Abstract: A vehicle damper comprises a fluid filled cylinder, a piston for movement within the cylinder, at least two fluid ports formed in the piston and at least one shim at least partially blocking the ports. In one embodiment, a fluid collection area is formed between the ports and the shim, the collection area permitting communication between fluid in the ports. In another embodiment, the piston includes at least one aperture constructed and arranged to receive a threaded bleed valve.

Abstract: An apparatus and system are disclosed that provide position sensitive suspension damping. A damping unit includes a piston mounted in a fluid-filled cylinder. A vented path in the piston may be fluidly coupled to a bore formed in one end of the piston rod, creating a flow path for fluid to flow from a first side of the piston to a second side of the piston during a compression stroke. The flow path may be blocked by a needle configured to engage the bore as the damping unit is substantially fully compressed, thereby causing the damping rate of the damping unit to increase. In one embodiment, the piston includes multiple bypass flow paths operable during the compression stroke or the rebound stroke of the damping unit. One or more of the bypass flow paths may be restricted by one or more shims mounted on the piston.

Abstract: A damper includes a housing, a piston, and a magneto-rheological (MR) fluid. The piston is movably disposed within the housing such that the piston divides an interior of the housing into first and second cavities and a passage defined in the piston couples the first and second cavities. The passage includes at least a disk shape space within the piston defined between by two substantially parallel surfaces. The MR fluid damps motion of the piston by a flow of MR fluid through the passage, and a magnet produces a magnetic field within at least the disk shape space of the passage.