Abstract: A shock absorber includes a pressure tube, a rod, a rod guide, a first piston, a second piston, and a cup. The pressure tube has an inner surface that defines a fluid chamber. The rod extends into the pressure tube. The rod guide locates the rod relative to the pressure tube. The first piston is coupled to the rod and divides the fluid chamber into an upper working chamber and a lower working chamber. The second piston is coupled to the rod and disposed within the lower working chamber. The cup has an open end configured to receive the second piston and a closed end opposite of the open end. The cup includes a sidewall and a bottom wall. The sidewall includes a cylindrical section and a flared section. The bottom wall forms the closed end of the cup, extends radially outward of the sidewall, and supports the pressure tube.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a pressure tube, a rod, a rod guide, a first piston, a second piston, and a cup. The pressure tube has an inner surface that defines a fluid chamber. The rod extends into the pressure tube. The rod guide locates the rod relative to the pressure tube. The first piston is coupled to the rod and divides the fluid chamber into an upper working chamber and a lower working chamber. The second piston is coupled to the rod and disposed within the lower working chamber. The cup has an open end configured to receive the second piston and a closed end opposite of the open end. The cup includes a sidewall and a bottom wall. The sidewall includes a cylindrical section and a flared section. The bottom wall forms the closed end of the cup, extends radially outward of the sidewall, and supports the pressure tube.

Abstract: A shock absorber assembly includes a pressure tube having an upper end and a lower end and defining an interior, a rod guide disposed adjacent the upper end, a first compression valve assembly adjacent the lower end, a rod operatively coupled to the pressure tube having a first end and a second end, an extender coupled to the second end of the rod, a piston assembly coupled to the extender between the rod guide and the first compression valve assembly with the piston assembly disposed within the interior and slideably coupled to the pressure tube, with the piston assembly dividing the interior into an upper and a lower working chamber, a second compression valve assembly coupled to the extender between the piston assembly and the first compression valve assembly, and a cup disposed within the lower working chamber and defining a bore shaped to receive the second compression valve assembly.

Abstract: A shock absorber assembly includes a pressure tube having an upper end and a lower end and defining an interior, a rod guide disposed adjacent the upper end, a first compression valve assembly adjacent the lower end, a rod operatively coupled to the pressure tube having a first end and a second end, an extender coupled to the second end of the rod, a piston assembly coupled to the extender between the rod guide and the first compression valve assembly with the piston assembly disposed within the interior and slideably coupled to the pressure tube, with the piston assembly dividing the interior into an upper and a lower working chamber, a second compression valve assembly coupled to the extender between the piston assembly and the first compression valve assembly, and a cup disposed within the lower working chamber and defining a bore shaped to receive the second compression valve assembly.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a valve assembly which includes a valve disc engaging an inner and outer valve land defined by a valve body. The inner valve land is a non-circular valve land such that a radial dimension between the inner and outer valve land varies based upon a circumferential position of the radial dimension. The varying radial dimension provides a progressive valve opening for the valve assembly.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a valve assembly which includes a valve disc engaging an inner and outer valve land defined by a valve body. The inner valve land is a non-circular valve land such that a radial dimension between the inner and outer valve land varies based upon a circumferential position of the radial dimension. The varying radial dimension provides a progressive valve opening for the valve assembly.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a pressure tube with a piston slidably disposed therein. A separate valve includes a fluid circuit for fluid low in rebound and a fluid circuit for fluid flow in compression. Each fluid circuit includes a variable orifice which allows selection between a firm rebound with a soft compression, a soft rebound with a soft compression and a soft rebound with a firm compression. Each variable orifice is in communication with a blowoff valve in such a manner that they provide a variable blowoff feature to the blowoff valves.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a pressure tube with a piston slidably disposed therein. A separate valve includes a fluid circuit for fluid low in rebound and a fluid circuit for fluid flow in compression. Each fluid circuit includes a variable orifice which allows selection between a firm rebound with a soft compression, a soft rebound with a soft compression, and a soft rebound with a firm compression. Each variable orifice is in communication with a blowoff valve in such a manner that they provide a variable blowoff feature to the blowoff valves.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a pressure tube with a piston slidably disposed therein. A separate valve includes a fluid circuit for fluid low in rebound and a fluid circuit for fluid flow in compression. Each fluid circuit includes a variable orifice which allows selection between a firm rebound with a soft compression, a soft rebound with a soft compression and a soft rebound with a firm compression. Each variable orifice is in communication with a blowoff valve in such a manner that they provide a variable blowoff feature to the blowoff valves.

