wall and joining the internal lubricant chamber with the external lubricant chamber.

Abstract: An air management system and method are provided. The system includes a compressor and a reservoir tank coupled to the compressor. A manifold block has a plurality of valves and is coupled to the reservoir tank and the compressor for controlling air flow. At least one pressure sensor is coupled to the manifold block. The compressor includes a boost valve for selectively directly connecting the reservoir tank and an air inlet of the compressor. An electronic control unit is coupled to the valves, compressor, and the at least one pressure sensor and is configured to provide pressurized air from the reservoir tank to the air inlet, determine a pressure difference between the manifold block and the boost valve, and retain pressure in the manifold block in response to the pressure difference being less than a predetermined amount to reduce startup torque of the compressor without exhausting the manifold block.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magneto rheological fluid composition for use in a vehicle mount having a flexible body and a diaphragm. The magneto rheological fluid composition consists of a carrier fluid, a plurality of magnetic responsive particles dispersed in the carrier fluid and an anti-settling agent of fumed silica dispersed in the carrier fluid forming a thixotropic network with the carrier fluid suspending the magnetic responsive particles in the thixotropic network for preventing the magnetic responsive particles from settling. The magneto rheological fluid composition of the present invention contains no additional additives providing stability to the thixotropic network and to the magneto rheological fluid and preventing the flexible body and the diaphragm from reacting with the composition to prolong the life of the composition.

Abstract: A strut assembly including a reservoir tube that extends about and along a center axis and has an interior surface and defines a chamber. A bearing sleeve is disposed in the chamber of the reservoir tube and extends about and along the center axis between a proximal end and a distal end. The bearing sleeve presents an inner surface and an outer surface. A damper body tube is disposed in the bearing sleeve and is moveable relative to the bearing sleeve. A piston assembly is disposed in the damper body tube. The outer surface of the bearing sleeve has a tubular portion and a protrusion portion that extends radially outwardly relative to the tubular portion and annularly and providing an interference fit between the outer surface of the bearing sleeve and the interior surface of the reservoir tube.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hydraulic damper wherein the main damper tube has a narrowed section and it includes at least one additional piston assembly adapted to be received in the narrowed section to generate additional damping force. The piston assembly comprises a compression valve assembly and a rebound valve assembly each comprising at least one deflective disc. A sealing ring assembly is disposed between the compression and rebound valve assembles and comprises a first annular member having a plurality of channels covered by the deflective disc of the compression valve assembly; a second annular member having a plurality of channels, covered by the deflective disc of the rebound valve assembly; an axial projection between the annular members radially internal to the axial channels; and a sealing ring displaceable axially between the annular members and radially over the axial projection and adapted to cooperate with the narrowed section of the tube.

Abstract: A hydraulic damper includes a piston rod attached to a slidable piston assembly having a hollow housing with first and second valve assemblies disposed therein and each including a valve body and rebound and compression discs for regulating flow of a working fluid through the piston assembly. The first valve assembly is disposed about a sleeve with a valve nut securing them within the housing. The second valve assembly is threadedly secured in the housing, with a pin holding it together. The housing including a coil and an armature, axially slidable through a plunger guide with a spring biasing the armature to a first position with fluid allowed to flow through the sleeve to bypass the first valve. The armature slides to a second position with fluid not bypassing the first valve in response to the coil being energized by an electrical cable which extends through the piston rod.

Abstract: A hydraulic damper assembly including a housing that extends about and along an axis and defines an interior wall and a chamber for holding a fluid. A piston assembly is disposed in the chamber and axially moveable therein. The piston assembly includes a core. A wear band is disposed about the core and has an inside surface and an outside surface. The inside surface of the wear band defines at least one groove in fluid communication with the chamber for allowing the fluid to bias the wear band toward the interior wall of the housing during the passage of the fluid though the at least one groove during movement of the piston assembly.

Abstract: A hydraulic damper including a piston assembly having a piston body including at least two first channels and at least two second channels. The first and second channels are sloped. A compression side of each of the first channels is positioned radially outward relative to a rebound side. A rebound side of each of the second channels is positioned radially outward relative to a compression side. At least one main disc at least partially covers the rebound side of each of the first channels, and at least one main disc at least partially covers the compression side of each of the second channels. At least one supplementary channel is positioned radially inward with respect to the first and second channels. At least one supplementary disc at least partially covers at least one of a rebound side and a compression side of the at least one supplementary channel.

Abstract: A twin-tube hydraulic damper assembly includes a main tube having an internal radius extending along a center axis between a first end and a second end. An external tube is disposed on the center axis extending about the main tube. A base valve attached to the second end for controlling the flow of the working liquid during the compression stroke and the rebound stroke. A rebound valve of at least one rebound deflective disc having a thickness is disposed in the compression chamber and adjacent to the body. The rebound deflective disc has an external circumferential surface spaced from the main tube defining an annular damping gap extending about the center axis and having a radial width whereby a ratio of said radial width of the annular damping gap to the internal radius is less than 10%.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydraulic damper for a motor vehicle, comprising a tube with a slidably piston assembly attached to an end of a piston rod that is led outside the tube through a rod guide. A protective cap surrounds a portion of the tube. A partially axially elastic protective tube is attached to the cap and surrounds it and the piston rod. The cap is a unitary plastic component and has an annular flange provided with locking means attaching it to the protective tube. The cap has a plurality of spaced axial ribs separated by axial slots and joining a cylindrical section of the cap with the flange. A plurality of auxiliary ribs join the axial ribs and the annular area of the axial slots is larger than the total annular area of the axial ribs and the auxiliary ribs combined.

Abstract: A monotube damper assembly includes a housing presenting a wall extending between a rod end and a closed end to define a main chamber. A gas cup having a top portion and a body portion is disposed in the main chamber to divide the main chamber of the housing into a gas chamber and a fluid chamber. The gas cup includes a top portion and a body portion. A piston is disposed in the fluid chamber. A rod guide is disposed adjacent to the rod end and spaced part from the piston. A piston rod is connected to the piston. A gas damper having a cylindrical shape includes a restrictor disposed the body portion of gas cup and the top potion of the gas cup for providing additional damping force to the gas cup.

Abstract: An assembly for multi-stage damping comprising a damping unit 20 including a decoupler 36 defining an annular zone 70 surrounding a circular zone 68. The annular zone 70 extends inwardly from an outer ring 38 to define a ring shape for flexing with the circular zone 68 in a first mode 72 to maximize the potential volume of displacement between a first chamber 30 and a second chamber 32. Additionally, the assembly provides for flexing the annular zone 70 independently of the circular zone 68 in a second mode 74 to decrease the potential volume of displacement of the decoupler 36 between the first chamber 30 and the second chamber 32. The decoupler 36 includes a plurality of rings 38, 46, 54 extending axially from a first surface 40 and a second surface 42 for defining an axial travel limit for the annular zone 70.