Abstract: A novel tunable hydraulic valve assembly, adaptable to a standard direct acting hydraulic shock absorber, variably responsive to a plurality of selected ranges of fluid pressure differentials to provide a plurality of fluid flow paths between fluid containing portions of the shock absorber, and a method for achieving same, is disclosed. The valve assembly comprises a plurality of deflectable valve disks with flow ports, in stacked abutting relationship whereby selected ranges of fluid pressure differentials deflect variable numbers of valve disks providing varying fluid flow paths therebetween. The valve assembly of the present invention is shown to be adapted to use in both the piston, tunably affecting fluid flow between portions of the pressure cylinder on either side of a reciprocable piston disposed therein, and the base valve assembly, tunably affecting fluid flow between the pressure cylinder and the fluid reservoir.

Abstract: An apparatus for damping the movement of the body of an automobile. The apparatus includes a shock absorber having a pressure cylinder which forms a working chamber having first and second portions operable to store damping fluid. The apparatus further includes a piston assembly disposed in the pressure cylinder and having a valve body forming first and second flow passage for providing fluid communication between the first and second portions of the working chamber. The valve body forming first and second annular recesses adjacent the first and second portions, respectively, of the working chamber. The apparatus further including a first unloader disposed within the first annular recess and which is operable for controlling the flow of damping fluid through the first flow passage from the second portion to the first portion of the working chamber during compression.

Abstract: A shock absorber is disclosed which electrically communicates with an external source of electrical potential. The shock absorber comprises a valve for electrically controlling the flow of damping fluid in the working chamber of the shock absorber. The shock absorber further comprises a connector for allowing the valve to be electrically connected to the source of electrical potential. The connector comprises an adapter shaft communicating with the piston rod of the shock absorber, a first connector assembly connected to the adapter shaft, and a second connector assembly connected to the first connector assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for damping the movement of the body of an automobile. The apparatus includes a shock absorber having a pressure cylinder which forms a working chamber and a first and second portion. A first sensor is used to generate an electrical signal in response to the pressure differential between the damping fluid stored in the first and second portions of the working chamber. A second sensor is used for determining the movement of the body on the automobile. An electrical control module is used for generating an electrical control signal in response to the outputs of the first and second sensors. Finally, the solenoid is used for regulating the flow of damping fluid between the first and second portions of the working chamber.

Abstract: A signal conditioning circuit assembly for use with a shock absorber. The signal conditioning circuit includes a pressure sensor for sensing differential pressure between the damping fluid stored in the upper and lower portions of the working chamber. The signal conditioning circuit assembly further includes a signal conditioning circuit which is used for conditioning the output of the pressure sensor. In another embodiment, the signal conditioning circuit assembly further includes an accelerometer for sensing the velocity of the body of the vehicle, as well as a signal conditioning circuit which conditions the output from the accelerometer.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for controlling shock absorbers is disclosed. The shock absorber comprises a pressure balanced shutter sleeve disposed within the piston rod of the shock absorber. The shutter sleeve has a plurality of flow passages in fluid communication with the lower portion of the working chamber. The shock absorber further comprises an orifice sleeve disposed within the piston rod and being displaceable with respect to the shutter sleeve. The orifice sleeve has a plurality of flow passages in fluid communication with the upper portion of the working chamber. The shock absorber further comprises an actuator for applying torque to the shutter sleeve as well as control means for controlling the application of torque by the actuator.

Abstract: A shock absorber is disclosed which electrically communicates with an external source of electrical potential. The shock absorber comprises a valve for electrically controlling the flow of damping fluid in the working chamber of the shock absorber. The shock absorber further comprises a connector for allowing the valve to be electrically connected to the source of electrical potential. The connector comprises an adapter shaft communicating with the piston rod of the shock absorber, a female connector assembly connected to the adapter shaft, and a male connector assembly connected to the female connector assembly.